Hooker Andrew McCullough is expected to be ruled out of Brisbane's final round NRL match with Manly after being knocked out in Dylan Napa's controversial tackle.
Veteran forward Sam Thaiday says McCullough will be a big loss as the seventh-placed Broncos chase the opportunity to secure a home final when they take on the Sea Eagles at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Sydney Roosters prop Napa accepted a three-match ban for his head-first tackle which struck McCullough in the face last weekend.
The retiring Thaiday has previously filled the void at dummy half and in what could be his last game at home, may be asked to do it again.
"Definitely (we'll miss him); what he brings to the team attacking-wise is fantastic and brilliant," Thaiday said of McCullough.
"Defensively he leads our line speed, leads our tackle count every week.
"Of course we're going to miss a player like him but it's a bit of a blessing in disguise because it gives him a rest into finals, he's got a few little niggly things that he can look after."
Thaiday declined to comment on the length of Napa's suspension but conceded the Maroons forward needed to tweak his tackling style.
"He was apologetic ... it's a technical issue he has to work on," Thaiday said.
Josh McGuire and Alex Glenn could also be used in the No.9 role against the Sea Eagles, with the Broncos gunning for three straight wins.
Brisbane could finish the season as high as fifth and host a final depending on the result of Penrith's clash with Melbourne and how St George Illawarra fair against Newcastle.
A loss would likely make Sunday's contest Thaiday's last at home and his family have responded, with his brother flying in from Germany for the occasion.
"You never know, there's a few different scenarios out there," he said.
"It's going to be hard for us to not watch all the games that are going around over the weekend."
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