Brisbane playmaker Jock Madden will go for scans on his pectoral injury as star duo Selwyn Cobbo and Ezra Mam race the clock to be fit for the Broncos’ grudge clash with the Sydney Roosters.
Madden, playing five-eighth, left the field in the 61st minute of Saturday night’s 34-10 win over Wests Tigers in Campbelltown. He will have scans on Monday to asses the scale of any damage.
Cobbo (shoulder) and Brisbane’s regular No.6 Mam (finger) missed the Tigers clash. The pair will train on Tuesday when their injuries will be assessed ahead of Friday night’s showdown with the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.
Captain Adam Reynolds and fullback Reece Walsh came off late against the Tigers with severe cramps, but the pair pulled up well on Sunday morning.
“I wouldn’t think (Mam would play) … and Jock, possibly not,” Brisbane coach Kevin Walters said. “We’ll come up with something. I’m not sure. Jock is pretty sore and it’s a shorter turnaround, but we’re not going to put Ezra at risk this early in the season.”
If both are unavailable, Walters could slot the versatile Tristan Sailor into the five-eighth role or shift Billy Walters from hooker.
For the Roosters, lock Victor Radley is under a cloud with a hamstring problem from the big win on Anzac Day over the Dragons while Michael Jennings (arm), Daniel Tupou (knee) and Sitili Tupouniua (head knock) also need to prove their fitness.
Panthers winger Sunia Turuva was rested from the win over the Cowboys by Ivan Cleary due to the distractions of his contract negotiations with Paul Alamoti likely to make way for his return against Souths which kicks off the round on Thursday night.
Star fullback Latrell Mitchell has one more match to serve on his ban and winger Taane Milne will be suspended for the next two games after his dangerous tackle on Cameron Munster late in the heavy defeat to Melbourne. Izaac Thompson is set to come into the side to replace Milne.
On the judiciary front, Manly stars Daly Cherry-Evans and Haumole Olakau’atu are set to be banned for two weeks for their part in a dangerous throw on Parramatta’s Shaun Lane.
They could still appeal, but would potentially face a third week if they choose to challenge.
Panthers prop Liam Henry was the only player charged from Saturday’s matches and faces a fine of $1000-$1500 for a careless high tackle.
Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan was charged twice for dangerous contact in his team’s Anzac Day caning by the Roosters for separate incidents on Sam Walker and Luke Keary. He can cop a combined $2000 in fines with early guilty pleas.
Titans forward David Fifita ($1800-$2500) and Warriors rookie Jacob Laban ($1000-$1500) were also pinged for dangerous contact from Thursday’s triple-header.
with AAP