On Sunday afternoon the Brisbane Broncos take on the Wests Tigers for the Round 18 clash at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Kick off is at 2:05 pm.
The Broncos boast a full strength side with the inclusion of Queensland Origin duo Xavier Coates and Thomas Flegler as well as New South Welshman Payne Haas.
Coach Kevin Walters has again chosen to go with the halves combination of Brody Croft and Tyson Gamble after their successful efforts against the Cronulla Sharks in Round 16.
Katoni Staggs lines up for his second match after returning from a ruptured ACL in the final game of 2020. He was impressive against the Sharks and having had more training with the team he will no doubt again be hard to contain.
Corey Oates has been rewarded with his place on the wing with a demonstration of improved form. After being dropped to reserve grade earlier in the year and minor injury it is a positive inclusion for the Bronx, as is having Tesi Niu again making the fullback spot his own.
While the forward pack is young and relatively inexperienced, it is stacked with emerging prospects. Captain Alex Glenn will be sure to lead from the front and show his chargers the way ahead.
They are boosted by the one-year contract extension of Jake Turpin and the recent extended contracts of Kobe Hetherington and TC Robati signing until 2024, as has Jordan Riki.
The Broncos headquarters are looking in great shape as well. New CEO Dave Donaghy and the new Football and Performance Director Ben Ikin are working towards a real change in direction and this is evident in the recent signings as well as the mid-season release of Matt Lodge.
With eight games remaining in the 2021 season, the Broncos are looking to climb the ladder in order to kickstart their 2022 season on a positive footing.
After this round they play the Panthers, Cowboys, Knights, Roosters, Warriors, Sharks and again the Knights in Round 25. It is a favourable run home and several wins are anticipated.
The Tigers are one position higher on the ladder with five wins this season. They are in 14th position with the Broncos in 16th. The Tigers are coming of a hat-trick of losses, having been defeated by the Eels, Storm and Rabbitohs.
The Wests Tigers are debuting Fetalaiga Pauga in the centres and Tuki Simpkins on the bench. Moses Mybe has also been relegated to the interchange following the loses.
Both teams are keen to make this clash count towards their season tally so it should be a cracker of a game. Covid restrictions have eased in Queensland so a good crowd is anticipated to get behind the home team.
Lieutenant
Roar Rookie
Rest in peace Uncle Mark (crow). You were the best uncle , you will be sadly missed.
Crow
Roar Pro
I still feel positive about the Broncos future. Do you have any new reflections. Like I said. Two key signings could put the team in finals contention. Well Reynolds and Capewell could be a positive influence.
Crow
Roar Pro
Hey Paul. That’s for your concession. I’d be happy to take your 12-18 months. You can’t keep a good club down.
Paul
Roar Guru
Any team that's in the bottonm 2, isn't going to have a favourable draw. All of the sides you mentioned, bar the Roosters, are locks to play finals, so I doubt greatly they're too concerned about their remaining opponents. I get what the exec wants to do, but it's way too early to know if they are doing it. I'd reckon it'll be a good 12 months or maybe more before real results are obvious, one way or the other.
Crow
Roar Pro
It’s better than Storm, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Eels, Roosters a s Storm. The new executive positions bring a change in culture, standards and accountability.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Rugger types are a weird lot. Some are stuck in times long past
Nat
Roar Guru
He does have a bit of Queen Mary about him. :laughing:
Adam
Roar Guru
Amatuers. It was weird cause the competition was hardly high brow...
Rellum
Roar Guru
Really? Are we talking a professional club or pretentious amateurs?
no one in particular
Roar Guru
The most valuable piece of real estate in Brisbane this weekend will be 2.5 metre radius around Adam Douehi in the defensive line. The value of any Brisbane player with the ball on this piece of land will skyrocket. And when that Brisbane player makes a break Douehi will do a slow turn and jog back. Brisbane left side attack is going to have a field day
Adam
Roar Guru
Can only drive there in a Range Rover as well...
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
I think every week for awhile now for the broncos it has been this ‘Road’, ‘the start’, ‘new beginnings’, ‘the turn around’.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
And a tweed coat with leather patches on the elbow .
Nat
Roar Guru
That's still not a whole lot of articles. It's the bi-annual feel goos story...
Adam
Roar Guru
Nah don't think it's really common. This was 2010 or 11. Thinking it's club polo thankfully these days. But Ikin is keen I reckon!
Crow
Roar Pro
Is this Ricky Stewart
TJ
Guest
I feel like I've seen articles like this after every win they've had over the last two seasons. They've got a good chance to string back to back wins together this week but who knows what you're going to get with the Broncos. At home I give them a good chance but they are playing another very unpredictable team in the Tigers.
Paul
Roar Guru
Is that still the case? It was years ago when I played rugby, but not sure now?
Adam
Roar Guru
It's like my rugby club insisting on a tie to turn up to the game...
Paul
Roar Guru
I had a coach like that years ago. Not allowed on the oval to play without clean boots. Dirty boots were okay for training, but not for match day.