Manly coach Des Hasler has declared the Sea Eagles' intention to test Darren Lockyer's mental and physical state should the Brisbane star ignore the pain of a fractured cheekbone to play in Friday's preliminary final.
The retiring Broncos skipper had three plates inserted in his injured cheekbone on Sunday morning in a desperate attempt to return to the field for Friday night's grand final qualifier at the SFS.
Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin says he will let Lockyer decide whether he plays or not.
Sportal was the first to alert Hasler to the news that the champion Broncos pivot is set to play, possibly in boxing-style headgear.
The Sea Eagles boss appeared genuinely surprised that Lockyer was considering a return five days after surgery.
"It's a big call with a depressed fracture of the cheekbone," Hasler told Sportal on Sunday.
"It'd be a gutsy call. They've got to think long term but I'm sure they will do all they can - and Darren will do all he can - to get on the field and play."
"We will prepare to play a full strength Brisbane side."
Manly players will be directed to run plenty of traffic at Lockyer to test his confidence.
While admiring Lockyer's bravery, Hasler questioned whether the veteran five-eighth could possibly operate at 100 per cent given the nature of his injury.
"Is he going to be able to play his best, natural game with the fear of getting it knocked?" Hasler asked.
"Darren would know if he plays he's got to be tackled."
Lockyer fractured his cheekbone after colliding with teammate Gerard Beale's knee late in Saturday night's second semi-final win over St George Illawarra.
He played on to kick the winning field goal in extra time.
The winner of the Brisbane-Manly clash will play either Melbourne or the Warriors in the grand final.