Betting suspended on Broncos-NQ match
By Wayne Heming
AAP
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=50284
Bookmakers across the country have shut down betting on tonight's NRL clash between Brisbane and North Queensland following speculation Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer has pulled out of the game.
Bets began flowing for the Cowboys after rumours that Lockyer would not play surfaced just before lunch time.
The only bookie still betting on the game this afternoon was TAB Sportsbet.
Lasseters bookmaker Gerard Daffy says the industry has closed shop on the game just in case the rumours are correct.
He said it was bizarre the players were heading to the ground with only one bookmaking outlet still betting on the game.
SportingBet Australia confirmed the influx of bets for the Cowboys, substantiating rumours of Lockyer's injury concerns, and also suspended betting on the game.
Brisbane will be without representative fullback Karmichael Hunt (quad strain) and should Lockyer join him on the sidelines, the Cowboys could start favourites to win.
Lockyer has played both games this season, against Penrith and the Roosters, off the bench and was expected to start tonight's clash after training solidly all week.
If he is out, it would suggest his knee injury is causing him concern which would be a major worry for coach Wayne Bennett.
It's uncertain who will start at five-eighth in Lockyer's place with Bennett having several options including utility David Stagg, veteran lock Tonie Carroll or even Kiwi international Greg Eastwood.
The weather in Brisbane is overcast with the possibility of evening showers but officials are tipping a crowd of more than 35,000 for the Queensland derby clash.
