Matchday Details
Friday 25th July – 8:00pm (AEST) – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Todd Smith | Bunker: Ashley Klein
Brisbane Broncos
1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Xavier Willison 9. Ben Hunt 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Corey Jensen 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Deine Mariner 20. Selwyn Cobbo 21. Ben Talty 22. Jaiyden Hunt
Parramatta Eels
1. Joash Papali’i 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dean Hawkins 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Dan Keir 19. Jordan Samrani 20. Bailey Simonsson 21. Toni Mataele 22. Dylan Brown
Match Preview
The fifth-placed Broncos host the second-last Eels in a Friday night clash that sees two teams on very different trajectories. Brisbane is still pushing for a top-four finish, while Parramatta, already out of finals contention, are focused on building toward 2026 and avoiding the wooden spoon.
It’s a big boost for the Broncos with winger Jesse Arthars set to return from a rib injury, while superstar prop Payne Haas comes back into the starting side for the first time since Origin. Corey Jensen is also expected to return from a calf issue and has been named on the bench, giving Brisbane some added grunt through the middle.
The Eels will be buoyed by the return of their captain Mitchell Moses, who brings control, energy, and a world-class kicking game to the spine. However, they’ll be without fullback Isaiah Iongi, likely ruled out for the rest of the season. Joash Papalii shifts to the back to cover, while Jason Ryles continues his development focus by naming Dean Hawkins at five-eighth ahead of Dylan Brown.
When these two sides last met in 2024, the Broncos held on for a 30-24 win. They’ve now won their last four meetings against Parramatta, and coming into this one at home, they’ll be confident of extending that streak.
There are plenty of fascinating matchups across the park. None more so than the clash between the two halfbacks and captains—Adam Reynolds and Mitch Moses. Both are among the top playmakers of the modern era. Moses’ ability to find the corner post from anywhere on the field with the boot is unmatched, and it’s a threat Brisbane must contain if they want to control territory.
Up front, it’s a battle of the big men, with Payne Haas locking horns with Junior Paulo. Paulo has remained a steady presence for the Eels this season, even as the side has struggled. Haas, meanwhile, returns from Origin with a point to prove and will be looking to dominate the middle in what could be a statement performance as Brisbane approach the business end of the year.
A milestone to watch—Adam Reynolds is just 14 points away from reaching 2,500 career points. Should he hit that mark, he would become just the second player in NRL history, after Cameron Smith, to do so.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Brisbane Broncos by 12.
See our full Round 21 Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 21 Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
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