Knights hit by injury after Warriors raid

[Jobdog]

Lockyer definitely out, as has been said, but I'm pretty sure Wallace, Hodges, Marsh and Ennis will all be there.

 

[Pumba]

NEWCASTLE coach Brian Smith expects injured trio Danny Buderus, Jarrod Mullen and Scott Dureau to all play in Sunday's litmus test against Brisbane at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
The Knights limped home from Auckland after their 26-20 loss to the New Zealand Warriors with Mullen booked in for scans on his calf and Dureau an x-ray on his ribs; skipper Buderus played through the Mt Smart Stadium match with a badly corked thigh.

"They'll all be okay," Smith said.

"Mullen would be the major concern of the three but we'll see how he goes. He's gone for scans. Scott Dureau's gone for an x-ray. They're all a lot better today.

"I wasn't real worried about it in the first place. We'll soon find out anyway whether it's anything to worry about or not but I'm not worried at this stage."

The worst case scenario for the Knights would be the loss of both halves, Dureau and Mullen, in what would be a cruel blow to the rebuilding Novocastrians in a blockbuster at home.

Regardless, Newcastle will be boosted by a likely first appearance from ex-Melbourne premiership-winning prop Ben Cross, who injured his wrist in the pre-season.

Smith said Cross had been involved in "everything" - including full contact work - at Knights training.

"He's been cleared by the specialist so we'd be hopeful he'll get through this week's training and he'll be a participant," Smith said.

"Everyone's keen for Crossy to add his attributes to our team, he's been an effective member of our team even though he's not been able to play."
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Awesome if true.

Smithy will keep the Broncos guessing though.

 

[KniGhTs BaTTLeR]

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,23497056-5003409,00.html

BRISBANE skipper Darren Lockyer has been sent for scans and is facing at least a fortnight on the side-line.

In some good news for Brisbane, they could have both Test centre Justin Hodges and goal-kicking forward Corey Parker back for Sunday's clash with Newcastle.

But that's weird because in the Courier Mail for the 7th of April it said that Lockyer, PJ Marsh and Corey Parker were defnitely out and Hodges was a day by day proposition. I couldn't find the article on the website though.

We may not know who is playing for both sides until kick-off.

 

[Coopah_Knights]

Lockyer definitely out, as has been said, but I'm pretty sure Wallace, Hodges, Marsh and Ennis will all be there.

ive sed it in another thread.
ENNIS IS A GRUB. i hope benny cross buries him

 

[Knights01]

will hodges be out for the broncs this week??
and pj marsh?
those two have been great for the broncs so far

I totally agree Voltron (are you the car Voltron or the lion one??)

Hodges and PJ have been instrumental in the performances of Brisbane in the opening rounds and boy did they miss them on Friday night against Melbourne. Personally if they had one or both of them over one D. Lockyer then I am sure Melbourne would have had a scrap for those 2 competition points.

I am praying that neither of them are available on Sunday - but I think the time between games will aid them and I expect them to run out!

 

[Serc]

Kenny hungry after weathering the Storm
By Wayne Heming
AAP

Improving prop Nick Kenny is hungry for more physical action after revelling in his first run on game for Brisbane in three years against Melbourne.
After 17 games off the bench since his debut against Cronulla in 2005, the part-time physiotherapist inflicted some damage of his own on the Storm with 30 tackles and 10 hit ups on a tough night at Olympic Park.
His efforts have been rewarded with coach Wayne Bennett booking him for another tough starting assignment against Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday.
"I loved starting, it was such a great feeling," said Kenny after waiting three seasons for the experience.
"When you're a front-rower you want to be out there for those first 10 or 15 minutes when it's fast and physical to help set the mood.
"You're like every player, you prepare all week, go through the warm up on match day and then you just want to go out and rip in.
"It can be frustrating for a front rower sitting on the bench early when it's physical, you want to be on there when it's rough and tough."
Kenny said while the players put in against Melbourne last Friday night, the team's intensity may have dipped slightly on its previous three weeks.
"It was a very high quality game and the boys all put in," said the 25 year-old forward from Rockhampton.
"The effort was there but at times our execution probably let us down."
Centre Justin Hodges (hamstring) was a big loss, his bottling defence and high work rate out of dummy half sorely missed with Melbourne attacking his side all night.
So were the efforts of busy hooker PJ Marsh (rib) who remains in extreme doubt for Sunday's clash with the Knights.
"Hodgo is a great player and he offers us that extra dimension in attack which was probably missing against Melbourne," said Kenny.
"Sunday will be another big test for us.
"I remember as kid visiting my great grandmother with my dad in Newcastle when the Knights won the premiership how passionate their fans were.
"I've heard lots about playing at Newcastle and their fans and I'm really looking forward to the experience."

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