Broncos
4
Match Complete
Storm
40
| K. Staggs |  | 71 | ||
| 65 | | R. Papenhuyzen | ||
| 61 |  | C. Smith | ||
| 60 | | C. Smith | ||
| 57 | | K. Bromwich | ||
| 48 |  | C. Smith | ||
| 42 | | C. Smith | ||
| 41 | | J. Hughes | ||
| 34 | | C. Smith | ||
| 33 | | K. Bromwich | ||
| 31 | | C. Smith | ||
| 29 | | C. Welch | ||
| 8 | | J. Addo-Carr | ||
| 4 | | C. Smith |
| 1 | Tries | 7 | ||
| 0 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 20 of the NRL will see the Brisbane Broncos play host to ladder leaders the Melbourne Storm in a blockbuster Friday night clash at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium! Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:55pm (AEST).
After a slow start to the season, with many experts questioning the decision to sign second-year coach Anthony Seibold to a long-term deal, the Broncos have managed to claw their way back into the eight at a crucial point in the year off the back of a win against the last-placed Gold Coast Titans last week.
They find themselves in eighth place coming into this game against the Storm, who sit four points clear of second place at the top of the ladder after losing just their third game of the season last week, going down to the 5th placed Sea Eagles 11-10 in extra time.
The Storm have made just one change to the 17 that was defeated by Manly, with winger Suliasi Vunivalu returning from injury to take the place of Sandor Earl who drops to the reserves.
The Broncos have named almost the same side that defeated the Titans last week, with a number of forced changes. Back-rower Matt Gillett returns from a lower-back injury, as does Thomas Flegler from suspension. Star forward Tevita Pangai Jr will miss this clash due to suspension, Flegler taking his place at lock.
Finally, young halfback Tom Deardon has been named in the reserves in jersey 18 as he nears a return from an ankle injury suffered in Round 13.
The Broncos’ fortunes have improved significantly since coach Seibold moved back-up hooker Jake Turpin to halfback out of necessity, with injuries to Sean O’Sullivan and Deardon as well as the departure of Kodi Nikorima exposing Brisbane’s lack of depth in the halves.
It’ll certainly be interesting to see either this week or in the coming rounds what Seibold intends to do with the Broncos’ No.7 jersey. Will he persist with a winning combination? Or will he bring back the player who shows plenty of promise at the expense of the one who’s actually gotten results?
Prediction
The Storm don’t lose two in a row. It’s as simple as that.
I actually feel sorry for the Broncos – there is nothing worse than coming up against the Storm after a loss. Just ask the Eels, who lost 64 points to 10 against the Storm in Round 9 after the Storm were defeated 20 points to 18 by the Sharks in Round 8.
Storm by 20+.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:55pm (AEST).
Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
When: 7:55pm
TV: Channel 9, Fox League
Streaming: NRL Digital Pass, 9 Now, Kayo Sports
Broncos
1. Anthony Milford 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Alex Glenn 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Darius Boyd 7. Jake Turpin 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Payne Haas 11. David Fifita 12. Matt Gillett 13. Thomas Flegler 14. James Segeyaro 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Rhys Kennedy 17. Patty Carrigan 18. Tom Dearden 19. Herbie Farnworth 20. Xavier Coates 21. Shaun Fensom
Storm
1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Brodie Croft 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 14. Brandon Smith 15. Christian Welch 16. Joe Stimson 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen 18. Marion Seve 19. Tui Kamikamica 20. Tino Faasuamaleaui 21. Sandor Earl
Emcie
Roar Guru
To be fair, the first pointer would be not to coach the broncos. Bennett was copping it all last year but he's fine now that he's in sydney
Illawarra Flame
Roar Rookie
Anthony Seibold needs to get some pointers from Paul McGregor on how to keep the commentators on side. Gould on TV criticized Seibold for his post match comments re the Storm being the benchmark, etc and alleged blame shifting for the shellacking. He also suggested that the team had not progressed sufficiently under his coaching (still in his first season). Contrast this with Mary’s record (in his 6th season) with the Dragons nudging the bottom of the ladder and little visible progress in game plans, strategy or player development in that period, even allowing for the JDB issue. McGregor seems to be either Teflon coated or a reincarnation of Dale Carnegie.
Haz
Guest
Olam cost us a narrow loss against the Storm last night. If only he didn't throw that forward pass last week. Damm you Justin.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I think Bird and Staggs are a very good combination going forward. Ones a good ball player with a high work rate while the others a big body that can break tackles(though should never again take a kickoff). The only question is Birds health. Coates looks the goods as well so they have some depth. Shibasaki on the other hand... no thanks.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Think both Hampton and Cameron Smith went off if I recall - after absolutely punishing the Broncos for 70 minutes you could see them start to struggle a bit after that
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
At some point that EPIC game against the Sea Eagles will catch up with the Storm. The elastic band only stretches so far. And when it does next week the Bunnies will be there waiting at full strength for the firsr time since the start of the season. Just remember what happened to the Rabbitohs who were on top of the ladder this time last year. At the point the Roosters were nowhere to be seen and not on the Storms radar. It does help though when referees turn a blind eye to blatant knock-ons and forward passes that lead to tries. Souths already faced that against Manly and still prevailed and Manly did pretty well last week as I recall. Who's scared now?
jamesb
Roar Guru
Storm just too good. When they have a roll on from their forwards, they are great to watch. As for Brisbane, they were missing Pangai, Gillett and Deardan. But i don't think those three would make much difference in reducing a 36 point margin. The Storm did blow a few other opportunities.
Peter piper
Guest
Think we might have a few bunnies running scared in the headlights against the Storm. Biggest loss of the season so far just 2 points. Says heaps.
Peter Piper
Guest
Don't think Bellamy will be too disappointed with the last ten. Don't forget he was pulling key players off for a rest during the last quarter.
KEN
Guest
3 years at the storm learning off Cronk an Smith will do that to you , great St Edmunds XV player also
Ken
Guest
No but the storm made him tackle all night traffix his way , he didn’t have the energy to do as many runs as he normally does , They saw his strength an took it away from him , no 200mt this game .
Big Daddy
Guest
Interesting once the refs put the whistle away the game started to flow and Melbourne put them away fairly easily. Still think the Broncos will make the 8 by default but no threat to anyone. Have to wait until next year. Hope they make a play for Ramien as he "may" fit in well to replace Roberts.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Ssshh! Alfie still thinks he's a player.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Who listens to Gould? The bloke just says anything!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I'm "doing a QLD" in talking down our chances. Shhhh ;-) With a bit of luck AJ will be back next week and Souths will finally be at full strength! Mums the word, OK?
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Congrats Joe. You don't really need to play a full strength side against the Rabbitohs next week. Probably best if you rest a couple of your top guns for the run home, don't you think? ;-)
steveng
Roar Rookie
Lol PS, the Bunnies will do to the Storm what they did to the Broncs. Go You Bunnies!!!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Nick Politis has Gould double his efforts doing the Roosters PR at this time of the year.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Olam has been a positive addition to an already strong team, I believe.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Bahahahahahaha ;-)