Brisbane have suffered a blow ahead of their must-win NRL clash with North Queensland in Townsville on Friday night with ex-Test prop Ben Hannant again succumbing to a calf injury.
The Broncos had hoped Hannant would bulk up their pack as they try to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
They need to win six of their final seven games to remain in the top-eight mix.
Broncos coach Anthony Griffin said Mitchell Dodds would slot into the front row for Hannant alongside Josh McGuire and had plenty of faith in the likes of bench forwards Dunamis Lui, David Stagg and ex-Sydney Rooster Lama Tasi.
"It (Hannant out) is a big blow. You'd like to have him out there," Griffin said.
"But we are still pretty solid with Lui, Stagg and Tasi on the bench. They just have to get out there and do the job."
Griffin admitted he was not sure when Hannant would be finally passed fit from a calf complaint that has troubled the front-rower throughout the season.
"With calves ... after three of four weeks, you think you are right but then it's another week and another week," he said.
"He's close but it's not going to be tomorrow night."
Griffin finally wielded the axe for the Cowboys clash.
The biggest scalps were Parramatta-bound fullback Corey Norman who was dropped to the second-tier Queensland Cup and ex-NSW halfback Peter Wallace who was demoted to the bench as reserve hooker.
