The Roosters had a glimpse at what finals football might look like last round, falling short in a couple of key areas as they conceded 20 points in the loss to the Panthers.
The Roosters made 12 errors and conceded eight penalties, which wasn't what they needed when they were level-pegging with Penrith in possession, tackle-busts and line breaks.
The Broncos can't make it to the NRL finals but they don't mind forming a few roadblocks for those teams trying to get there. They only trailed the Knights by four points at half-time last weekend, scored four tries to put up a decent fight before losing 28-20.
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The rundown
Team news
Broncos: David Mead replaces Herbie Farnworth, who failed to finish training on Thursday due to illness and a leg injury, while Anthony Milford replaces Ethan Bullemor on the bench.
Cory Paix is Brisbane's 18th man.
Farnworth and Brendan Piakura dropped off the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off.
Thomas Flegler returns from suspension to bolster the Brisbane pack with Albert Kelly replacing Brodie Croft in the halves.
Selwyn Cobbo comes in at centre for Jesse Arthars while Xavier Coates gets a start on the wing at the expense of Jamayne Isaako.
The Broncos have won only two from 13 against top-eight opposition this season, which included an upset win over the Roosters in round 11.
Roosters: Trent Robinson's team will start 1-17 with Brad Abbey the 18th man.
Sitili Tupouniua replaces Angus Crichton (suspension) in the second row with Joey Manu reverting back to centre this week.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is carrying a number of niggling injuries and will be given a rest this week. Naufahu Whyte joins the bench in JWH's absence.
Ben Marschke and Tuku Hau Tapuha were omitted from the reserves list on Thursday night.
The Roosters have lost six of their past seven games against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
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Key match-up
Payne Haas vs Siosiua Taukeiaho: Haas ran for 164 metres last week against the Knights last round, but nearly half of those (64 post-contact metres) was dragging one or two defenders. With his front-row partner Jared Waerea-Hargreaves being rested, Taukeiaho will look to step up and nullify Haas' impact. The two-time premiership player is averaging 127 metres per game in 2021 has a massive role to play if the Roosters are to make some noise come September.
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Stat attack
Considering the poor form of the Broncos the past couple of years, they still match-up just fine against the Roosters with 32 wins in their 55 meetings.
The Roosters have only won two of their previous four games against Brisbane, and who can forget the 34-16 loss in round 11 at the SCG this year, when the visitors piled on 18 points to two in the second half.
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