Justin Hodges will start in the centres against the Titans. Photo / Getty Images
Big guns Justin Hodges and Ben Hannant are to return from injury for Brisbane in Friday's NRL derby clash with the Gold Coast.
As the Titans came to grips with losing winger Kevin Gordon (knee) for the rest of the season on Tuesday, Broncos coach Anthony Griffin was able to
welcome back two of his stars for the Skilled Park match.
Their return plus an injury to young winger Dane Gagai caused a reshuffle of the Brisbane side which started the NRL round of upsets by beating Canberra 20-4 away last Friday night.
With Hodges restored to the centres, Gerard Beale shifts onto the wing to cover for the loss of Gagai and Jack Reed switches from right to left centre.
Hannant comes into the starting pack in place of Scott Anderson, who tore his calf muscle in the warm up before the Canberra match, and joins Sam Thaiday in a representative front-row pairing.
It will be 548 days since Hodges last weaved his magic in the NRL but Griffin said there were signs in the pre-season trial matches, before he tore his hamstring, that he was ready to return with a bang.
Assistant coach Allan Langer cautioned it would be unreasonable to expect Hodges to hit his straps against the Titans after more than 18 months out of football.
"It would be good to get 40 to 60 minutes out of Hodgo and hope he gets through the game and doesn't pull up sore," said the former Broncos champion halfback.
Brisbane are expecting a titanic tussle on Friday night with the Gold Coast desperate to redeem themselves after a woeful 40-12 loss to Melbourne last week left them with an 0-2 season start.
Brisbane squad: Josh Hoffman, Jharal Yow Yeh, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Gerard Beale, Darren Lockyer(c), Peter Wallace, Sam Thaiday, Andrew McCullough, Ben Hannant, Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange: Ben Hunt, Ben Te'o, Josh McGuire, Shane Tronc.
- AAP
