Mead puts hand up to wear No. 1
DAVID Mead has declared he is the man to wear the No. 1 jersey if Darius Boyd is not fit to play in Friday night’s do- or- die clash against Penrith.
The Broncos skipper is still no certainty to meet the Panthers this week, after he and young forward Tevita Pangai Jr failed to train with the main squad yesterday morning.
While the pair – both nursing hamstring injuries – did do some light running at Red Hill yesterday, they will have to pass fitness tests today and on Thursday to get the all clear.
If Boyd cannot overcome his injury woes, coach Wayne Bennett will then have a selection headache on his hands.
In Boyd’s absence last week, Kodi Nikorima was named at No. 1, but Bennett made a game day switch and used Mead at fullback for the first 20 minutes against the Roosters before he was replaced by Nikorima off the bench.
It is understood, however, that Bennett is now weighing up whether to play Mead at fullback so Nikorima can return to the halves with Anthony Milford and Benji Marshall used off the bench.
For Mead, it is a challenge he is willing to take on.
“I’m certainly ready,” he said. “I’ve been staying ready all year to play wherever I’m needed, whether it’s wing, centre or fullback. I have been training everywhere.
“If the opportunity comes for me, I will certainly take it with both hands.
“I’d like to be starting and playing on the field. If I’m coming off the bench and am still part of the team, I will accept that as well.
“I’ve played 30- odd games at fullback and I understand how that role works.”
While Mead had not played at fullback for Brisbane before last Friday, he has taken on the role 33 times before for the Titans, NSW Country and Papua New Guinea teams.