Storm can be beaten by size: Manu

Big talker ... Sika Manu thinks the Storm can be intimidated. Source: Philip Hillyard / News Limited

Penrith back-rower Sika Manu says former club Melbourne are most vulnerable against physically big teams, and urged his Panthers pack to make their size count in Sunday's NRL clash with the Storm.

In Manu, the Panthers have a man who spent six years in the Storm inner-sanctum and got very used to sitting in a winning dressing shed.

But when victory becomes a habit, the losses and the reasons for losing tend to become more obvious.

The Storm have struggled most against the Warriors and Canberra in recent seasons - including last week's streak-breaking loss to the Raiders - and it's no surprise those two teams boast among the biggest engine rooms in the competition.

Manu says he and fellow mountain-men monsters Tim Grant, Nigel Plum and Mose Masoe will take it to the hardened Storm pack.

"I reckon we can. I think we've got the bigger forward pack," Manu said.

"We can really challenge Melbourne in the middle this week.

"We have to use it to our advantage."

Manu doesn't want emotions getting in the way this week, but admits it's difficult to treat his first match against the Storm as just another game.

"It's weird. But the good thing is I know a bit more about them than some of the boys here so I'll be giving a few tips," he said.

The Panthers have won just two matches this season, but Manu has no regrets about making the move.

In fact the proud Tongan international believes his game has flourished as a result of moving out of his comfort zone and the Storm's regimented style.

"I feel I've got a bit more freedom here to be able to play football and show my skills instead of just taking up runs and tackling," Manu said.

"Ivan's (coach, Ivan Cleary) encouraging me to do that at the Panthers, and if that helps the team out I'm happy to do it."

The other factor in Penrith's favour is coach Cleary, who from his tenure at the Warriors, has a winning percentage as good as anyone against Craig Bellamy's heavyweights.

Cleary agrees with Manu that success against the Storm starts in the middle.

"Anyone who has had success against the Storm have been able to challenge them in the forwards, so that's absolutely necessary this week," he said.

"You've got to be at your best, that's the most important thing. They've been the benchmark for five or six years.

"You've got to get in a position where you can compete with them. If you can do that, then who knows."

The Panthers must regroup after missing out on another marquee signing, with Todd Carney agreeing to stay on with the Sharks for a further five years.

Penrith were also unsuccessful in luring Johnathan Thurston. 

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ARU boss to dock Wallabies wages

Paycuts ... Wallabies players may not command the big dollars in the future. Source: AAP

Australian Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver has warned top players they will have to accept smaller contracts to play for the Wallabies due to the code's worrying financial situation.

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Lions tours have generally been huge money-spinners for Australian rugby but next month's visit isn't about to bring the windfall that was originally expected.

"Sadly there is not as much money coming in from the Lions tour this year as we would have wanted because of a quite difficult sponsorship market," Pulver said in an interview with the ESPNscrum website.

"Historically we have had these periodic windfalls.

"Hosting the 2003 Rugby World Cup, and a ton of money came in.

"Every 12 years you have a British and Irish Lions tour and a ton of money comes in.

"Australian rugby has pretty much survived on major windfalls that have covered losses until the next windfall comes in."

And Pulver warned Australia could not realistically be expected to host another World Cup until 2031 at the earliest, but more likely not until 2039.

"So our next windfall being 12 years away does worry me," he said.

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Pulver admitted he was concerned by the code's financial health and felt top-line players would have to cop reduced salaries to play for the Wallabies for the good of the game.

The ARU and Super Rugby franchises struggle mostly to keep top players from taking more lucrative deals in France and Japan, which in turn prevent them from playing for Australia.

"The opportunity and the excitement associated with the Wallabies jersey should carry a lot of value," Pulver said.

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Watch every match of the British and Irish Lions Tour Live and in HD on Fox Sports!

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"The lure, power and magnetism of that Wallabies jersey is significant.''

Pulver admitted Australian rugby had to do more than reduce player salaries if it was to get back in good financial shape.

"What I'm most concerned about is fan engagement," he said.

"It can be addressed, but turning around revenue is, on the one hand, about winning more at the elite level when 95 per cent of your revenue comes from Super Rugby and the Wallabies, and it is also turning the entertainment package around.

"Our rusted-on rugby fans have been slipping away from the game, and we've got to get them back. We have a fair bit of work to do."

