The Brisbane Broncos are set to host the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7:55pm (AEST).
This game is crucial for these two teams, who are both coming off last-start defeats.
Another loss for the Broncos here potentially puts them only one win ahead of ninth, when the gap between eighth and ninth seemed insurmountable just a few weeks ago.
For the Panthers, some recent losses have them sitting outside the top four and another poor result could see them slip as low as seventh.
After the Warriors’ poor showing in recent rounds, Brisbane were favoured to put them to the sword last Sunday afternoon. No one expected a 26-6 defeat, which was as comprehensive as the scoreline suggests.
James Roberts makes his return to the team at centre, Tevita Pangai Jr starts in the second row, and David Fifita drops out. Jaydn Su’A is out for the remainder of the year with an ankle injury.
Penrith’s young team took it to the Sharks last weekend but didn’t take home the two competition points.
Since their get-out-of-jail win against Canberra, the Panthers have lost three out of their last four matches, although have also endured a torrid injury run and have been Origin-affected.
A fair chunk of their cavalry return this weekend, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Josh Mansour, James Maloney and Nathan Cleary all returning to the starting 13, while Tyrone Peachey will come off the bench.
Prediction
The Broncos are difficult to beat at home on a Friday night, so Brisbane to win in a cliffhanger.
Broncos by 2.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Sorry, I didn't mean from you, I just meant in general. To be fair people were saying the same thing when it was Milford and Hunt and they still made a GF. I dont think missing an organising half is an issue as long as you've got a gameplan built around that. Last year when Benji would fill in he was praised for being the organiser that Brisbane had been missing for years but the Broncos success rate was much lower when he was directing play.Broncos have a gameplan built around combating traditional play styles, that doesn't work if you employ one yourself.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
True - at least the Broncos should be playing finals unless the wheels fall off - but can't see them doing much damage come September. And yes the raiders will be kicking themselves for fading when they should have won a number of close games. Don't think Ricky embarrassed himself with what he said after the game - thought he was pretty restrained and spot on.
Graham
Guest
As I said in the weeks tips young teams are inconsistent. They can score 40 one week and concede 40 the next How they do will all come down to how they are managed mentally
thomas c
Guest
Nice performance especially as they seemed to hold back TPJ.
Roberto
Guest
At least they are playing finals...and whats up with the pathetic Faders and the whinging coach (you sound like him embarrasing yourself here)
elvis
Guest
But are organising halves over-rated? Milf and Kodi both hold up the slide because you can't afford to not worry about them running. And if the interchange goes down next year they will be even more deadly.. and you can teach someone to organise and to long kick, but you can't teach someone to crack a well organised defence with a wicked step. A half who isn't a running threat allows the defence to slide
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Warriors went down 50 something to not very much on Anzac Day vs the Storm didn’t they? Anyway I don’t put much stock into the “no teams won after giving up 50” stat. It’s just a pretty stat. After all I doubt many teams have won after giving up 49 points in a match.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Can't see either the Broncos or the Panthers threatening in the finals after that performance.
Fish
Guest
I wasn’t giving him a bad wrap, I rate him a decent player. My point is, they need an organising half, and neither he or Milford fit that bill. They both play off the cuff football and revell in broken play, but they struggle to play effectively in the grafting type game. They seem to lack the ability to organise in advance is my long winded point. Until they get one, I can’t see them jagging a premiership. It is the missing part of the puzzle for them in my opinion. I wasn’t calling for them to pull someone in from reserves, just wondering if they see these two as the next five years or is there a young fella back there that they are grooming?
Rellum
Roar Guru
Which included two intercepts. I am happy we won but I don't think Benny will be happy.
Emcie
Roar Guru
and they still scored 18 points in the second half
Emcie
Roar Guru
I'd be more concerned if it wasn't off the back of a 32 nill first half
Rellum
Roar Guru
No, but that sort mental drop offs become infectious.
Emcie
Roar Guru
You don't win a comp in round 19 either
Emcie
Roar Guru
Don't think Benny wanted to risk him given the buffer on the scoreboard
Rellum
Roar Guru
Is TPJ injured. I didn't see him come back on, which I will again point out coincided with us dropping right off in performance.
Rellum
Roar Guru
You don't win the comp by dropping off intensity.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Cheers for the call mate
David Holden
Roar Guru
After leading 32-0, there was a drop off in intensity but still a good performance. You are a hard marker!
Emcie
Roar Guru
They can't bring anyone in from outside the 30 this year while Nikorima's still there. I reckon he's been getting a bad wrap though, there are worse halves in the comp on much more coin then he is