Broncos name team to face the
Tigers

Broncos centre Justin Hodges was today considered a long shot to return from a knee problem in Sunday?s elimination semi-final against the Wests Tigers at Aussie Stadium.

After not being added to an extended 20-man squad, Hodges was rated by club physiotherapist Rob Godbolt as ?a 30 per cent chance of playing? just 12 days after undergoing an arthroscopy for a medial ligament injury.

Hodges trained under the supervision of Godbolt for the second straight day and upped his workload to stepping after only doing running drills yesterday.

He maintained his knee ?felt good? and Godbolt said he was progressing well.

Hodges will do ball work at Thursday?s training session and be put through a full-on run at Saturday?s pre-match session in Sydney before a final decision is made on his fitness.

Godbolt said the decision to play or not was up to Hodges but would strongly advise him to take the option he viewed as best come the weekend.

If Hodges is not selected as a late inclusion the Broncos will use the same side edged out 24-18 by Melbourne last Saturday for possibly their last game of the season.

Forwards Sam Thaiday (ribs) and Dane Carlaw (bruised sternum) are the other players under injury clouds but were both named on the bench alongside fellow forward Corey Parker and utility Casey McGuire.

Carlaw and Thaiday will continue to be assessed throughout the week.

Playmaker Berrick Barnes and forwards Neville Costigan and Darren Mapp are the three emergencies to cover for the possible loss of Carlaw and/or Thaiday.

Shane Webcke (corked thigh) and Brent Tate (knee) are both definitive starters after shaking off their minor injury problems.

Brisbane Broncos: Karmichael Hunt; Scott Minto, Brent Tate, Shaun Berrigan, Leon Bott; Darren Lockyer (c), Brett Seymour; Tonie Carroll, Brad Thorn, Darren Smith; Petero Civoniceva, Barry Berrigan, Shane Webcke.

Interchange: Corey Parker, Casey McGuire, Dane Carlaw, Sam Thaiday, Berrick Barnes, Neville Costigan, Darren Mapp (three to be omitted)

Coach: Wayne Bennett