The Broncos continue to enjoy an outstanding season and have now registered wins over the top four sides from last season.
After taking down the Panthers in Round 1, Cowboys in Round 2 and Eels in Round 8, Kevin Walters' men completed the sweep of last year's heavyweights with an impressive 20-12 victory over the Sharks in Round 14.
Any doubts about their ability to match it with the big guns have been well and truly dispelled and with matches against the Knights, Titans and Dolphins as well as two byes in the next five weeks, the Broncos are on track for a top-four finish.
With Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan leading the way up front and veteran playmaker Adam Reynolds combining beautifully with young gun Ezra Mam, the Broncos look every bit a title contender in 2023.
The Knights have won two of their past three and should be up for the challenge after recharging the batteries with a Round 14 bye.
Having made himself unavailable for Origin to focus on club footy, gun fullback Kalyn Ponga will have his sights set on a huge second half of the season as Newcastle eye a finals return after last year's 14th placed finish.
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Team News
Broncos: No changes for the Broncos on game day after a change on Friday with Tyson Smoothy promoted to the starting side at hooker for his first game in Broncos colours after four games with the Storm in 2021. Cory Paix goes back to the reserves. Maroons winger Selwyn Cobbo is back on deck after missing the Sharks game with a hip injury so Jesse Arthars goes to 18th Man.
Knights: The Knights will take the field as named after Lachlan Fitzgibbon failed to come up from the calf injury he suffered against the Sea Eagles and was replaced in the starting side by Dylan Lucas on Friday. The Knights welcome Tyson Frizell back from Origin duty so Jack Johns makes way. Utility Kurt Mann joins the bench at the expense of Lachlan Miller. The Knights came out of their first bye in Round 10 with over the Titans in Round 11 and will be looking for a similar result after the Round 14 freshen up.
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Stat Attack
- Broncos Payne Haas (868m) and Herbie Farnworth (842m) are the top two in the NRL for post-contact metres.
- The Broncos lead the NRL in tackle breaks with 529 while the Knights are third on the list with 463.
- The Knights have not won back-to-back games since Round 1-2 in 2022.
- The Broncos have won five of their past six games against the Knights at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Knights have won only two of their past eight games in Queensland.
- Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo has scored six tries in three games against the Knights.
- The Knights will be aiming to notch the 400th win in the club’s history.
- The Broncos are chasing their 200th win at Suncorp Stadium.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.