Read more: http://www.espnscrum.com/australia/rugby/story/182399.html

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AFL Teams: all the ins and outs

Ins and outs ... Michael Hurley returns for Essendon. Source: Herald Sun

Check out all the ins and outs for round seven of the AFL premiership season.

Updated line-ups for Sunday's games will be announced on Friday afternoon, so check back in to get the latest teams before finalising your FOX FOOTY SuperCoach side.

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All times are listed in EST

Geelong v Essendon, Etihad Stadium, Friday 7.50pm (EST)
 
Geelong
B: Andrew Mackie, Tom Lonergan, Corey Enright
HB: Cameron Guthrie, Harry Taylor, Taylor Hunt
C: Mitch Duncan, Jimmy Bartel, Steven Motlop
HF: Allen Christensen, Steve Johnson, Billie Smedts
F: Mathew Stokes, Tom Hawkins, James Podsiadly
Foll: Trent West, Joel Selwood, James Kelly
Int: George Horlin-Smith, Jackson Thurlow, Jordan Schroder, Mark Blicavs
Emerg: Josh Hunt, Josh Caddy, Joshua Walker

In: Schroder, Thurlow
Out: Corey (knee), Murdoch (omitted)

Essendon
B: Kyle Hardingham, Dustin Fletcher, Michael Hibberd
HB: Dyson Heppell, Jake Carlisle, Mark Baguley
C: David Zaharakis, Jobe Watson, Jason Winderlich
HF: Alwyn Davey, Scott Gumbleton, Brendon Goddard
F: Michael Hurley, Stewart Crameri, Nick Kommer
R: Tom Bellchambers, Jake Melksham, Ben Howlett
Int: David Myers, Heath Hocking, Cale Hooker, Nathan Lovett-Murray
Emerg: Paddy Ryder, Jackson Merritt, Tayte Pears

In: Lovett-Murray, Winderlich, Hurley, Heppell, Carlisle, Fletcher
Out: Hille (omitted), Stanton (groin), Dempsey (ankle), Jetta (omitted), Pears (omitted), Merrett (omitted)

Port Adelaide v Richmond, AAMI Stadium, Saturday 1.15pm (CST)

Port Adelaide
B: Cameron O'Shea, Alipate Carille, Campbell Heath
HB: Lewis Stevenson, Tom Jonas, Dom Cassisi
C: Kane Cornes, Travis Boak, Matthew Broadbent
HF: Chad Wingard, Jay Schulz, Angus Monfries
F: Jake Neade, Justin Westhoff, Robbie Gray
Foll: Jarrad Redden, Hamish Hartlett, Brad Ebert
Int: Oliver Wines, Andrew Moore, Sam Colquhoun, Kane Mitchell
Emerg: Paul Stewart, Tom Logan, Daniel Stewart

In: Moore, Redden, Colquhoun
Out: Renouf (omitted), Lobbe (omitted), P. Stewart (omitted)

Richmond
B: Steven Morris, Alex Rance, Troy Chaplin
HB: Chris Newman, Brandon Ellis, Bachar Houli
C: Shaun Grigg, Shane Tuck, Daniel Jackson
HF: Brett Deledio, Shane Edwards, Jake King
F: Luke McGuane, Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin
Foll: Ivan Maric, Nathan Foley, Nick Vlastuin
Int: Chris Knights, Jake Batchelor, Orren Stephenson, Robin Nahas
Emerg: Aaron Edwards, Matt Dea, Matt White

In: Tuck, Foley, Nahas, Stephenson, Batchelor
Out: White (omitted), Petterd (calf), Cotchin (knee), Vickery (concussion), Grimes (foot)

Milestone: McGuane – 100 games

Brisbane Lions v West Coast, The Gabba, Saturday 2.10pm

Brisbane Lions
B: Mitch Golby, Daniel Merrett, Ashley McGrath
HB: Joel Patfull, Justin Clarke, Elliot Yeo
C: Jed Adcock, Brent Moloney, Pearce Hanley
HF: Dayne Zorko, Jonathan Brown, Josh Green
F: Rohan Bewick, Jordan Lisle, Ryan Lester
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger, Tom Rockliff, Jack Redden
Int: Simon Black, Andrew Raines, James Polkinghorne, Sam Mayes
Emerg: Sam Docherty, Billy Longer, Jack Crisp

In: Raines, Lisle, Black
Out: Cornelius (omitted), Longer (omitted), Paparone (omitted)

