The Brisbane Broncos suffered a tight loss to New Zealand last week but their tough performance suggests that they are more than capable of causing the upset tonight against an out of sorts Melbourne Storm away from home. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEST.
A penalty goal attempt that was missed by Corey Parker right on full-time condemned Brisbane to a two point defeat against the Warriors last Sunday.
In a high quality contest, the Broncos arguably produced their most intense performance of the season against an in-form Warriors side now on a five match winning streak.
Queensland Origin stars Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday were superb as they led from the front against a New Zealand pack that has been dominating opposition in recent weeks.
Halves Peter Wallace and Scott Prince were also on song with their kicking games while backline stars Josh Hoffman and Corey Norman were also very solid.
If Brisbane are able to replicate the strong effort they showed against New Zealand, then they should fancy their chances of upsetting Melbourne tonight.
The Storm succumbed to their heaviest defeat of the season against the Tigers last week, losing 22-4 at Leichhardt Oval.
Without captain Cameron Smith, Melbourne were completely out muscled and outplayed by a Tigers side languishing near the bottom of the ladder.
Prediction
The Broncos chances of causing the upset will either increase or decrease depending on the performances of star forwards Thaiday, Parker, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire and Alex Glenn.
If the preceding forwards play as strongly as they did last week, Brisbane will give themselves a big chance of beating a Storm side that can lose its composure when losing the arm-wrestle.
Halves Wallace and Prince will also have to be on song with their kicking games tonight in a bid to keep Storm fullback Billy Slater quite.
While Brisbane should push Melbourne tonight, the Storm are a vastly different proposition at AAMI Park and have also won their past five matches against the Broncos.
In saying that, the Storm will certainly have to roll up their sleeves in the forwards if Melbourne are to keep their strong home record intact, particularly if Smith remains sidelined with injury.
Storm by 6
Matt
Guest
Only 1 denied try. After somehow bombing half a dozen, they weren't going to win anyway. It likely wouldn't have turned into a blowout had it been awarded and been 12-6. They just gave up at the end.
Matt
Guest
Frustrates me. Broncos were 5 times better then the tigers last week, yet history will show the broncos sucked and the tigers were good...
shane hayne
Guest
Another game ruined by the refs... Nobody else see???
Clark
Guest
I think it is obvious after tonight that Cam Smith is the most influential player in the game. Although there are the likes of Inglis and Williams who can be brilliant at times. But this guy is the most consistent player going around without a doubt. These are the players the Nrl should be promoting. Broncos were always going to get flogged
Meesta Cool
Guest
As sad as I am to see him go, I would have liked to see Finch brought into the team as soon as the change of clubs was announced, Widdop is not yet in the same class as Finch, As for tonight's game, Storm played well, but I believe that tyhe scores should have been much closer, Broncs deserved at least three trie, it was only enthusiasm and luck that kept them out.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Yeah I knew what you meant :) I think you'll find Widdop won't be that great of a loss. I personally don't see what anyone else actually sees in him. He's a bad buy for dragons.
Morfs
Guest
Touche, Kellet! I mean the partnership I'm general, of course. If Rinc & Cronk van keep that combo going as well as it did in 09, it won't matter that Widdop is injured, as sad as I am to see him go.
Felix
Guest
He can score tries though..
Cameron
Roar Guru
Who wants to take my bet that Broncos finish last?! If Parra win this weekend then I guarantee it!
Cameron
Roar Guru
There is nothing even worth saying about the Broncos... That was easy, done!
Cameron
Roar Guru
Back to 09 when the Storm were cheating? Or just the partnership ;)
Cameron
Roar Guru
When are you going to stop living in denial Oikee?
Morfs
Guest
The Broncos did look good, but just did not have what it takes to win tonight. I suspect that, had that intercept resulted in a try, the game would have been a lot closer. As I can recall, that was the first time Storm have held a team scoreless since Raiders in ACT in 2011. I got the impression that, after the first half, they were really determined not to let Tue Broncos score. Some quality plays, and great to see the Finch/Cronk halves pairing click again. Takes me back to 2009.
Marldon
Guest
The storm are developing a nasty habit of going to sleep against ordinary teams and only waking against the better clubs. That performance tonight was frightening. The would have beaten any opposition with that play. The Broncos played very very well but were thwarted by a storm team fully awake. The broncs were very unlucky not to score at least 1 try.
jonesy
Guest
Heads, be it coach, CEO, or captain, have to roll at the Broncos. Results like that aren't acceptable.
Marldon
Guest
Yeah Waqa has suddenly come good. Was a very ropey player there for quite a while but Bellamy stuck with him but this last 12 months he has just been getting better and better. Well deserved MOTM for me. Thought the Broncs were a bit unlucky to get held to zero but the better team definitely won on the night. The storm are getting very creative in attack these days, the boring tag is definitely dead and buried.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Congrats to the Storm on their win and their initiative of welcoming the players parents to Aimee Stadium ... What's not to love when your team wins ??? Would love to see the Bronc's. Cowboys and Titans in the top 8 come week 26 - not out of their reach, but I'm certainly proud that the Storm boys gave it their all tonight ... Woo Hoo !!! :-D
Mick
Guest
Was at the first Broncos game at Lang Park and have proudly followed them since that day. This Broncos team will never improve with McCulloch, Wallace, Prince running the show. All too slow (yes McCullough is slowing by the day in both legs and in the mind, soft in defence. He has peaked and is not getting any better) Wallace too slow. Maranta is just like his Dad when he played cricket. No toughness, soft and doesn't have the desire and mental toughness to play at this level. Biggest disappointment is the recruitment and retention. Gee, we have let some good players go and kept some ordinary ones
Morfs
Guest
Beautiful game by the Storm tonight. Waqa basically sealed the match with a brilliant tackle in the first half & a solid finish for a try in the second.
Jake
Guest
Ash Graham might challenge your comment.