Round 20: Broncos v Sharks preview
Competition dark horses look to secure top eight finish.
Posting a regular season half century for the third consecutive year in last Friday's mauling of Penrith, the Broncos will be out to continue their strong form brought on by Wayne Bennett's calculated backline reshuffle. Recognising the need to energise his side following the lacklustre showing offered up against New Zealand a fortnight ago, the seven time premiership winning coach's decision to switch captain Darius Boyd into the centres and elevate Jamayne Isaako into the custodian role proved beneficial with the shackles released from the Broncos in an attacking tour de force performed in front of their home supporters. Remaining at Suncorp Stadium for the final match in a trio of appearances at home post-Origin, the eighth-placed side will be out to continue a strong run of form over the 2016 premiers that includes victories in the past three clashes. Maintaining the same 17 players who demolished the Panthers 50-18, expect Joe Ofahengaue to start in place of Matthew Lodge despite being named in the number 15 jersey.
Establishing a healthy first half lead before fending off a late Canberra comeback last Friday, the Sharks will be out to maintain consistency throughout the entire 80-minute performance in Brisbane. Enduring a turbulent time in the Queensland capital with just three wins from eleven appearances at the former Lang Park since 2005, the few remaining members of the infamous 2014 campaign will have fond memories of posting a short-lived club record comeback to win 24-22, having trailed by 22-points early in the second half. Tied alongside the Roosters on 26 competition points, the Sharks will be out to secure a finals berth with a win on Thursday night, while edging closer to a coveted top four finish to ensure the despair of bowing out in the first week of the play-offs isn't repeated in consecutive seasons. Boosted by the inclusions of retiring forward Luke Lewis from a lengthy stint on the sidelines, the Round 20 affair will see highly-valued prop Matt Prior play his 100th game for Cronulla having joined from St. George Illawarra back in 2014.
Last meeting: Round 15 2018 - Sharks 16 Broncos 20
Who to watch: Having begun his career in the lower grades at Cronulla alongside current first graders Jayden Brailey and Valentine Holmes, Jamayne Isaako has shown himself to be the breakout star for Brisbane in 2018. Coming into first grade for a single appearance twelve months ago, the 22-year-old has seized upon his opportunity from the opening round to play every match, earn an international debut for the Kiwis and pen an upgraded four-year deal to boot. Forcing his way into his preferred fullback position as part of a shakeup by Wayne Bennett in order to rejuvenate the battling Broncos, Isaako will be eager to make a statement against his former employer and press his claims for the coveted Dally M Rookie of the Year mantle in the process.
In the rather small pool of recent premiership winning halves, Cronulla playmaker Chad Townsend boasts a rather low-key profile given the heights of his accomplishments. As the only Sharks number seven to stand victorious on grand final night, the 27-year-old looms as a vital figure in the run up towards September. Taking on extra responsibility following the departure of James Maloney over the off-season, the City Origin representative has flourished alongside former Penrith captain Matt Moylan in a halves combination capable of delivering a second title to the Shire just two years after breaking the club's half-century premiership drought. With an experienced pack of forwards and potent outside backs at Shane Flanagan's disposal, Townsend's direction at halfback shapes as the ingredient capable of making-or-breaking the Sharks' season.
The favourite: After posted a half century last week and claimed wins in the past three meetings, Brisbane are expected to account for the Sharks in an entertaining contest.
My tip: Having struggled to be regarded in the same vein as a number of the premiership heavyweights, the Broncos appear to be finding form at the right time of year. With the Sharks exposing themselves with a poor second half showing last week look for the home side to take advantage. Broncos by 12.
