Brisbane have turned to their development list squad with Burleigh Bears playmaker Josh Rogers to play halfback and new forward signing Jack Gosiewski to make his club debut off the bench against Parramatta.
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With captain Adam Reynolds sidelined for 12 to 14 weeks with a torn biceps and second choice half Jock Madden still unavailable with a pectoral injury, the Broncos will play Rogers alongside five-eighth Ezra Mam in the away clash with the Eels on Friday night.
At 186cm and 96kg, Rogers is a hulking frame for a halfback and is strong at taking the line on. His kicking game has improved in recent seasons and can be counted on, if called on, to kick goals as he is one of the best in the Queensland Cup.
Lock Pat Carrigan, who will captain the side in the absence of Reynolds, backed Rogers.
"Josh Rogers just needs to be Josh Rogers. He doesn't need to be Adam Reynolds. If we get the best version of Josh then that will be alright," Carrigan said.
Rogers was the Queensland Cup leading points scorer in 2023 when with Wynnum-Manly.
Burleigh is the club where he has played most of his football since 2018, and he is back there this year and once again the leading points scorer for the competition so far.
The 27-year-old, on Brisbane's development list, made his NRL debut last year with the Broncos in a 32-22 loss to Melbourne when he landed five goals from as many attempts and had a solid match.
"Josh is experienced and a lot of people that watch Q Cup would probably say he should have played a lot more NRL games already," Carrigan said.
"He is a good kid, wants to fit in and do his best for the team. That's what we are all about. I am really excited to play with him Friday night.
"I think he has nearly got me covered (in size).
"He will be strong defensively and will work (in defence) with Jordan Riki and Kotoni Staggs."
Gosiewski, signed from North Queensland last week, will come off the bench.
Brisbane are without winger Jesse Arthars for four to six weeks with a broken jaw suffered in the 40-18 loss to Sydney Roosters, with veteran Corey Oates returning to the side in his place.
Carrigan was speaking at Indooroopilly State School where the Broncos launched a partnership with The Resilience Project, an organisation that provides students with the tools and resources to build positive mental health and resilience.
"It is really fitting I am here today to speak to primary school students," Carrigan said.
"A lot of these kids look up to us and that resilience is what we are going to have to adopt in the next couple of weeks."
Australian Associated Press
