Thursday night’s clash at Suncorp Stadium may not carry finals implications, but it will provide the first look at the NRL’s experimental optional kick-off rule. The Broncos are coming off a remarkable comeback victory over Canberra, while Melbourne welcome back Jahrome Hughes as they look to finish a disappointing season on a positive note. With both teams eager to build momentum heading into the off-season and a new rule set to take centre stage, this rivalry promises plenty of intrigue despite the absence of finals stakes.

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Matchday Details

Thursday, 27 August 2026 – 7:50pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
📺 Nine Network / Nine Now / Kayo / Foxtel
Referee: Wyatt Raymond | Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Brisbane Broncos: 1. Hayze Perham, 2. Josiah Karapani, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Deine Mariner, 5. Grant Anderson, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Xavier Willison, 9. Billy Walters, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Jaiyden Hunt, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan (c), 14. Blake Mozer, 15. Aublix Tawha, 16. Jack Gosiewski, 17. Va’a Semu, 18. Thomas Duffy, 19. Gehamat Shibasaki, 20. Ben Talty, 21. Jesse Arthars, 22. Luke Gale

Melbourne Storm: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo, 2. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown, 3. Tyran Wishart, 4. Nick Meaney, 5. Moses Leo, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Stefano Utoikamanu, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Josh King, 11. Shawn Blore, 12. Oryn Keeley, 13. Trent Loiero, 14. Trent Toelau, 15. Alec MacDonald, 16. Jack Hetherington, 17. Cooper Clarke, 18. Angus Hinchey, 19. Marion Seve, 20. Davvy Moale, 21. Hugo Peel, 22. Hayden Watson

Match Preview

In previous years, the late-season Brisbane vs Melbourne game at Suncorp Stadium has been a finals preview. Brisbane’s 30-14 win in Round 27 last year saw them finish fourth and set up their incredible premiership run.

With Melbourne and Brisbane both out of finals contention this year, Thursday night’s game will be the first trial of the new kick-off rule, which was delayed after a backlash from clubs.

The proposed rule change gives teams that concede points the option to restart by either kicking off or receiving the football. It will likely be used by teams chasing points late in games, though we won’t know for sure until we see it in action. Whether it’s brought in next season will depend on the reaction to it over the next two weeks.

Melbourne lost their final home game of the season last weekend, though they fought back from 22-0 down against Penrith before falling 22-14. But a disallowed try to Harry Grant could have gotten the Storm close enough to steal the win.

For the second time in (nearly) 12 months, Brisbane spoilt Canberra’s fairytale. The farewell for Josh Papalii at GIO Stadium seemed to be going to plan when the Raiders led 30-16. But – just like last year’s qualifying final – the Broncos found 15 minutes of magic to win 34-30, with a double to Grant Anderson.

Melbourne have dominated this rivalry since they joined the NRL in 1998: 43 wins to 17 and one draw, though the Broncos won both Grand Finals (2006, 2025). Suncorp Stadium is almost a second home for the Storm: 32 wins, 13 losses, one draw, and 13 wins in a row from 2017 to 2021. Brisbane won the Round 3 clash against Melbourne at AAMI Park, coming back from 14-0 at half-time to win 18-14.

While Melbourne have shown a willingness to fight even after their finals hopes ended, Brisbane have won just two games since Round 9, and their win over Canberra (which came from nowhere) saved them from a potential wooden spoon. Brisbane’s poor home record this season (2-11, including two ‘away’ losses to the Warriors and Dolphins) will give Melbourne even more confidence.

No changes for Brisbane. Adam Reynolds will be denied a Suncorp Stadium farewell after failing to recover from the injury that has sidelined him since Round 22, and he will not be available for the Broncos’ final two matches. He leaves with 323 first grade games (231 for South Sydney and 92 for Brisbane), 2,598 points (second behind Cameron Smith as the highest point-scorer in Australian rugby league history), and two premierships (2014, 2025).

Jahrome Hughes returns for Melbourne, with Tyran Wishart moving to the centres (replacing Jack Howarth, who will have surgery on a shoulder injury). Marion Seve joins the interchange bench.

The key match-up will be a battle of the experienced halves: Ben Hunt and Hughes. Hunt has switched between starting half and the bench in his 16 games this season, depending on when Reynolds has been available. Hunt had 421 kicking metres and two try assists against Canberra last Friday, kicking for Anderson’s second try and offloading to Perham for the winning try, to break the Raiders’ spirits again (after his 93rd minute field goal in the qualifying final). While Melbourne’s season effectively ended weeks ago, Hughes’ return will give him some match fitness before the World Cup. If he gets through the next two games, then he’ll almost certainly be the New Zealand halfback, where he’ll be aiming to win the Kiwis’ first World Cup since 2008.

Prediction

RLZ Tip: Storm by 4.
Full Round 26 tips → /nrl-round-26-predictions-2026/
Bold call: Both Brisbane and Melbourne to use the optional kick-off at least once each.

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Andrew Pelechaty
Web Content Editor for Rugby League Zone.

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