Representative forward Sam Thaiday will make his first appearance as Brisbane captain in the Broncos’ final pre-season NRL trial in Hobart on Saturday.

The game against Melbourne will also feature the return in Broncos colours of favourite son Petero Civoniceva, back in the fold after four years with Penrith.

Thaiday will be Brisbane’s seventh captain since 1980, replacing retired skipper Darren Lockyer.

He’s led the Broncos in a stand-in capacity in Lockyer’s absence several times over the years but will run out for the first time as the side’s fulltime leader at North Hobart Oval.

Coach Anthony Griffin has named Corey Norman at five-eighth but his battle with another youngster, Ben Hunt, for Lockyer’s No.6 starting jumper is still wide open with both players expected to share time in the position against the Storm.

Brisbane’s squad: Josh Hoffman, Gerard Beale, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Corey Norman, Peter Wallace, Scott Anderson, Andrew McCullough, Ben Hannant, Alex Glenn, Ben Te’o, Sam Thaiday (capt). Interchange: Ben Hunt, Petero Civoniceva, Matt Gillett, Brendon Gibb, Dale Copley, Dane Gagai.