Manly Sea Eagles' push for the finals has been dealt a significant setback with the news that veteran five-eighth Luke Brooks will miss the remainder of the season due to an ACL injury. The injury was confirmed by the club on Sunday, following Brooks’ departure from the field during Saturday night’s victory over the Melbourne Storm.

Brooks sustained the injury in the first half after clutching his left knee during play. Despite initially continuing on, he exited in the 41st minute and did not return. This development removes one of Manly’s key playmakers from their roster as they contend for a postseason position.

In the same match, emerging playmaker Joey Walsh received a sin-bin penalty for a hip-drop tackle on Storm forward Ativalu Lisati but was not cited by the judiciary afterward. Walsh will now take on a more prominent role in the halves, partnering with Jamal Fogarty as Manly prepares to face Parramatta this week.

Lisati, a strong performer for Melbourne this season, is expected to be sidelined for an extended period due to a syndesmosis injury sustained during the match. The injury could necessitate surgery, further impacting the Storm’s lineup.

With Brooks sidelined, Manly faces decisions on how to fill the playmaking void. Walsh is positioned to secure a regular spot in the halves, benefiting from the Sea Eagles’ depth in this area. Another option is Brandon Wakeham, who has primarily played at hooker (No. 9) this season. Although Wakeham’s success in that role may cause some hesitation about moving him into the halves, he remains a viable contingency.

Additionally, rookie five-eighth Onitoni Large has emerged as a potential candidate to partner Fogarty in the halves. Known for his running style, Large has been identified by the club as a long-term prospect at the five-eighth position, and Brooks’ injury may accelerate his inclusion in the starting lineup.

Manly now faces the challenge of reshaping its playmaking combinations as it seeks to maintain momentum in the closing stages of the season. The Sea Eagles will look to Walsh, Large, and possibly Wakeham to fill the void left by Brooks as they aim to sustain their finals campaign.