Brisbane have rallied around mourning skipper Darius Boyd after the loss of his beloved grandmother, just days ahead of his scheduled return from injury in Friday night's NRL preliminary final against Melbourne.
But Broncos forward Sam Thaiday is confident Boyd will be ready to fire in the grand-final qualifier at AAMI Park after being sidelined for two weeks with a hamstring strain.
Brisbane have officially welcomed back fullback Boyd along with Tevita Pangai Junior (hamstring) after naming them in a 21-strong squad that also includes recovering winger Corey Oates (concussion) for the NRL's most daunting away clash.
Thaiday said his teammates would make sure Boyd was ready for the crunch clash after an emotional week.
"It's a tough time for Darius. All of us will gather around him the next couple of days," he said.
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"It's very hard when you don't have a lot of family but this is a big part of his family, this Broncos team."
Boyd's grandmother Delphine had raised the Broncos' skipper since he was 15.
Boyd's wife Kayla shared a tribute on social media.
"Rest in Peace Nana Boyd," she posted with a picture of Boyd with his grandmother and his one-year-old daughter Willow.
Boyd missed training on Monday but moved freely when he returned on Tuesday to the Broncos.
"He will be there for sure," Thaiday said of Boyd's availability.
"He has been sitting back the last couple of weeks, itching to get back on the field.
"I know he will be giving everything come Friday night."
Boyd's fullback return moves incumbent No.1 Kodi Nikorima to halfback and veteran Benji Marshall to the bench alongside forward Pangai Junior.
"Darbs brings a lot of experience, especially in our defensive line," Brisbane back-rower Alex Glenn said.
"He also adds that attacking option out the back - he will add to our strike power big time."
