Just when the Broncos saw some light at the end of the tunnel with a drought-breaking defeat of the Bulldogs in round nine, they were sent straight back to the drawing board with last week's 48-0 drubbing from the Tigers.
On-field leadership was sorely lacking as the score steadily blew out against the Tigers and that might be Brisbane's most glaring issue.
There wasn't a single positive note in their performance and coach Anthony Seibold has a huge challenge on his hands to drag his team off the canvas once again.
The Storm are coming off a relatively easy win over the Titans and will like their chances on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Match: Broncos v Storm
Round 11 -
home Team
Broncos
15th Position
away Team
Storm
2nd Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Rundown
Team news
Broncos: Anthony Milford, who has moved to fullback for the injured Tesi Niu, is set to play despite a hamstring issue, undergoing a fitness test on Thursday and will take his place unless it flares up before kick-off.
Tom Dearden will start at halfback and Brodie Croft moves to the No.6 jersey as part of the selection shake-up at Brisbane.
Kotoni Staggs and Herbie Farnworth return from injury at centre and wing respectively in place of Richie Kennar and Jamayne Isaako.
Corey Oates is out with a leg injury, Cory Paix starts at hooker for the suspended Issac Luke, Joe Ofahengaue and Tevita Pangai jnr are the new starting second row with Tom Flegler starting at prop and Ben Te'o dropping to the bench.
Tyson Gamble and Rhys Kennedy are the new faces on the interchange. The Broncos have not defeated the Storm at Suncorp Stadium since 2009.
Richie Kennar and Ethan Bullemor were omitted from the squad on game day after Pride Petterson-Robati and Kobe Hetherington were trimmed from the reserves 24 hours before kick-off.
Storm: Suli Vunivalu returns on the wing for Melbourne with Paul Momirovski moving to the bench and Marion Seve and Darryn Schonig dropping out of the squad an hour before kick-off.
Chris Lewis and Ryley Jacks were cut from the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off. The Storm have won their past seven games against the Broncos.
Match: Broncos v Storm
Round 11 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Anthony MilfordFullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Herbie FarnworthWinger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Storm is number 3 Brenko Lee
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Darius BoydCentre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Storm is number 19 Suliasi Vunivalu
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Brodie CroftFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Tom DeardenHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas FleglerProp for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory PaixHooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron Smith
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Storm is number 17 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Joe Ofahengaue2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Storm is number 13 Dale Finucane
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Tyson GambleInterchange for Storm is number 2 Paul Momirovski
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Rhys KennedyInterchange for Storm is number 8 Brandon Smith
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Jamil HopoateInterchange for Storm is number 15 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Ben Te'oInterchange for Storm is number 16 Albert Vete
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Peter Gough
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Anthony Milford v Cameron Munster. Milford has the talent to be a top-flight playmaker and is certainly paid like one, but aside from the occasional flash of brilliance he has never truly reached his potential and plenty of Broncos fans have run out of patience.
Munster successfully returned from injury last week against the Titans and will be looking to wreak havoc in his clash with Milford.
Stat Attack
Friday's game could be a cricket score if recent history is any guide. Melbourne romped to a 40-4 victory in their only meeting with the Broncos last year, with seven players scoring tries. The entire front row of Jesse Bromwich, Cam Smith and Christian Welch crossed the stripe in that round 20 meeting, while backrower Kenny Bromwich also scored, ensuring the Storm forwards claimed bragging rights over the backs.
