Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin has ruled out a shock return from Darren Lockyer ahead Friday's preliminary final against Manly after the injured skipper trained strongly with the squad on Thursday.
Lockyer, who had three plates inserted into his cheekbone on Sunday, completed the entire 50-minute session at the SFS, fuelling speculation he could be a late inclusion against the Sea Eagles.
But Griffin fronted the media after the session and declared the Broncos 'are not playing any games', confirming back-rower Matt Gillett will wear the No.6 jersey in Lockyer's absence.
"We're not playing any games there, he's (Gillett) going to play five-eighth," Griffin said.
"It was a good run, we brought the weather with us too, it's nice and warm, the boys are in good spirits and we've had a good run."
Asked the thinking behind Lockyer's decision to train, Griffin replied: "He's obviously trying to help where he can and contribute and the boys love having him around."
"We all feel for him obviously in the position he's in at the moment but you can just see by the way he's out there, he's in good spirits and he's trying to help the boys get ready."
Lockyer has declared himself a certain starter should the Broncos qualify for the grand final on Sunday week.
Griffin praised the captain's unselfishness after ruling himself out of the Manly clash on Wednesday.
"It's given us a lot of certainty about where we're going now, that's why it was important we made a decision yesterday," he said.
"We got here this year with 25 players, I know someone like the calibre of Darren Lockyer obviously you'd love to have him out there, but we've put ourselves in this position because we're a strong club and that's going to be the same tomorrow night."
Meanwhile, Griffin urged Gillett not to overplay his hand against the Sea Eagles.
"I haven't given him much at all, I've just asked him to do his best and not to try and be Darren Lockyer, that's the important thing," he said.
"I suppose you miss a little bit of leadership and direction but we've got to find another way to compensate that, and Matt Gillett will run the ball and Peter Wallace is ready to take on some more responsibility."
"It's not about what we're missing now, it's about what we're taking to the game and we're all pretty comfortable with where we're going."
Lockyer sent a shudder through the Broncos camp when he slipped and fell heavily on his left side early in the session.
The 34-year-old was clearly shaken but went onto complete the session.
"I suppose he's not playing this week so it didn't matter," Griffin said of Lockyer's tumble.
"They've all had a bit of a slip there. It was good to have that run on there actually, they'll need their long tags tomorrow night."