Vale: Terry Hill
9 mins ago | National Rugby League
Eels v Broncos preview
Parramatta Eels v Brisbane Broncos
Pirtek Stadium - Thursday 8:05pm 
Ladies and gentleman WE ARE BACK!!
With the sound of leather on wood in the rear vision mirror and the long summer of Cricket finally behind us, we are agonisingly close to the start of the NRL Season. Of course, this hasn't come without the normal controversies and bad press. However, now us the fans can concentrate on the "greatest game of all" and engross ourselves for 80 minutes, in what is shaping up to be a tantalizing contest between the Parramatta Eels and the Brisbane Broncos on Thursday night.
Both sides had very differing 2015 campaigns. The Eels showed glimpses of form that the Blue and Gold Army will want to see more of in 2016. However, they were unable to do it consistently enough to challenge for Finals Football and finished with a miserly 9 wins and 12th spot on the ladder. Semi Radradra bagged a phenomenal 24 tries and if he can be given some quality ball, space and kicks from new recruit Kieran Foran, we could see even more tries and destructive play from the "semi trailer".
Parramatta are desperate to return to finals football for the first time since 2009 (where they made the Grand Final). Their major signing in the off season was Kieran Foran in his big deal coming across from the Manly Sea Eagles. Foran is the kind of player that you can build a team around, he is a match winner and has done it all in the world of Rugby League. The question is can he turn things around for the Eels?
Brisbane on the other hand have just one thing on their mind. Premiership. After losing in the most cruel way in the 2015 NRL decider, the Broncos have gone about their business of pre season in a calm and calculated manner. The signing of James Roberts caught the ire of many NRL clubs who were desperate to sign the NSW Speedster. He adds class to their outside backs and replaces the retired Justin Hodges.
With the likes of Ben Hunt, Anthony Milford, Darius Boyd and Sam Thaiday lining up in the Brisbane starting 13, there is a lot to like about their 2016 chances.
Last Meeting: Brisbane Broncos 28 Defeated Parramatta Eels 16 at Suncorp Stadium, Round 8, 2015.
Brisbane got the two points in the only fixture of last year. That said, the Eels for all of their struggles have won 3 of the past 5 games against Brisbane. However that's where the fun stops for the home side. They have surrneded 16 out of 23 games to the Broncos at Pirtek Stadium and the Broncos lead the all time ledger 32-1-19. Its not quite a hoodoo for the Eels but they need to try and arrest this poor from at home and prove a statement for 2016.
Who To Watch: For the Eels, my eyes are going to be on new recruit Michael Gordon. After an inconsistent 2015 season with the Cronulla Sharks, he has again made the move out west and will resume Fullback duties after spending stints on the wing and on the bench with the Sharkies last year. Despite being 32, "Flash Gordon" still has a lot to offer Rugby League and has given the Eels a stable Fullback which is something they lacked last season after Jaryd Hayne departed for the NFL. His kick return metres are vital and his combination with Semi Radradra and Brad Takarangi will be vital to the Eels success in this game. If Gordon can rediscover some of the form he showed at Penrith where he scored 55 tries in 108 games, then the Eels could be celebrating come full time.
For Brisbane, James Roberts will be one to focus on. He has showed his speed and silky skills for the Gold Coast Titans last year and he now finds himself surrounded by class players who are used to playing at a high level. Roberts is sure to benefit from playing with two of the best young halves in the game in Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford, and when he is given space and early ball he can shred up even the best of defences. Look for his improved defence after working overtime with coach Wayne Bennett. Bennett has a knack of making good players even better (case in point Jamie Soward for the Dragons in 2009-2011) so don't be surprised to see Roberts as a more complete player when he pulls on that Brisbane jersey on Thursday Night.
The Favourite: Brisbane are strong favourites with the bookies and deserve favouritism after last year's performance and their pre season form (which included a 42-12 hiding of Wigan only a few weeks ago in the World Club Series).
My Tip: Hard to go past Brisbane here, they are the safe bet and when you look over their roster they don't really seem to have any weak positions. They are desperate to make amends for last year's Grand Final loss and I believe they will hit the ground running on Thursday Night.
Parramatta look much improved from 2015 and will need to start this game super quick to have a chance. Lots of pressure on Kieran Foran and how he will deal with it will tell a lot about Parramatta for this season. If he can be supported by Gordon, Peats and co then this could be a great clash. Brisbane by 6 in a game that goes down to the wire.
Insider: If you're a betting man then it's tough to go past Semi Radradra as 1st try scorer, has a wonderful record at Pirtek! It's great to have the footy back!
1. Michael Gordon 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Clinton Gutherson 6. Corey Norman 7. Kieran Foran 8. Junior Paulo 9. Nathan Peats 10. Tim Mannah 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Beau Scott 13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange: 14. David Gower 15. Peni Terepo 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Ken Edwards 18. Kaysa Pritchard
1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. Jordan Kahu 4. James Roberts 5. Greg Eden 6. Anthony Milford 7. Ben Hunt 8. Josh McGuire 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Adam Blair 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Corey Parker
Interchange: 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Sam Thaiday 16. Jo Ofanhengaue 17. Kodi Nikorima
Referees: Matt Cecchin, Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Brett Suttor, Nick Beashel; Video Referees: Luke Patten, Ashley Klein, Bernard Sutton;