Already down on troops, Brisbane did their best on Tuesday to water down concerns over glamour centre Justin Hodges and promoted prop Josh McGuire.
Representative forward Ben Hunt (calf) and veteran five-eighth Scott Prince (hamstring) have already been ruled out of Friday night’s local showdown with the Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium.
But things could turn decidedly ugly for coach Anthony Griffin if Hodges, who is battling a hip injury and barely lasted 10 minutes of Tuesday’s training session, and McGuire (calf) both fail fitness tests on Thursday morning.
“I had a light trot and Hook (Griffin) is just looking after me,” McGuire said after joining Hodges on the sidelines.
“We don’t get paid to train – we get paid to play so, at the end of the day, they want us on the field on Friday night.
“The (medical) staff are just being cautious and better to be safe than sorry. I’m sure me and Hodgy will be sweet for Friday night.”
McGuire’s leg injury suffered early in the season has restricted him to just over two hours’ game time in 2013.
His time on the sidelines might have prompted his aggression against Parramatta last weekend when he found himself sin-binned and put on report after triggering an all-in brawl early in the second half.
“I set some goals that I haven’t achieved due to injury,” he said after an early guilty plea to a grade-one striking charge cleared him to play on Friday.
Utility Ben Hunt has been given a chance to push his case to play in the halves after being promoted off the bench to fill in for Prince.
He celebrated his elevation from utility to starter earlier in the day by extending his contract with the club until 2015 by which time he hopes to be established in Brisbane’s line-up.
Hunt made it clear he wanted to convince Griffin he was ready for a more-permanent spot in the side during Prince’s absence.
“I’ve always wanted to play in the halves and, if he (Prince) finishes up here, hopefully I can learn a few things from him.
“I get a chance to fight for that position this weekend and, if I can get in there and play well, I’ll be happy.”
Forward Matt Gillett said Hunt did a great job when he replaced Prince against Parramatta.
“It’s a different combination for us but Benny will do real well,” said Gillett, who has claimed his own starting place in Brisbane’s pack this season.
“He’s a good halfback, he’s been patient and I’m sure he will grab this chance.”