Brad Arthur to coach against his son as Roosters end Joseph Manu experiment

It’s going to be a family affair at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night, with Brad Arthur set to coach against his son when the Eels take on the Sea Eagles for a spot in the top eight.

The battle between eighth and ninth has been heavily affected by State of Origin, with both sides missing key players, but the biggest intrigue could be the banter before and after the contest.

Jake Arthur left the Eels last month to forge his own path after a difficult 12 months, during which some fans accused the club of nepotism.

It’s almost fitting his first start for Manly will be against the blue and golds.

He starts at halfback because Daly Cherry-Evans is away with the Maroons, while Kaeo Weekes will fill in for Tom Trbojevic, who was outstanding in the club’s big win over the Dolphins.

The Eels get Ryan Matterson back at the perfect time, with the star forward set to slot in at five-eighth, with Daejarn Asi shifting to halfback to replace Blues No.7 Mitchell Moses.

Parramatta could also get Waqa Blake and Shaun Lane back from injuries, with the grand final stars both listed in the reserves.

The round kicks off in Townsville, where the Cowboys are without their Origin quintet, but they do get powerhouse lock Jason Taumalolo for the first time since Round 7.

Jake Granville moves to his old spot at hooker in place of Blues rookie Reece Robson, while veteran winger Kyle Feldt has been recalled.

The Panthers are also missing five players to Origin, with Jaeman Salmon the man picked to partner Jack Cogger in the halves.

Tyrone Peachey and Tom Jenkins form a new-look right edge pairing, while Spencer Leniu stays on the bench after narrowly missing out on a NSW debut.

The Roosters have been forced into a major change, with Joseph Manu switching to fullback to replace Blues skipper James Tedesco after an unsuccessful stint in the halves.

That sees Sandon Smith make his first start alongside Luke Keary, while Nat Butcher moves to prop with Lindsay Collins away on Origin duty and Matt Lodge not picked.

The Wests Tigers have been forced into some major changes with Api Koroisau (jaw), Luke Brooks (hamstring) and Stefano Utoikamanu (Origin) all unavailable.

Tim Sheens has moved Starford To’a into the halves to partner Brandon Wakeham, while Jake Simpkin starts at hooker and Fonua Pole has been promoted to the front row, with Tallyn Da Silva to make his debut off the bench.

There are even more changes at the Storm, who will be without their three Origin stars as well as the suspended Christian Welch and Eliesa Katoa, who is injured.

It means young gun Jonah Pezet will start in the halves, Bronson Garlick gets a crack at hooker, Tariq Sims starts in the back row and George Jennings makes his season debut on the wing, although Justin Olam could be a late inclusion.

And Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has stuck solid with the side thrashed by the Storm, with Nicho Hynes ready to take out his frustration on the Bulldogs after he was dropped by Brad Fittler.

Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo threatened to wield the axe after his side’s loss to Parramatta, but the only change is a forced one, with Braidon Burns replacing Blues winger Josh Addo-Carr.