The Broncos play host to the Eels in Round 3 of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership on Saturday with no shortage of motivation after being bundled out last season by the Sydney club.
Parramatta shocked the Broncos at Central Coast Stadium in the final round of the NRLW last year to advance to the finals - where they then upset the Roosters in the semis to progress to the decider.
It was a big loss for the Broncos, who missed out on a finals appearance for the first time but fast forward and both sides are just as desperate to get their seasons back on track after mixed starts to the year.
The Broncos got on the board with a big win over the Cowboys in Townsville and will want that form to continue against an Eels side that is yet to taste victory in 2023 and are affected by injuries and suspension.
Broncos centre Mele Hufanga was enormous against the Cowboys last start with four tries and you'd expect her try-scoring tally to increase when taking on an Eels side that conceded 38 points last week to Newcastle.
This looks like a one-sided contest on paper but as last year proved, the Eels are capable of anything on their day.
Match: Broncos v Eels
Round 4 -
home Team
Broncos
6th Position
away Team
Eels
10th Position
Venue: Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane
Team news
Broncos: No further game day changes after five-eighth Gayle Broughton came out of the side on Friday with her place taken by Grace Griffin. Winger Ashleigh Werner returns after serving a two-match suspension for biting. She replaces Toni Hunt, who reverts to 18th player. Rep duo Destiny Brill and Annetta Nu'uausala are both out after failing head injury assessments last week with Lavinia Gould and Breanna Eales coming into the starting side.
Eels: No further changes on game day after Madeline Jones came in at lock for Kennedy Cherrington, who was hit with a four-match ban at the NRLW judiciary on Tuesday night. Tyla Amiatu joins the bench. Star recruits Rachael Pearson and Elsie Albert have been included to start in a boost for the winless NRLW side after both suffered calf injuries in the pre-season. Kelsey Clark (ACL) is out for the season while Mahalia Murphy switches from the centres to back-row in another notable change. Halfback Rosie Beckett (head knock) is out while Jade Fonua (hand) and Shontelle Stowers (ankle) also remain sidelined after picking up injuries in the opening rounds.
Match: Broncos v Eels
Round 4 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Hayley MaddickFullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi Church
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Lauren DamWinger for Eels is number 2 Zali Fay
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Mele HufangaCentre for Eels is number 3 Kimberley Hunt
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae CiesiolkaCentre for Eels is number 4 Cassey Tohi-Hiku
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Ashleigh WernerWinger for Eels is number 5 Monique Donovan
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 19 Grace GriffinFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Pihuka Berryman-Duff
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali BrigginshawHalfback for Eels is number 7 Rachael Pearson
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Breanna EalesProp for Eels is number 8 Talesha O'Neill
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Lavinia GouldHooker for Eels is number 9 Rueben Cherrington
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Brianna ClarkProp for Eels is number 10 Elsie Albert
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Tazmin Gray2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Amelia Mafi
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Mahalia Murphy
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Mariah DenmanLock for Eels is number 15 Madeline Jones
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Jada FergusonInterchange for Eels is number 14 Capri Paekau
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Filomina HanisiInterchange for Eels is number 16 Shannon Muru
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Chelsea LenarduzziInterchange for Eels is number 17 Kyra Simon
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Jasmine FogaviniInterchange for Eels is number 22 Tyla Amiatu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Toni HuntReplacement for Eels is number 18 Taneka Todhunter
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Belinda Sharpe
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Broncos centre Shenae Ciesiolka has scored three tries in two games against the Eels.
- Both sides have a 1-1 head-to-head record after the Eels beat the Broncos in Round 5 last season.
- Former Eels Gayle Broughton and Filomina Hanisi line up against their former club.
