Round 3: Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers

[Queenslander]

Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers
Friday 30th March, 8pm; Suncorp Stadium

Referee: Tony Archer

Team Notes:

Broncos

WAYNE Bennett dropped a bombshell today when he named Darren Lockyer to make a return from injury against Penrith at Suncorp Stadium this week.

Lockyer had been expected to miss as much as six weeks with the ankle sprain he suffered just 11 days ago.

However, after running with the team today, he is now in line to make his comeback on Friday against the Panthers.

Lockyer’s inclusion was in a re-jigged backline that closely resembles the one that started last year’s grand final.

Karmichael Hunt goes back to fullback, Justin Hodges returns to the centres and Shane Perry reclaims the number-seven jersey.

Panthers

Teams:

Broncos

1. Karmichael Hunt
2. Steve Michaels
3. Brent Tate
4. Justin Hodges
5. Darius Boyd
6. Darren Lockyer ?
7. Shane Perry
8. Dane Carlaw
9. Shaun Berrigan
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. Sam Thaiday
12. Brad Thorn
13. Greg Eastwood

Interchange:

14. Nick Kenny
15. Ben Hannant
16. Andrew Lomu
17. Ian Lacey

Panthers

1. Rhys Wesser
2. Michael Gordon
3. Michael Jennings
4. Luke Lewis
5. Luke Rooney
6. Peter Wallace
7. Craig Gower (c)
8. Joel Clinton
9. Luke Priddis
10. Frank Puletua
11. Frank Pritchard
12. Tony Puletua
13. Trent Waterhouse.

Interchange:

14. Junior Moors
15. Nathan Smith
16. Matthew Bell
17. Paul Aiton
18. Tim Grant

***Please use this thread for game day spoilers and general match information***

[Dakink]

Was thinking Broncos by a mile but after last weekend I just dont know...

[[BroncosGirl]]

I love the BRoncos side.

Should be a great match, I think the Broncos in a close one.

[Queenslander]

Welcome back Locky!!!!!!

Broncos squad:

1. Karmichael Hunt
2. Steve Michaels
3. Brent Tate
4. Justin Hodges
5. Darius Boyd
6. Darren Lockyer ?
7. Shane Perry
8. Dane Carlaw
9. Shaun Berrigan
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. Sam Thaiday
12. Brad Thorn
13. Greg Eastwood

Reserves:

14. Nick Kenny
15. Ben Hannant
16. Andrew Lomu
17. Ian Lacey

[Robbie_Dee]

1. Karmichael Hunt
2. Steve Michaels
3. Brent Tate
4. Justin Hodges
5. Darius Boyd
6. Darren Lockyer ?
7. Shane Perry
8. Dane Carlaw
9. Shaun Berrigan
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. Sam Thaiday
12. Brad Thorn
13. Greg Eastwood

Reserves:

14. Nick Kenny
15. Ben Hannant
16. Andrew Lomu
17. Ian Lacey

FINALLY HE IS MOVED BACK TO WHERE HE BELONGS!!!!!!!

[Poida]

He isnt that bad at halfback. Broncos would win even with no Lockyer

[Titanium_BD1103]

Not sure about that.. Penrith showed they can get some real style going under Elliot and this will not be the Broncos cakewalk a few might think it will be... I reckon the Panthers will give them a real dogfight.

Shame to see KH go back to Fullback, I know it wasn't working at Half but I thought if he had a bit more time there, he could perhaps do something...lets hope the experiment isn't over already and later down the track Bennett might try it again... as I reckon KH could be a great halfback in the long term.

[[BroncosGirl]]

Hunt was fine at HB, its just Hodges wasnt really doing much at FB, so I guess WB thought we'd need some spark in the centres this friday.

THeres nothing to say WB wont move him back to halfback again.

[Supergoose]

Andrew Lomu???? That's one out of left field (at least for me) where on Earth did he come from to be playing for the Broncos? Last I saw he couldn't get a game for Canberra.

[Boofhead]

I was so stunned by the Panthers win on the weekend... I still think that they are spoon contenders so I tipped Broncos.

Broncos: 22
Panthers 10

[Steve]

I'll be there, hoping for a Panthers win!

