Brisbane Broncos 10
Justin Hodges' State of Origin campaign is in serious doubt, after the Queensland centre suffered a suspected torn hamstring in Brisbane's 33-10 NRL loss to Penrith at Centrebet Stadium on Friday night.
Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer also appeared in considerable pain due to a shoulder injury suffered late in the game, while Penrith fullback Michael Gordon looked to be playing his way into a NSW jersey before a potentially serious knee injury in the 70th minute ended his night.
Gordon's injury puts his Origin availability under a cloud, while Hodges didn't return after injuring his right hamstring in the dying seconds of the first half, in a match that also saw Timana Tahu suffer a pectoral injury.
In front of 11,336 fans, gritty lock Luke Lewis did his Blues chances no harm with an excellent all-round performance and before injury, Gordon continued his impressive form with a try, strong goalkicking and two try assists.
Lewis, who has been sidelined with a hand injury since round four, opened the scoring in the 13th minute when he stepped around Brisbane halfback Peter Wallace and his mere presence appeared to ignite Penrith's attack.
The versatile Lewis also made an impact in defence, as he emerged as a strong candidate for either a backrow or bench role for Blues coach Ricky Stuart.
In a 10 minute period midway through the second half, Gordon capitalised on a sharp Luke Walsh run to score under the posts, before laying on tries to Brad Tighe and Tahu.
His involvement in Tighe's four-pointer was particularly special, with the damaging 27-year-old producing a brilliant tackle-busting kick return before setting up the first of Tighe's two tries.
The match took an unusual turn in the 66th minute when referee Matt Cecchin sent Penrith captain Petero Civoniceva and Corey Parker to the sin bin.
Civoniceva was marched for conceding back-to-back offside penalties, while Cecchin objected to a comment from Parker after the same play.
Parker was heard to say "I can say whatever I like to my players", to which Cecchin replied "I've been around long enough to know where it was aimed".
Brisbane were dominated in all facets of the game for all but the final five minutes of the first half, when Wallace and Corey Parker scored somewhat fortuitous tries to trail 12-10 in a misleading halftime score.
The Broncos have now suffered back-to-back losses after a seven-game winning streak had taken them to the top of the NRL.
PENRITH 33 (B Tighe 2 M Gordon K Kingston L Lewis T Tahu tries M Gordon 4 goals L Walsh field goal) bt BRISBANE 10 (C Parker P Wallace tries C Parker goal) at Centrebet Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Phil Haines. Crowd: 11,336.
- AAP