West Coast
B: Eric Mackenzie, Darren Glass, Will Schofield
HB: Shannon Hurn, Mitch Brown, Brad Sheppard
C: Matt Rosa, Scott Selwood, Andrew Gaff
HF: Mark LeCras, Jack Darling, Sharrod Wellingham
F: Josh Hill, Josh Kennedy, Nic Naitanui
Foll: Dean Cox, Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey
Int: Jacob Brennan, Bradd Dalziell, Mark Hutchings, Ashley Smith
Emg: Jamie Cripps, Ashton Hams, Callum Sinclair

In: Rosa, Hutchings, Sheppard
Out: Kerr (knee), Masten (foot), Sinclair (omitted)

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne, Etihad Stadium, Saturday 4.40pm (EST)

Western Bulldogs
B: Dale Morris, Jordan Roughead, Lukas Markovic
HB: Liam Picken, Tom Young, Jason Johannisen
C: Tom Liberatore, Matthew Boyd, Nick Lower
HF: Clay Smith, Liam Jones, Daniel Giansiracusa
F: Luke Dahlhaus, Robert Murphy, Dylan Addison
Foll: Will Minson, Adam Cooney, Ryan Griffen
Int: Jason Tutt, Mitch Wallis, Mark Austin, Daniel Cross
Emerg: Koby Stevens, Christian Howard, Tom Campbell

In: Giansiracusa, Murphy, Griffen, Markovic
Out: Stevens (omitted), Howard (omitted), Stringer (soreness), Macrae (soreness)

North Melbourne
B: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Jamie Macmillan
HB: Aaron Mullett, Michael Firrito, Brent Harvey
C: Daniel Wells, Shaun Atley, Ryan Bastinac
HF: Aaron Black, Majak Daw, Sam Wright
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Leigh Adams
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
Int: Ben Cunnington, Sam Gibson, Taylor Hine, Will Sierakowski
Emer: Brad McKenzie, Lachlan Hansen, Kieran Harper

In: Harvey
Out: Grima (soreness)

Hawthorn v Sydney Swans, MCG, Saturday 7.40pm (EST)

Hawthorn
No change

Sydney Swans
No change

Fremantle v Collingwood, Patersons Stadium, Saturday 5.40pm (WST)

Fremantle
B: Lee Spurr, Zac Dawson, Michael Johnson
HB: Garrick Ibbotson, Luke McPharlin, Alex Silvagni
C: Tendai Mzungu, Ryan Crowley, Stephen Hill
HF: Michael Barlow, Chris Mayne, Hayden Ballantyne
F: Matt de Boer, Jack Hannath, Michael Walters
Foll: Jonathon Griffin, Clancee Pearce, David Mundy
Int: Hayden Crozier, Nick Suban, Paul Duffield, Danyle Pearce
Emerg: Tom Sheridan, Tanner Smith, Cameron Sutcliffe

In: Hill
Out: Sutcliffe (omitted)

Collingwood
B: Nathan Brown, Ben Reid, Nick Maxwell
HB: Marty Clarke, Heath Shaw, Harry O'Brien
C: Steele Sidebottom, Dane Swan, Dale Thomas
HF: Jamie Elliott, Quinten Lynch, Brent Macaffer
F: Ben Kennedy, Travis Cloke, Sam Dwyer
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Jarryd Blair
Int: Andrew Krakouer, Josh Thomas, Paul Seedsman, Caolan Mooney
Emerg: Jordan Russell, Jarrod Witts, Marley Williams

In: Maxwell, Mooney
Out: Goldsack (hip), Witts (omitted)

GWS Giants v Adelaide, Skoda Stadium, Sunday 1.10pm (EST)

GWS Giants
B: Tim Mohr, Stephen Gilham, Adam Kennedy
HB: Toby Greene, Joshua Bruce, Sam Reid
C: Adam Treloar, Callan Ward, Lachie Whitfield
HF: Jeremy Cameron, Jonathan Giles, Rhys Palmer
F: Devon Smith, Adam Tomlinson, Taylor Adams
Foll: Dean Brogan, Tom Scully, Jacob Townsend
Int from: Zachary Williams, Stephen Coniglio, Dylan Shiel, Sam Darley, Aidan Corr, Shaun Edwards, Samuel Frost

In: Brogan, Darley, Kennedy, Edwards, Whitfield
Out: Hampton (omitted), Bugg (omitted)

