Gold Coast's representative lock Ashley Harrison will return from injury in Friday night's NRL derby with Brisbane but Greg Bird was not in coach John Cartwright's squad named yesterday. Bird (pectoral muscle) could still be a late inclusion if he improves.
The Titans, who need to upset Brisbane to stay in the race for the top eight, will have young winger David Mead back after he missed the win over Canberra to attend his father's funeral in Papua New Guinea last week.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary insisted he'd continue to make the tough calls at the Panthers but he didn't foresee the need to drop another bombshell like last week's parting of the ways with club legend Luke Lewis.
Cleary said the controversial stands he'd made in his first season at the foot of the mountains have been necessary in building a foundation for the battling NRL club.
"You can't be in this business and not make tough decisions," Cleary said.
"I don't think you'll get another one like Luke ... that's a big one. I certainly don't think there's going to be anything like that again."
- Agencies
