Broncos Face Life Without Lockyer
by
Wednesday July 23, 2003

It's a nightmare come to reality, star Brisbane Broncos fullback Darren Lockyer has been ruled out for up to six weeks with ankle ligament damage following the Broncos' thrilling 26-22 extra time win over Melbourne Storm last Sunday.

Lockyer will also miss this Friday night's Test against New Zealand, his place taken by Queensland teammate Shannon Hegarty.  Hegarty will play on the wing with his Roosters' teammate Anthony Minichiello moving to fullback.

But for the Broncos the loss is far more devastating, with the club facing the prospect of being without their star playmaker until the finals.

Worse, Lockyer's replacement for the Baby Broncos in round 18, Tony Duggan, who played so strongly against the Bulldogs, is unavailable after suffering a facial injury playing for Toowoomba against Norths last weekend.  Youngster Nick Parfitt, who scored five tries in a Queensland Cup game just over a month ago, will earn the call up for this Saturday's important clash with Manly.

It's the first time Lockyer has suffered a long term injury since he suffered knee damage in 1999.  Veteran forward Andrew Gee told the Official Brisbane Broncos site that he was confident the Broncos could cope with the loss.

"He means a lot to the team but if he does not play we just get on with it and someone else just goes into his position," Gee said.

"We have a number of people who can play fullback. If you think you cannot cover him, then you are just making excuses before you start."

Lockyer's absence puts further pressure on the struggling halves combination of Ben Ikin and Shaun Berrigan.  Without Lockyer chiming in to relieve the playmaking duties, Ikin and Berrigan will largely be on their own.  Scott Prince, who was named on an 18-man bench, must shorten in odds to play this weekend, with the necessity to have some playmaking backup available should Ikin or Berrigan suffer injury or simply struggle to put it together on the night.

Casey McGuire, who has covered admirably at five-eighth at times in the past month, is also still in serious doubt with a shoulder injury suffered against the Storm. Ikin hasn't fully recovered from his corked thigh either, but should be fit to play. 

Manly represents a testing game for the Broncos. The Sea Eagles are a more than adequate attacking side, and in fact have scored 13 more points than the Broncos this season, putting the Broncos' 4th best defensive record to the test.  And while their defence is the second worst in the league, behind only last placed South Sydney, the Broncos will need the attacking fluency on the night to capitalise on that.

It's an important game as it represents the beginning of the run into the finals. In 2001 and 2002 the Broncos have severely struggled in this period, losing plenty of games in succession, and they can illafford to do so this year with such a close competition. 

Brisbane will hope that  history doesn't repeat.