Adelaide
B: Andy Otten, Ben Rutten, Luke Brown
HB: David Mackay, Daniel Talia, Brent Reilly
C: Brodie Smith, Scott Thompson, Bernie Vince
HF: Patrick Dangerfield, Shaun McKernan, Jason Porplyzia
F: Tom Lynch, Josh Jenkins, Matthew Wright
Foll: Sam Jacobs, Richard Douglas, Rory Sloane
Int from: Nathan van Berlo, Ian Callinan, Jarryd Lyons, Rory Laird, Ricky Henderson, Matthew Jaensch, Sam Kerridge

In: van Berlo, Callinan, Henderson, Laird
Out: Tambling (omitted)

Melbourne v Gold Coast, MCG, Sunday 4.40pm (EST)

Melbourne
B: Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Dean Terlich
HB: Daniel Nicholson, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland
C: Rohan Bail, Jack Viney, Matt Jones
HF: Jeremy Howe, Chris Dawes, Colin Sylvia
F: Luke Tapscott, Max Gawn, Shannon Byrnes
Foll: Jake Spencer, Michael Evans, Nathan Jones
Int from: Jordie McKenzie, David Rodan, James Strauss, James Sellar, Dean Kent, Aaron Davey, Troy Davis

In: Davey, Rodan, Sellar, Dawes, Davis
Out: Grimes (collarbone), Trengove (calf)

Gold Coast
B: Trent McKenzie, Thomas Murphy, Sam Day
HB: David Swallow, Rory Thompson, Greg Broughton
C: Matt Shaw, Gary Ablett, Jarrod Harbrow
HF: H. Bennell, T. Lynch, Jesse Lonergan
F: Charlie Dixon, Stephen May, Aaron Hall
Foll: Zac Smith, Jaeger O'Meara, Dion Prestia
Int from: Jack Hutchins, Brandon Matera, Jared Brennan, Luke Russell, Danny Stanley, Tim Sumner, Campbell Brown

In: Brown, Russell, May, Hutchins, Sumner
Out: Rischitelli (omitted), Hunt (hamstring)

St Kilda v Carlton, Etihad Stadium, Monday 7.40pm (EST)

St Kilda
B: Nathan Wright, Sam Fisher, James Gwilt
HB: Sean Dempster, Dylan Roberton, Jack Newnes
C: Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Arryn Siposs
HF: Ahmed Saad, Rhys Stanley, Jarryn Geary
F: David Armitage, Nick Riewoldt, Stephen Milne
Foll: Ben McEvoy, Sebastian Ross, Jack Steven
Int from: Brodie Murdoch, Jimmy Webster, Tom Hickey, Terry Milera, Farren Ray, Clint Jones, Josh Saunders

In: Ray, Gwilt, Milera, Webster, Hickey
Out: Koschitzke (suspension), Gilbert (knee)

Carlton
B: Chris Yarran, Michael Jamison, Lachie Henderson
HB: Zach Tuohy, Dennis Armfield, Simon White
C: Kane Lucas, Mitch Robinson, David Ellard
HF: Chris Judd, Andrew Walker, Jeff Garlett
F: Ed Curnow, Shaun Hampson, Matthew Kreuzer
Foll: Robbie Warnock, Marc Murphy, Heath Scotland
Int from: Kade Simpson, Brock McLean, Eddie Betts, Jaryd Cachia, Andrew Carrazzo, Levi Casboult, Aaron Joseph

In: Carrazzo, Kreuzer, Joseph, Casboult
Out: Waite (suspension)

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Ferguson calls time on career

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Standing ovation ... what a tenure it has been at Manchester United. Source: Glyn Kirk / AFP

Sir Alex Ferguson will retire at the end of the season, Manchester United have confirmed.

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Rumours about Ferguson's United future began to circulate at the club's golf day on Tuesday and were widely carried in Wednesday's newspapers.

And at 9.15am United made the announcement on their website that English football's most successful manager will call time on a 26-and-a-half-year reign this summer.

Ferguson's decision comes just days after he secured his 13th Premier League title, and he also delivered United two European Cups, five FA Cups, four League Cups and a European Cup Winners' Cup.

He will stay on at Old Trafford as a director and a club ambassador.

In a statement, Ferguson said: "The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time.

"It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so. The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.

"Our training facilities are amongst the finest in global sport and our home Old Trafford is rightfully regarded as one of the leading venues in the world.

"Going forward, I am delighted to take on the roles of both Director and Ambassador for the club. With these activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking forward to the future.

"I must pay tribute to my family, their love and support has been essential. My wife Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career, providing a bedrock of both stability and encouragement. Words are not enough to express what this has meant to me.

"As for my players and staff, past and present, I would like to thank them all for a staggering level of professional conduct and dedication that has helped to deliver so many memorable triumphs. Without their contribution the history of this great club would not be as rich.

"In my early years, the backing of the board, and Sir Bobby Charlton in particular, gave me the confidence and time to build a football club, rather than just a football team.

"Over the past decade, the Glazer family have provided me with the platform to manage Manchester United to the best of my ability and I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with a talented and trustworthy Chief Executive in David Gill. I am truly grateful to all of them.

"To the fans, thank you. The support you have provided over the years has been truly humbling. It has been an honour and an enormous privilege to have had the opportunity to lead your club and I have treasured my time as manager of Manchester United."
Privileged

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has described his time with Ferguson as the "greatest experience" of his working life.

"I've had the tremendous pleasure of working very closely with Alex for 16 unforgettable years - through the treble, the double, countless trophy wins and numerous signings," he said.

"We knew that his retirement would come one day and we both have been planning for it by ensuring the quality of the squad and club structures are in first-class condition.

"Alex's vision, energy and ability have built teams - both on and off the pitch - that his successor can count on as among the best and most loyal in world sport.

"The way he cares for this club, his staff and for the football family in general is something that I admire. It is a side to him that is often hidden from public view but it is something that I have been privileged to witness in the last 16 years.

"What he has done for this club and for the game in general will never be forgotten. It has been the greatest experience of my working life being alongside Alex and a great honour to be able to call him a friend."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8698530/Sir-Alex-Ferguson-to-retire-this-summer-Manchester-United-confirm

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World reacts to Fergie's retirement

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Farewell ... Sir Alex Ferguson steps down as manager of Manchester United. Source: Tim Hales / AP

After 26 years, 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns, Sir Alex Ferguson has stepped down as manager of Manchester United.

The 71-year-old has been at United since November 1986 and is the most successful manager in the history of English football.

See how the world has reacted to the news of Fergie's retirement.

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Tuqiri edging closer to return

Lote Tuqiri ... focused on making a comeback. Source: Craig Wilson / News Limited

Former dual international Lote Tuqiri says he's not ready to hang up his boots just yet and revealed his frustration at not being able to help the struggling Wests Tigers find some form.

The veteran winger has not featured this season after breaking his arm against Canterbury last July but is hopeful of being back in action next month.

The Tigers have lost their past five games, sit bottom of the ladder and have been struck down by a crippling injury crisis.

Tuqiri admits it's been hard to watch his battling side but expects to be given the all clear from the specialists so he can return to training.

"I'll see the doctor in a couple of weeks and go from there," Tuqiri said.

"I haven't played a lot of footy and I just want to get it right.

"I've got to temper that a bit in wanting to get back too quickly and then rushing it."

Tuqiri has been blighted with injuries since returning to the NRL in 2010 after almost a decade playing rugby union.

Now aged 33, the former Wallabies star insists he's not ready to retire and is desperate to get back out on the field.

"You see a lot of footy going on at the moment and you just want to get out there, especially the way the Tigers are going," he said.

"We're not going too good on the injury front and you just want to get in there and help.

"I've got to get another scan in two weeks and then I'll go from there and probably have a return date then."

Tuqiri was expected to be fit to start the season but was forced to undergo another operation after there were complications from the original injury.

"I've been ready for a while. I jumped the gun. I was supposed to be ready in round one but had to go back in and do some surgery again," he said.

"That put me back but I really can't wait to play again."

One man who also cannot wait to see Tuqiri back is fellow Fijian flyer Marika Koroibete who is yet to play in the same team as his childhood idol.

"He was a hero to me when I was a boy," Koroibete said.

"He has been so helpful to me and comes in at halftime sometimes and gives me advice about the game.

"It is great to have another Fijian here and it will be a special day when we play together."

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Bucks, Scott slam marking rule

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Contest ... Tom Hawkins grapples with Michael Jamison. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Geelong coach Chris Scott believes it's hurting the AFL's power forwards. Hawthorn defender Brian Lake says it's helping the small forwards and umpires boss Jeff Gieschen thinks it's all in their imagination.

Gieschen insists nothing has changed from previous seasons in the way umpires rule on marking contests.
But Scott, Lake and Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley are among a chorus of players, coaches and fans who beg to differ.

