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Rising star Josh Schuster has been named 18th man for Manly after being one of seven players to sit out their rainbow-jersey match with the Sydney Roosters.
Josh Schuster has felt the aftershocks of sitting out Manly's clash with the Sydney Roosters after failing to regain his spot in their 17 to face Parramatta.
The Sea Eagles named close to their best fit side on Tuesday, as they attempt to move on from the rainbow jersey saga and set their sights on a finals tilt.
Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Tolutau Koula, Haumole Olakau'atu and Toafofoa Sipley are all set to play just a week after boycotting the 20-10 loss.
Prop Josh Aloiai will miss the Eels clash, but that is due to a knee injury which had threatened to rule him out last week before he made the call to stand down anyway.
But it is Schuster being named in the No.18 jersey that raises the most eyebrows.
Considered one of the NRL's best young talents last year, Schuster has struggled to regain his best form after pre-season injuries.
He has routinely been left on the bench by coach Des Hasler, averaging only 46 minutes a game this season after starring on the left edge last year in the back row.
Hasler has now made the call to drop him from Manly's best team altogether, with Ben Trbojevic ahead of him on the bench after returning from a concussion.
Schuster is still seen as Manly's No.6 for next year and is set to fill the void of Kieran Foran when he departs for the Gold Coast.
The development comes as Manly desperately try to unite the team in pursuit of a finals finish.
Players met on Sunday as a team for the first time since the 20-10 loss to the Roosters, eager to put the drama behind them in the run to the finals.
Senior Sea Eagles players who featured in the Roosters match are also due to front the media on Wednesday, while new CEO Tony Mestrov will also meet with players.
Hasler has already pleaded with fans to show sympathy to the returning players on Friday night, having apologised for the club's failure to consult with them over the rainbow jersey.
Sea Eagles chairman and owner Scott Penn has also asked supporters to treat the players with respect, with no added security at this stage considered for 4Pines Park.
Manly face the Eels this week before matches against Gold Coast (away), Cronulla (home), Canberra (away) and Canterbury (away) to finish the season.
Currently sitting 10th and one win behind the Sydney Roosters and Raiders, they will likely need to win at least four of the five to play e finals football.
