The Broncos and Eels go into the final round of the NRLW regular season on the Central Coast needing a win each to advance to the finals.
Brisbane suffered a heart-breaking one-point loss to the Dragons in golden point last week and now require a win to move into fourth spot.
However, if they were to be beaten by the winless Eels, the blue and gold could remarkably still make the finals on for and against if other results were to go their way.
It's been a lean month for both sides with just one win between them, but with the talent in each team, whoever wins here will have some momentum going into the finals.
The Broncos last met the Eels in March with Kelvin Wright's side racking up a 38-4 win. However, the once-dominant Broncos have been in a slump since then, dropping four of their last five matches.
Match: Broncos v Eels
Round 5 -
home Team
Broncos
5th Position
away Team
Eels
4th Position
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
The Rundown
Team news
Broncos: Amber Hall moves from the second row to prop, with Chelsea Lenareduzzi now coming off the bench. Hannah Larsson gets a start in the second row. Tallisha Harden is out in a blow for the Broncos, with Sophie Holyman moving into the starting side at lock and Nita Maynard coming on to the bench.
Eels: Kennedy Cherrington (prop) and Brooke Anderson (hooker) are both promoted to the starting side, with Filomina Hanisi and Shirley Mailangi reverting to the bench. Rueben Cherrington withdrew from the side in the 24-hour team update, replaced on the bench by Najvada George.
Match: Broncos v Eels
Round 5 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Hayley MaddickFullback for Eels is number 1 Gayle Broughton
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Julia RobinsonWinger for Eels is number 2 Zali Fay
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Jaime ChapmanCentre for Eels is number 3 Tiana Penitani
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Centre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae CiesiolkaCentre for Eels is number 4 Rikeya Horne
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Emily BassWinger for Eels is number 5 Cassey Tohi-Hiku
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Tarryn AikenFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ashleigh Quinlan
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali BrigginshawHalfback for Eels is number 7 Tayla Preston
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausalaProp for Eels is number 10 Ellie Johnston
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jada FergusonHooker for Eels is number 21 Brooke Anderson
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Prop for Broncos is number 12 Amber HallProp for Eels is number 14 Kennedy Cherrington
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jasmine Fogavini2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Christian Pio
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 15 Hannah Larsson2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki
-
Lock for Broncos is number 16 Sophie HolymanLock for Eels is number 13 Simaima Taufa
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 10 Chelsea LenarduzziInterchange for Eels is number 8 Filomina Hanisi
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Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Amy TurnerInterchange for Eels is number 9 Seli Mailangi
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Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Brianna ClarkInterchange for Eels is number 19 Najvada George
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Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Nita MaynardInterchange for Eels is number 22 Rima Butler
Reserves
-
Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Paige ParkerReplacement for Eels is number 18 Abbi Church
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key match-up
Tarryn Aiken v Ash Quinlan: Two former touch football stars go head-to-head at five-eighth with the pair looking to have their respective left edges firing this week. Aiken has been just about the Broncos' best player while Quinlan came in for her first match in Round 2 and has looked threatening at times for the Eels but is yet to record a try assist. Her halves combination with Tayla Preston is crucial if the visitors are to cause an upset over the Broncos.
Stat attack
The Broncos only sit behind the Roosters for most possession (52%) on average per game, have had more runs than any other NRLW side and are well-ahead of all in the offload department, but have struggled to really hit their mark in attack. The side's last tackle options have been a concern and overall they rank sixth in total kick metres. Goal kicking is also an issue with the side converting just three of 14 tries all season.
Witness all six NRLW teams competing on the same day, at the same stadium, with a triple header blockbuster at Central Coast Stadium on September 18. Family tickets start from only $20. Adult’s from just $5 and kids FREE with a paying adult. Secure your seats at NRL.com/tickets.
