Round 4: Warriors v Broncos preview
Reverting to type or just a snag in the line?
Brisbane made headlines over the opening fortnight of the NRL competition this season with impressive defensive displays, overcoming newly-minted rivals South Sydney in a low-scoring, gritty affair before an equally determined win over a rejuvenated Canterbury side.
Fast forward one week and all that seemed to come undone, with Brisbane giving up six tries and a whole lot of bragging rights after a 38-12 flogging at the hands of intrastate rivals North Queensland last Sunday. We'll go a long way this Saturday to finding out whether that showing on in Round 3 is what we can expect from Kevin Walters' charges for the rest of 2022, or whether it was just a lapse in concentration that they'll quickly correct.
Frustratingly the task has been made harder, with the likely omission of back rower Kurt Capewell. Listed in the reserves this week, the former Panther has a calf complaint and may miss Saturday's match at Redcliffe. There is good news to temper the bad - Tom Flegler is finally back from his suspension and will slot straight into the interchange bench to bolster the Broncos' go-forward.
The Warriors meanwhile, went the opposite direction. After a forgettable opening two rounds, the nomadic squad finally jagged their first victory of 2022 in a low-quality tussle with the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown last Friday. It was by no means their finest hour but two points is two points, and a good confidence boost as they navigate what is hoped to be the last couple of months 'on the road' ahead of a proposed July return to their Auckland home ground.
There's not a whole heap of team news for the Warriors - their first 16 names are all as listed last week, with only Bayley Sironen out of the squad. Jack Murchie replaces him on the bench, while prodigal son Shaun Johnson - missing injured since Round 1 - is named in the reserves in the hopes he could make an early return from a pec injury.
Put it all together and you have one of the most unpredictable games in one of the already most unpredictable years of NRL.
Last meeting: Round 23 2021 - Broncos 24 Warriors 22
Who to watch: It's not often that players outside the 17 feature in this section of a match preview, but that's how it is this week. Both Johnson for the Warriors and Capewell for Brisbane are key figures in their respective lineups. For the sake of good footy - let's hope they both recover from their injuries in time to take to Redcliffe's lush green surface on Saturday.
On the field - look at those front row pairings! Matt Lodge against his former club will be an interesting one on its own. Ryan James starts up front for the first time for Brisbane after coming off the bench in the opening weeks, and Payne Haas - well he's just neat. Throw in Tongan rep Addin Fonua-Blake and his impact and it's an incredible battle up front in this contest.
The favourite: With two wins under their belt and minimal travel to get themselves to Moreton Daily Stadium, Brisbane are favoured here despite a lacklustre Round 3 showing.
My tip: It hinges on Johnson's return for mine. If he's back in the side I see them having enough direction in attack to overcome Brisbane, who were supremely disappointing last week. Warriors by 6.
