Brisbane Broncos
22
Match Complete
Melbourne Storm
32
| 73 |  | R. Papenhuyzen | ||
| 72 |  | S. Faalogo | ||
| 69 | | R. Papenhuyzen | ||
| 68 | | R. Smith | ||
| J. Rogers |  | 58 | ||
| 56 | | R. Papenhuyzen | ||
| 54 | | R. Papenhuyzen | ||
| J. Rogers | | 44 | ||
| J. Rogers | | 43 | ||
| J. Pereira | | 41 | ||
| 36 | | S. Faalogo | ||
| 33 | | R. Papenhuyzen | ||
| 32 | | G. Anderson | ||
| 16 | | G. Anderson | ||
| J. Rogers | | 13 | ||
| J. Pereira | | 12 | ||
| J. Rogers | | 4 | ||
| T. Flegler | | 3 |
| 3 | Tries | 6 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 27 of the NRL premiership kicks off tonight when the Brisbane Broncos take on the Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).
This had all the ingredients of being a cracker. Two top 4 teams looking for a pre-emptive strike before finals, the possible end of the Storm hoodoo over the Broncos. Unfortunately, both coaches have taken the other route of resting their stars.
Still, there is a minor premiership on offer for Brisbane. They put themselves in that position with a 29-18 last start win over the Raiders which was tight until the very end. The Broncos weren’t at their best but fought hard for the 2 points.
Much is made of the Brisbane halves and exciting backline, but the forward pack really took it to the highly regarded Raiders. With Pat Carrigan out, Paybe Haas, Tom Flegler and Corey Jensen all had big games.
On top of the injured Adam Reynolds and Carrigan, Reece Walsh, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mam, Billy Walters, Haas and Kurt Capewell are all being rested. Kotoni Staggs is suspended. There are a number of NRL debuts being made.
The Storm seem to be finding their groove at the right time of the year, easing away to a 37-16 win over the Titans at home last weekend.
Craig Bellamy has done a wonderful job with this team, after losing so much experience to the Dolphins. Players like Nick Meaney and Eliesa Katoa have gone to another level under Bellamy, whilst Will Warbrick is a star of the future.
There are massive changes at the Storm with Nick Meaney, Marion Seve, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Christian Welch, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Tui Kamikamica, Tom Eisenhuth and Trent Loiero all being rested. Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes are missing through injury. Ryan Papenhuyzen will start at fullback.
Prediction
This is a really hard one to pick with both teams having an eye on next week.
However, the minor premiership is a prize not to be sneezed out. It may spur the Broncos to work that little bit harder at home and that will be enough. Broncos by 2
Game information
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
TV: Nine, Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, NRL Live Pass
Odds: Broncos $1.65 Storm $2.25 – odds via PlayUp
Broncos: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Corey Oates 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Delouise Hoeter 5. Jordan Pereira 6. Joshua Rogers 7. Jock Madden 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Tyson Smoothy 10. Corey Jensen 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Keenan Palasia 14. Blake Mozer 15. Cory Paix 16. Xavier Willison 17. Martin Taupau 18. Benjamin Te Kura 19. Israel Leota 20. Kurt Capewell 21. Kobe Hetherington 22. Selwyn Cobbo
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Justin Olam 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Reimis Smith 6. Jayden Nikorima 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Tariq Sims 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Tepai Moeroa 11. Chris Lewis 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Aaron Pene 17. Jack Howarth 18. Grant Anderson 19. Joe Chan 20. Keagan Russell-Smith 21. Cole Geyer 22. Tristan Powell
Easy target
Roar Rookie
I would agree with you, but the chip kick on 3rd tackle after a linebreak and with a player in the sin bin. He did some real damage to his chances of being in the team next week. His tap on for reimis' try may have turned it back though
Joe
Roar Rookie
Olams rush defense is now a huge liability. Sides have worked him out and halves are taking advatage. Also gets easily stepped. Looks great when he connects and stops play but when it doesn't its usually a try unless the cover defense can get there.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Got to say the Storm reserves looked a lot better than the Broncos reserves in that second half. Kept the pedal to the metal for the full 80 while the Broncos looked like they were fading in the final 20. Paps was setting the standard and Olam made a statement. You wonder why Olam can't get a game with the top 17. And some exciting youngsters on display.
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
Don't have to hope anything, minor premiership doesn't matter...
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
Anything less than a trophy was already a failure and minor premiership is 5 too many letters, nobody cares. If they don't win the premiership, tonight has no bearing on why that is. This was not the Broncos side that has been playing all year, this game and this loss means nothing, there was no downside to what happened tonight however there's many potential downsides to what could have happened if they didn't rest everybody...
Joe
Roar Rookie
Agreed. Its also a Thursday night game so going to be at least an 8 day turnaround to their Finals game. Storm were always going to rest players as they had already secured a top 4 spot. Brisbane had something to play for and a full strength team would have accounted for this Storm team by the 60 min mark they could have started resting players. Also big psychological boost against a bogey team Bird in hand and that sort of thing. Now they have to hope the Cows pull of an unlikely upset.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
And the odds for winning that trophy are?
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
Nice
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Yeah I reckon, I can't recall his contract status but I think we have him for 2 more years?
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Joe, I think we really needed his experience tonight and he stepped up. He's not a world beater but we're talking about a centre here, probably the least glamorous position in modern RL. Someone will have to force him out now.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Actually the Storm are now 3rd and the reserve grade Warriors are up against a full strength Phins team playing their final season game at home so Broncos and Storm might still be meeting up even if the Cows lose.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
And if Walsh played and got injured?
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
andy, I think the QCup players from both teams were suffering, it's a big step up in game speed!
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Fair enough, Mate. I hope your Bulldogs do the right thing, for you in 24.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Solid but that brain fade 3rd tackle kick when you're down a man wasn't very smart and I reckon might have well put a line through his name for the center postion. I still think Seve and Reimis should be the centers. Olam still charging in and will be targeted by decent halves or good fullbacks like Walsh.
Jay C
Roar Guru
To many players available now. Go back to 25.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Joey didn't get many minutes unfortunately but I'm confident, Jack made metres and post contact metres and I'd be interested to see his stats. Sua, well I think we all knew that was likely! :laughing:
Jay C
Roar Guru
You're all free to be wrong but resting half your team in the last week of the season against your biggest rival with the minor premiership on the line is crap. Maybe I'm proven wrong but we will see. Anything less than a trophy is a failure now.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
You don't have to like it, but you not liking it doesn't mean that the NRL should do something about it. Relax mate, it's only the minor premiership and 14 in a row :laughing:
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Sadly, I agree, Joe. His fine tuning isn't there yet.