Broncos v Knights: Riki won't lose his number; Frizell puts feet up
Brisbane will finish the year without back-to-back wins but taking the scalp of a finals-bound opponent would give them something to take into the off-season.
The Broncos go into the final-round clash having won three of their past six, with an average margin of less than six in the losses and the wooden spoon safely back in the Bulldogs' keeping.
There are plenty of positives for coach Kevin Walters to take out of the past two months, with a number of young players stepping up plus a bonus in the form of a rejuvenated Anthony Milford who will be playing his final game with the club on Saturday.
Newcastle appear to have finally found form after an up-and-down season but Adam O'Brien won't be taking anything for granted despite a late-season surge that has sewn up seventh place with a game left to play.
Match: Broncos v Knights
Round 25 -
home Team
Broncos
14th Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The rundown
Team news
Broncos: Jordan Riki will play after he was a late withdrawal last week with an ankle injury so TC Robati reverts to the bench.
Danny Levi and Jamayne Isaako drop off the extended bench. Brodie Croft is 18th man and Jesse Arthars is 19th man for the game which will be retiring captain Alex Glenn’s 285th and final NRL appearance for the Broncos.
Brodie Croft is 18th man with Jesse Arthars omitted from the reserves an hour before kick-off.
Departing Broncos five-eighth Anthony Milford has scored seven tries in his past seven games against the Knights.
Knights: Representative second-rower Tyson Frizell has been rested for Newcastle, as they have sealed their spot in seventh for this year's finals series.
Sauaso Sue (hamstring) is a late withdrawal while Jayden Brailey, Mitch Barnett and Jacob Saifiti had already been given a break when the squad was announced on Tuesday.
Josh King will start at prop and Jack Johns in the second row for Sue and Frizell with Pasami Saulo and Simi Sasagi joining the interchange.
Dominic Young was also omitted on Friday. Tex Hoy is 18th man.
The Knights have won their past four games against the Broncos.
Match: Broncos v Knights
Round 25 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi NiuFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Knights is number 2 Enari Tuala
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Selwyn CobboCentre for Knights is number 3 Kurt Mann
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Knights is number 5 Starford To'a
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony MilfordFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jake Clifford
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Albert KellyHalfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Ethan BullemorProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake TurpinHooker for Knights is number 9 Chris Randall
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Knights is number 16 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Brodie Jones
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Knights is number 17 Jack Johns
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe HetheringtonLock for Knights is number 13 Connor Watson
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Cory PaixInterchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 David MeadInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jirah Momoisea
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Rhys KennedyInterchange for Knights is number 19 Pasami Saulo
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Teui RobatiInterchange for Knights is number 21 Simi Sasagi
Reserves
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 19 Brodie CroftReserve for Knights is number 20 Tex Hoy
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Anthony Milford v Jake Clifford: Souths-bound Milford has burst into form at the death after being dropped repeatedly by Broncos coach Kevin Walters this season. He couldn't orchestrate a win against Cronulla but poses a live threat with his kicking game and aggressive running. Clifford came to Newcastle in a mid-season move and after taking time to find his feet has formed a potent partnership with veteran half Mitchell Pearce.
Stat attack
It's either feast or famine when one of these sides gets the upper hand. Brisbane have lost their past four encounters with Newcastle after having come out on top in the previous six contests.
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