The Broncos are trying not to be distracted by the Justin Hodges saga ahead of the all-Queensland NRL grand final against the Cowboys.

Brisbane’s co-captain is appealing against his suspension for a dangerous throw with his teammates confident he’ll lead them onto the field one last time.

Gunjot Singh reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Justin Hodges cut a lonely figure and wasn’t talking to the media as his grand final future remains under a cloud.

Team mates though are confident he’ll be cleared to play.

Corey Parker, Broncos Co-captain: “It’s a normal Monday for Hodge.”

Andrew McCullough, Broncos Hooker: “He’s upbeat, you know, he has to be, you know, he’s obviously the captain of our team and it’s out of his hands what the result is going to be.”

Hodges will be appearing before the NRL judiciary tomorrow night, facing a grade one dangerous throw charge for his lifting tackle on Rooster’s forward Aidan Guerra during the preliminary final.

Sam Thaiday, Broncos Front Row: “We’ve got no control over what the judiciary do or the rulings they make so we can only go down there with all the confidence in the world.”

Corey Parker downplays the fairytale nature of the all Queensland grand final.

The Co-captain says the Broncos are determined not to be distracted from their goal of a seventh premiership.

Corey Parker, Broncos Co-Captain: “At the end of the day, there’s a game on Sunday, it’s a grand final but until then, you know, go around as our business as usual.”

The Cowboys also have their distractions with the club deciding not to send Johnathan Thurston to Sydney for the Dally-M Medal presentation.

Despite that, North Queensland’s Co-captain is favoured to win his fourth best-and-fairest.

Gunjot Singh, QUT News.