Injured Brisbane five-eighth Scott Prince returned to training on Monday with no guarantees of starting Friday’s NRL clash with a wounded Canterbury.
Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin has several selection issues to sleep on before naming his side after Prince’s five-eighth replacement Ben Hunt impressed in the Broncos’ 32-6 win over Gold Coast on Friday.
Adding to Griffin’s selection puzzle is the impressive debut of livewire hooker Jake Granville who caught the eye with his defence and speed out of dummy half, laying on the final try for winger Lachlan Maranta.
Griffin already had representative pair Ben Hannant (calf) and Justin Hodges (fractured rib) on the sidelines.
The last thing he needed was two more injuries to key players, veteran utility David Stagg (knee) centre Jack Reed (eye) on Friday night.
Hodges failed to train on Monday but medical updates on Stagg and Reed at least delivered considerably better news than expected.
Stagg was diagnosed with a torn medial and Reed a fractured eye socket and not a more serious detached retina.
Youngster Jordan Kahu, who has deputised for Hodges at right centre, could switch sides and replace Reed on the left against the Bulldogs if Hodges is cleared to return later in the week.
Hunt’s strong showing against the Titans has put pressure on Griffin to give him another run in the No.6, especially with Prince recovering from a hamstring injury.
Hunt was sharp with the ball in hand and made more tackles (19) than any other backline player.
In-form lock Corey Parker says the nature of Hodges’s injury makes him a week-to-week proposition.
“If you’ve ever had a rib injury, they are a tedious thing,” he said on Monday.
“I’d say he (Hodges) will be alright but certainly Reedy, he’s been a quiet achiever with his dominance in attack and defence on that left side.
“He’ll be missed.
“(But) … Jordie Kahu has been going very well and whoever comes in will step up.”
Parker was one of many impressed but not surprised by Granville’s busy debut.
“It’s been a long road for Jake and he got his shot on the weekend,” he said.
“I thought he brought a bit to the side.”
