The Broncos will square off against the Storm on Thursday night football to open up Round 12 in the NRL season! The Storm will be hunting a win to consolidate 2nd spot on the ladder while the Broncos are in desperate need of points to climb out of the depths. See our full preview and betting tips courtesy of Greg Davis below.
Brisbane Broncos v Melbourne Storm
Suncorp Stadium, Thursday May 27th, 7.50pm
BRISBANE
1. Jamayne Isaako 2. Xavier Coates 3. Herbie Farnworth 4. Jesse Arthars 5. David Mead 6. Anthony Milford 7. Albert Kelly 8. Rhys Kennedy 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Keenan Palasia 12. Tevita Pangai Jnr 13. Tom Flegler. Interchange: 14. Kobe Hetherington 15. John Asiata 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. TC Robati 18. Dale Copley 19. Selwyn Cobbo 20. Richard Kennar 21. Cory Paix
MELBOURNE
1.Nicho Hynes 2. George Jennings 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Chris Lewis 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11.Felise Kaufusi 12. Tom Eisenhuth 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange:14. Aaron Booth 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Trent Loiero 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 18. Dean Ieremia 19. Isaac Lumelume 20. Aaron Pene 21. Cooper Johns
CAN lightning strike two times in two weeks for Brisbane?
There will certainly be Storm activity at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night but history suggests the answer to that question is “no”. A hard “no” too.
The Broncos are riding high after a stunning 34-16 win over the Sydney Roosters at the SCG last Saturday night that is surely the upset of the 2021 NRL season.
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has declared the victory for the ages as a turning point for the one-time glamour club that has had more drama, twists and turns in recent times than a month’s worth of “The Bold and the Beautiful’’ episodes.
Even long-time Bronco haters would not have begrudged Brisbane the right to enjoy the incredible result.
But celebrations would have been short-lived because Brisbane knew who was next – the ultimate party poopers, the purple powerhouse of the Melbourne Storm.
If any team is going to bring the Broncos back down to earth with an almighty thud, it is Craig Bellamy’s men who, quite simply, own Brisbane.
The Storm have won the last nine clashes between the clubs with the 40-6 thumping in Round 4 the most recent victory that is best remembered for Ryan Papenhuyzen’s four tries in 11 minutes.
The last time that Brisbane beat Melbourne was 2016. The last time they beat the Storm at Suncorp Stadium was 2009.
Melbourne have 22 wins from 26 appearances at the old Lang Park and have got the chocolates 35 times in 49 meetings overall with Brisbane.
So they have been living rent-free inside Brisbane’s head for quite some time.
While Brisbane deserve the plaudits for their win over the Roosters, Melbourne’s 34-10 victory over Canberra was impressive in its own right.
The Storm were without their entire first-choice spine with Papenhuyzen, Cam Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant all sidelined with fill-in fullback Nicho Hynes kicking five goals and running for 206 metres with one try assist and two linebreak assists.
What is it about Melbourne and their fullback production line – Slater, Papenhuyzen and now Hynes?
Hynes is keen to talk terms with Brisbane about 2022 and beyond to get out of Papenhuyzen’s shadow and establish himself as a starting fullback in the NRL and he gets the chance to drive up his price against the Broncos.
Suspensions means Tyson Gamble and Mat Lodge are out of the Broncos side with million dollar dud Anthony Milford coming into the squad while Melbourne get Hughes back in the no.7 jumper.
There is no concern about Melbourne’s replacements getting the job done. The next-soldier-up mentality at the Storm means they will know their role and execute it.
They have been doing that for years with the purple jersey being the NRL’s version of the Superman cape.
The Storm will be too strong at their Suncorp Stadium fortress with reality to bite the Broncos hard.
Nicho Hynes 1st Try
$12.00
