The Mole: Manly gives big opportunity to Reed Izzard

The son of former Penrith and Parramatta star Craig Izzard has signed with Manly - and won selection in the Sea Eagles' team for this weekend's NRL Nines.

Reed Izzard, aged 22, was a standout in recent years in the lower grades at the Panthers, the club where his dad and uncle Brad are household names.

Brad played over 200 games for the Panthers and was a member of the club's first premiership winning team in 1991, starring in the grand final against Canberra.

Dad Craig played a decade in the NRL for Penrith, Parramatta, Balmain and Illawarra.

Reed, originally from Blacktown, is a versatile performer who can fill in at five-eighth, back-row and hooker.

Marty Taupau will captain a strong Manly team that contains 11 players with first grade experience for this weekend's event in Perth.