League: Broncos and Sea Eagles up against it

The Brisbane Broncos have vowed to be more aggressive in defence when they take on Andrew Johns and Newcastle in tomorrow night's NRL elimination final at the Sydney Football Stadium.

After closing out the home-and-away season with three strong wins against the Bulldogs, Eels and Warriors in which they conceded just 12 points, Brisbane turned in a disappointing defensive display against the Dragons last weekend, going down 20-4.

The Knights will go into the match without hooker Danny Buderus, who was this week suspended for the remainder of the season by the NRL judiciary.

Prop Petero Civoniceva said the side needed to lift its defensive effort against the Knights or face an early end to the season.

"We are certainly winning our games with our defence," he said.

"Just the enthusiasm it instils within the team is certainly something that benefits us. So we are looking forward to improving that on Saturday night."

The Broncos go into the clash having lost their past seven finals matches, but Civoniceva said Newcastle would be equally nervous.

"Everyone is in the same situation now," he said.

"Teams one and two have the weekend off, but it's do or die now."

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Meanwhile, Manly and St George have both lost key players for tonight's NRL elimination semi-final at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Manly centre Steven Bell has joined St George Illawarra counterpart Mark Gasnier on the sidelines. Bell has a broken bone in his foot and is unlikely to play again this season unless the Sea Eagles reach the grand final.

The injury has troubled the Queensland representative for the past two matches and he played with the injury against Newcastle last Friday night.

Dragons coach Nathan Brown has ruled out a surprise appearance by Gasnier, who sustained a hip injury during the side's 20-4 win over Brisbane on Saturday night and left out of the side on Monday.

His place in the centres has been taken by Darryl Millard.

The Sea Eagles had suggested Gasnier might get a late call-up, but Brown insisted his star would not take the field.

Manly forward Anthony Watmough said the Sea Eagles forwards would have to lift their intensity if they were to progress through to a preliminary final clash with minor premiers Melbourne.

Manly were beaten by Newcastle in the opening week of the finals and a second-straight loss would see the club eliminated from the play-offs.

Watmough said the Dragons forwards were impressive in the win over Brisbane and would need to be shut down for Manly to have a chance of winning.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA