13 hours ago
Rare good news for Seibold's struggling Sea Eagles
Haumole Olakau'atu has avoided season-ending shoulder surgery in a welcome boost for a struggling Manly side fighting for their NRL season.
Scans revealed the former NSW second-rower will miss between four and six weeks after dislocating his shoulder when attempting to score a try during Friday's 28-8 upset loss to Gold Coast.
There were concerns for Olakau'atu's season when he trudged off at CBus Super Stadium in the second half, cutting a forlorn figure.
A long-term injury would have been the last thing Manly needed given a poor run of form, losing three of the last four, and the ongoing absence of their other most important forward Taniela Paseka (achilles).
But given Manly have two byes in the next four weeks, Olakau'atu could end up missing as few as two games, with both of those against current bottom-eight sides in Wests Tigers and South Sydney.
The 11th-placed Sea Eagles can ill afford to drop either of those matches as they battle a form slump that threatens their top-eight aspirations.
Anthony Seibold's side have lost to three bottom-four sides in Parramatta, Newcastle and the Titans across the past month and will be thankful for a week to regroup over the round-16 bye.
Corey Waddell looks the likeliest man to join the back row in Olakau'atu's absence.
Lehi Hopoate is set to return from a head knock and push for selection in the backline in round 17, likely forcing Tommy Talau back to the reserves.
