Kotoni Staggs is hopeful he'll get one last game with Dolphins-bound centre partner Herbie Farnworth this Sunday, despite a hamstring scare at training this week.
Farnworth failed to finish Tuesday's training in Brisbane, ahead of the squad heading to Sydney for their first NRL Telstra Premiership grand final appearance since 2015.
But Staggs was doing his best to downplay the issue after the session and instead heaped praise on his centre partner who has been in career-best form through 2023.
The pair have a combined 28 tries between them this season, including a double for Farnworth in last week's 42-12 win over the Warriors.
"I didn't even see (any issue) actually... I did see he wasn't in the last drill, but I couldn't tell you right now," Staggs said when asked about Farnworth.
“He showed everyone last week what he can do when he's fit and ready.
“He's probably one of the best centres in the comp at the moment and from all the hard work he does, he deserves all the credit he can get.
“We’re different players at the end of the day and he can do stuff I can't do and I can do stuff he can't do.
"When he does something good on the field, I want to match what he does and it's good to have a centre like that your team.”
The pair have also swapped sides at times during games this season, a tactic which could come into use against the physical centre pairing of Stephen Crichton and Izack Tago on Sunday.
“He comes over [to my side] and has a run and I am just helping him out and trying to save his lungs, so I go over there and fill in for a little bit for him," Staggs said.
“It's just something that we've worked on at training and if he comes over our side, I just don't want to make him run all the way over there, so I help him out.”
Staggs will run out for his 100th game on grand final day, with the Wellington Cowboys junior this week reflecting on what has been an up-and-down first six seasons in the NRL.
“There's a few players that have been through the lows here ... and [those times are] always in the back of your mind; you're not going to forget about them, but you just can move forward and play good footy," Staggs said.
“That's what this club is about, playing good footy, and we have got a bunch of boys here now that can make a statement and then move forward here.”
As well as Farnworth, the Broncos will have Origin forward Thomas Flegler depart at the end of the season, joining Farnworth at the Dolphins, while Keenan Palasia will link up with the Titans.
Match: Panthers v Broncos
Grand Final -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Broncos
2nd Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
