Brisbane have lost strike centre Justin Hodges for Saturday’s NRL showdown with the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

Coach Anthony Griffin declined to take a risk with Hodges and has decided to split the defensive job on Roosters danger man Michael Jennings between back-rowers Matt Gillett and David Stagg.

Stagg, who returned to the Broncos from the Bulldogs this season, is likely to start at right centre opposite Jennings, but Griffin said Gillett would also spend time out in the backline.

Hodges is battling hamstring issues and while he was close to being able to play he has been kept in cotton wool for next Friday night’s NRL blockbuster against the defending premiers Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium.

Griffin said he was expecting the Roosters to target Brisbane’s right side regardless of whether Hodges played.

Brisbane trained solidly on Friday morning before heading to Sydney.