Lockyer returning sooner than expected

[salivor]

Darren Lockyer thinks he could return for the Tigers match or the Warriors match the next week.

Great news for the club, I think we can win the match against Wests so if hes not completely right I wouldn't want to see him rushing himself back in for that match. This ankle injury has been bothering him for over a month now so he needs to get over it with this rest and be fully fit on his return.

I definetly feel a bit more confident now and if we can get Lockyer back on board early we could win our last 4 or so games which without him we would've dropped a couple. It means we could cling onto the top 4 and get that vital home semi final in the first week.

I don't think missing Tallis is the big worry. Parker and Webb of late have been playing much more like ragging bulls than the ragging bull himself.

 

[RenoufPhan]

Lockyer wasn't part of the 18 man squad named today to play the Tigers (Ikin and Meyers were also excluded).

But it's still early in the week, so there's still a chance he could be a late inclusion.

I don't think missing Tallis is the big worry. Parker and Webb of late have been playing much more like ragging bulls than the ragging bull himself.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Corey Parker in particular has been going gangbusters of late.
.

 

[salivor]

It was looking like he was going to play this week but its probably wise to let him fully recover. I think we will beat Wests with or without him, its against the Warriors that we'll really need his presence.

 

[Sydney Carton]

Give up if you cant beat them without him.

 

[Trojan Horse]

Lockyer fails fitness test

By Joel Zander and Bruce Atkinson

Brisbane Broncos fullback Darren Lockyer will not play against the Wests Tigers at Lang Park this weekend after failing a fitness test this morning.

The Broncos were hopeful of having their star playmaker back on deck in their bid to arrest an alarming form slump in the lead-up to the finals series.

The Broncos have lost their last three games straight and have slipped from the top of the National Rugby League (NRL) ladder down to fifth spot.

Lockyer is expected to take at least another week to overcome an ankle injury, and is hopeful of playing against the New Zealand Warriors next weekend.

"At a pinch I could play," he said.

"If it was a semi-final or a grand final, no worries at all, but I just think it's probably about 95 per cent right and that other 5 per cent I'll get back next week with training."

Broncos captain Gorden Tallis is still aiming to make his comeback from injury in the final round against St George-Illawarra.

For the first time in the club's history the Broncos have been forced to forfeit their Colts game in the Toowoomba competition this weekend due to 23 players across all grades being injured.

The Broncos' losing streak began with a home defeat to the Manly Sea Eagles three weeks ago, and continued with an away loss to the Sharks and then another home loss last week to competition front-runners Penrith.

The Broncos have not made Lang Park the impenetrable fortress they would have liked since their switch from QEII Stadium earlier this year, and they have been struggling of late without Lockyer and Tallis.

Five-eighth Ben Ikin has also been missing through injury, while back-up half Scott Prince limped off during last week's match against the Panthers with knee ligament damage.

 

[Blade]

...and then there was.


Lockyer back in action

Brisbane Broncos' fullback Darren Lockyer has recovered from an ankle injury and has been named to play against the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland on Sunday.

Origin five-eighth Ben Ikin, returning from a knee injury, and representative forward Brad Meyers, who has recovered from a broken nose, will also rejoin the Brisbane side.

The Broncos have announced a near full-strength team to face the New Zealand side.

Both the Warriors and the Broncos are on 28 points, and a win could guarantee the winner a spot in the finals.

Warriors' player Clinton Toopi has pleaded guilty to a careless high tackle charge, but is free to play this weekend.

Broncos Team:

Darren Lockyer (captain)
Michael DeVere
Brent Tate
Tonie Carroll
Stuart Kelly
Ben Ikin
Shaun Berrigan
Shane Webcke
Richard Swain
Petero Civoniceva
Carl Webb
Corey Parker
Dane Carlaw

Interchange:Brad Meyers, Andrew Gee, Neale Wyatt, Casey McGuire, Michael Coorey

 

[AliN]

It's a good team and we'll have to be on the ball on Sunday..

 

[Kasper]

With lockyer back I reckon yous will get up.
Broncs by 2.

 

[AliN]

With Lockyer back, the team lifted, but he wasn't 100% and can only get better.
Webcke after Villa's hit was a bit quieter than usual.
I hear today Tate has been cleared of any serious injury which is good news.

Good luck to the Broncos, we'll see you somewhere in the finals..

 

[Dirty Hoe]

Top game....how good were the Warriors.

No Jones, No Tony, No Hohaia.....still beat you blokes with basically our 4th choice halfback :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: