Knights, Sea Eagles & Eels

Newcastle halfback Andrew Johns says Test backrower Steve Simpson will handle the bulk of captaincy duties in Friday's qualifying final with Manly at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

Johns, who has skippered the Knights all season when on the field, is playing his first game in three weeks after receiving a two-match ban for verbally abusing a touch judge. Johns says he approached coach Michael Hagan about taking some of the leadership burden off his shoulders and that Simpson would be the player to speak to the referee during the game.

Meanwhile, Manly has received a welcome break with hooker Shane Dunley likely to play on Friday night despite being charged with a dangerous throw.

Dunley can avoid a ban with an early guilty plea to the grade one charge arising from the loss to Melbourne on Saturday night.

Dunley is the only player charged from the final round of the regular season as speculation that Parramatta hooker Mark Riddell could face a striking charge amounted to nothing. It comes as welcome news for the Eels, who are set to receive a further boost through the availability of Nathan Cayless, returning early from an eye socket injury.