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SYDNEY - Test fullback Karmichael Hunt looms as the man most likely to assume the Brisbane No 6 jumper as the Broncos look to pick up the pieces following the loss of inspirational skipper Darren Lockyer for the remainder of their National Rugby League premiership defence.
In a devastating weekend for two of the competition's powerhouses, news that Lockyer would undergo a full knee reconstruction came through just hours before Bulldogs prop Willie Mason was rushed to hospital to realign a dislocated wrist.
Mason is rated some chance of returning in time for the finals - pending scans later this week - but Lockyer faces nine months of rehabilitation after rupturing the ACL in his right knee against North Queensland Friday night.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has a few options as he looks to fill the gaping hole left by Lockyer's unavailability, though Hunt is favoured to get the role.
Rookie Joel Moon is another option as is Shane Perry, the man who played halfback in last year's premiership winning outfit.
But Bennett is a fan of Hunt's playmaking potential after trialling the Queensland and test custodian at halfback in the early rounds of the competition.
Rookie Denan Kemp is an obvious replacement at fullback should Hunt be shifted, but former Broncos great Gene Miles believes the defending premiers will struggle no matter who assumes the five-eighth role.
"I think it could be mission impossible," Queensland selector Miles told AAP.
"They depend so much on him and he's been so durable over the years that they really haven't had to face a long period without him.
"He didn't dominate Origin this year as he's done in previous years but personally I would not have wanted to go into the series without him."
The news on Mason is slightly better, with the best case scenario seeing the Test prop return just before the finals.
Mason's season could be over though if scans later this week reveal a fracture or ligament damage in the joint.
"He had a reduction of his dislocation under anesthetic last night," Bulldogs club doctor Hugh Hazard said.
"He'll have some MRI scans later in the week just to check the status of the ligaments around the wrist.
"It's a most unusual injury so we'll just have to wait and see.
"He sounded alright this morning, once it got back in I think he was feeling okay."
Mason was one of several injury concerns for the Bulldogs, with Cameron Phelps to visit a specialist tomorrow to determine the extent of a facial fracture.
Prop Mark O'Meley is set to miss another three weeks with a hamstring strain while Willie Tonga (groin) and Sonny Bill Williams (ribs) are some chance of taking on Gold Coast on Friday night.
The Bulldogs maintained their spot in the NRL top eight despite a 30-20 upset loss to the Penrith last night.
The New Zealand Warriors jumped ahead of them into seventh with a 44-16 hammering of St George Illawarra today while Canberra kept in touch with the finals contenders after crushing Gold Coast 56-10 at home.
Parramatta bounced back from Monday night's loss to Newcastle by holding off a late charge to beat South Sydney 18-12, Rabbitohs backrower Manase Manuokafoa held up over the line in the dying stages as the visitors looked to send the game to extra time.
The win lifted the Eels to third but the game was overshadowed by a post-game verbal stoush between rival coaches Jason Taylor and Michael Hagan - Taylor left fuming after the Rabbitohs were denied permission to warm up on a field adjacent to Parramatta Stadium.
Round 18 will wrap up tonight when premiership favourites Melbourne host Newcastle at Olympic Park.
- AAP
