Matchday Details
Saturday, August 16 – 5:30pm (AEST) – Suncorp Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Wyatt Raymond | Bunker: Chris Butler
Broncos
1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Billy Walters 7. Ben Hunt 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Jaiyden Hunt 18. Jesse Arthars 19 Va’a Semu 20. Jock Madden 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Josh Rogers
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Max Feagai 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Mark Nicholls 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Aublix Tawha 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Ray Stone 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Josh Kerr 17. Kenneath Bromwich 18. Peter Hola 19. LJ Nonu 20. Trai Fuller 21. Harrison Graham 22. James Walsh
Match Preview
The sixth Battle of Brisbane – featuring the Broncos and Dolphins – is ready to be unleashed on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium, and there’s plenty riding on the outcome.
Both teams are in the mix for finals football, and both teams took a hit to those chances last weekend. The Broncos suffered their now traditional loss in Melbourne and fell behind Penrith and the Warriors in the chase for a top four spot, while the Dolphins could have almost sealed a finals berth by beating their nearest competitor the Roosters, but instead were thrashed by a record margin and conceded a record score.
So effectively, aside from local bragging rights, each side has the chance to dent the other team’s chances of finals football. A win for the Dolphins will not only help towards finals football for the first time, but will see them overtake their local rivals. A loss could see them out of the top eight. The Broncos could end the weekend anywhere between fifth and ninth depending on results from the Battle of Brisbane and elsewhere.
Who knows, this game could be a preview of week one of the finals? The NRL will be rubbing their hands at that prospect.
But back to round 24, and the Broncos have some major injuries to deal with ahead of the big game. They lost their halves pairing in Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam in one Storm line break last weekend, but they do have some decent replacements. The Broncos’ tactic of having too many hookers on their books is now paying off as they have shifted their two hookers from last weekend – Billy Walters and Ben Hunt – into five eighth and halfback respectively, and have called in Corey Paix and Tyson Smoothy to start at hooker and come off the bench. Josh Rogers and Jock Madden are named among the reserves in case Michael Maguire changes his mind. Selwyn Cobbo was also injured last weekend and has been replaced by Josiah Karapani, although Jess Arthars is also on the reserves list.
The Dolphins know a thing or two about injuries, given they have one of the NRL’s biggest injury list, but the only thing hurt last weekend was their finals chances and pride. They are however missing Francis Molo who is out suspended, depleting an already thin forward pack. Kenny Bromwich is named to play his first game in months, and his experience in big games will be a plus, although he will be going well to make up for the firepower of Francis Molo.
Forward firepower is where the Broncos have the advantage over the Dolphins, mainly through Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan, but Xavier Willison aside their starting pack is almost full strength. Given the Broncos’ forced changes in the halves, that gives the Dolphins a major advantage given their settled halves duo, and Isaiya Katoa himself is one of the form halfbacks in 2025. One even battle on paper is at the back with Reece Walsh and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. The Broncos’ number one arguably having a little more flair, but the Dolphins fullback is arguably more reliable for more of the time, and the Hammer isn’t short on scoring tries. He is the leading try-scorer after all.
As for stats, the Broncos lead the Battle of Brisbane H2H by 4-1, with the Dolphins’ only win coming last season on a Saturday at Suncorp Stadium, which is rather convenient for them heading into this weekend. Queensland derbies are working for the Broncos this season, having won all four games vs Queensland opposition this season, and three of those games being at Suncorp Stadium. The Dolphins’ success against Queensland sides comes on a Saturday, having won five in a row on a Saturday vs Queensland sides. Your obscure stat of the week – the last three times the Dolphins have scored 12 points this season and lost, they have won the following week.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Dolphins by 10.
See our full Round 24 Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 24 Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
Related Links
- Round 24 Late Mail
- 2025 NRL Round 23 Injury List
