Broncos’ injury problems deepened as they prepare for Storm

Brisbane may struggle to name 21 fit players on Tuesday as their injury problems and absences reach crisis levels.

Anthony Milford is likely to be shifted back to fullback at the battling Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

Brisbane’s disturbing injury plight has plumbed new depths after the club was forced to confront the possibility that they may not be capable of naming 21 fit players for Friday night’s game against the Melbourne Storm.

Already battling in the face of a massive injury toll, the Broncos will be without fullback Tesi Niu (wrist), winger Jamayne Isaako (personal reasons) and Corey Oates (leg laceration) for the game against the Storm.

Coach Anthony Seibold’s job seemingly gets harder by the day. Seibold was urged to make changes after a disastrous 48-8 loss to Wests Tigers on Friday night but his ability to wield the axe has been hampered by the injury problems that have stripped him of millions of dollars worth of talent heading into the game against the Storm.

It also helps explain why Anthony Milford trained at fullback on Monday — Niu is unlikely to play again this season while Isaako will miss Friday night’s match as he prepares to head home following the death of his father Taai, who lost a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Thomas Dearden is ready to take over the No 7 jumper from Brodie Croft.

Seibold has tried Milford in the No 1 jersey before and he appears ready to rehash the experiment as he looks for ways to ignite his side against the high-flying Storm. Isaako would have be one of the options but his priority on Monday was paying tribute to his father.

“My heart is broken,” Isaako wrote.

“You are my rock and my hero! No words can express how much this hurts and how I’d give anything to hear your voice once more but Gods army gained another brave and lion-hearted soldier today and I know you’ll always be looking down over us.

“You put up one hell of a fight and fought right to the very end despite what anyone said or thought and now you don’t have to suffer anymore pain.

“Couldn’t have asked for a more loving and caring father I’m so honoured to have called you my dad. I love you more than you’ll ever know. Till we meet again.”

Milford’s move to the back means Brodie Croft is likely to play five-eighth against his former club and youngster Thomas Dearden will finally get his chance in the No 7 jersey.

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold at the Clive Berghofer Centre on Monday. Picture: Getty Images

Dearden has been pressing hard for an opportunity and his time appears to have finally arrived with the club at one of the lowest ebbs in their history. Croft, meanwhile, confronts his former club with his own form under the spotlight.

“I think Crofty is someone who wears his heart on his sleeve and competes for every inch,” captain Patrick Carrigan said.

“He has got to where he is today on the back of hard work. Maybe the pressure of things, with how we have been going as a group, got the better of him because he has been copping the brunt of it.

“We are letting each other down first and foremost before we can put blame on any one player.”

The Broncos have lost seven of their past eight, their lone victory over bottom-placed Canterbury a fortnight ago. Seibold has been in the firing line as a result and he could hardly have asked for a more difficult challenge as he attempts to drag his side out of the quagmire that has the side languishing closer to the bottom of the ladder than the top.

“We back Seibs, we back this club and we back the 17 players who get the opportunity to play,” Carrigan said.
“It is inexcusable the last eight weeks how we have been performing. As a group we need to look in the mirror first and see what we are doing ourselves before we start pointing the finger at anyone else.
“There is a lot of pressure on the club and the players for the last 10 rounds of the season. The age and the experience isn’t an excuse. If you get picked in the first grade squad, you get picked to do a job.”

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Asked whether they could beat Melbourne, Carrigan said: “Of course we can.”

Seibold’s decision to finally make some changes to his line-up comes as chair Karl Morris and chief executive Paul White prepare to answer the questions of fans at their annual general meeting.

The club is also expected to provide some financial projections for the upcoming year, the Broncos like every other club in the competition taking a hit to their bottom line due to the COVID-19 crisis.