Petero Civoniceva says he’s more concerned with helping the Broncos tough out a win against Melbourne or Manly in coming weeks than he is about his career ending on a sour note should the club fail to make the NRL finals.
The possibility the 36-year-old, Fiji-born prop’s career could end in such a way after his return to Brisbane this season is one fans – and teammates – would not like to entertain.
But Queensland’s and Australia’s most-capped forward said after the club’s weekend defeat to Canterbury – their fourth loss in a row – that he wasn’t even thinking about how his playing days might end.
“I haven’t really thought about that side of things,” said the big prop when asked if it would leave a bitter taste in his mouth if the Broncos missed the finals.
“I’m focused on the performance of the group and me individually. Whatever happens, happens.
“The football gods can be kind and they can be cruel as well.”
Brisbane unsuccessfully applied to have their round-26 clash with Penrith – the last of the regular season and potentially their last of 2012 – moved from a Friday night to a Sunday afternoon to accommodate fans wanting to give Civoniceva a fitting farewell.
Civoniceva said on Monday that coach Anthony Griffin hadn’t mentioned the finals and was only interested in the players building some momentum after their strong effort against the Bulldogs.
Having been put to the sword on Sunday by electrifying Bulldog Ben Barba, the Broncos come up against another match-winning No.1 on Friday night in Storm custodian Billy Slater.
Civoniceva said Barba was in “freakish form”, with the Bulldogs clearly the NRL’s benchmark team.
“At crucial times, he just knows when to chime into their attack and he can come up with opportunities the average player wouldn’t,” he said.
“There were periods when we felt we were starting to gain some momentum and then he’d come up with that piece of individual brilliance at clutch times that would cruel us.”
An incorrect penalty awarded by referee Tony Archer, when Brisbane centre Jack Reed was pushed into the ruck, had a big bearing on the result with the Bulldogs getting across the line just before halftime to trail 14-6.
“When things are not going your way, things tend to stack up against you,” said Civoniceva.
“We’ve just got to suck it up and get through a tough period and hold strong as a group.”
Representative lock Corey Parker (shoulder) meanwhile could make a late bid to play against Melbourne.
