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Message: [QUOTE="langer77, post: 2329307, member: 2280"] Brisbane fear rib cartilage injury will keep Darren Lockyer out for season By Steve Ricketts August 16, 2010 With their season already teetering on the brink, the Brisbane Broncos may now have to play the last three rounds without inspirational skipper Darren Lockyer. Lockyer has made little progress since his rib cartilage popped in a tackle by Cowboys lock Luke O'Donnell 10 days ago and it is unlikely the 33-year-old will train this week. Coach Ivan Henjak confirmed Lockyer would not play against the Newcastle Knights on Friday night and it's looking increasingly likely he will only be used before the finals if the club is fighting to qualify. Lockyer was guest speaker at a sponsors function before last Friday night's 30-14 loss to Parramatta and guests said he almost doubled over in pain when he turned to answer a question. To add to concerns about Lockyer, centre Justin Hodges is also increasingly unlikely to play this year. Hodges, who ruptured his Achilles in the pre-season, will not play against Newcastle or the Warriors, leaving the Raiders game in the final round as possibly his last chance. And then the Broncos have to weigh up the benefits of playing him when he will not be at his best. Brisbane players and coaching staff breathed a sigh of relief when Melbourne beat South Sydney on Sunday, keeping the Broncos inside the top eight. But former Test prop Steve Roach believes the Broncos' premiership hopes rest on Lockyer's return. "They will be lucky to win a game without him," Roach said. Former Test halfbacks Peter Sterling and Andrew Johns echoed those sentiments. "They are a different team with Darren Lockyer," Sterling said. "It's not necessarily what he does, but it's the influence he has by just being there." Johns said Lockyer was like a puppeteer. "It's the control he gives the team," he said. not good news [/QUOTE]

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