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Where many perceive increasing inconsistency and heavy-handedness, Gieschen says for 10 years there has been a rule disallowing pushing, holding, bumping, blocking or interfering with the arms in marking contests.
He adds umpires aren't being instructed any differently now.

But Scott says if that rule was enforced to the letter, no contact would be legal.

He said interpretation had to be a factor and there had been an unwelcome change in that this year.

"My personal view is that if we've been saying you can't bump, block, push or hold in a marking contest then two of the greatest footballers of all time in Tony Lockett and Jason Dunstall would have been ineffective,'' Scott told reporters on Tuesday.

"It's not a great development in our game.''

Scott said any marking contest involved two players pushing against each other and it was sometimes just the stronger one who was penalised.

"If one is stronger than the other, the push is going to become more obvious,'' he said.

Two incidents this season have fed views of a changing interpretation.

Collingwood's Ben Reid was denied a mark on Anzac Day, with a free kick instead paid to Essendon's Tom Bellchambers for what most observers felt was good body work by the Magpie.

While Gieschen deemed that decision correct, he admitted the wrong call was made on Saturday to penalise Adelaide's Scott Thompson for putting a hand on the shoulder of Hawthorn's David Hale before marking in a crucial last-quarter incident.

Scott felt for umpires, saying even the official explanations of such incidents were extremely confusing.

Buckley, who was clearly infuriated by the Reid decision, was also left none the wiser.

"It doesn't clear it up,'' Buckley said.

"Right now, half a push is okay, but a full push isn't acceptable. I don't know (about) an 80 per cent push, how that's going to be adjudicated.''

Lake, a two-time All Australian with the Western Bulldogs, said in the past he liked to outmark forwards but now looked to spoil more to avoid infringing.

"You've probably got to be a little bit safer on that side of it, which brings in the small forwards,'' Lake told SEN radio.

"As you can see this year the small forwards are kicking bags of goals.

"The ball's probably coming to ground a little bit more because defenders are a bit afraid to take those contested marks.''

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I need to step up, admits Benji

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Wests Tigers ... Benji Marshall admits he must step-up. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

A candid Benji Marshall admits his poor form is a major factor in the Wests Tigers' disappointing start to the season and is desperate to rediscover what made him one of the best players in the NRL.

The injury-ravaged Tigers sit at the foot of the NRL ladder having lost seven top-line players with coach Mick Potter forced to include a raft of inexperienced youngsters in his side over the last month.

But Marshall said he must shoulder a share of the blame for the side's five successive defeats - the latest being a 40-4 shellacking by Canterbury last Friday. 

The New Zealand superstar is still nursing a toe problem that recently ruled him out for two weeks and knows he needs to step up against Cronulla on Friday at Allianz Stadium.

"Even before I was injured I wasn't sure with where I was at with my form," Marshall said on Tuesday.

"My job is to provide attack and direction to the team and that hasn't really happened this year.

"I don't really know what to put it down to.''

A collection of Marshall's flick passes could fill a highlights reel of their own, but the 28-year-old said he needs to focus less on the spectacular and get back to basics.

"When you become a ball player you start to believe you are a ball player more than a runner," he said.

"I want to go back to being a runner first and a ball player second.

"Instead of worrying about putting other people over I need to start going for the line myself."

The Tigers have once again named a youthful side for the clash with the Sharks and Marshall has urged the likes of James Tedesco and Curtis Sironen to have the confidence to back themselves.

"I can't say too much to those boys when I am not stepping up," he said.

"But when I came in I was a bit shy, but guys like John Skandalis, Mark O'Neill and Benny Galea would sit me down and tell me that I needed to come out of my shell.

"They said 'we may be older than you, but we're your forwards and we need you to talk to us'.

"That made me feel really comfortable and I think we have the same sort of thing here.

"A lot of the guys are a little bit shy in expressing what they think.

"You can see they want to say something but they don't want to. And that is half the battle." 

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Gallen not named for Tigers clash

Cronulla Sharks ... skipper Paul Gallen has not been named for Friday's match. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Paul Gallen's renowned recuperative powers seem destined to fall short of getting him on the field for Friday's clash with Wests Tigers.

The NSW and Cronulla captain, who suffered a medial ligament strain on Sunday, was not named in Tuesday's team list after failing to convince coach Shane Flanagan he would be ready in time.

