Finals Week 1: Broncos v Storm preview
A Round 27 rematch opens the 2023 finals series, with the Storm travelling back to Brisbane to take on the Broncos, for the first qualifying finals match.
For Brisbane, this year has been a big one. With many predictions placing them in the bottom half of the top eight prior to the season starting, finishing in top two and minorly missing minor premiership was a little shock to the system. Reece Walsh has been an electrifying addition to the 2023 squad, along with the ever-growing halves partnership of Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds, who make the Broncos side so dominant in attack. The 2023 finals series, marks their first finals appearance since 2018.
After having rested a plethora of players during the R27 clash, the Broncos are back to a full-strength side this week. Along with Adam Reynolds and Pat Carrigan who missed the last two games of the Broncos home-and-away season due to respective calf and foot injuries. Jesse Arthars shifts out to the right wing, with Corey Oates dropping to 18th man. Walters has also opted for Keenan Palasia is join the bench instead of Corey Jensen.
For Melbourne, this year was an improvement from last year, and was quite a challenge where the team was missing many star forwards, along with Nick Meaney being promoted to fulltime fullback due to the 2022 injury to Ryan Papenhuyzen. After finishing in fifth last year and dropping out in the first match of finals, it's great to see the Storm back inside the top four, after missing out for the first time in seven seasons last year. This finals series marks the thirteenth in a row for Melbourne, and their seventh out of their last eight seasons within the top four.
Much like the home side, the Storm welcome back many players who were either rested or out injured during their R27 clash. Both Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant are good to go, after both suffering respective knee and shoulder injuries. Ryan Papenhuyzen has been named on the bench (as expected), along with Tyran Wishart being named as 18th man.
The Broncos/Storm rivalry is still as alive as ever in 2023, although Melbourne have dominated since 2017, where they have won their past 14 matchups in a row against Brisbane. The Broncos have also not won since 2009 at Suncorp Stadium against the Storm, meaning the odds are painfully in Melbourne's favour.
The Broncos also have had a rough go with finals series' recently, where they have only won one of six finals matches. Although this could be the year of change, as it has been demonstrated all season long by the Brisbane side.
Last meeting: Round 27 2023 - Broncos 22 Storm 32
Who to watch: This game is locked and loaded, with many star players scattered across both teams. Although, I think this game will be controlled and dominated by the two leading halfbacks.
Having joined Brisbane in 2022, captain and halfback Adam Reynolds has dominated the competition this year, and always has a sense of control over the Broncos side. This year he has scored five tries and assisted with 17. Reynolds continues to bring class, control, experience, and impressive plays to his game.
One of the game's best playmakers, Jahrome Hughes returns to the side after missing last match due to a knee injury. Having 21 try assists this season, Hughes leads the Storm sides for total number of try assists along with linebreak assist with a total of 17. He also has scored a total of seven tries of his own. Hughes is an integral part of the Storm side, bringing leadership and experience to the team, where he compliments his halves partner, Cameron Munster.
Favourites: Brisbane are minorly favoured to claim victory against Melbourne and advance straight to the preliminary finals.
My tip: I feel like this game could go either way, with both sides being dominant in attack and defence. Although the stats majorly lean in the way of Melbourne, that doesn't mean that the Broncos can finally get over the hurdle and claim a win after six years. My heart is leaning towards Brisbane (although I hate when my two teams play against each other ^o^), and I believe that if they play a tidy (but electric) game, they will be able to get over the line. Brisbane by 8.
