Gold Coast could be in for some short-term pain, but the good news is Albert Kelly’s knee injury doesn’t seem as dire as first thought.

Initial reports had Kelly’s NRL season in tatters, but the early word out of the Titans camp suggests the star halfback has a low-grade medial ligament strain and will only miss two-three weeks.

However, just when things looked to be sailing along nicely for the Titans, coach John Cartwright all of a sudden has some headaches.

Five-eighth Aidan Sezer was a last-minute scratching from Friday night’s 32-12 loss to Brisbane with a hamstring problem, meaning the Gold Coast could be without both of their first-choice halves for next Sunday’s clash with Parramatta.

Compounding the halves dilemma is the fact Friday night’s stand-in five-eighth and NSW Origin star Greg Bird is on report for a high tackle.

Gold Coast junior Jordan Rankin appears in line for an NRL call-up to fill one of the spots in the halves, while fullback William Zillman is also capable of shifting into the front-line.

Kelly is still awaiting the results of scans before the extent of the injury is fully known.

The sight of the distressed halfback being carried from the field late in the derby match at Skilled Park, after 118kg teammate Dave Taylor fell across in leg, did not paint a pretty picture.

Especially given it was the same leg he broke while playing for Cronulla in 2011.

Gold Coast were shooting for four straight wins before Friday night’s defeat, but must now dig deep to get back on track next week, even if it’s against the embattled Eels.

Cartwright did not seem too concerned about Bird’s tackle on Broncos winger Lachlan Maranta, which triggered an all-in brawl just before halftime.

The high shot resulted in centre Justin Hodges running in and defending his teammate by grabbing Bird as players from both sides entered into the melee.

The incident fired up Hodges who was outstanding in the second half.

“It did. When your teammate gets hit high, you’ve got to stick up for him,” said Hodges after the win.

“Lachie’s only a young kid and he’s on my side. I just ran in and grabbed Birdy, and he grabbed me too. There was nothing in it really, we’re good mates.”

Hodges said the senior players had taken it upon themselves to step up and they followed on from the effort against Melbourne last week.

“That was the best thing about it. Losing Sammy (Thaiday) was a big loss and all the boys stepped up and wanted to lead from the the front tonight.”