The contrast could not be more stark, St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett spoilt for choice while NRL finals counterpart Des Hasler was forced to search far and wide to cobble together an unfamiliar Manly squad.

Injuries and suspension left Hasler with little option but to scour the club's peripheral squads, with four players called out of the Queensland Cup and another two from the Toyota Cup to face the minor premiers in Sunday's qualifying final at WIN Jubilee Oval.

Bennett on the other hand named a 21-man squad as he eased the five players who were rested for the last round win over South Sydney back into his line-up.

Manly coach Des Hasler denied the Sea Eagles needed to adopt a siege mentality in a bid to overcome the Dragons, the premiership-winning player and coach adamant he had the side to cause an upset.

“I think this side is experienced enough and more professional than that,” Hasler said.

“We don't need a siege mentality.

“We'll back ourselves and our own belief in each other.”

Terence Seu Seu, Jamie Buhrer, Daly Cherry-Evans and Vic Mauro have all received a call-up from feeder side Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles, while Will Hopoate and Michael Oldfield have both spent the majority of 2010 playing Toyota Cup.

Manly confirmed early guilty pleas on Tuesday for centre Steve Matai and prop Jason King, but replacing them was only the start of Hasler's problems with a host of players named still in doubt.

“There's probably eight definites on the sideline at the moment,” Hasler said.

“Potentially another couple on top of that. We won't get a clear indication until towards the end of the week.”

Hasler indicated the Sea Eagles had no choice but to cop the seven-week ban for Matai and one week for King, both of whom were charged with high tackles.

“You can't really fight a grade one (King) and the risk of an extra two games for Steve Matai wasn't worth trying to fight the guilty verdict,” Hasler said

“Unfortunately Steve is a victim of the process.

“That's the way Steve plays. It's something we will have to guard against and certainly work on.”

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