Broncos v Storm preview

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Brisbane Broncos v Melbourne Storm Thursday 7:50pm at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

To open up the final round of the home-and-away season, the Storm travel up north to take on the Broncos for the second time this year, with the likelihood that they could face off again at Suncorp during Week One of the finals. 

Brisbane are looking to secure their first minor premiership since 2000, if they manage to claim victory against Melbourne come Thursday night. The Broncos have had a stellar year, only dropping five games this year, and their win against Canberra last week has them on a winning streak of seven games. Although they struggled with defence against the Raiders, the Broncos side proved that they score points and play a dominant 80 minutes. 

Mass changes have been made by Walters for the Broncos team, with Reece Walsh, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mam, Billy Walters, Payne Haas and Kurt Capewell all being rested. Adam Reynolds and Pat Carrigan are also missing the match due to respective calf and foot injuries, which left them out of the squad for last round's clash in the nation's capital. Kotoni Staggs also sits out due to a one-match suspension. Josh Rogers and Blake Mozer make their NRL debuts in five-eighth and off the bench respectively. Tristan Sailor joins the squad at fullback for the fourth time this year, along Delouise Hoeter, Jordan Pereira, Cory Paix, Xavier Willison and Martin Taupau all returning to the squad. Jesse Arthars is shifted into right centre, whilst Tyson Smoothy is starting hooker. 

Melbourne have locked in a home final and are almost destined to finish in fourth place, having won a total of 15 games and losing eight. Last week saw them blow out the score line against the Titans, despite only leading 18-10 at halftime. Their defence saw an improvement, only letting the Titans score once in the second half, after letting the Dragons leak a total of 28 points in the week prior. 

Much like the Broncos, Bellamy has also made several mass changes to his side for this final round clash. Nick Meaney, Marion Seve, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Christian Welch, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Tui Kamikamica, Tom Eisenhuth and Trent Loiero are all being rested for this match, along with Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes who are carrying respective shoulder and knee injuries. Ryan Papenhuyzen has been named as starting fullback after returning to the game off the bench last week. Jayden Nikorima and Tyran Wishart take over in the halves, whilst Justin Olam gets a recall to the centres after playing in the QLD Cup the past few weeks. Sualauvi Faalogo makes his NRL debut off the bench alongside Alec MacDonald, Jack Howarth and Aaron Pene. 

History is certainly on the side of the Storm this coming match, with Melbourne winning their past thirteen matches against the Broncos since 2017. Along with Brisbane not having claimed victory against the Storm at home at Suncorp Stadium since 2009. Based on these stats, you would have to think the Broncos would be defying all odds to win this one, however the starting sides could make all the difference in this matchup. 

Between the two sides, 22 usual starting seventeen side players are sitting out of this matchup due to injury, suspension or simply just being rested. This means that both teams are fronting a less experienced side, included three NRL debutants, which really changes the nature of the usual Melbourne dominating clash. It's looking to be an interesting match which could go either way, but heaps of new and young talent to look out for in both sides, with many players getting a rare NRL match experience. 

Last meeting: Round 11 2023 - Storm 24 Broncos 16

Who to watch: Now set to play his fourth game of the year for the Broncos at halfback, Jock Madden has settled into the role where Adam Reynolds usually sits in, as evident last week against the Raiders where he made two try assists, one line break and one tackle break. Despite lacking seniority and experience, Madden fits in well with the Broncos side and will be an important player to this "baby" Brisbane side, where he might hopefully get another try assist (or even try) to his name. 

After suffering a devastating shattered kneecap in 2022, Ryan Papenhuzen returned to the NRL, through the interchange bench, last week after 405 days since last playing, and this week he starts at fullback due to Meaney being rested. This will be a big game for Papenhuzen, being on the starting side and most likely playing the full 80 minutes along with being one of the most experienced spine players in the side. It'll be good to see Paps start to get some minutes in, and hopefully see some of his signature plays and runs. 

Favourite: Brisbane are minorly favoured to make a rare win against Melbourne and lock in the minor premiership for 2023. 

My tip:  What is usually a dominant and competitive clash which ends in the Storm winning has kind of been turned on its head due to the mass team changes for both sides of the matchup. I truly believe it is anyone's game, however the Broncos have slightly more experience in their side between the forwards; along with the spine, where a few of the players have played several matches this year. My head and heart both feel like they've been split into pieces with this final round clash, but I think the Broncos boys will be able to bring it home. Brisbane by 4.

1. Tristan Sailor 2. Corey Oates 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Delouise Hoeter 5. Jordan Pereira 6. Joshua Rogers 7. Jock Madden 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Tyson Smoothy 10. Corey Jensen 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Keenan Palasia 14. Blake Mozer 15. Cory Paix 16. Xavier Willison 17. Martin Taupau 18. Benjamin Te Kura

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 18. Grant Anderson 3. Justin Olam 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Reimis Smith 6. Jayden Nikorima 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Tariq Sims 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Tepai Moeroa 11. Chris Lewis 17. Jack Howarth 13. Josh King 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Aaron Pene 19. Joe Chan 21. Cole Geyer

Referees: Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials: Chris Sutton, Phil Henderson; Video Referees: Grant Atkins;