Bronco team to face the Storm

Injured Test winger Tame Tupou and the suspended Casey McGuire will miss the Ergon Energy Broncos top-of-the-table clash with ladder leaders Melbourne at Olympic Park on Friday night.

McGuire today accepted a one-match suspension for striking Cronulla?s Brett Kimmorley in the baby Broncos stunning home win last Sunday when Kiwi Tupou suffered a two-week hamstring strain.

McGuire, who was charged with grade two striking for a 48th minute late shot on the Sharks? halfback, will be replaced in the no.9 jersey by pint-sized 21-year-old Ian Lacey.

With no.3 Justin Hodges (hamstring) out, Tupou?s wing spot will be taken by Brent Tate whose no.4 spot will be filled by lock Tonie Carroll who partners Shaun Berrigan in the centres.

Scott Minto, who impressed in round 17 when he returned from a round three pectoral muscle tear, remains on the wing.

Talented 19-year-old utility Greg Eastwood moves to lock and will be partnered in the back-row by David Stagg and Brad Thorn.

Stagg returns from a one-week shoulder injury, while new benchman Parker is replaced in the second-row side by Thorn who has been one of the club?s best over the past month.

Along with Tate, Berrigan and Carroll, fellow Queensland stars Darren Lockyer, Petero Civoniceva and Sam Thaiday return from State of Origin duty which ends following Wednesday night?s decider against NSW in Melbourne.

Thaiday joins second-rowers Parker, Carlaw and young prop Ben Hannant on the Broncos bench.

Utility forward Neville Costigan and playmaker Brett Seymour, who both played key roles against the Sharks, are 18th and 19th men.

Seymour could come onto the bench for one of the four forwards as back-up hooker to part-time rake Lacey.

Five-eighth/lock Joel Moon, and centre Nick Emmett and Kiwi prop Ben Vaeau, who both made their NRL debuts last Sunday, all return to their respective Queensland Cup teams that are affiliated to the Broncos.

Moon, 18, and Kiwi prop Vaeau, 22, will play for Toowoomba against Easts on Sunday at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

While former Parramatta lower-grader Emmett, 24, returns to Redcliffe for Sunday?s clash against Norths at Dolphin Oval.

NRL Round 18 Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos Friday, July 7, Olympic Park Kick-off: 7.30pm

Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Scott Minto 3. Shaun Berrigan 4. Tonie Carroll 5. Brent Tate 6. Darren Lockyer 7. Shane Perry 8. Shane Webcke 9. Ian Lacey 10. Petero Civoniceva 11. David Stagg 12. Brad Thorn 13. Greg Eastwood

Interchange: 14. Corey Parker 15. Ben Hannant 16. Dane Carlaw 17. Sam Thaiday 18. Neville Costigan 19. Brett Seymour (two to be omitted) Coach: Wayne Bennett