Brisbane could receive a major boost ahead of their vital clash against the Dolphins this week with Payne Haas a chance to return from injury well ahead of schedule.
The prop has missed the past three games after suffering a foot injury during his side’s horror 46-18 loss to the Gold Coast that had almost everyone running a red pen through their season.
Yet the Broncos have bounced back from that defeat to still remain in with a chance of qualifying for finals with just two games remaining in the regular season.
The equation is simple; win both of their games and hope that St George Illawarra lose at least one of their fixtures to scrape into eighth spot on the ladder and qualify for the finals.
Payne Haas firms for return from injury ahead of Dolphins clash
The first test comes against Wayne Bennett’s side on Saturday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium when the Queensland rivals will face each other in a do-or-die clash.
And in some positive news amongst the injuries to Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam, Haas could be back on deck for the Round 26 match.
The New South Wales forward has been eased back into training since initial fears of his season being over last month and is firming for a return after being named in Kevin Walters’ extended squad this week.
"I'm not sure if he will play, that was his first bit of involvement with skills so we will see how he goes, but he is the ultimate professional," Patrick Carrigan said after Haas was pictured training with the main group.
"If he does play, it’s Payne Haas. You know watching him how good he is. But there’s no pressure on him, he has had that injury and we’re just looking for him to recover."
Regardless of whether Haas is cleared to play or not, the Broncos will enter into the contest against the Dolphins in confident mood.
The club currently possesses an unbeaten record in the Battle of Brisbane derbies after winning all three matches in their short, shared history.
