Matt Keating ruled out

Matt Keating has been ruled out of this week's clash against the Panthers, after failing to overcome a bulging disc in his injured neck.

While Keating has avoided any long-term damage, despite being stretchered off Parramatta Stadium last week, he has lost the battle with the clock to be fit in time for this Saturday night's clash at Penrith.

It is not yet known who will replace Keating, but it might be expected that his brother Kris Keating will move into the starting side.

While coach Daniel Anderson may choose to bring in a traditional 14 in the shape of Tom Humble or even Anthony Mitchell from Wentworthville, it's worth noting that neither Brendan Oake or Manase Manuokafoa were included in the Magpies side this weekend.

Keating may be asked to play the full eighty minutes and could swap with Jeff Robson for a period to take a respite from playing in the forward pack.

Alternatively, if Daniel Anderson has been toying at all with playing Feleti Mateo at five-eighth this could be the impetus for him to do so, with Robson shifting back to hooker and Oake or Manuokafoa coming into the side.

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  • Robson and smith are in doubt also aren't they 1eyed?
  • I hope DA Has Robson mostly in the halves, he looked his best this year against the Cowboys and gave us some decent 5th tackle options. Either KK at 9 or Mortimer at 9 (I know that won't happen)
  • Matt Keating was only starting to get good and now he's gone again.
  • I really hope they bring Anthony Mitchell onto the bench. I really think that he can be the spark we need off the bench.
  • not good news
  • Its a shame he has been in good form. You would assume Kris would then move to the starting side, i hope for the bench spot they give Anthony Mitchell a go i think he'd be up to it. It would probably go to humble who will do a good job but if the bench player is just a replacement hooker than i think it be a good chance to use Anthony and see if he can perform well at first grade, theres only one way to find out and thats to give him a go.
  • Hopefully Mateo plays in 5/8th. This is his chance if there ever was one.
  • We've seen Mateo at 5/8 before, while he was ok all it did was remove any attacking flair we had in the forwards. Keep him at lock, Morts at 5/8 and tell the little fucker to run off him. Morts was great at 5/8 when he had players to run off, so lets stick him back there and give him every chance to recapture some form.
  • My bet is Humble to 14.

    MK has a bulging disc?
    Not good and they don't heal quickly - hope the kid takes good care of himself because if he doesn't it could be a very early retirement - with serious consequences.
    He was playing well against the Cowgirls too.

    Robbo was good Mon nite so why move him back to 9?
    KK was giving us good go forward.
  • No Oake or Manase for Wenty suggests to me that Ben Smith is 50-50 at best...
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