Rugby league great Andrew Johns has written off Brisbane's chances without Darren Lockyer but preliminary final opponent Manly remain wary of taking anything for granted despite a seemingly easier path to the grand final.
Johns, who has worked closely with Sea Eagles halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran this year, forecasts a '14-18-point swing' Manly's way now that the master five-eighth is missing.
The Broncos have an ordinary record without Lockyer and have blown out in betting since their captain's withdrawal.
Told of Johns' assessment on Sydney's Triple M on Thursday, Cherry-Evans replied: "I think he's blowing it out of proportion a bit there."
"It's obviously a big loss for the Broncos - (to lose) someone who's been there for so many years and been so valuable to his team - but I'm sure they're going to have someone there who’s going to replace him and do an outstanding job."
"We've got to be ready for whoever is put there."
Matt Gillett will attempt to fill the biggest boots in the game when he steps in at five-eighth for what will be a one game cameo - win or lose.
While conceding Manly's task isn't as great with Lockyer missing, Sea Eagles hooker Matt Ballin argues Gillett's presence at pivot throws a bit of mystery into the Brisbane attack.
"He (Lockyer) brings so much leadership and communications skills to their side that there not as good without him, but (Gillett) will do a good job," Ballin predicted.
"They're going to be a little bit more unpredictable than if he (Lockyer) was there."
"But things haven't changed too much (for us)."
"We'll try and focus on our own lead-up and not worry about the Broncos too much."
Meanwhile, Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin rates Manly the form team of the four sides left in the competition.
"They won their semi-final (against the Cowboys) by 40 points and last time they played the Storm at full strength they did a job on them, and they nearly got us (in Brisbane in round 26) with all those players out," he said of Des Hasler's men.
"They couldn't have better form coming into this game and they're fresh, so they've got plenty going for them."
"They're in terrific form."