Snubbed young stars eyeing Manly exit

Manly's woes are continuing, with the Sea Eagles in danger of losing two of their best young players in coming weeks.

Utility Cade Cust and fullback Morgan Harper – who many believe should have been selected last weekend – are being scouted by rival clubs.

While Manly were humbled in the top grade by the Roosters, Cust had a blinder at hooker in the NSW Cup, scoring three tries and producing three try assists.

The player Des Hasler chose ahead of him at hooker, Lachlan Croker, failed to make a single run in the entire game against the Roosters and missed a couple of vital tackles.

And Harper – who was expected to play fullback when Tommy Turbo fell in the shower – has told teammates he is considering asking for a release after also being overlooked for Dylan Walker, who struggled out of position at fullback.

There is intense pressure on Hasler to also call up boom youngster Josh Schuster, who was another standout for Manly's feeder team Blacktown as they demolished a strong North Sydney team 48-20 on Sunday.

SCRUTINY ON BRUTAL PACE OF REVAMPED NRL

Is the game getting too fast for its own good? That's the question that has to be asked after a host of injuries in a brutal opening round of the season.

Players are being pushed to the limit by the new rules that see less scrums and more six-tackle restarts, while many fans are criticising the changes as making the game look more like touch football.

Players Association chief Clint Newton admitted to Wide World of Sports that the sizeable injury toll in round one is a concern and that he would sit down with the NRL after four to six rounds and discuss whether the rules changes should be continued.

"We are monitoring the situation and collecting data on injuries," Newton said.

"Last year, there were significant increases in some injuries but it is hard to say why with all the changes due to COVID.

"But over the next few weeks, we can see if we can identify if any rule changes are adding to the injury toll."

Social media's 'NRL Physio' said that the increased speed of the game may be leading to more injuries.

"There is a consideration that more fatigue in the game and more time with the ball in play could expose players to a higher number of 'at risk events'," he told WWOS.

"Also when they are tired, their decision making is impaired. Fatigue is a known risk factor for soft tissue strain rates. The key to maximising player safety on the field is finding a balance between the fatigue and freshness of players."

BULLDOGS CONSIDERING REFEREE ACTION

Referees are human – although some may debate that – and are always going to be influenced by the screaming of home crowds.

But when an away team doesn't get a penalty in the full 80 minutes – as happened to the poor Bulldogs against the Knights last weekend – questions have to be asked.

And that is exactly what Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett is doing. He has found at least six instances where his team could have been awarded penalties by Ben Cummins in the loss to the Knights, yet the whistle was never blown.

He is considering taking his complaints, with video evidence, to the NRL – and I'll be interested to see the response if he does.

One thing you can put money on – the Bulldogs will win the penalty count next weekend. It's how rugby league has worked for many years.

NEW BRONCO TO PLAY THROUGH PAIN

New signing John Asiata sent a massive scare through the Broncos' ranks when he was carted off on a stretcher in a neck brace against the Eels.

After testing, the prognosis is both good and bad for the talented utility.

Asiata has been cleared of any major damage, with scans showing he only received a severe 'burner' to his shoulder.

But the not-so-good news is that Asiata has had several injuries to the same shoulder in the past and will probably need surgery at season's end.

Until then, he will bravely soldier on, playing in pain – and it's not the kind of news a player wants to hear after round one.

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