Broncos v Raiders preview

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Brisbane look to arrest slide against inconsistent Raiders.

At varying points this season, this clash has looked like it's full of potential for an absolute cracker. And it could well be - but on current form it's a complete lottery.

Let's start with the hosts - the Broncos - who are on an alarming slide. At the conclusion of the indigenous round (less than a month ago), Brisbane were sitting pretty at the top of the NRL table together with the Sharks and Storm on 16 points. Now? They haven't picked up any competition points since (not even a bye yet!), with three consecutive losses putting serious question marks over their top four credentials. Admittedly coach Wayne Bennett has had injury and Origin selection issues to deal with over that time - but the fact their depth was found lacking would be a concern, especially against a patchy, inconsistent Warriors outfit last weekend. The 2015 Grand Finalists will be hoping they hit their straps again in this one, or they could easily find the Raiders leapfrogging them into the top four.

The Raiders, then. Winning games of late, but not what you'd call in convincing fashion. Their 30-18 win over Manly was comfortable last Friday, but the green machine will be concerned at allowing the Sea Eagles to score points so freely in the closing stages of the contest. The week before was the opposite - letting the Bulldogs get the upper hand before running over the top of them late. Where they do get significant credit is their victory three weeks ago against a badly out-of-form Warriors in New Plymouth. If they can bottle that performance and stretch it over the full 80 minutes, including the defensive aspects, then they'll challenge the Broncos truly.

Last meeting: Round 12 2015 - Raiders 12 Broncos 24

Of the 48 games between these sides since 1988, Brisbane hold the balance of power 28 to 19 (one draw), with both sides a true powerhouse throughout the 90's. The Broncos have won 6 of the last 10 between these sides, including both of the most recent contests at Suncorp, where this clash hasn't been staged since 2012. Last year's solitary clash at GIO Stadium in Canberra was won 24-12 by Brisbane.

Who to watch: With Andrew McCullough facing a sideline stint, the Broncos' back-up option at hooker Travis Waddell has been important to steadying the Brisbane ship at dummy half - but it all seemed to fall apart in his absence. While Kodi Nikorima is a bright prospect, he's not quite at the level of managing a premiership level NRL outfit yet and Waddell's return this week will be key to delivering Brisbane's outstanding forward pack a platform to demolish the Raiders.

It goes without saying that poor Zac Santo has his work cut out for him on Thursday night. With Jack Wighton out suspended for this contest, coach Ricky Stuart has opted not to tinker with the backline, instead bringing in young Santo, who the Raiders acquired from the Cowboys during the off-season. Santo made just one appearance in the blue + grey back in 2014, playing the unfamiliar role of utility hooker. This time he gets to cut his teeth on first grade footy and will be hoping he's not another one-game wonder in the Nation's Capital.

The favourites: Brisbane have a couple of key men back in their side and hold the home ground advantage for the first time in four years - as such the bookies have them firm favourites.

My tip: It's been ten years since Bennett has lost four straight at the helm of the Broncos - funnily enough, that was a premiership year for the maroon and gold as well. I'll stick with the home side. Broncos by 4.

Ed's note: Massive kudos to the Canberra Raiders who have chosen to honour the 20th anniversary of the Townsville black hawk tragedy - the side will wear black armbands and utility forward Sia Soliola will wear jumper 18 in recognition of the eighteen service personnel who lost their lives in a tragic training accident in 1996.

1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 5. Jordan Kahu 4. James Roberts 18. Greg Eden 6. Anthony Milford 7. Ben Hunt 8. Josh McGuire 9. Travis Waddell 14. Jarrod Wallace 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Corey Parker
Interchange: 10. Sam Thaiday 15. Tevita Pangai Junior 16. Adam Blair 17. Kodi Nikorima

1. Zac Santo 2. Brenko Lee 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Junior Paulo 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Papalii 12. Elliot Whitehead 18. Iosia Soliola
Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste 16. Clay Priest 17. Joseph Tapine 13. Luke Bateman

Referees: Ashley Klein, Henry Perenara; Sideline Officials: Michael Wise, Tim Roby; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Steve Chiddy, Luke Patten