Bennett returns to Suncorp as Broncos look to drive another stake into Rabbits season from hell

Embed from Getty Images

Brisbane Broncos v South Sydney Rabbitohs Friday 8:00pm at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Long time Broncos coach Wayne Bennett will make his second trip to Suncorp Stadium this season, as he tries to stave off the wooden spoon for a South Sydney side riddled by injury against a Brisbane side looking to bounce back from an upset loss to Parramatta last week.

The two point loss to the Eels was a wake up call for a Broncos side who had won five straight leading into the game, and while it has not ended their top 4 aspirations, it's certainly dented them. The team made a pair of changes in a bid to bounce back - dropping their starting wingers in Josiah Karapani and Jesse Arthars in exchange for recalled duo Selwyn Cobbo and Deine Mariner. 

In contrast, the South Sydney Rabbitohs are struggling at 17th and desperate to avoid the wooden spoon after wins for both Parramatta and the Gold Coast last week. They have not won a match since May, with last weeks 14-12 defeat against Cronulla their first time losing by less than 18 points in four matches. Their hopes of any revival for this season have taken a further hit with Tevita Tatola out for the remainder of the season due to injury, while stand in Captain Jack Wighton will miss the next four matches with suspension after unsuccessfully challenging a shoulder charge at the judiciary.

Suncorp Stadium has also been a very rough hunting ground for the Rabbitohs, having lost each of their last four games at the venue and only beating the Broncos there 5 times since 2010. Meanwhile Brisbane have won 7 of their 11 matches at the venue in 2025, although all four of those losses have come against teams travelling from Sydney.

Last meeting: Round 10 2025 - Rabbitohs 22 Broncos 14

Who to watch: For the Broncos, Reece Walsh has continued to be a dynamic force of nature since his return from a knee injury, and while he was criticised for his error-prone performance against the Eels, remains one of, if not, their most crucial players in attack. Adam Reynolds will need to step up after being soundly outdueled by Mitchell Moses last week, while Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan will also look to bounce back from quiet performances by their standards. Ezra Mam will also want to get back to form after going back to back games without a try assist.

For the Rabbitohs, the absences of Wighton, Tatola, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Campbell Graham, Cody Walker, Peter Mamouzelos and Keaon Koloamatangi have stripped their squad bare of much of their talent. Alex Johnston has become one of their few sources of joy as he inches closer to breaking Ken Irvine's all time try scorer record. Jai Arrow and Lachlan Hubner have provided stability in an forward pack riddled with absences, and Jamie Humphreys' steady hand at halfback will be sorely needed if Souths have any chance of repeating their last gasp victory in Round 10.

The favourite: The Broncos are favoured at $1.14 odds according to Sportsbet

My tip: This match is a must-win for the Broncos if they want to keep pressing for the top 4, while the Rabbitohs will be looking to salvage some pride and avoid finishing last. The Broncos' experience should be enough to get them over the line, but the Rabbitohs could still spring a surprise if they play with the same grit they showed in their earlier victory over the Broncos. Broncos by 18+

1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Xavier Willison 9. Ben Hunt 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Corey Jensen 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Jesse Arthars 20. Ben Talty 21. Josiah Karapani 22. Jaiyden Hunt

1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Ryan Gray 10. Sean Keppie 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jacob Host 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Siliva Havili 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Thomas Fletcher 17. Ashton Ward 18. Peter Mamouzelos 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Tyrone Munro 21. Shaquai Mitchell 22. Salesi Ataata

Referees: Peter Gough; Sideline Officials: Jarrod Cole, Jon Stone; Video Referees: Grant Atkins;