Shane Flanagan has today named his 26-man squad to face Manly in this Sunday's trial match at Shark Park.
In a move sure to excite Sharks Members and fans, 2015 NRL Rookie of the Year Jack Bird will wear the 'one' jersey, with new recruits James Maloney and Chad Townsend set to take their place as the side's halves pairing.
Maloney and Townsend will look to build upon their ever-improving combination against Manly, with fellow new signing Kurt Capewell earning a starting berth in the centres.
Fellow new additions to the Sharks squad in 2016, Joseph Paulo, Jesse-Sene Lefao, Matt Mcilwrick and Jordan Drew all take their respective places on an extended bench.
Returning from a long injury layoff, Fa'amanu Brown is set to take up the hooking role in place of Michael Ennis. Alongside Ennis, Andrew & David Fifita, Ben Barba and Wade Graham are also all unavailable for selection, with the group all set to take part in Saturday's NRL All Star match in Brisbane.
On the injury front, Club Captain Paul Gallen will miss the trial with a calf strain, while promising winger Jacob Gagan is also bound to the sidelines due to a persistant hamstring complaint. Regular centre Gerard Beale will also miss the match with a slight hamstring strain.
Meanwhile, five Newtown Jets-contracted players bolster the Sharks squad, in rounding out the 26-man line-up set to take to the field on Sunday.
See the full team list below!
DETAILS:
Date: Sunday, February 14
Gates open: 2:00pm
NYC Kick off: 2:30pm
NRL Kick off: 5:00pm
NOTE: Transport / pedestrian information HERE
SHARKS TEAM LIST:
1. Jack Bird
2. Sosaia Feki
3. Kurt Capewell
4. Ricky Leutele
5. Valentine Holmes
6. James Maloney
7. Chad Townsend
8. Matt Prior
9. Fa'amanu Brown
10. Sam Tagataese
11. Luke Lewis
12. Jayson Bukuya
13. Chris Heighington
14. Joseph Paulo
15. Jesse Sene-Lefao
16. Mitch Brown
17. Josh Cleeland
18. Matt McIlwrick
19. Jordan Drew
20. Anthony Moraitis
21. Junior Roqica
22. Malakai Houma
23. Matt Evans
24. Levi Sopi
25. Arana Taumata
26. Kurt Kara
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