Could easily go any way.
Lewis and Rooney have spent many years playing together, along with Gower, while Jennings and Gordon would have had many a game with Wallace.
Despite the inexperience of the young lads coming through, they're confident and have played together.

[Queenslander]

Broncos rule out Hodges

March 29, 2007

JUSTIN Hodges has pulled out of the Brisbane Broncos team for tomorrow night's NRL game with Penrith.

He failed to train this morning and his replacement in the centres will be named later today.

Hodges had a precautionary scan on his right knee earlier this week, after complaining of fluid in the joint which has troubled him since Brisbane's world club challenge defeat by St Helens last month.

AAP

[Queenslander]

Bennett waiting on Hodges decision

Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 4:41 PM

A winless Brisbane took the unusual step of giving Test and Origin star Justin Hodges a 24-hour extension to prove his fitness for Friday night's NRL clash with Penrith.

Coach Wayne Bennett abandoned his usual "no train, no play" policy on medical advice that Hodges's dodgy right knee could come good overnight with an extra day's rest.

Hodges came out for training on Thursday morning wearing a pair of rubber thongs, suggesting he would join injured teammates Corey Parker (dislocated wrist), David Stagg (shoulder) and suspended lock Tonie Carroll on the sidelines.

But Bennett surprised everyone, saying Hodges was still a chance to play against the Panthers if he could run freely on Friday morning.

"We'll make a decision on him tomorrow," said Bennett, who has placed 24 year-old Hervey Bay product Nick Emmett on standby.

"He's no good today, but we think he's a pretty good chance of playing.

"He'll have a run tomorrow morning and we'll make a decision then."

Hodges has suffered from soreness and swelling in his right knee since Brisbane lost the world club challenge to St Helens in England last month.

He had scans this week and saw a specialist on Wednesday night.

"We know what's going on," said Bennett, adding the specialist was confident Hodges' injury was not long term.

"It just needs to settle and the five-day turn around (since Sunday's game against New Zealand) wasn't ideal.

"They've done the scans and they're pretty confident he won't need surgery."

Bennett had no such concerns with skipper Darren Lockyer ready to come back early from a nasty ankle sprain.

Lockyer's ankle blew up badly after he sprained it against the Cowboys but Bennett always held out hope of a speedy recovery.

Initial predictions were that Lockyer could miss up to six games but he will be back after just 12 days of treatment.

"Darren managed to finish the game so I was always optimistic it was never going to be as long as everyone thought," Bennett said.

"When you do those high ankle sprains you can't move or walk, you don't hobble off the field, you get carried off.

"Darren played 10 of 15 minutes with it so I didn't think it was as bad as everyone thought it."

Lockyer will resume the goal kicking after Sam Thaiday's less than convincing debut with the boot against the Warriors.

Bennett, who denied the riot act had been read out after the loss to New Zealand, said Penrith were a very dangerous football team.

"Petero's been here long enough, he knows he didn't have the riot act read to him this week," said Bennett.

"Penrith have a lot of good players on their side, particularly their forward pack and a few of their backs in Rhys Wesser and Craig Gower, Luke Lewis and Luke Rooney, those guys are more than capable."

Brisbane has worked on play-the-ball techniques this week after giving up six penalties in their first two games.

"The problem for a lot of the guys is a muscle memory issue," said Bennett.

"They've been doing it for a long time, not playing it properly and when they get out there under a bit of pressure and tired, they jump up and forget to put their foot on the ball.

"They just have to re-learn how to do it."
Source: AAP

[Queenslander]

Hodges fit for Broncos


March 30, 2007

AUSTRALIA centre Justin Hodges passed a Brisbane Broncos fitness test this morning and will face Penrith at Suncorp Stadium tonight.

Hodges had been in doubt with a knee injury. but survived a stringent examination from the club's medical staff before being given the green light.

The 24-year-old was asked to sprint at full pace and move laterally during the test.

It's a double shot of confidence for Brisbane, with Australia captain Darren Locyer passed fit yesterday to make his comeback from an ankle injury.

The defending champion is looking for its first win of the season following losses to the Cowboys and Warriors.

AAP

[Steve]

About to head into town for some pre-drinks before the game.

GO THE PANTHERS!

If the Panthers get up, it'll be a good night with the Reel Big Fish show topping it off.