Two of the most physical teams in the NRL clash tonight as the Brisbane Broncos host the Manly Sea Eagles in a Friday night blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium. Join us for live scores and commentary from 8.00pm AEDT.
Despite their poor finish to last year, the Broncos are traditionally strong starters and should be primed for a big performance against Manly tonight.
Brisbane will be keen to avenge their last-minute defeat to the Sea Eagles at Suncorp in 2012, when David Williams scored the match winning try with just seconds remaining.
That contest rightfully ranked as one of the games of the year last season and we should expect something of similar quality tonight from both teams.
The biggest question mark for Brisbane, however, surrounds whether or not they have the firepower necessary to outscore a Manly team that possesses game-breakers across the park.
New recruit Scott Prince is really going to have to play well tonight if he is to provide Peter Wallace with the necessary support in the halves to spark the Broncos attack.
Prediction
Both Brisbane and Manly are known for their ability to outmuscle opposition, so the battle up front should be a highlight tonight.
Sam Thaiday, Josh McGuire, Ben Hannant, Corey Parker and Matt Gillett will lead the way against a classy Sea Eagles forward line containing Glenn Stewart, Anthony Watmough, Brent Kite and Jason King.
Despite their strong depth in the forwards, it will be interesting to see how the Broncos fare without Ben Te’o.
Te’o was by far the Broncos most lethal forward last year and his ability to punch a hole through defences, particularly on the edges, will be missed.
Gillett and Alex Glenn will have to raise their games significantly if they are to provide the Broncos with the same punch down the edges that Te’o provided during his time in Brisbane.
The Sea Eagles on the other hand remain a very balanced side, despite losing some promising players during the off-season, and will provide Brisbane’s defence with a solid workout tonight if their top guns fire.
Brett Stewart remains a try scoring freak and Manly halves Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans will need to be kept under wraps by Brisbane’s defence.
Broncos centres Justin Hodges and Alex Glenn will also have their work cut out trying to contain Jamie Lyon in attack.
Across the park Manly appear to have Brisbane’s measure but the Broncos are a tough nut to crack early in the season, particularly at home, ensuring a close contest tonight.
If the Sea Eagles can stand toe-to-toe with Brisbane’s big forwards, the experience and skill in their backline should prove to be the decisive factor in earning Manly a tight win.
Sea Eagles by 6.
Lou
Guest
KC I reakon there gonna win ,,,, LOL. Not bad for a team of old hacks !!!
Lou
Guest
Yep to old, yep there veterans, My oh my the amature professional rugby league commentators got it so right ,,,GO MANLY !!!!!!!!!
midfielder
Guest
Okiee loved manly
bjt
It's great value!
Rellum
Roar Guru
Wow, the post show is one long ad for Tom Waterhouse
Andy
Guest
Manlys forward pack>>>> broncos
Alan
Roar Guru
Home fans have had little to cheer about thus far as Manly and South Sydney rack up wins to kick off the season away against the Broncos and Roosters respectively. Manly were too strong for Brisbane tonight and outmuscled the home side well and truly. Despite some spark from Hodges, the Broncos were poor in attack tonight while Manly looked very sharp thanks to sharp play from Foran, Cherry-Evans and Matai. The Sea Eagles remain a formidable unit despite making do without Stewart and King tonight. Brisbane have plenty to work on while Manly continue to look as fit and precise as ever. Thanks for your company tonight and please join us tomorrow for more NRL action on The Roar Broncos 14 Sea Eagles 22
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Gillett knocks on cold and that sums up Brisbane's second half to be honest. Manly too good and they are off to the perfect start. Broncos 14 Sea Eagles 22
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Not many pundits gave Manly a chance tonight but they continue to show that they will be one of the teams to watch yet again this season. Hodges now outwide is tackled Broncos 14 Sea Eagles 22
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Hodges with some swift feet but Manly are all over him in the second half. Prince nearly through. Wallace with a chip kick now but Matai in the right place at the right time to regather the football. Manly should hold on and win Broncos 14 Sea Eagles 22
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Good defence Brisbane as Lyon is forced into touch. Brisbane need a miracle and they will need to find inspiration from last season. Broncos 14 Sea Eagles 22
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Foran combines with Kite on the inside. Kite then kicks the football in the in-goal and McCullough is forced to grab the football in the in-goal and its a line drop-out. Great play from Kite Broncos 14 Sea Eagles 22
Alan
Roar Guru
75' - Wallace fails to regather a pass and Manly will go right on the attack here and now they have a chance to put this game to bed. Manly deserve the win here Broncos 14 Sea Eagles 22
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Foran with a chip kick but the ball bounces nicely for Norman who regathers well. Broncos though look tired as we approach fulltime Broncos 14 Sea Eagles 22
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Glenn knocks on after getting punished in defence. Manly way on top and they get possession back on the halfway. Broncos 14 Sea Eagles 22
Alan
Roar Guru
71' - Kite is through here and Manly can land the killer punch here. Cherry-Evans with a cross field kick and Lyon nearly regathers but he knocks on and Brisbane get the 20 metre tap. Broncos on life support Broncos 14 Sea Eagles 22
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Wallace kicks deep now and the football sits up well and Tafua is forced to play at it but then produces a stunning return. Poor chase from the Broncos though. Terrible Broncos 14 Sea Eagles 22
Alan
Roar Guru
69' - Foran finds Horo with a good ball and the big forward makes strong metres. Foran involved in everything tonight. Matai with a kick now and Norman regathers well. Manly though with all the energy Broncos 14 Sea Eagles 22
Alan
Roar Guru
68' - Manly defensive line very solid thus far. Poor ball from the Broncos and their attack continues to break down here. Manly recover possession Broncos 14 Sea Eagles 22
Alan
Roar Guru
68' - Cherry-Evans with a kick and Hoffman regathers on the full and returns possession for Brisbane. Broncos need to score soon here Broncos 14 Sea Eagles 22