Broncos v Eels NRLW preview

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Brisbane Broncos v Parramatta Eels Sunday 1:45pm at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

The final NRLW regular season match is the second of Sunday's double header where the Brisbane Broncos play their first game on home soil since 2018 when they play host to the Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium.

Suffering their first defeat of the season last week, the Brisbane Broncos fell to a surprise 28-26 defeat against Queensland rivals the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium. The Broncos started slowly but were quickly able to get level with the Titans and the two sides went tit for tat through the first sixty minutes. 

Ill-discipline hurt the Broncos during the game and it was that ill-discipline that also cost the Broncos when a penalty for a strip gave the Titans a match winning penalty goal that was kicked and Brisbane fell to their first defeat of the season and ultimately fell to second on the ladder after the Dragons big win on Sunday.

The Broncos have gotten a big boost for their clash this weekend with Tamika Upton, Millie Boyle and Emily Bass all returning to the line-up after being ruled out last week with Hayley Maddick returning to the bench. Amber Hall also returns to the second row with Tallisha Harden dropped to the bench.

Another side who started slowly last weekend was the Parramatta Eels who hard to come from 12-0 down when they fell to a heartbreaking 19-18 defeat to the Sydney Roosters last week. Slow out of the blocks, the Eels side had their mentality tested when the Roosters were able to score twice in the first ten minutes to take a 12-0 lead. 

The Eels were able to fight their way back to 12-6 at half time and then eventually take an 18-12 lead at one point however, the Roosters were able to fight their way back to 18-18 before a 68th minute field goal to Zahara Temara broke the Eels hearts. Despite losing by a point, there will be concern for the Eels given that it might have been a one-point margin, but their opponents did have three tries disallowed.

Last meeting: never met

Who to watch: Suffering a concussion a fortnight ago, Tamika Upton missed last week's match with the Titans and it showed in the attack for the Broncos how much of a key asset Upton is. Her combination play is one of the Broncos biggest weapons and the returning Upton brings speed and an x-factor to the Broncos line-up.

Depending on results before them, a spot in the NRLW top 8 is on the line for the Eels and it will be up to star halfback Maddie Studdon to control things for the Blue and Gold. Studdon who has underperformed in previous NRLW seasons, has really stood up this year for Parramatta and her control is what is needed if the Eels want to pull off the upset.

The favourite: Back playing at home, the Broncos are favourites for the clash against the Eels, with a strong line-up and their better form.

My tip: The Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. Parramatta are a good side, but some pretty heavy weapons in the Broncos have the ability to blow a side off the park and a chance for the fourth successive minor premiership will be a big factor in the Broncos performance. Broncos by 10.

14. Hayley Maddick 2. Hagiga Mosby 3. Amy Turner 4. Shenae Ciesiolka 5. Emily Bass 6. Tarryn Aiken 7. Ali Brigginshaw 8. Millie Boyle 9. Lauren Brown 10. Chelsea Lenarduzzi 11. Kaitlyn Phillips 12. Amber Hall 13. Lavinia Gould 15. Tallisha Harden 16. Roxy Murdoch 17. Sara Sautia 18. Jada Ferguson 20. China Polata

1. Botille Vette-Welsh 2. Taina Naividi 3. Tiana Penitani 15. Abbi Church 5. Rikeya Horne 6. Emily Curtain 7. Maddie Studdon 8. Filomina Hanisi 9. Nita Maynard 10. Kennedy Cherrington 11. Christian Pio 17. Ellie Johnston 13. Simaima Taufa 4. Tommaya Kelly-Sines 14. Seli Mailangi 16. Sereana Naitokatoka 19. Christine Pauli 18. Jocephy Daniels

Referees: Kasey Badger; Sideline Officials: Tori Wilkie, Kailey Beattie; Video Referees: Jason Robinson;