LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Sea Eagles are set to challenge the judiciary on Tuesday night in a bid to make Toafofoa Sipley available for their crucial match against the Warriors this weekend as they still cling to slim finals hopes.
Manly faces an uphill battle to secure the eighth spot, with bookmakers rating their chances at $51 to surpass the Dolphins and Roosters.
The Roosters are two points ahead of the Sea Eagles and possess an 82-point advantage on differential, meaning a win over Souths on Friday night would secure their finals spot.
Manly will face the Warriors in the early game on Friday, hoping to have Sipley available. He is trying to avoid a second four-match ban this season.
The prop forward has previously served a four-game suspension for a hip-drop tackle earlier this year that resulted in Mat Feagai fracturing his fibula. Sipley now faces a potential identical suspension after being charged with another foul play incident against the Dragons.
He received a grade 2 dangerous contact charge and was sent to the sin bin for a cannonball tackle on David Klemmer early in the second half.
Sipley was offered a three-match ban with an early guilty plea, but he is seeking a downgrade to play his 100th NRL match on Friday before heading to Warrington in the Super League.