Kotoni Staggs will return to the centres in a much-needed boost for a Brisbane side in danger of dropping to last on the NRL ladder with a loss to Canterbury on Saturday.
The Broncos have lost six straight games since the competition’s resumption, with coach Anthony Seibold forced to endure more questions over his reign at Red Hill in just the second of his five-year deal.
Staggs’ recovery from a hamstring injury is one positive though, with the centre set to push Herbie Farnworth onto the left wing and either Jamayne Isaako or bench utility Tom Dearden – or both – likely to drop out of the team.
Staggs hasn’t played since round five but has been a rare bright spot for Seibold when available.
“Kotoni will play; he got through everything we wanted him to do,” Seibold said.
“He’s a good addition … was very good against Manly and in those early rounds.
Based on Thursday’s training movements, a bench of Cory Paix, Ben Te’o, Jamil Hopoate and Tom Flegler could be the result, with all of Dearden, Rhys Kennedy and Isaako potentially dropped from the initial team listed on Tuesday.
The Broncos (2-6) sit equal on points and differential with Gold Coast in second-last, ahead of only the Bulldogs (1-7) who boast a superior differential.
A win from Dean Pay’s men could see the Broncos fall to dead last and Seibold knows they’ll have to work hard to avoid it.
“We’ve got to get into a scrap; one thing I know about Dean Pay and teams he’s coached is that they scrap hard, fight hard,” he said.
“Josh Jackson, (Aiden) Tolman, (Dylan) Napa; they work hard.
“We’ve got to get down and dirty … if we play a decent half of footy and an inconsistent half then the Dogs will do us.”
Seibold attempted to clarify comments from club CEO Paul White on Monday that “performance measures” existed in Seibold’s contract.
The coach said there was no magic number that, if not met, would see the club to swing the axe.
“Every contract, if you’re not performing, and Paul doesn’t think I’m doing my job, that’s their right to make a decision,” he said.
“But I’ve got no performance measures that mean if you don’t achieve this result you’ll lose your job.”