Round 17: Brisbane Broncos vs Wests Tigers

[DIEHARD]

Brisbane Broncos vs Wests Tigers

Broncos: 1. Josh Hoffman 2. Jharal Yow Yeh 3. Matt Gillett 4. Ben Te?o 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Corey Norman 7. Peter Wallace 8. Shane Tronc 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Nick Kenny 11. Ashton Sims 12. Lagi Setu 13. Corey Parker

Interchange: 14. Ben Hunt 15. Mitchell Dodds 16. Scott Anderson 17. Josh McGuire

Wests Tigers: 1. Wade McKinnon 2. Lote Tuqiri 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Geoff Daniela 6. Benji Marshall 7. Daniel Fitzhenry 8. Bryce Gibbs 9. Robbie Farah 10. Keith Galloway 11. Todd Payten 12. Gareth Ellis 13. Chris Heighington

Interchange: 14. Andrew Fifita 15. Liam Fulton 16. Simon Dwyer 17. Mitch Brown; Reserves: 18. Nathan Waters
Match officials TBA

[DIEHARD]

Norman fits in to Lockyer's boots

JUST being mentioned as a contender to take over Darren Lockyer's No. 6 jumper would be enough to rattle most youngsters.

That is unless they are a laid-back teenager with a great outlook on life and a preparedness to soak up everything they can and not get ahead of themselves.

Corey Norman, 18, is just such a teenager. On Friday he'll fill in at five-eighth for Lockyer at Suncorp Stadium against the Wests Tigers as the Baby Broncos look to back up their round 14 win over South Sydney - a game in which Norman also wore the No. 6 jersey.

Norman enjoyed a stunning game at fullback for Brisbane in the NRL season opener against the Cowboys. But as is often the case with young players, he couldn't back that up each week and ended up back in the Broncos under-20s side.

The Redcliffe youngster was reluctant to talk about one day playing in Lockyer's position, even though his admirers believe he has the ability.

"I'm just thinking about getting a spot in the team," Norman said. "It would be nice, awesome. Obviously it's my goal to play five-eighth for the Broncos."

Coach Ivan Henjak, has seen enough of Norman to be encouraged about his future with the Broncos.

"He's definitely a long-term hopeful for the five-eighth job - he's a hopeful for a lot of positions, he's got so much talent."

s"I don't know how long Darren is going to be around for, but he's certainly one that we've got in mind for that position.

"He's still got a lot to learn but who better to learn off but one of the best."

Henjak said pressure would be an issue for Norman due to his laid back attitude.

"He's had to battle for everything he's got and that's a good thing, you build a lot of character with that," he said."

Norman said being part of Brisbane's young brigade, which includes fullback Josh Hoffman and winger Jharal Yow Yeh, was very exciting.

Brisbane face a big task to beat the Wests Tigers on Friday without strike players Lockyer, Sam Thaiday and Israel Folau due to Origin duty.

But Norman says everyone's confidence is up following last week's tough 10-6 win over the Eels at Parramatta.

Source: Courier Mail