Sounds about right.
BRISBANE’s early-season hopes have been dealt a blow with Broncos doctors ordering star centre Justin Hodges to delay his comeback from an achilles injury.
The Maroons ace was hopeful of returning before round four, but Broncos coach Anthony Griffin said today Hodges was still an estimated six weeks away from an NRL comeback.
Should Hodges return in round seven against the Knights at Hunter Stadium, he would have just a handful of games to prove his fitness for the Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium on May 28.
Hodges participated in wrestling drills this morning with rookie Corey Oates, who is also on the comeback trail from shoulder surgery, but the Broncos are taking no risks with the 31-year-old.
“Hodgo is still a way off,” Griffin said.
“He has done a great job rehabilitating himself with our staff.
“He is still getting used to the week in, week out training.
“Hodgo is a while away, he is only now getting back to doing a full week of training so he will need to do more.”
Hodges told News Limited on Tuesday his initial plan of being fit for the season opener against the Bulldogs was a little ambitious.
“We have pretty clear landmarks which need to be ticked off over the next few weeks before I can really start thinking about getting back into games,” Hodges said.
“I think I was probably a little too optimistic early on.
“The reality is I am probably looking at late April or early May for a return date. That could change, but that is the likely time-frame.”
The news on Oates is more promising, with the boom rookie set to be cleared to resume full contact. He could be available for Brisbane’s round three clash against the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.
“Corey Oates is getting close ... maybe round three or four,” Griffin said.
Asked where Oates, a back-rower or winger, would play this season, the coach added: “Corey scored eight tries on the wing last year, I’ll wait and see what he does.
“He might need a few games in the lower grades to get confidence back in his shoulder. He’s only 18. He can play wing, centre or back row.”
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