Broncos v Knights preview

Embed from Getty Images

Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights Saturday 5:30pm at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

The Broncos are looking to continue to show their 2023 dominance against the inconsistent Knights. 

Brisbane have come out and shocked many NRL fans this season, where they have won 10 of the 14 games played and are sitting second on the ladder still yet to have their first bye. The Broncos are coming off an impressive win against the Sharks where they had many outstanding players with great defensive and offensive plays, a match where 4/5 of their Origin representative players were also backing up after Game I, four days earlier. 

Newcastle are having a pretty average season so far, where they have racked up 5 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw. They are yet to win back-to-back games; however, they have won two of their last three games and are just fresh coming off their second bye of the season. Their time is starting to run out if they wish to scrape into the top eight for 2023. 

Selwyn Cobbo returns to the Broncos side after missing last week's win against the Sharks due to a hip injury picked up in the first Origin match. This forces Jesse Arthars out of the starting 17, where he has been named as 18th man. Besides from this, the Broncos name a side that has claimed victory over many teams this season. 

For the Knights, Tyson Frizell is welcomed back into the side after representing NSW in Origin Game I, leaving Jack Johns to be dropped from the side. Utility Kurt Mann joins their bench, forcing Lachlan Miller out. 

Newcastle came out with a win over the Gold Coast Titans in Round 11 after their Round 10 bye, and they will be looking to replicate this against Brisbane this coming Saturday. However, the Broncos are one strong side, leading the competition in tackle breaks, post-contact metres, and overall run metres, and have shown their strength through their high win count. 

Both teams are chasing milestone wins this weekend, the Knights looking to find their 400th overall club win, whilst the Broncos are looking to claim their 200th win at Suncorp Stadium. 

Last meeting: Round 22 2022 - Broncos 28 Knights 10

Who to watch: One of the Broncos most improved players from 2022 to this year (in my opinion) is Jordan Riki. He has scored 5 tries so far this year, already surpassing the total for each year preceding 2023. Riki was an outstanding player for the side against the Sharks last weekend, where he made the most tackles for the Broncos (39). He also ran for 153 metres within 12 runs, which included where he jumped on a loose ball and ran from 80 metres, breaking free, for Kotoni Staggs to finish off the set and score a try. Riki is constantly growing, and I'm looking forward to seeing both his offensive and defensive measures this coming Saturday night. 

Deciding to step away from Origin and make himself unavailable for the rest of the series, Kalyn Ponga is an integral player to the Knights side and has made some impressive plays in their recent games. Struggling with concussion injuries during the start of the season, Ponga has been back since Round 8, starting his return on the bench before continuing back into his position as five-eighth, however he played fullback against Manly in R13 and will be playing in number 1 spot this upcoming match. Totalling four try assists along with two tries himself the past month, I'm hoping to see the Knights captain continue to steer the team into a winning side during this back half of the season. 

Favourite: Brisbane are heavily favoured to make in three wins in a row this Saturday night. 

My tip: The Broncos have had an outstanding season so far, dominating particularly in attack, and I cannot see the Knights having any chance to stop them, with Brisbane continuing to build confidence as the year continues. Newcastle have only won one of their past six games against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, and I don't see the count going in their favour. Brisbane by 16.

1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 15. Brendan Piakura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau 22. Tyson Smoothy 18. Jesse Arthars

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 18. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 19. Jack Johns

Referees: Chris Butler; Sideline Officials: Jarrod Cole, Wyatt Raymond; Video Referees: Grant Atkins;