By MARK CASHMAN

Two big ins for the home side and two big outs for the side that’s paying the bridge toll. That’s pretty much the story of the vital game between Eastern Suburbs and Northern Suburbs on Saturday.

Ryan McCauley and Charlie Gamble have been released from the Waratah bubble and will play some sort of role for the Beasties this weekend, while on the red and black side of things skipper Nick Palmer and tight head prop Isaac Cavu will be missing.

Palmer copped a heavy knock against the Hunter Wildfires and was blue carded, while Cavu, just running into a bit of form, twanged a hamstring going for a turnover in what was a highly-physical game.

‘Sticksy’ could be out for two maybe three weeks while Cavu looks like being sidelined for more than a month.

Norths like most clubs is not long on depth in the locking department and will look to club co-captain Declan Carroll to fill the hole. Jayden Lynch comes in for Cavu after Dewald Dekker failed a fitness test on Thursday night.

“This is a great opportunity for Declan to stand up and make a statement about where his game is at,” Norths coach Earl Va’a said.

“I wouldn’t think that the surface at Woollahra is a factor but having said that it suits the way that we like to play the game. I haven’t seen it but I hear it’s pretty top shelf.”

Norths’ defence worked hard throughout the win over the Wildfires staying well connected and scrambling well when needed.

Scrumhalf Nick Duffy was vocal when needed in this department and gave Norths good ruck and maul speed and that in the end really tired out the Hunter side.

It will be interesting to see how Easts coach Pauli Taumoepeau uses McCauley and Gamble with the most likely option being coming off the bench to add momentum in the second half on Saturday.

“Was good to have them back with us albeit for one session this week, but we’re all excited to have them around again,” Taumoepeau said.

“Norths have had an unreal start to their season which no doubt builds confidence.

“You’ve only got to look at the ladder to know we’ve been the opposite but there’s a sense of confidence in our ability to change these close losses to a win through some hard work.”

EASTERN SUBURBS (1-15):
Vunipola Fifita/F. Sione, Moli Sooaemalelagi/L. Stevens, Archer Holz, Dean Oakman-Hunt, Jeremy Williams, Jack Digby, Charlie Smith, Sam Shires, Jack Grant (c), Cophan Guerra, Sam Fogarty, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Henry Paterson, Richie Woolf, Daniel Donato.

NORTHERN SUBURBS (1-15):
Jack Brewer, James Margan, Jayden Lynch, Dave Henaway, Declan Carroll, Brad Hemopo, Heinrich Brendel, George Murrin, Nick Duffy, Angus Sinclair, Reece Mau’u, Harry Burey, Nathan Russell, Tom Gilbert, Max Burey.

LAST TIME: Northern Suburbs W 18-17 June 8, 2019.

IMAGE: ADAM MCDONALD / MANLY MARLINS