Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 24 clash between the Parramatta Eels and Brisbane Broncos.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Brisbane Broncos Vs Parramatta Eels
Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane
Date: Friday August 11, 8:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Brendan Piakura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Corey Jensen 19. Xavier Willison 20. Tristan Sailor 21. Jock Madden 22. Jordan Pereira
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Will Penisini 4. Daejarn Asi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Andrew Davey 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Brendan Hands 18. Makahesi Makatoa 19. Waqa Blake 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Jack Murchie
Referee: Adam Gee
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
A blockbuster encounter awaits as the Broncos chase their first minor premiership since 2000, while the Eels continue to fight for a finals spot in 2023.
Last week, the Broncos were able to shake off any notion that they were reliant on Adam Reynolds with a convincing win over their rivals in the North Queensland Cowboys. He returns this week, as does Kobe Hetherington and Jordan Riki. They are close to full strength and have every chance of finishing the regular season on top of the ladder if they can keep winning.
Meanwhile, the Eels survived a frightening surge from the St George-Illawarra Dragons to keep their season alive. To feature in the finals, they will need to win at least two of their final three games, with many other teams also vying for the positions between five to eight. It won’t be easy, given they are up against the Broncos, Sydney Roosters, and the Penrith Panthers. They’ve made a few changes this week, with Daejarn Asi moving into the centre position, moving Bailey Simmonsson to the wing, and Brendan Hands shifting onto the bench after a rest last week.
The Broncos’ outside backs will be eyeing up the Eels’ defence. Last week, the Dragons found plenty of success by shifting it wide, with the Eels defence regularly struggling to defend their edges. A common deficiency in their game, it will be all the harder when they find themselves defending the likes of Kotoni Staggs and Herbie Farnworth. Patrick Carrigan, who tends to be a line speed general, will be encouraging his middle forwards to give the Eels limited time to make decisions and force errors, which was another issue stemming from their performance last week.
For the Eels, it’s about doing the little things well. Though they completed well last week, they gave away far too many errors and penalties. On most occasions, this allowed the Dragons to march up the field and capitalise. Bryce Cartwright exemplified the Eels’ season, with moments of brilliance where he looked unstoppable, coupled with unforgivable errors that cruelled their momentum. The Eels forwards need to assert themselves and win the middle to keep the Broncos’ skilful backs at bay. Should they fail to do that, the Broncos could find points across the field.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Broncos 3, Eels 7
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Broncos by 8 points.
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