The Eels host the Broncos in the opening clash of Round 19 in the NRL this Thursday night from CommBank Stadium. The action gets underway at 7.50pm and as usual, Greg Davis has his full preview and NRL betting tips below.
Parramatta Eels vs Brisbane Broncos Betting Tips
CommBank Stadium, Parramatta, Thursday 7.50pm (AEST)
Squads
Parramatta
1.Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali'i 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Jakob Arthur 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Marata Niukore 18. Ky Rodwell 19. Ofahiki Ogden 20. Bryce Cartwright 21. Tom Opacic 22. Sean Russell
Brisbane
1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Brenko Lee 5. Jordan Pereira 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Deine Mariner 19. Zac Hosking 20. Rhys Kennedy 21. Delouise Hoeter 22. Te Maire Martin
Match Preview
THE Baby Broncos have batted above their average and the big boys are back for Brisbane for the battle with Parramatta on Thursday night.
That was a lot of Bs. Here’s some more.
It is a bona fide blockbuster between two sides with bulging fan bases that are eyeing September action and this clash is a genuine four-point game with the winner remaining in the frame for a top four finish and the loser facing a tough task to qualify for the double chance.
Without their Origin stars, Brisbane have beaten both St George Illawarra and Gold Coast to maintain the momentum of the marvellous turnaround at Red Hill in 2022.
And with Queensland’s glorious series win in the rear-view mirror, the Broncos welcome back a star-studded contingent for the difficult trip to Parramatta.
Wally Lewis Medallist for Player of the Origin series Patrick Carrigan, Payne Haas, Kurt Capewell and Corey Oates are back from Origin duties while prop Corey Jensen, Cory Paix and Te Maire Martin also return to the squad from injury.
Winger Selwyn Cobbo remains sidelined after his head knock in Origin 3 that NSW five-eighth Jarome Luai enjoyed way too much.
At the Eels, they get back some forward power with Ryan Matterson returning while Bryce Cartwright is in the wider squad. Prop Junior Paulo has had a light week on the training track after backing up from Origin last week.
Parramatta have dominated Brisbane in recent times with six wins from the past seven meetings between the clubs.
In the last five matchups, the Eels have triumphed by an average margin of 29 points.
But the Broncos of 2022 are a different beast. More like thoroughbreds than draught horses.
They have prided themselves on getting to Sydney and taking care of business like the sides of yesteryear.
Parramatta is 5-2 in their home games this year with the hard-fought 28-18 win over New Zealand last Friday their most recent success.
Rival halfbacks Adam Reynolds and Mitch Moses face off for the first time since Reynolds headed north but they enjoyed some ding-dong duels when the Broncos captain was with the Rabbitohs.
In a contest that will be as even as this one, some brilliance from a player with the no.7 on their back could be the difference. It will be physical up-front with both backlines capable of piling on points. It should be a cracker.
Brisbane have been in a mid-season camp plotting Parramatta’s demise and they might just do it in a hostile environment. Just.
Prop Bet:
Kurt Capewell 1st Try ($34)
Broncos +3.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
