Broncos v Wests Tigers: Mariner handed debut; Brooks ruled out
Wests Tigers will look to put Sunday's Townsville heartbreak behind them when they travel to Brisbane to tackle the high-flying Broncos.
Having taken one of the competition heavyweights to the wire, the Tigers should be walking that little bit taller, but the deflating nature of the loss will have left them feeling flat.
The Broncos, meanwhile, continue to march on and are now inside the top four with all their remaining matches against sides currently below them on the ladder.
Their renaissance under the astute leadership of Adam Reynolds has been remarkable and with a top-four finish at their mercy they can dare to dream of a first premiership since 2006.
Match: Broncos v Wests Tigers
Round 20 -
home Team
Broncos
5th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
15th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Rundown
Team news
Broncos: The Broncos are 1-17 with no late changes. Origin winger Selwyn Cobbo (concussion) remains sidelined but Billy Walters (hip) is back on deck at hooker so Jake Turpin goes to the reserves. Delouise Hoeter replaces Jordan Periera (illness) on the wing while Deine Mariner makes his debut at centre pushing Brenko Lee to the reserves.
Wests Tigers: No further changes on game day after Luke Brooks dropped out with a calf injury midweek. Jackson Hastings stays at lock and Jock Madden moves into the side at halfback. Interim coach Brett Kimmorley missed the Cowboys game after testing positive to COVID but he'll be back calling the shots this week, along with football boss Tim Sheens.
Match: Broncos v Wests Tigers
Round 20 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi NiuFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine Laurie
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Brent Naden
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Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a
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Centre for Broncos is number 4 Deine MarinerCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Asu Kepaoa
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Winger for Broncos is number 5 Delouise HoeterWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken Maumalo
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam Doueihi
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 18 Jock Madden
Forwards
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Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas FleglerProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 James Tamou
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Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy WaltersHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Fa'amanu Brown
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Joe Ofahengaue
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Alex Seyfarth
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi
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Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Jackson Hastings
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Cory PaixInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Fonua Pole
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Kobe HetheringtonInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Zane Musgrove
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Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Corey JensenInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Austin Dias
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Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Keenan PalasiaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Tyrone Peachey
Reserves
-
Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Te Maire MartinReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Junior Tupou
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Key match-up
Kotoni Staggs v Brent Naden: With 72 tackle breaks and 10 line breaks for the season, Staggs is one of the most explosive centres in the game and he'll be looking to build up the revs in the run to the finals. Staggs' speed, footwork and power make him a nightmare proposition for defenders and Naden is sure to have his hands full, but his two-try effort against the Cowboys after four weeks on the sideline was all class and he'll be out to finish the season strongly.
Stat Attack
The Tigers have lost their last three matches by a combined total of just 11 points (27-26 to Cowboys, 18-16 to Panthers, 28-20 to Eels). That's a huge improvement on their average losing margin of 24 points between rounds 12-16 against Souths, Manly, Bulldogs and Warriors.
Match: Broncos v Wests Tigers
Round 20 -
home Team
Broncos
5th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
15th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
