Justin Hodges on the charge for the Maroons. Source: Getty Images
AS much as the Broncos want State of Origin standout Justin Hodges back for Monday night's clash against Canberra, the message was clear at Red Hill yesterday: individualism will no longer be tolerated.
Still shattered after their humiliating 56-18 home loss to the lowly New Zealand Warriors, the bruised Broncos - still minus Queensland quartet Hodges, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker and Matt Gillett - gathered in a huddle at training to be addressed by coach Anthony Griffin, with teamwork emphasised in the lecture.
"We all feel that our team was more individual the last couple of weeks - we need to get that team feeling and vibe back amongst us,'' said Broncos forward Alex Glenn, who captained the side against the Warriors in the absence of Thaiday.
"Everything we do out here, we want to be doing it knowing that we've got each other's back covered.
"A lot of teams wouldn't take (the embarrassing loss) lightly and they'd want to earn that respect back for their team and also their club. That's why I was anxious to get back here and train my butt off.
"The last two days I've been at home reading the papers. It's not too well, but you've got to face the facts and be honest and cop it on the chin.''
Hodges, Queensland's best player in the Maroons' 14-6 loss to NSW on Wednesday night in Sydney, has not been named in Brisbane's side to play against the Raiders at Canberra Stadium, with Griffin concerned about overloading the veteran centre.
But Glenn hinted that Hodges remained an outside chance to play on Monday.
"He did play a great game (against NSW) and whether or not he wants to back up, it's totally on his hands and the coach's hands, but we won't find out until later in the week,'' Glenn said.
"Any one of those four (Origin) players they bring a lot to our team, so to have any one back in the team would be great.
"It's always tough for the club around Origin season, but in saying that it gives a lot of the younger boys opportunities ... we need to believe in each other.
"It won't be easy and it's definitely cold down there (in Canberra) so that doesn't help but if we cover all the grey areas here and we go down and prepare well, we should be in for a good game.''
Centre Jack Reed failed to finish training after copping a "stinger'' to his left shoulder, but remains on target to play on Monday night.
Reed made an earlier-than-expected return from a fractured eye socket in Monday night's Suncorp Stadium debacle.
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