Melbourne are on high alert for Justin Hodges, painfully aware of the devastation he can wreak for Brisbane from fullback in Friday’s high-stakes NRL final round clash at AAMI Park.
Hodges shift from centre to fullback has been pivotal in Brisbane’s surge into finals contention since he replaced injured Josh Hoffman at the back in round 23.
But the Storm also remember only too well his previous stint at fullback for Brisbane in 2006, coincidentally also starting in round 23 when he replaced an injured Darius Boyd.
From that point the Broncos won six of their next eight games, including a 15-8 grand final win over Melbourne, with Hodges scoring.
“Whenever you get a dangerous player and you get the footy in his hands as much as possible he’s going to cause you some problems,” said Melbourne Test fullback Billy Slater on Thursday.
“He (Hodges) has been playing some great footy over the last month when he’s had that roving role.
“He’s set up a fair few of their tries over the last fortnight and it’s something that we’re going to have to be very wary of.”
Both teams are desperate for a victory to cement their place in the finals series or they must rely on other results falling their way.
With both Slater and Hodges being noted big game performers, Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin backed his man to shine.
“That’s the special thing about this time of year, with your key players the expectations become a lot bigger,” Griffin said.
“When the pressure is on I am sure at some stage he (Hodges) will be involved in it – he’s done a great job the last couple of weeks.”
While Melbourne are wary of Hodges, Slater warned that fellow Test star Sam Thaiday’s suspension this week was a big blow for Brisbane.
Teenager Corey Oates and ex-Test prop Ben Hannant are in line to fill the vacant forward role.
“He (Thaiday) is a huge loss for them,” Slater said.
The sixth-placed Storm boast a formidable record over eighth-placed Brisbane, winning 19 of 23 meetings including a round 20 30-8 win.
Griffin wasn’t reading too much into that.
“When we played them six weeks ago we had two or three chances at 12-4 but didn’t finish them off,” Griffin said.
“We would like to think we are a better football side at the moment and in better form than a couple of months ago.”
Slater said his team wasn’t about to rest on their record when the stakes were so high.
“Personally this feels like the first final because of the chance that the loser could miss out.
“When there’s that chance of it being your last game of the year you’re certainly not going to leave anything in the tank.
“We are in that situation and so are the Broncos.”
Jay C
Roar Guru
Also. Sorry for highjacking your column Melissa. Hodges is the bomb. Should have played his career at full back. Was probably the difference in 06. I am just stoked on this game tonight
Jay C
Roar Guru
I personally would start Hannant, move Parker to lock, Gillet to 12 and bring in another bench forward. But not too sure how they will line up.
Jay C
Roar Guru
He reminds me a little of Johns. Much better option than Corey Norman, who seems to lack vision. I used to get so frustrated watching him dummy to an unmarked man, or throw the pass when he shouldn't have. Psyched for the game tonight. Hope Hook has got the boys jumping out of their skin.
Muzz
Guest
Yes mate, this season.I have him in the top 6.I love his temperament. I had DCE ahead of Cronk last year but he is really out of form.Even Manly supporters are bagging him.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Are we talking this season? Maybe 4th. Thurston, Cronk and Pearce have probably been more consistent. Maybe DCE.
Muzz
Guest
Where would you rate Hunt? 1 to 16.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I think Hunt is more creative than Cronk, but Cronk is solid as a rock
Jay C
Roar Guru
Todd Lowrie!
Muzz
Guest
I'm looking forward to the battle of the halfbacks.Cronk, who imo was in career best form for most of the season has been a little off the last couple of weeks.Hunt, who i rate and like reminds me of an unrefined Cronk.Should be good.
The eye
Guest
If Hook comes up with a strategy to stop the Storm going thru Copley,Vidot/Maranta.Barba..Tigers could do worse than bring him down for a talk
Jay C
Roar Guru
You can say players like Lowrie, and it opens the field to good players who defend well. There is a reason3 clubs have desided they could do better. 0 tries for 1 line break and 32 missed tackles. I don't hate him I just think you could get better value from a bench player.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Go and have a look at his stats. They are not pretty reading.
dallas
Guest
Il be surprised if hes not in bennetts team
dallas
Guest
Yea the things that players like lowrie do go unnnoticed by spectators but not by people who matter. Thats why he has played 200 first grade games.
Lachlan Simpson
Guest
Have to agree with dallas. especially if your alternative is granville. people rarely notice this but the broncos almost always concede points as soon as mccullough is taken off. granville is good for a few darts but his service is no better than mccullough's and his defense is much worse. on lowrie, he is money in the bank, provided he stays conscious for the full game. rarely a missed tackle and runs very decent lines on the opposition tryline when not much else is on.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Lowrie has been very ordinary for the Broncos. Tackling should be the minimum requirement to play. You need to add something else as well. Would be shocked if he finds a way into Bennett's team. I get that you need quality defenders in the back row, but I just have not seen him do anything whatsoever. Granville would be heaps better. Bellamy also has the ability to turn also rans into superstars.
dallas
Guest
Lowrie is a gap stopper in defence. you need mobile defenders around the middle the ruck to do the hard work and make the tackles. When parker and macca were out the broncos defence fell apart due to a lack of good defenders in the middle. Lowrie may not be a damaging or flashy back rower but he is very good at what he does. And you know if a player like him is on the field they are not going to be a liability in defence like david Hala or Jarrod wallace may be, after 10 mins those to become a liability due to there fitness and mobility. Lowrie is a good player, he played 65 games for the storm under bellamy players who dont perform down there dont last long.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Hook's got no idea.
djcooper
Roar Guru
Agree jay c about Oates. He might get longer then his standard 10-15 mins which can only be a good thing. Not sure why Hook wouldn't go with Granville on the bench because you would imagine this game will be won in the middle.
Jay C
Roar Guru
The other downside is Lowrie coming on to the bench. For the life of me I can't see how he gets a game. I have never once seen him add anything.