Simpson out, Manly news

Newcastle's Test second rower Steve Simpson has been ruled out of tomorrow's NRL semi-final against Brisbane at Aussie Stadium.

Simpson has failed to sufficiently overcome a painful shoulder injury suffered in last week's 25-18 win over Manly and he was omitted before the team's final training began this morning.

Manly players say they are ready to break a nine-year winless drought in finals football in tonight's sudden-death NRL semi-final against St George Illawarra at Aussie Stadium.

The Sea Eagles - who were briefly known as the Northern Eagles between 2000 and 2002 - haven't won a play-off match since the 1997 ARL preliminary final, but key players Matt Orford, Brent Kite and Steve Menzies say the club is ready to break that streak which has stretched for 3,280 days.

Both teams will be without two of their strike weapons with Manly centre Steve Bell yesterday ruled out with a foot injury, joining Dragons star Mark Gasnier, who has been struggling with a hip injury, on the sidelines.

Chris Hicks will shift from the wing to the centres for Manly, with either Paul Stephenson or Mitch Creary coming onto the wing.