Hodges, Gordon Injured In Panthers Win

Penrith

The State of Origin campaigns of Brisbane's Justin Hodges and Penrith's Michael Gordon are in the hands of medical staff after both suffered injuries in the Panthers' thumping 33-10 NRL win at Centrebet Stadium on Friday night.

Gordon suffered a knee injury in the 70th minute after producing a magnificent performance that would have thrust him into NSW calculations - but coach Matt Elliott admitted he may have suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Hodges, the game's form centre, suffered a grade one hamstring tear in the dying seconds of the first half, and looks certain to miss the opening Origin fixture on May 25.

In a drama-filled night, Gordon scored one scorching try, as well as setting up tries to centres Brad Tighe, who scored a double, and Timana Tahu in a sensational 10 minute period in the second half.

Tahu also faces a nervous wait on scans after the reborn centre suffered a potentially season-ending pectoral injury in the second half, while Brisbane skipper Darren Lockyer finished the match clutching his right shoulder but maintained he was in no doubt for Origin.

Gordon remained optimistic at his chances of being fit for selection in Ricky Stuart's squad to be named on Sunday night.

"I won't really know until (Saturday), it feels fine now but you never really know with these things," he said.

"(But) if it's as bad as they say, I'll miss the rest of the season."

In front of 11,336 fans, gritty lock Luke Lewis did his Blues chances no harm with an excellent all-round performance.

Lewis, who has been sidelined with a hand injury since round four, opened the scoring in the 13th minute when he stepped around Brisbane halfback Peter Wallace and his mere presence appeared to ignite Penrith's attack.

The versatile Lewis also made an impact in defence as he emerged as a strong candidate for either a backrow or bench role for Blues coach Ricky Stuart.

His club mentor Matt Elliott said he would prefer Lewis to spend another few weeks getting match fitness back before being available for selection, but the 27-year-old was confident he could survive in league's toughest arena.

"I'm a competitor," Lewis said after the game.

Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin said for the first time this season the Broncos had let themselves down, with their only other losses coming in the form of competitive matches against Melbourne and North Queensland.

"It wasn't a good night ... they were just way too good for us," Griffin said.

"For the first time this year we let each other down."

The match took an unusual turn in the 66th minute when referee Matt Cecchin sent Penrith captain Petero Civoniceva and Corey Parker to the bin.

Civoniceva was marched for conceding back-to-back offside penalties, while Cecchin objected to a comment from Parker after the same play.

Parker was heard to say "I can say whatever I like to my players", to which Cecchin replied "I've been around long enough to know where it was aimed".

Cryptically, Elliott said post-match that "it's really easy to command respect when you give it" in reference to the double sin-binnings.

AAP