Broncos prop Thomas Flegler made a statement that he is ready to make his NRL debut after lock Tevita Pangai jnr felt "a pop" in his hamstring before leaving the field in Saturday's 26-12 trial win over Wynnum-Manly.
Pangai, who battled hamstring issues last season for Brisbane, left the field in the 18th minute with a recurrence of the injury.
The Broncos won't know the extent of it until scans on Sunday.
“I am pretty disappointed. I worked hard on my hammies all pre-season so hopefully I am good for round one," Pangai said after the game.
“It is my right one. I felt a pop. I’ll get back on the horse and hopefully get my preparation right.
“It is early days and we’ve got a long season ahead. We’ve got a lot of depth as well. The young boys played well tonight and if I’m out I’m sure we’ll be covered.”
Broncos assistant coach Ben Cross said the club was being "precautionary" with their powerhouse middle forward.
"We put him on ice tonight and we'll reassess it tomorrow," Cross said.
Pangai said that Flegler was “tremendous" as the blonde prop put up his hand to replace the suspended Payne Haas in round one.
A charging Flegler opened the scoring in the fourth minute after a perfectly weighted Jake Turpin pass. He was heavily involved with several ferocious charges and set Kotoni Staggs free with a slick one-handed offload to let coach Anthony Seibold know he is hungry for a spot in the round one NRL side to take on Melbourne.
In the second half Flegler's tackle on Ed Burns in-goal jolted the ball loose for Cory Paix to score. It was that "one per-center" play by the 19-year-old Flegler that would have impressed Seibold more than any other.
Jack Bird, playing his first game for Brisbane in 287 days, didn't see a lot of the ball early at left centre but made several strong tackles to save tries. That seemed to give the 2016 premiership-winner the confidence to inject himself in attack, as he did late in the first half in a strong surge.
Bird's 30 minutes on the park was not game-breaking but it was heartening and showed Seibold that he has lost no confidence after battling his way back from a sternum injury.
Five-eighth Sean O'Sullivan, making his Broncos debut, impressed with his raking left boot and organisational skills but the Broncos were well below their best with errors and ill-discipline prevalent.
Back-rower David Fifita scored a try following a neat Tanah Boyd kick and looked dangerous, while fellow forward Jaydn Su'A had a short hit-out in his first game back from a broken ankle.
Wynnum-Manly look set to have a strong season in the Intrust Super Cup. The control and guile of half Sam Scarlett was a highlight as was the incisive running of fullback Edene Gabbie and former Wests Tigers back Delouise Hoeter. Former Tigers prop Matt Groat also took the ball forward with vim in the early exchanges.
Hooker and captain Mitch Cronin was also involved in most of the Seagulls' best play and showed plenty of pace when he got in the clear.
Seagulls prop Keenan Palasia scored in the second half with a barnstorming run close to the line.
Former Storm and Rabbitohs flyer Richie Kennar scored his first try for the Broncos while Kotoni Staggs also charged over at right centre in a robust game with plenty of involvements.