Broncos v Panthers preview

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Brisbane Broncos v Penrith Panthers Friday 8:00pm at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

The reigning premiers take on the Panthers up at home in Brisbane to start their 2026 campaign, and both sides would love to start with a high. 

The Broncos what many thought was almost impossible in 2025, where they made comeback after comeback to not only slip into the top four by Round 27 but go on to defeat the Melbourne Storm in the Grand Final. Brisbane finally raised the coveted premiership trophy after two haunting Grand Final appearances in the last decade.

Coach Michael Maguire has made a few changes to the starting side from 2025, mostly forced due to injury and player departures. The only players missing from the Brisbane side who took down the Storm, are Brendan Piakura (injured) and departed duo Kobe Hetherington (Manly) and Tyson Smoothy (Super League), with Billy Walters still out injured as well. Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam make up the halves pairing, with Cory Paix starting hooker and Ben Hunt wearing the number 14 jersey. Jack Gosiewski starts in the back row, with Xavier Willison and Ben Talty coming off the bench, along with recruit Aublix Tawha. Jesse Arthars and Grant Anderson then round out the six-person interchange bench.

After having a rocky start to the 2024 season, Penrith bounced back and finished the season in seventh place, having won thirteen and lost eleven games. Come finals time the Panthers were roaring yet again, however they fell short to making their sixth consecutive Grand Final appearance, where they were defeated by the Broncos in the Preliminary Final.

With his two-week suspension successfully overturned, Nathan Cleary is in the halves with youngster Blaize Talagi. Luke Garner starts in the second row, with Liam Martin out with a calf injury. Jack Cogger returns to Penrith on the bench alongside new recruits Kalani Going and Freddy Lussick, which then sees Luron Patea, Isaiah Papali'I and Tom Jenkins finish off the now extended size bench. Other than these changes, the Panthers see an almost identical side to 2025.

The last time these two teams met, it saw Penrith's dynasty ended, whilst Brisbane progressed to a Grand Final. These two sides are the best of the best, and recently the odds have fallen to the side of the Panthers, but it will be no easy feat for them to get the job done up North. 

Last meeting: Finals Week 3 2025 - Broncos 16 Panthers 14

Who to watch: Reigning Clive Churchill Medallist, Reece Walsh, will be put to the test again for the Broncos. His leadership and skills were on show during the 2025 Grand Final when the team was without Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds, and minutes away from a premiership, and with a slightly different spine in the 2026 side, Walsh will have to step up and take control of the game.

All eyes will be on captain and experienced playmaker, Nathan Cleary. The blood and life of the Panthers' side, Cleary will play yet again another key part in the season trajectory for Penrith.

Favourite: Brisbane are slightly favoured to start the season on a high and claim victory over the Panthers.

MY TIP: Look it's Round 1, and it's hard to really know who is going to have a good season and who isn't. But, as a Brisbane fan I really can't go past my own team. I know they had a troublesome time at the World Cup Challenge, but I don't think that will knock them down, and 2026 is the start of a new era. 2025 is behind us, and we look towards the future now. I think it'll be a challenge to get the job done against the Panthers, but it's nothing we haven't done before. (Please don't make me eat my words @ Broncos). Brisbane by 10.

1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 14. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 6. Ezra Mam 15. Xavier Willison 16. Ben Talty 17. Aublix Tawha 18. Grant Anderson 21. Jaiyden Hunt

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 18. Thomas Jenkins 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To'o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 16. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaah Yeo 3. Izack Tago 11. Scott Sorensen 14. Jack Cogger 17. Kalani Going 19. Freddy Lussick 20. Billy Phillips

Referees: Adam Gee; Sideline Officials: Phil Henderson, Jarrod Cole; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;