NRL / Andy Morris / 27 August 2010 / Leave a comment Free Bet View Market

Neither the Warriors nor the Broncos can really afford to drop league points at Mt Smart Stadium on Friday night, so Andy Morris believes something has to give.

...if the Broncos have to play without Lockyer then this should be a home win...

The ladder is so tight at the business end of the season, victory should mean a top-eight berth, while the losers could be in a tough spot.

Brisbane always makes the finals - they have not missed out for 18 years. But defeat against the Warriors, for the second time this season, may mean that fine run comes to an end.

The Warriors thumped the Broncos 48-16 at Suncorp Stadium back in round three, and they hardly go to New Zealand in good form.

They lost to the Eels, then were thumped 44-18 by Newcastle.

In contrast, the Warriors beat the Knights 22-10 then lost by three points to Manly in a game they could easily have won.

For the Broncos, much will depend on whether skipper Darren Lockyer makes it. He suffered a rib cartilage injury less than three weeks ago, and his place is very much in the balance. The Broncos tend to struggle without him, and it leaves a lot of pressure on teenager Corey Norman.

The Warriors also have injury concerns. Michael Luck is out with a leg injury and hooker Ian Henderson misses out with an ankle problem.

Manu Vatuvei is one of the leading try scorers in the league, but was quiet last week against Manly. He will be tested severely this time when he comes up against Israel Folau.

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary is pinning his hopes on youngster Kevin Locke rediscovering top form. The speedster has had several breathtaking performances this year, including his hat-trick of tries to beat the Roosters in June, but has had some issues with his defence.

A loss would mean they would have to beat the Eels in Sydney next week, and they don't want to have to leave that one to chance.

Cleary says: "Effectively, it's like a home final, that's the way the feeling is. Everyone's obviously extremely excited."

The Warriors bring back utility Lewis Brown, who missed the Manly match with a shoulder injury.

Folau could potentially be the difference between these two sides, but if the Broncos have to play without Lockyer then this should be a home win by 6-10 points.