Broncos v Roosters preview

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Brisbane Broncos v Sydney Roosters Thursday 7:50pm at The Gabba, Brisbane / Yuggera-Turrbal

The high-flying Broncos are playing their second of three games at the Gabba this weekend, where they face off the Roosters who are attempting to slide their way into the eight after an improved performance during Round 22. 

Brisbane continued their march towards finals footy last week where they marked their 14th win of the season where beat the Rabbitohs in a thrilling clash that ended with a 36-20 score line. During this game the Broncos were down to 12 men for 20 minutes, and within this time they only conceded one try, whilst scoring two four pointers of their own, proving the powerhouse side that they undoubtedly are. 

After suffering a foot injury, QLD prop Thomas Flegler returns to the side, causing Keenan Palasia to revert to his bench position. Deine Mariner and Brendan Piakura join the starting 17 in place of suspended Jesse Arthars and Marty Taupau respectively. Despite leaving the field in the 66th minute of the match last round, no injury has been reported of Ezra Mam who has been named in the Broncos side. 

After an average and up-and-down season so far, the Roosters managed to find some form against the Titans last round, where they dominated during the first half to go 30-0 at halftime and eventually win with a score line of 36-18. The Roosters are sitting in 12th position and one win out of the eight, however they have a poor for and against, which leaves them significantly trailing behind. 

Victor Radley returns to the side at lock after missing the teams' win against the Titans last week due to some hamstring tightness. This return causes Nathan Brown to revert to his bench position and pushes Siua Wong back to the reserves. Brandon Smith is also named in the starting hooker role this week, after replacing Jake Turpin in the run-on side last week. These are the few and minimal changes to the side that was able to get the job done and roll the Titans during Round 22. 

The Roosters have history on their side for this game, winning five of their previous games against the Broncos, with only eight of the Broncos players in the side ever achieving NRL victory against the Sydney club. 

Although history is on the side of the Roosters, it is going to be an uphill battle for them to beat one of the powerhouse clubs for the 2023 season. Brisbane sit in third overall for tries scored totalling at 83, whereas the Roosters sit in second last with a total of only 53, this difference extremely evident between the two teams distance within for and against points.  

Last meeting: Round 21 2022 - Roosters 34 Broncos 16

Who to watch: After serving a three-match suspension, Reece Walsh made a dazzling return last week where he scored a try, made one try assist, four tackle breaks, two line breaks and 208 run metres. Although leading the competition in both errors and handling errors, Walsh is impressive in attack and adds some much-needed flare, creativity and speed to the Broncos side, and is still young in his career where I only hope to see more improvements.

Struggling all throughout the year, James Tedesco put on a refreshing performance for the Roosters last week against the Titans in an important win, where he made 2 try assists, scored his own four-pointer, made one line break and ran for 230 metres. Tedesco was dynamic for the Roosters and proved to be an important part of the team, and he will have to back up with another stellar performance if the Roosters wish to have a chance come Thursday night.

Favourites: Broncos are favoured to add another two points to their count and consolidate their top two position for yet another week. 

My tip: The Roosters finding some long-lost form last week against the Titans will not be enough to get them over the line this week, coming up against the Broncos. Although not flawless in neither attack and defence, the Broncos are a powerhouse side of the competition, and the ladder proves it. Despite a sprinkling of poor games and losses, Brisbane continue to put on stellar performances, and I think we'll be seeing another one on Thursday night. Broncos by 22. 

1. Reece Walsh 2. Deine Mariner 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 13. Patrick Carrigan 17. Keenan Palasia 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 18. Xavier Willison 19. Jock Madden

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Jake Turpin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Terrell May 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Corey Allan

Referees: Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: Drew Oultram, Kasey Badger; Video Referees: Adam Gee;