Bailey goes under the knife
Luke Bailey's hand surgery hasn't ruled the inspirational prop out of the Gold Coast Titans' crunch NRL clash with Wests Tigers on Friday night - yet.
Bailey went under the knife on Tuesday after sustaining a broken thumb in last round's shock loss to the Sharks but the ex-Test frontrower was still named for the Skilled Park showdown.
A Titans spokesman said Bailey would be reassessed later this week but club medical staff would be guided by the specialist's advice.
Bailey has been pencilled into the starting front-row - but livewire fullback Preston Campbell has been rubbed out after succumbing to a hamstring complaint.
Other injury concerns - backrower Anthony Laffranchi (shoulder) and pivot Mat Rogers (hip) - were named in the starting side on Tuesday.
Laffranchi slots straight into the second row to ensure he lines up against his former club after missing the Sharks boilover.
While Laffranchi was pleased to be back, he was keeping his fingers crossed Bailey would be given the thumbs up and run out on Friday night.
"He's our inspirational leader, a cornerstone of our pack," he said on Tuesday.
"Fingers crossed, or thumbs crossed, he will play." Laffranchi looked forward to taking on the team he helped secure the 2005 NRL trophy.
But the significance of the clash far outweighed any sentiment for Laffranchi.
Win and they lock up a top four spot - and a home final.
Lose, and they could drop to sixth.
Laffranchi said bowing out of the 2009 finals "in straight sets" had steeled the side ahead of their crunch game.
"We had some pretty good form coming into the finals last year and bowed out in straight sets," he said.
"We got that taste of defeat which is hard to swallow at that time of year.
"But it was a good learning curve.
"We are probably in a better mental state this time around.
"I would say we are a top four team for sure.
"But we are not thinking beyond Friday night." Laffranchi admitted there was a sense of deja vu watching the Wests Tigers this year.
"They are definitely playing with the same kind of momentum and razzle dazzle (as 2005)," he said.
"But they are also playing with composure, they are putting together an 80 minute performance - that's a danger sign.
"They have their injuries but they still have their key strike weapons in (Robbie) Farah and (Benji) Marshall.
But Laffranchi believed their inspirational half Scott Prince was ready to fire after finding a perfect foil in Rogers.
"I think Matty is thriving at six, he's really balanced Princey out," he said.
"Princey seems to be more relaxed, the pressure is off him, he's probably not our so called go to man in attack.
"They really complement each other. It's good to see the two old fellas going around." Rogers will be celebrated at the Friday night match - his final regular season home game before retiring.
Commemorative "Rat" t-shirts - named after the dual international's moniker - will be on sale at the ground.
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