Lockyer endured an ugly collision with team mate Gerard Beale's knee in the Broncos' 13-12 semi-final victory over St George Illawarra, and after the medical scans revealed he had fractured his cheekbone, he was ruled out by many to play next weekend.
However, after surgery to insert three titanium plates inside his cheek went successfully, his recovery process will determine whether he will be able to play just over 100 hours after the operation in what would be, at best, his penultimate NRL game of a 17-year career.
What will be waiting for him is a Manly outfit just as hungry to reach the Grand Final, and Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin conceded that if Lockyer was to step on the field come Friday night, he would be fair game. He will be risking permanent damage to his cheekbone structure or his eyesight, and will receive no mercy from the opposition.
And while many have put forward their opinions that it is the Broncos' responsibility as an employer to protect his health and prevent him from playing, ultimately the choice will come down to the man himself.
The glue that has held his team together in their unbeaten eight-match run to this point, for the Broncos captain to miss this sudden-death game would be no small decision. Not only that, it seems like the whole world is cheering a fairy tale Premiership-winning ending to one of the greatest careers rugby league has seen.
His toughness cannot be denied - on Saturday night he played on for another 10 minutes after his injury, and he has previously played on with an injured leg that put him out for six months. So as long as the choice is up to him, doubters will doubt, but mark my words: Lockyer will play.