Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 26 clash between the Dolphins and Broncos.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Dolphins Vs Brisbane Broncos
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Date: Saturday August 31, 5:30pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jake Averillo, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Jack Bostock, 6. Sean O’Sullivan, 7. Isaiya Katoa, 8. Kenny Bromwich, 9. Max Plath, 10. Mark Nicholls, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Connelly Lemuelu, 13. Ray Stone, 14. Mason Teague, 15. Oryn Keeley, 16. Tesi Niu, 17. Kurt Donoghoe, 18. Lachlan Hubner, 19. Tevita Pangai Junior, 20. Trai Fuller, 21. Anthony Milford, 22. Jeremy Marshall-King
Broncos: 1. Tristan Sailor, 2. Selwyn Cobbo, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Deine Mariner, 5. Jesse Arthars, 6. Josh 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. Benjamin Te Kura, 16. Josiah Karapani, 17. Martin Taupau, 18. Jaiyden Hunt, 19. Fletcher Baker, 20. Corey Oates, 21. Cory Paix, 22. Payne Haas
Referee: Adam Gee
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The semi-finals have arrived in Brisbane two weeks early as the Dolphins prepare to host the Broncos as both desperately try to keep their season alive.
A victory in this match would put either team into the top eight if the Dragons are defeated by Parramatta, while a loss might not necessarily be fatal (unless the Dragons beat the Eels), but they would need four final round results to go their way if they want to reach the finals.
The Dolphins hopes of victory have taken a hit with five-eighth Kodi Nikorima and captain Jesse Bromwich both unavailable due to concussions suffered during their loss against Melbourne. In their places come Sean O’Sullivan and Mark Nicholls respectively, with Nicholls also taking on the captaincy. Josh Kerr also drops off the bench with Mason Teague, Tesi Niu and Kurt Donoghoe all resuming places in the 17. Jeremy Marshall-King and Tevita Pangai Junior have both been named among the reserves and would give a big boost to the team if they are included.
It’s a much more settled line-up for the Broncos, with Kevin Walters only forced into one change to the side that overran the Eels, as Benjamin Te Kura replaces Kobe Hetherington (concussion) on the interchange. In more good news for the Broncos, with Payne Haas included among the reserves as he nears a return from a foot injury.
A lot has been made of the Dolphins form collapse ever since Wayne Bennett signed with South Sydney to return as coach in 2025. The men from Moreton Bay have lost nine of their 12 games since Magic Round, collapsing from fourth to 10th in the process.
It’s an eerily similar story for the Broncos, who have lost eight of their 11 games since Magic Round, dropping from fifth to ninth. In some good news for the Broncos, they have won three of their past five and have a pair of impressive victories over North Queensland and Parramatta in their last two games.
The Broncos have dominated this fledgling rivalry, winning all three of their meetings to date, most recently Round 6 this season.
Suncorp Stadium hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Dolphins this year, losing five of their nine matches there. The Broncos haven’t enjoyed playing there either, with last weekend’s win against Parramatta breaking a five-game losing run at the ground.
Saturday night hasn’t been alright for fighting for the Dolphins, losing 12 of their 18 matches played on Saturday since entering the premiership last year. It hasn’t been much better for the Broncos, who have lost six of their ten Saturday fixtures this year.
With the two teams locked on 26 points, equal with Newcastle and Canberra and two behind St George Illawarra, the two teams know what is riding on this game. A victory could potentially put one of these teams into the top 8 with one round remaining (pending the Dragons result versus the Eels) and at the very least keeps their season alive, while a loss could be fatal.
While the wily old master Wayne Bennett would no doubt love nothing more than to knock the Broncos out of the running for the finals, it’s hard to look past the respective form lines of the two teams and tip against Kevin Walters’ Broncos for the win.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Number Crunch Stats.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Broncos by 6 points.
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