Broncos v Dolphins: Sailor steps up for Walsh; Hammer shift to centre
Both coming off last-up defeats under different circumstances, there's plenty on the line when Queensland league's eldest sibling meets the newest arrival for the second time.
If coach Kevin Walters' post-match comments are anything to go by, some hard truths will have been shared at Broncos HQ following the club's 18-12 loss to a Titans side who were missing their captain and had only days earlier fired their coach.
The Dolphins have plenty of their own problems to work through this week after being hammered 48-20 by the Eels on the Sunshine Coast in Round 17, which leaves them without a win in the past month.
A crowd of 51,047 gathered to watch the first meeting of these two sides back in March at Suncorp Stadium, which the Broncos won 18-12.
The battle will be fought on new ground this time though at The Gabba, which has hosted several rugby league games in the past but never an NRL fixture.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Broncos v Dolphins
Team News
Broncos: A late change an hour before kick-off with Kobe Hetherington moving into the starting side and Xavier Willison shifting to the bench. Fullback Reece Walsh won't play after he was found guilty of contrary conduct towards a match official at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night. Tristan Sailor is the new fullback in the only late change to the team. Jesse Arthars is 18th-man.
Dolphins: A game day change for the Dolphins confirms Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will line up at left centre and Kodi Nikorima play at fullback after the pair trained that way on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Connelly Lemuelu will start at prop with Herman Ese'ese shifting to the bench. Jeremy Marshall-King (shoulder) is good to go at hooker.
Match: Broncos v Dolphins
Round 18 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Dolphins
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 21 Tristan SailorFullback for Dolphins is number 17 Kodi Nikorima
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Valynce Te Whare
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn CobboWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Tesi Niu
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Isaiya Katoa
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Sean O'Sullivan
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Keenan PalasiaProp for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy WaltersHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Dolphins is number 16 Connelly Lemuelu
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 16 Kobe Hetherington2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Dolphins is number 13 Ray Stone
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 12 Xavier WillisonInterchange for Dolphins is number 3 Euan Aitken
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Tyson SmoothyInterchange for Dolphins is number 10 Herman Ese'ese
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Corey JensenInterchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh Kerr
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Martin TaupauInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Mark Nicholls
Reserves
-
Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Jesse ArtharsReplacement for Dolphins is number 18 Max Plath
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- While they were held to two tries last week, the Broncos have one of the best attacking records in the competition and get over the line four times per game on average this year.
- Payne Haas earns 69.9 metres per game after contact on average, the best among players this year.
- The Broncos have the second-best defensive average in the NRL.
- The Dolphins have conceded 136 points in their past three games.
- The Broncos have won six from seven on Saturday nights this season
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 17 tries from 16 games for Dolphins and Maroons this season.
- Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo has scored 11 tries from his past 12 games.
Match: Broncos v Dolphins
Round 18 -
home Team
Broncos
2nd Position
away Team
Dolphins
14th Position
Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
