Manly at full strength for first time since round 1

by NRL

coach Geoff Toovey has named a full-strength side for first time since their opening round clash with the Warriors.

With Glenn Stewart and David Williams still racing to be fit for the Round 18 clash with the Eels, and three Manly stars to feature in Wednesday night's State of Origin decider, the final team list is far from set in stone.

However just the possibility of a stacked side is a step forward for the Sea Eagles, whose season has been littered with injuries to top line players.

Stewart was ruled out of Origin game three after failing a fitness test on the knee he injured against the Storm in Round 15 but Toovey is hopeful the back-rower will recover in time to make an appearance at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.

"With the State of Origin people still away we haven't had the chance to have a consultation with him and the medical people here," Toovey said.

"We'll review him when he gets back on Thursday or Friday and make a decision from there.

"We're always hopeful we'll get our best players out there but whether that happens is another thing. If he is up to playing, obviously we will play him."

Winger Williams has been sidelined since tearing his hamstring while scoring the match-winning try against the Broncos in round 10 but is running well and looking good for the weekend.

The final, and perhaps the most important, pieces of the puzzle will be Manly's Origin stars Tony Williams, Anthony Watmough and Brett Stewart.

A formidable Sea Eagles outfit awaits if the Blues trio can make it through the Brisbane blockbuster unscathed.

However, with seven players named on the bench, Toovey is certainly hedging his bets!

Dean Whare moves to the extended bench from the wing and is joined by Daniel Harrison who also makes room in the back-row for the returning Origin players.

MANLY SEA EAGLES v PARRAMATTA EELS
Round 18, 2012 NRL Premiership
Sunday, July 8, 2012
NRL Kick-Off 3:00pm
Brookvale Oval, Brookvale
Game Tag:
Referees: Shayne Hayne/Alan Shortall

1 Brett Stewart
2 Jorge Taufua
3 Jamie Lyon [c]
4 Steve Matai
5 David Williams
6 Kieran Foran
7 Daly Cherry-Evans
8 Jason King [c]
9 Matt Ballin
10 Brent Kite
11 Anthony Watmough
12 Tony Williams
13 Glenn Stewart

14 Jamie Buhrer
15 Joe Galuvao
16 Darcy Lussick
17 George Rose
18 Vic Mauro
19 Daniel Harrison
21 Dean Whare

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