‘Devastating’: Blow for Manly with key forward’s season in doubt

Manly Sea Eagles have copped a devastating blow from their Round 3 victory over the Raiders, with forward Taniela Paseka set to undergo surgery for an Achilles rupture.

The Tongan international suffered the injury midway through the first half on Sunday and had to be helped from the field.

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Paseka was making a regulation hit up ten metres out from the Raiders line when he slowed and, after being tackled, he immediately called for help.

Speaking on Fox League’s coverage, commentator Cooper Cronk said it was a huge loss for the Sea Eagles.

“That’s devastating, not only for Paseka, but Manly for the season,” Cronk said.

“If they want to take down the big teams in this competition they need their forward pack to dominate the opposition to give Cherry-Evans time and space.”

Matty Johns echoed Cronk’s sentiments after the game, acknowledging how important Paseka is to Manly’s pack.

“He’s a crucial man in their forward pack,” Johns said on his show, Sunday Night with Matty Johns.

Manly coach Anthony Seibold then confirmed in his post-match press conference that a ruptured Achilles is the “initial diagnosis” and Paseka will likely undergo surgery within the next 24 hours.

“I think he’s booked in for an operation tomorrow, which is really disappointing for Taniela, him personally and his family, and us as a club,” Seibold said.

“He’s been a starting front rower since I’ve been at the club and someone that we value on and off the field.

“He’ll be missed but he’ll have the operation and we make sure that we get around him and look after him.”

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Captain Daly Cherry-Evans said season-ending injuries like this were always bittersweet because it brings one player’s year to an end but opens the door for someone else to have an opportunity.

“Obviously we don’t really know what’s that going to mean, him not playing,” the halfback said.

“As Seibs touched on, he’s been a starting front rower for the last couple of years so he’s someone that we really value on and off the field.

“Not a great night for him and as Seibs mentioned, we’re going to have to get around him. What that looks like, obviously he’s going to spend sometime on the sideline but it creates an opportunity for someone to be that starter and really go after it.”

Josh Aloiai is the obvious replacement for Paseka, with Nathan Brown or Tof Sipley set to be recalled to the 17.