The inspirational lock forward is working around the clock to be fit and will be given until game day to be a late call-up, but Flanagan believes the short turnaround will prove too big a hurdle to overcome.

"It's a bit early (to completely rule him out) yet, but I don't like his chances," Flanagan said on Tuesday evening.

"It's a Friday night game, maybe if it was Sunday we might be ok. I don't think he's any chance."

In Gallen's place, off-season recruit Chris Heighington will start in jersey No.13 against his former club while fellow ex-Tigers Beau Ryan and Andrew Fifita have also been given starting roles.

Meanwhile, Manly and St George Illawarra delivered more good news to NSW fans, naming both Brett Stewart and Brett Morris despite injury concerns.

The pair, understood to be pencilled into Laurie Daley's starting lineup for the State of Origin opener, both failed to finish Monday night's tense Sea Eagles victory.

Both clubs are confident Stewart (back) and Morris (knee) will be able to take the field this weekend.

Dragons coach Steve Price said he was hopeful Morris and veteran centre Matt Cooper, who missed Monday's match with a toe injury, would face the Gold Coast on Sunday.

"Both players will be monitored by our medical staff throughout the week in the build-up to the game and given every opportunity to prove their match fitness," he said.

The Gold Coast welcome back star wingers Kevin Gordon and David Mead from injury, bolstering their backline for the Dragons match-up, while Brisbane centre Justin Hodges (hamstring) also returns.

Newcastle will be without key five-eighth Jarrod Mullen (knee), forcing skipper Kurt Gidley into the halves alongside youngster Tyrone Roberts.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary will experiment with his fourth halves combination of the year, naming rookie Isaac John to play five-eighth alongside Luke Walsh, with Tom Humble the man to miss out.

John faces a baptism of fire against defending premiers Melbourne, who named an unchanged lineup despite having their 15-game winning streak stopped by Canberra last round.

Youngster Glen Fisiiahi gets a crack at the Warriors fullback role with Kevin Locke sidelined for one to two weeks with a back injury, while powerful centre Konrad Hurrell also returns at the expense of the injured Jerome Ropati (hamstring).

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'Bombers players used as guinea pigs'

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James Hird ... watches on as Essendon Chairman David Evans delivers the findings. Source: DAVID CROSLING / AAP

Not surprisingly, Ziggy Switkowski's report found Essendon to be a basket case last year.

From November 2011 to August 2012, the Bombers were unaccountable in their supplement program, lacklustre in their reporting processes, and too secretive about what was happening.

Those responsible for the debacle came for all corners of the club.

Switkowski's report did not recommend administrative change, but that's not to say it won't happen when the joint ASADA-AFL investigation is completed in several months.

Tellingly, chairman David Evans said on Sunday he couldn't guarantee anyone's future.

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That included himself.

Evans, who continuously apologised throughout a robust press conference Monday , revealed he would stand for re-election in November.

It was an interesting strategy, because it's highly unlikely Evans would be voted out.

But at least he took responsibility and his apologies to the players, the families and fans was deeply genuine.

He had reason to apologise.

Letters and emails have emerged as critical to the investigation.

Club doctor Bruce Reid detailed concerns in a letter about the supplement program, led by Dean Robinson and Stephen Dank, but it's unknown where that letter ended up.

It certainly didn't get to the board.

It's at the core of the internal breakdowns.

The Dank email, which he claims came from the World Anti Doping Authority, continues to be a source if intrigue.

Evans refused to discuss Dank today, but that email is also core to the entire investigation.

Dank has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Unbelievably, we learned there was a ''lack of clairty'' about who ran the football department - football manager Paul Hamilton, who is no longer at the club, or Danny Corcoran, who had a liasion type of role between all departments.

The irregular practices Evans had previously alluded were fully detailed.

They included ''rapid diversification into exotic supplements'', an increased number of injections, use of off-site injection rooms, the emergence of ''unfamiliar suppliers'' and the marginalisation of traditional medical staff.

It combined ''to create a disturbing picture of a pharmacologically experimental environment never adequately controlled or challenged or documented within the club''.

In other words, the players were being used as guinea pigs.

Clearly, there was a breakdown in relationship between Dank, Robinson and Reid, with Switkowski believing the new personnel considered Reid and Co as ''yesterday's men''

In the end, whether the players unknowingly took banned substances remains unclear.

Evans said he is increasingly confident they didn't, and Switkowski said in his report that he ''has no basis to form any other view'' that illegal or banned drugs were not given to the players.

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