Darren Lockyer has reassured fans the Broncos' attack will click once key combinations have had time to gel.

With glamour centre Justin Hodges (shoulder) and attacking fullback Karmichael Hunt (stomach) on the sidelines, Brisbane's attack never really got going against Melbourne in Saturday night's 20-6 NRL trial loss on the Sunshine Coast.

An enthusiastic 8,000-strong crowd had turned up at Stockland Park hoping to see some fireworks from marquee signing Israel Folau against his old club.

Melbourne contained their former try-scoring sensation but Lockyer and coach Ivan Henjak defended the giant youngster and the rest of the Brisbane outfit.

They played the second half without Lockyer and halfback Peter Wallace directing the attack.

"The combination between myself, Peter Wallace and Karmichael, you just can't expect (fullback) Gerard Beale to take over that role overnight," Lockyer said on Sunday.

"It was my first game with Aaron Gorrell at dummy half and Peter has only played a couple with him so hopefully the more games we play together the better the combinations will get."

After playing the first 40 minutes, Lockyer conceded Brisbane had a fair bit of work to do before the club's first game of the NRL season against North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on Friday week.

"The intention was to play half a game and leave it at that," he said.

"It wasn't vintage.

"I was tempted after half time to come back but it was a trial and we got what we wanted out of it.

"Defensively, for the amount of errors we made, and they made a lot too, I thought we held up pretty well."

Henjak said Folau didn't get many opportunities with both Lockyer and Wallace off the field in the second half.

"He was contained but he didn't have his ball players out there with him," said Henjak.

"He didn't have a hell of a lot created for him and he's going to get better for us.

"When Karmichael is there, he'll help him and when Hodgo is there he'll help him as well."

Henjak gave veteran centre Michael De Vere a pass mark in his first game for the club in three years.

"Mick competed hard all game and didn't let anyone down. If he stays fit he will play a role for us," said Henjak.

One of the most pleasing aspects of the trial for Henjak was the strong games of props Nick Kenny and Joel Clinton who was back to his hard running best.

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