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SYDNEY - With the odds already stacked heavily against them, Brisbane have been dealt yet another blow ahead of tomorrow's Natioinal Rugby League qualifying final against Melbourne with veteran backrower Tonie Carroll set to succumb to a neck injury.
Carroll is expected to be ruled out of the clash at Brisbane's training session tonight after failing to overcome the strain suffered in last week's 68-22 thrashing by Parramatta.
The latest injury setback means getting a win against premiership favourites Melbourne would be a minor miracle for Brisbane. The Broncos are already without a host of key players including Darren Lockyer (knee), Karmichael Hunt (hamstring), Shaun Berrigan (cheekbone), Brent Tate (knee), Dave Taylor (thumb) and David Stagg (shoulder).
The reigning premiers also lost winger Craig Frawley on Thursday but are confident test centre Justin Hodges will overcome a corked thigh to start the match.
Brisbane have lost five out of their past seven games and, coupled with the Storm's imposing home record, look to be heading to Olympic Park simply to be put out of their misery.
But you wouldn't know it from their attitude at training, according to Brisbane's assistant coach Ivan Henjak.
"The boys have been very enthusiastic throughout the week, attitude has been good and they've worked very hard," he said.
The Broncos have become accustomed to this sort of adversity, particularly in the second half of the season with injury disruptions striking with regularity.
"This sort of situation has been with us for a while now. We've played all the top teams and with the guys we've had out not many people thought we'd even be in those games," Henjak said.
"It's not a big issue. We just see it as a big challenge and as long as we give our best and keep playing for each other then that's all that were expecting.
"The pleasing thing is that, apart from last week, we've been in just about every game we've played in."
The Broncos will field a side with comparatively little finals experience to recent seasons, something Henjak believes could work in their favour.
"They're going to be up for it. If they're not going to get excited about this game they never will," he said.
"We've got four players who are (Queensland Cup side) Redcliffe players starting tomorrow which is unbelievable, but a big game like this gives them an opportunity to show people what they've got."
Among those will be winger Alwyn Simpson, who will make his NRL debut after catching coach Wayne Bennett's eye with his Queensland Cup form.
Bennett also made some unforced changes during the week, dropping Joel Moon and Greg Eastwood, although Eastwood is likely to return to the team in Carroll's absence.
Melbourne, on the other hand, are near full strength and received a further boost tonight with Ben Cross (hamstring) coming through training unscathed and likely to be fit for the match.
- AAP
