Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 25 clash between the Brisbane Broncos and the Parramatta Eels.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Brisbane Broncos Vs Parramatta Eels
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Date: Friday August 23, 8:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Broncos: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Joshua Rogers 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau 18. Benjamin Te Kura 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Cory Paix 22. Corey Oates
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Shaun Lane 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Joey Lussick 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Luca Moretti 17. Dan Keir 18. Jake Tago 19. Matt Doorey 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Morgan Harper 22. Ofahiki Ogden
Referee: Todd Smith
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
Two sides desperate for different reasons promise an exciting contest. The Broncos, on the home side, find themselves very close to missing out on the top eight after making the Grand Final in 2023. They need to win. Their opposition, the Eels, have long accepted that fate and are desperate to find a couple of more wins before the season’s end to avoid finishing last.
The Broncos found a resounding return to form before their bye, with a 42-18 win over the Cowboys. This snapped a two-game losing streak that had seen them have 40 put on them in consecutive weeks. At 24 points, their season is very close to over, but they are mathematically a chance if they can keep winning.
Meanwhile, the Eels found themselves up against it when they faced the Roosters last week, with two sin bins diminishing any chances of remaining competitive. Despite this, the score could have been far worse than it ended up, and they could never be accused of having thrown in the towel. With three games of the season to go, they’ve shown enough fight of late to snag a couple of wins before the season’s end.
The Broncos will be missing their superstar Reece Walsh, with Tristan Sailor to fill the void. The only other change is the return of Selwyn Cobbo, who has been out since round 21.
Meanwhile, Maika Sivo returns for the Eels, replacing Jake Tago. Kelma Tuilagi moves to the starting side and Shaun Lane will start at prop in place of Wiremu Greig. Finally, Luca Moretti returns from injury and will start from the bench.
When desperation meets desperation, anything can happen. The Broncos have been brilliant, and terrible, at times throughout the year. On paper, at home, they should have enough to win, however, not even that has been enough of late. The big advantage they have over the Eels is a genuine halfback. If Adam Reynolds has his way, he could very well steer them towards a win.
The depleted Eels have been brave, and often the only difference between the sides they’ve faced has been the class of their opposition’s line-up. They will find themselves in that same position for this one. Their captain, Clint Gutherson, has been inspirational in recent weeks and they’ll need every ounce of effort from him for this one. Their middle is arguably up to the Broncos’ slightly depleted pack, and as such, they should find themselves advantaged if they take it on.
Ultimately, this could be a tight one.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Number Crunch Stats.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Eels by 2 points.
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