Brisbane Broncos
26
Match Complete
Melbourne Storm
0
| A. Reynolds |  | 74 | ||
| S. Cobbo |  | 73 | ||
| A. Reynolds | | 54 | ||
| J. Riki | | 53 | ||
| A. Reynolds | | 51 | ||
| R. Walsh | | 50 | ||
| A. Reynolds |  | 38 | ||
| A. Reynolds | | 8 | ||
| K. Staggs | | 7 |
| 4 | Tries | 0 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
A place in a preliminary final is up for grabs 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).
Normally, if two teams play back to back games, you would have a pretty good idea around the second result. We get none of that here, with both the Broncos and Storm resting the majority of their line ups last round.
The Broncos have been one of the best two teams in the NRL all year and deserve their home final against Melbourne. However, with the competition entering a different phase, all bets are off to a certain extent and we start again.
Brisbane have had limited finals experience in recent years whereas the Storm are thereabouts every season. In terms of big games though, there are plenty of Broncos with Origin and/or international games under their belt.
As expected, all the Brisbane stars return. With Kotoni Staggs coming back from suspension. Corey Oates has been replaced in favour of Jesse Arthars and will be the standby reserve. Keenan Palasia will start on the bench with Corey Jensen missing out.
The Storm’s season has been up and down to a certain extent yet here we are again. Craig Bellamy has done a wonderful job getting this team to finals after losing so much experience up front.
Melbourne still have plenty of star power in Harry Grant, Cameron Munster and the recently returned Ryan Papenhuyzen. If the Storm pack can achieve parity in the middle, they can create enough opportunities to win this.
Jahrome Hughes and Grant return from injury whilst all the rested players return. Nick Meaney will play at fullback and Papenhuyzen will come off the bench.
Prediction
Whilst players won’t admit to knowing hoodoos, they can’t really avoid them. The Storm have won their last 14 games against the Broncos. It is an amazing statistic. I don’t think the Broncos season is done as they are too good a team for that. However, the Storm will get their measure at Suncorp. Storm by 4
Game information
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
TV: Nine, Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Broncos $1.60 Storm $2.35 – odds via PlayUp
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Brendan Piakura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Corey Oates 19. Martin Taupau 20. Corey Jensen 21. Jock Madden 22. Tristan Sailor
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen 18. Tyran Wishart 19. Tariq Sims 20. Tepai Moeroa 21. Reimis Smith 22. Grant Anderson
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Resting those players last week mate . No one remembers that game now. Your need to beat Melbourne is now fulfilled.
Luke S
Roar Rookie
Good luck making it to the bar!
David Holden
Roar Guru
In for all 4 but no overtime unfortunately…
NQR
Roar Rookie
At full strength the Broncos are stronger than the Panthers IMO. They have a lot of power and speed and X factor with Walsh, Farnsworth, Mam and edges. Reynolds just steers them around perfectly.
NQR
Roar Rookie
Sadly the physical nature of Rugby League is something not many bodies are built for. Bloody hard game especially at NRL level.
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
Last season? Some clowns were still doing it last week!
Renegade
Roar Guru
:laughing: :laughing:
The Barry
Roar Guru
Thanks David… pulling in the OT rates this weekend?
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
I’d almost say the Sharks/Roosters would be favourites against the Storm now.
Lance Boil
Roar Rookie
Very very happy
Nat
Roar Guru
:laughing: :laughing:
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Thanks, but credit to Vitas Gerulaitis for that classic joke.
Nat
Roar Guru
Never in doubt. See you at the caxton. You farken BEAUTY!!!
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Please.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks very much for following the blog tonight. I will be back tomorrow afternoon for both games
Brendon
Roar Rookie
Genuinely laughed at that! Rooting for the Broncos to take it this year now that we are pretty much done.
Luke S
Roar Rookie
or puts Baby in a corner...
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Storm were comprehensively outplayed tonight. In a bonus they return to AAMI Park next weekend however Coates and Papenhuyzen are out and perhaps question marks over Seve and Loiero. It has been a terrible night for the Storm and Craig Bellamy has a massive job to get his team ready for the Sharks or Roosters next weekend
Phil
Roar Rookie
Fantastic win for Brisbane built on ruthless defence. Melbourne fired blanks all night because they were made to. To fail to score a point can be looked in at two ways, either poor attack or brutal defence. As much as I was hoping for a tight, nail biter of a game, it was a good one with Brisbane showing they are serious title contenders. Until tonight I was convinced Penrith is a certainty for the premiership. Now I have some doubt.
Luke S
Roar Rookie
Didn't someone in an article on The Roar put the Broncos at No.3, despite finishing second in the regular season??? Oops!