The last time the Broncos won the minor premiership their coach Kevin Walters was captain and the great Darren Lockyer was causing havoc from the fullback position.
With Walters now guiding the club's fortunes and Reece Walsh the new No.1 gun at Red Hill, the Broncos have given themselves a huge chance of finishing on top for the first time since 2000.
They went on to win the premiership that season so the omens are good for a Brisbane side that has won seven of its last eight and racked up 112 points across the past three weeks in disposing of the Roosters, Rabbitohs and Bulldogs.
The Cowboys had been every bit as impressive during the past six weeks but hit a hurdle at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday when their much-vaunted attack failed to fire and they fell to the Titans.
Just two competition points separate the Rabbitohs in sixth and the Eels in 11th so every match from here on in shapes as a mini-final for sides like the Cowboys, who sit eighth on 26 points.
If they can rebound against one of the genuine premiership contenders this week they can set themselves up for a late charge at a top-four finish but a loss could drop them down as far as 11th on the ladder.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Team news
Cowboys: Just the one forced change from the squad named mid-week, which sees Kyle Feldt come in for the suspended Val Holmes. Griffin Neame (head knock) and Heilum Luki (facial fracture) both return via the bench, while powerhouse Jason Taumalolo is back in the starting side as a prop.
Broncos: No further late changes after halfback Adam Reynolds (groin) and bench forward Kobe Hetherington (back cork) withdrew from the squad on Friday morning and were replaced by Jock Madden and Xavier Willison respectively. Brendan Piakura (illness) and Jesse Arthars (suspension) return to action, while Jordan Riki is the 18th man after being included in the squad for the first time since suffering a foot injury in Round 17.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Stat attack
- Rival fullbacks Scott Drinkwater and Reece Walsh both sit in the top five for try assists in 2023, Drinkwater leads the NRL with 23 and Walsh has 18.
- Only Parramatta (507) have scored more points this season than the Broncos (504).
- The Cowboys have won their past six games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
- The Broncos have scored 144 points in their past four games.
- Cowboys left winger Murray Taulagi has scored five tries in his past three games at QCB Stadium.
- Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam has scored six tries in his past eight games.
- Right winger Semi Valemei has scored eight tries in seven games for the Cowboys.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.