The most crucial match of Round 7 will kick off on Saturday when the Broncos take on the Sharks at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
All eyes will be on this game given the Broncos currently sit in fifth spot and are two points clear of the next best Sharks, with a four-point buffer on offer for Scott Prince's side if they're able to win a fourth match of the season.
Victory over the Sharks will put further pressure on the Raiders and Titans to conjure up wins in Round 7 or face the prospect of the Broncos leapfrogging them on the ladder.
Cronulla started their inaugural season with plenty of promise but have fallen away in the past month with three losses. They must win their final three games to put themselves in with a chance to play finals footy.
Match: Broncos v Sharks
Round 7 -
home Team
Broncos
4th Position
away Team
Sharks
7th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team news
Broncos: Ashleigh Werner (head knock) will play. Ali Brigginshaw broke her nose against the Raiders and despite looking unrecognisable this week she will also take her place at halfback. No changes when the teams were finalised 60 minutes before kick-off.
Sharks: Tegan Dymock will start in the front-row in a late swap with Cassie Staples. No other changes after there were two forced in the backline on Tuesday with Annessa Biddle (suspension) and Andie Robinson (knee) sidelined. Staples and former Kiwi Fern Kiana Takairangi come in for the pair. Maddie Studdon is the 18th player.
Match: Broncos v Sharks
Round 7 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Hayley MaddickFullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada Taylor
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Julia RobinsonWinger for Sharks is number 2 Georgia Ravics
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Mele HufangaCentre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani
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Centre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae CiesiolkaCentre for Sharks is number 4 Cassie Staples
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Winger for Broncos is number 5 Ashleigh WernerWinger for Sharks is number 5 Kiana Takairangi
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Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Gayle BroughtonFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Emma Tonegato
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali BrigginshawHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Tayla Preston
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausalaProp for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Destiny BrillHooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Brianna ClarkProp for Sharks is number 17 Tegan Dymock
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Tazmin Rapana2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Mariah DenmanLock for Sharks is number 13 Holli Wheeler
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Jada FergusonInterchange for Sharks is number 10 Chloe Saunders
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Tafito LafaeleInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Sereana Naitokatoka
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Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Chelsea LenarduzziInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Harata Butler
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Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Lauren DamInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Brooke Anderson
Reserves
-
Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Jasmine FogaviniReplacement for Sharks is number 19 Maddie Studdon
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Belinda Sharpe
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Both sides are averaging 17 points conceded per game this season.
- The Broncos have won three of their past four games by an average of 23 points
- Cronulla lead the competition in kick metres with 2,238 for the season
