Darren Lockyer's character reference might not be enough to save former Australian team-mate Nathan Hindmarsh from being charged by the NRL's match review panel over a dangerous sliding knee-first tackle.
Hindmarsh apologised to Lockyer after Parramatta's 40-8 loss to Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Friday for the offending tackle which
landed him on report.
A forgiving Lockyer later cleared Hindmarsh, saying he was sure there was "nothing intentional" in the tackle.
"He apologised after the game and there's no hard feelings," said a battered-looking Lockyer.
But with the NRL's tough stance against dangerous tackles involving players sliding in with their feet, Hindmarsh is set to have a case to answer.
Eels coach Daniel Anderson said he wasn't sure if there was any contact but Lockyer required treatment and said after the game there had been contact to his head.
"It looked like he went down the side of Lockyer and I'm not sure there was any contact," said Anderson.
Lockyer's return to his stunning best was the highlight of Brisbane's sixth win of the season on Friday night.
After his form was questioned through the week, Lockyer displayed all his silky skills, running the ball to the line, putting players through holes and bombing the try line with precision.
It was a sublime performance from the 32-year-old five-eighth whose "I don't really care" comment about his critics after the game said it all.
Former Australian prop and long-time Broncos teammate Shane Webcke described talk of Lockyer missing out on Origin selection as "absolute garbage".
"Sell the farm, sell the fence, sell everything, if Lockyer is standing up he will be Queensland's No 6," declared Webcke.
Brisbane prop Nick Kenny benefited from Lockyer's genius, scoring his first try of the season off a lovely inside ball from his skipper.
"It was pretty easy, he put it on a platter for me, I only had to catch it and fall over the line."
Kenny said watching Brisbane's classy backline in action was reward for the forwards who, despite being questioned at the start of the season, have delivered against the best in the competition.
"They were awesome, Lockyer, K (Karmichael Hunt), Hodgo (Justin Hodges, Israel (Folau), they were just sensational.
"If we hold the ball and take us forward, the backs play off the momentum, they can be unstoppable."
- AAP
