LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Broncos forward Corey Jensen is set to miss several weeks due to a blood clot in his calf, leading teammates to anticipate that Xavier Willison will step up in his absence.
Jensen was a late withdrawal from the previous match against the Bulldogs, and reports indicate that his condition will keep him sidelined for some time.
In Jensen's absence, Willison made a significant impact during the game against the Bulldogs, participating for 68 minutes and scoring an impressive 203 metres while making 43 tackles.
This performance helped his team overcome a 16-0 halftime deficit to claim an unexpected victory.
Willison has been named to start alongside Payne Haas in the upcoming match, although there are concerns about Haas's availability after State of Origin.
Willison is determined to solidify his position in the starting lineup and build on his recent success.
He stated, "I got that starting opportunity, so I really wanted to go out there and prove myself.
It was more minutes and I just kept doing what I do usually ...
run hard and tackle hard.
I just think that it was my time to step up."
Praise for Willison's recent performances has come from his teammates, including Broncos forward Kobe Hetherington, who has highlighted his abilities this season.
Hetherington even drew a comparison between Willison and Payne Haas, recognizing the young player's potential to emulate the elite front-rower.
As the Broncos prepare for their next challenges, the contributions of Willison, alongside other team members, will be crucial in maintaining their competitive edge while Jensen is recovering from his injury.