Halfback Croft in doubt for finals tilt

HALFBACK Brodie Croft’s Queensland Cup finals campaign with Easts is in doubt, after he suffered a suspected torn hamstring in the Tigers’ win over Townsville.

Easts yesterday set the stage for a thrilling semi-final showdown against Sunshine Coast next week, after they snatched a last-minute 20-16 win over Townsville.

After trailing 16-0 at halftime, Scott Sipple’s men kept their season alive with a stunning second half comeback.

It was hooker Tommy Butterfield who sealed the win for Easts in the 77th minute, with the No.9 barging towards the line off a perfectly-timed offload from five-eighth Billy Walters.

But they may have Croft, with the young playmaker taken from the field with 10 minutes to go.

Sipple said afterwards he is not expecting to have Croft next week with the star suffering a torn left hamstring.

“It looks like we’ll be without Brodie Croft next week,” Sipple said.

“He’s torn his hamstring. I don’t know how bad it is but I don’t think he’ll be up for next week. We have a handy replacement with Brayden Torpy.”

Croft left Langlands Park yesterday with his left hamstring heavily iced and on crutches.

Easts will meet their great rivals Sunshine Coast next Sunday, after the Falcons claimed a convincing 26-18 win over the Souths Logan Magpies yesterday.

Souths Logan and Townsville’s seasons are now over, with PNG and Redcliffe the only two sides remaining alongside Easts and Sunshine Coast.

Sipple said despite the firsthalf scare yesterday, he is confident his side will be ready for the showdown on their home turf on Sunday.

“We were very poor in the first half,” Sipple said of yesterday’s win.

“We were confident at halftime that we if held the ball we had 20 points or more in us.

“We’ll be better prepared.”