Round 16: Broncos look to continue bucking form against lukewarm water Sharks
The Broncos will be hoping a thumping win in their last start will be the catalyst they need to keep this season rolling as they take on a hot and cold Sharks side.
The 44-14 win over the Titans before their bye was much needed for Brisbane, who had lost 6 of their last 7 leading into the game, and continuing that form is needed with the club sitting precariously inside the top 8.
They've only made one change from their Round 14 side - hulking prop Ben Te Kura is out with a leg injury, and has been replaced on the bench by Jack Gosiewski for his first appearance since Round 6.
The Sharks meanwhile went back into the winners column last week with a 30-18 win over the Dragons after back to back heavy losses to the Roosters and Warriors respectively. After an up and down start to the season, those back to back losses lengthened their gap to the top four, and they will need to be better to keep in touch as the season goes on.
Like the Broncos they've been forced into one change with Mawene Hiroti out with a calf injury. Siosifa Talakai will start in the centres as a result, his first start at the position which made him an Origin player since last years Preliminary Final, while Daniel Atkinson is the new face on the bench.
The Sharks have won their last 3 games at Suncorp Stadium and 9 of their last 11 games in Queensland, reversing a recent trend in Brisbane which saw them lose 10 of 14 matches played in the state capital between 2017 and 2023.
Last meeting: Round 14 2024 - Broncos 12 Sharks 22
Who to watch: All eyes will once again be on Reece Walsh in this one. The star fullback made a triumphant return from a knee injury against the Titans, picking up an audacious try assist in the opening minutes before scoring a double of his own. With an Origin recall not entirely out of the question, Walsh will almost certainly look to deliver against the Sharks.
The pressure is continuing to mount on Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes to play up to his contract value as they look to revive their premiership hopes. The 2023 Dally M Medalist enters this game in a tie for second on the try assist leaderboard, but has just one in his last four games. His kicking has also declined this season, with halves partner Braydon Trindall being more dominant in both clearing and attack. Against a Broncos side with a susceptible edge defence and a lack of kick return capability, both of those traits are going to be crucial for the Sharks.
The favourite: The Broncos are favoured in this one, paying $1.48 on Sportsbet
My tip: Both teams should be desperate in this one, but the Broncos have shown they are capable of strong performances with their backs against the wall. Broncos by less than 12
