Eight days on from meeting in the final round of the regular season, the Broncos and Storm clash again for the right secure direct qualification to the preliminary final.
While the Storm got up for a 32-22 victory last Thursday at Suncorp Stadium, for a win which lifted them past the Warriors into third spot, that can’t be used too much as a yardstick given both sides will look vastly different as they welcome back the stars they opted to rest in Round 27.
The game will be Brisbane’s first finals appearance since 2018, while for the Storm it’s a case of business as usual as they prepare to play in the post season for the 13th year in a row and do so as a top-four side for the seventh time in the past eight seasons.
While it’s remained a good rivalry throughout, since 2017 games between these two clubs have been one-way traffic with the Storm winning 14 on the trot against Brisbane.
The Broncos will also get little comfort from being at home this week, with 14 years having now passed since their last win over the Storm at Suncorp Stadium. Melbourne meanwhile have enjoyed wins at the venue in four of their past seven visits.
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Team News
Broncos: Kevin Walters' men will line up 1-17 with no late changes. Captain Adam Reynolds (calf) and lock Patrick Carrigan (foot) return in a boost for the home side, alongside the contingent of stars held back from playing in Round 27. Despite being charged with three separate offences last week, Brendan Piakura is good to go after each charge drew a monetary fine, rather than a risk of suspension. Veteran Corey Oates is the 18th Man with Jesse Arthars preferred on the wing.
Storm: Veteran forward Tariq Sims has been added to the bench an hour before kick-off with Bronson Garlick dropping back to 18th Man. Coach Craig Bellamy declared on Thursday that halfback Jahrome Hughes (knee) and hooker Harry Grant (shoulder) were good to go. Ryan Papenhuyzen has been named on the bench and could spend time in the backline or as a middle forward.
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Stat Attack
- The Broncos have not defeated the Storm at Suncorp Stadium since 2009.
- The Storm have won their past 14 games against the Broncos (and 24 of the past 26).
- The Broncos have won only one of their past six finals matches.
- Reece Walsh has made 44 handling errors in 19 games this year, 11 more than the next worst offender, Dom Young.
- The Storm (80.6) are one of four teams to average an above 80 percent completion rate in 2023, while the Broncos complete at 76.9 percent on average.
- Brisbane have won seven, lost five as the home team in 2023, while the Storm have the same record as the away team this season.
- Harry Grant runs from dummy-half more than any other player in the NRL, at an average of 6.6 per game.
- Storm super-sub Ryan Papenhuyzen has scored seven tries in four games against the Broncos.
- Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo has scored 20 tries in 24 games at Suncorp Stadium.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.