It’ll be a battle of two sides looking to get back into the winners circle when the Brisbane Broncos host the Sydney Roosters in an important clash to kick-off Round 6. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8pm (AEST).
The Roosters were the form team of the competition out of the gates, but have hit a few speed bumps in the last few weeks and will be out to make a statement here.
Winning their first four games saw them sitting alongside the Melbourne Storm – who are now the only undefeated side – at the top of the ladder, but it wasn’t all convincing. A controversial win over the Penrith Panthers in Round 3 and a dour affair with the South Sydney Rabbitohs saw them come out with victories, but very little else.
It showed last week when the Roosters ran into a red-hot Manly Sea Eagles outfit who dominated, despite the close nature of the scoreline.
What the Roosters can be credited for is their defence during that game. Their attack has shown enough to suggest it was a one-off last week, but their defence has been among the competition’s best so far, running fifth in points conceded.
It’s that defence which will have the Broncos worried. Brisbane have struggled to put up points so far in 2017 and while they have had some strong games, there is no questioning how important this one is for them.
They currently sit in ninth place with just two wins for the season, but they have let other games slip through the cracks and it’s their inability to close games out that would have coach Wayne Bennett worried.
It’s as if the Broncos have a tendency to switch off at crucial periods of games, and some of their ball handling has been atrocious, even if the weather has played a factor.
A loss to the Storm in Round 3 was nothing to be ashamed of, but almost letting the Canberra Raiders back into a contest at home in Round 4 and then losing to the Canterbury Bulldogs last week were.
The Broncos have plenty to work on, but at the top of the list is their ability to score points, and that is probably where the difference for this game lies. If Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt can’t create, forget about it.
Prediction
Both of these sides have plenty to work on, but the Roosters have shown us plenty already this season. Expect more of that here.
Roosters by 8.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 8pm (AEST) and don’t forget to drop a comment in the section below.
matth
Guest
Injuries always play a major part in determining the top 8 and they are also the one thing we can't predict. So I like to save my predictions for when the teams come out for the final round.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I guarantee the Top 5 in 2017 will not be the same as the Top 5 in 2016. Has it ever happened before? I highly doubt it. Each and every year we get long dated predictions that rarely, if ever, come to fruition. There is way too much football to be played. Souths started strongly in 2015 and were going to go through the season undefeated. They scraped into the 8 in 7th after losing 11 games. In 2016 everyone said it would be another Cowboys v Broncos GF. Neither team made it. Lidcombe, I respect your analysis but stating it as fact, over and over again, doesn't win you friends around here. I personally don't think Manly are in the premiership race but if we look at recent results they beat the Bulldogs 36-0, who in turn beat the Broncos, who then flogged the Roosters last night. Wowsers, Manly must be premiership favourites ? A lot of water to be passed under the bridge before September/October. Let's lay off the definitive predictions for now.
Bugs
Guest
Long season Lidcombe. I get what you're saying, but I highly doubt the top 5 from last year will be the top five for this year. So far the Cowboys and the Storm definitely look the goods, and I agree that Brisbane is likely to be top 5 too. Raiders and Sharks too patchy at this stage to pencil into top 5. Who goes in?? Penrith will make a run. Too early to tell if Manly and the Dragons will continue form. Dunno.
TigerMike
Guest
Yeah Teddy go join the Roosters
Lidcombe Oval
Guest
if you can state a case how any other team outside the top 5 (Storm/Broncos/Sharks/Cows/Raiders) will make this top 5 and be one of the grand finalist then do so- This has the makings of a long season for the other 11 teams as if the top 5 are at or near their best the only fight left will be for remaining 3 places in the finals- one out of who finished 6th or 7th will advance to week 2 but be knocked out. Top 5 are clearly above the rest - yes you may say your Eagles beat the Cows by plenty but Cows were very very very ordinary that night and you beat an ordinary Roosters team who were truly showed up tonight - Only Nappa missing and looks like their coach had enough of Mitchell sacked in the second half for non involvement. Many players in that Roosters team are living on past performances I say so their coach has to make some hard decisions and give younger players a go I would say. Rumoured Tedesco is Roosters bound but if so who will be their goal kicker - Gordon looks like he has lost that skill and it's only round 6
Long Black
Roar Rookie
Yes, please share.
Lidcombe Oval
Guest
no Kahu's error turned the game should have been 9 to 0 then - I have your Dogs finishing 9th but your a long way from being a top 5 side as you should realise- grand finalist will be 2 of the top 5 sides as well as the premiers - Storm/Broncos/Sharks/Cows/Raiders) - have to weigh up which two sides will make the grand final from the top 5
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Out of interest who do you think will be in the Top 5?
Lidcombe Oval
Guest
Well as I said Broncos are one of the top 5 sides look at whom they have played first 4 weeks(Sharks/Cows/Raiders/Storm) the top sides from 2016- 2 wins and 2 narrow losses by 1 and 2 points - Dogs game was a mirage as they lost it not the Dogs winning it - Kahu error - should have been 9 to 0 game turning mistake. I had the Roosters finishing 10th may have to review that as they are ordinary at best and showed up how ordinary they are tonight. Even though the Broncos were not in full flight they could have won by 50 tonight.The gap between the top 5(Storm/Broncos/Sharks/Cows/Raiders) and the rest will become more noticeable as the season continues - the grand finalists will be between two of the top 5 (Storm/Broncos/Sharks/Cows/Raiders) and the premiers as well will be one of these top 5. Sorry if your not one of these top 5 team supporters - you will have your moments especially during origin/injuries time but it will be fleeting- top 5 are way above the rest
BennO
Guest
Bennett's lost the dressing room.
Johnybulldog
Guest
Does this make my Doggies form strong or what ;-)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017 NRL Season as the Brisbane Broncos smashed the Sydney Roosters. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. There is a stack of sport coming up over the next few days. I'll be live tomorrow from 12pm (AEDT) for the Davis Cup, while the NRL round will continue with our Friday double-header from 6pm. Shannon Russell will have the first clash between Canterbury and Newcastle, before I'll be back to take you through Penrith and South Sydney. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, for the first 50 or 60 minutes, that was just a sensational, entertaining game of footy. Brisbane obviously ran away with it in the end and a big win for them. Roosters with plenty to work on. Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The Roosters with the final set of the game and they spend four plays through the middle before there is a shift left with Matterson offloading for Guerra who beats a few then offloads off the ground, but it comes back to him off Thaiday's boot and that'll be the end of it. The Brisbane Broncos with a big win to get Round 6 underway. Brisbane Broncos 32 Sydney Roosters 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - The Broncos just rolling it up the field here, not looking too worried before Nikorima goes to the line, passes right and Roberts chips over the top with Tupou coming around to take it. Broncos 32 Roosters 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION MISSED by JORDAN KAHU He has just hurt himself trying to kick that as well. Might just be a cramp. Looks like it. Broncos 32 Roosters 8
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Not sure how SKD gets a run every week
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - TRY BRONCOS, DAVID MEAD Moga brings it back from the dropout for the Broncos before McGuire brings it through the middle of the park. Thaiday with the next run before they shift right from McCullogh to Ese'Ese and he is pulled to ground 5 metres out. Back through the middle now and McCullogh is taken to ground. Last play and they look to run and it will result in another try! Milford, Moga and then on for Mead who scores in the corner. Too easy at this point. Broncos 32 Roosters 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - And now a Milford chip kick forces a repeat set. This is just going from bad to worse for the Roosters. Broncos 28 Roosters 8
Rellum
Roar Guru
I saw the ball get blow backwards from a Rod Whishart kick off but I have never seen someone actually kick it backwards before