Broncos v Eels: No panic for Madge; 'Foxx' ready to fly
After managing just four points between them in Round 1 the Broncos and Eels are out for redemption when they meet at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
The premiers were held to zero by the Panthers and came up with 19 errors in an underwhelming start to their title defence.
The Eels scored first at AAMI Park and were then shut out for 75 minutes by a relentless Melbourne Storm outfit.
One of these sides will leave The Cauldron with two valuable competition points and a massive confidence boost while the other will be 0-2 and facing heavy scrutiny early in the season.
Much will depend on the strategic battle between playmakers Adam Reynolds and Mitch Moses while X-factors Reece Walsh and Isaiah Iongi will also have a big say in the outcome.
Match: Broncos v Eels
Round 2 -
home Team
Broncos
15th Position
away Team
Eels
17th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Broncos:Coach Michael Maguire has again named Ezra Mam to start at five-eighth with Ben Hunt in the No.14 but they may swap before kick-off as they did in Round 1. With back-rower Brendan Piakura still sidelined by a knee injury there are no changes for the premiers despite the demoralising defeat to the Panthers.
Eels: A boost for the Eels with star winger Josh Addo-Carr (thumb) back on deck so Sean Russell moves to centre and Brian Kelly drops to the extended bench. Jack Williams slides to prop in place of the suspended J'maine Hopgood with Kelma Tuilagi joining the starting side. Sam Tuivaiti has again been named in No.15 and will be hoping for game time after a reshuffle last week saw Joash Papalii sent into the game when Isaiah Iongi left the field for a HIA.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah KarapaniWinger for Eels is number 2 Bailey Simonsson
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat ShibasakiCentre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Deine MarinerWinger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Jonah Pezet
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Corey JensenProp for Eels is number 8 Jack Williams
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory PaixHooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley Smith
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jack Gosiewski2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Eels is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Ben HuntInterchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan Walker
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Xavier WillisonInterchange for Eels is number 15 Sam Tuivaiti
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Ben TaltyInterchange for Eels is number 16 Matt Doorey
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Aublix TawhaInterchange for Eels is number 17 Tallyn Da Silva
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Grant AndersonInterchange for Eels is number 18 Charlie Guymer
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Jaiyden HuntInterchange for Eels is number 19 Joash Papalii
Reserves
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 20 Blake MozerReserve for Eels is number 20 Jordan Samrani
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 21 Delouise HoeterReserve for Eels is number 21 Brian Kelly
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 22 Thomas DuffyReserve for Eels is number 22 Luca Moretti
Broncos Ins
- Blake Mozer
- Delouise Hoeter
- Thomas Duffy
Eels Ins
- Charlie Guymer
- Jordan Samrani
- Josh Addo-Carr
- Luca Moretti
Broncos Outs
Eels Ins
- J'maine Hopgood
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Broncos have won four of their past five games against the Eels.
- The Eels have defeated the Broncos in four of their last five clashes at Suncorp Stadium.
- Broncos winger Deine Mariner has scored four tries in three games against the Eels.
- Eels captain Mitchell Moses has won seven of his last 10 games against the Broncos.
- Broncos captain Adam Reynolds has scored a try in his last four games against the Eels.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
