This season's first battle for Brisbane arrives at a time when the Dolphins are flying high at the top of the Telstra Premiership ladder.

The competition newbies have been travelling well since losing their opening match, with three wins – the most recent of which was a 26-16 home victory over the Wests Tigers – and a bye helping them to lead all sides heading into Round 6. 

Their fast start comes as the Broncos struggle against a heavy injury toll, with last week's two-point defeat to the Storm being their third loss in five games to start 2024.

Brisbane are boosted by the return of gun fullback Reece Walsh from a facial fracture but will be without skipper Adam Reynolds and winger Deine Mariner due to injury.

Both meetings between these sides last season went the way of Brisbane, but they were close games with margins of six and eight points.

The Broncos have won both of their games at Suncorp Stadium this season, while the Dolphins have won one and lost one.

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Team News

Broncos: Kevin Walters' side will take the field 1-17 after confirmation on Thursday that both Reece Walsh (facial fracture) and Jordan Riki (ankle) will play in a huge boost for the side. Xavier Willison is also set to feature off the bench in place of rookie Ben Te Kura while Jock Madden replaces injured skipper Adam Reynolds at halfback. 

Dolphins: No changes one-hour before kick-off. Tom Flegler will miss the clash against his former side after failing to overcome the shoulder injury he suffered last week. Mark Nicholls moves into the starting side and debutant Lachlan Hubner joins the bench. Flegler joins Herbie Farnworth, Felise Kaufusi and Kurt Donoghoe on the sidelines this week, with Tesi Niu and Anthony Milford the other new faces in the team.

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Stat Attack

  • The Broncos have scored 134 points in four consecutive wins at Suncorp Stadium.
  • Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored five tries in his past three games.
  • Winger Jesse Arthars has scored a try in four consecutive games for the Broncos.
  • The Dolphins have scored 94 points in their past three games.
  • Broncos centre Selwyn Cobbo scored four tries in two games against the Dolphins in 2023.

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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.