Wests Tigers NRL Head Coach Michael Maguire has named his 21-man squad for his side's season opener against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles this Saturday at Leichhardt Oval.
Kickoff for the match is at 5:30pm AEDT as Wests Tigers look to secure their fifth consecutive Round 1 victory and fourth straight win over the Sea Eagles.
Despite being without a number of key players including captain Moses Mbye, David Nofoaluma and Chris Lawrence, Wests Tigers will field a strong side for Saturday's game with new recruits Paul Momirovski, Robert Jennings and Ryan Matterson all set to make play their first game for the club. Young gun Thomas Mikaele will also make his first-grade debut after being named as part of a four-forward interchange bench that includes Russell Packer, Josh Aloiai and Michael Chee Kam.
Corey Thompson has been named at fullback in Mbye's absence with Mahe Fonua on the wing, while Benji Marshall will start in the halves alongside Luke Brooks.
Alex Twal and Luke Garner also earn starting spots after impressing throughout the pre-season — joining Ben Matulino and Elijah Taylor in the run-on forward pack.
Josh Reynolds, Matt Eisenhuth, Jacob Liddle and Chris McQueen have been named amongst the reserves to round out the 21-man squad for Saturday's game.
For the visitors, Brendan Elliott will replace Tom Trbojevic at fullback while Reuben Garrick will make his first-grade debut after being named on the wing.
Kane Elgey will partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves instead of Trent Hodkinson, who has been named on the interchange bench in jersey 14.
Two players will be omitted from the team 24 hours before the game before a final 17-man team list will be confirmed one hour prior to kickoff (4:30pm, Saturday).
Match: Wests Tigers v Sea Eagles
Round 1 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Corey ThompsonFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Brendan Elliot
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Mahe FonuaWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jorge Taufua
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Paul MomirovskiCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Mosese Suli
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Esan MarstersCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Brad Parker
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Robert JenningsWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji MarshallFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Kane Elgey
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke BrooksHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Ben MatulinoProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Robbie FarahHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Alex TwalProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin Taupau
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Ryan Matterson2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Joel Thompson
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luke Garner2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Curtis Sironen
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Elijah TaylorLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Russell PackerInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Trent Hodkinson
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Jack Gosiewski
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Josh AloiaiInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Kelepi Tanginoa
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Michael Chee KamInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
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