Broncos v Knights: Hoeter in for Lee; Klemmer late withdrawal
The Broncos have slipped from fourth to seventh on the back of losses to the Roosters and Tigers and must steady the ship at home in Round 22.
With games against the Storm and Eels still to come it's crucial that Kevin Walters' men take care of business against the 15th-placed Knights and get their defence back in order after conceding 66 points in the past fortnight.
The Knights are coming off a morale-boosting win over Wests Tigers and will fancy their chances of an upset on the back of Daniel Saifiti, Tyson Frizell and Mitch Barnett up front and Dane Gagai out wide.
After conceding 148 points at an average of 37 per game between Round 17-20, the Knights found some resolve against Wests Tigers and will need a similarly committed performance if they are to put the clamps on the Broncos.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Broncos v Knights
The Rundown
Team news
Broncos: Ryan James will start the game at lock and Kobe Hetherington moves to the bench. Cory Paix is 18th Man.
Centre Brenko Lee is out after he experienced hamstring tightness at training on Wednesday and was unable to take his place in Friday's captain's run. He is replaced by Delouise Hoeter. After making a successful return from a rib injury for Wynnum Manly on Sunday, Te Maire Martin is back in the No.1 jersey.making a successful return from a rib injury for Wynnum Manly on Sunday. In the pack Billy Walters has been named to start at hooker with Jake Turpin on the bench.
Knights: No further game day changes after prop David Klemmer withdrew on Friday with a knee injury. He is replaced in the starting side by Jacob Saifiti, with Sauaso Sue added to the bench.
Adam Clune is back in the No.7 jersey in place of Jake Clifford, who played several minutes with a fractured arm in the win over Wests Tigers and underwent corrective surgery on Tuesday to repair the fracture. Mitch Barnett is out with a thumb injury, replaced at lock by Mat Croker.
Match: Broncos v Knights
Round 22 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Te Maire MartinFullback for Knights is number 1 Tex Hoy
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Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Knights is number 2 Enari Tuala
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Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Broncos is number 21 Delouise HoeterCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn CobboWinger for Knights is number 5 Dominic Young
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Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Anthony Milford
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Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Knights is number 7 Adam Clune
Forwards
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Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas FleglerProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
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Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy WaltersHooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Brodie Jones
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Lock for Broncos is number 19 Ryan JamesLock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker
Interchange
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Interchange for Broncos is number 13 Kobe HetheringtonInterchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
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Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Jake TurpinInterchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
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Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Rhys KennedyInterchange for Knights is number 17 Simi Sasagi
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Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Corey JensenInterchange for Knights is number 19 Sauaso Sue
Reserves
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Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Cory PaixReplacement for Knights is number 18 Jack Johns
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Key match-up
Payne Haas v Daniel Saifiti: Two of the NRL's premier big men match motors in a clash that will shake the foundations of Suncorp Staduum. Haas is averaging 168 metres per game in 2022 and continues to set the standard for all Brisbane's fowards to follow. Stung by his Origin snub, Saifiti has responded with 422 running metres in the past three games as well as getting through a power of work defensively.
Stat Attack
The Knights have won more games away from home this season (4) than they have at McDonald Jones Stadium (2). They beat the Roosters at the SCG in round one, the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium in Magic Round, the Warriors in Redcliffe in round 12 and Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium in round 21.
Match: Broncos v Knights
Round 22 -
home Team
Broncos
6th Position
away Team
Knights
14th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
