Broncos v Knights: Mariner's new role; Ponga back on deck
The Broncos are desperate to keep their slim top-eight hopes alive when they host a Knights side reeling from a pair of devastating injuries.
After falling to North Queensland last Saturday, Brisbane likely need to win their last six matches to sneak into the eight and keep their premiership defence alive.
The Broncos certainly have the talent to pull up such a streak, with Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam and Payne Haas among the most impactful attacking players in the game.
Saturday's showdown at Suncorp Stadium provides a chance to secure two crucial competition points against a Newcastle team desperate to emerge from a challenge period.
The Knights have lost their past three games by a combined five points and were dealt a double blow last week when Dylan Brown and Dylan Lucas both suffered season-ending injuries.
Despite this, Newcastle remain inside the top eight and can push for the premiership if they get their campaign back on track.
Sandon Smith and hooker Phoenix Crossland are set to take on a greater role, while Bradman Best is looking to recreate his Origin heroics in his return to Suncorp Stadium.
Match: Broncos v Knights
Round 22 -
home Team
Broncos
14th Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Broncos: Deine Mariner moves into the centres and Grant Anderson comes in on the wing with Gehamat Shibasaki dropping out. Prop Preston Riki has had surgery for syndesmosis injury suffered last week so Vaa Semu takes over in the front row. Jaiyden Hunt and Hayze Perham join the six-man bench.
Knights: A huge boost for the Knights with skipper Kalyn Ponga set to return from a quad injury that sidelined him last week. Veteran centre Dane Gagai (calf) also returns so Fletcher Hunt slides to the bench. With Dylan Brown (knee) out for the season, Sandon Smith slides to halfback and Fletcher Sharpe is the new five-eighth. Back-rower Jermaine McEwen (hamstring) returns to fill the hole left by Dylan Lucas' season-ending ankle injury. Lachlan Crouch has been added to the bench in place of Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah KarapaniWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Deine MarinerCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Grant AndersonWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Va'a SemuProp for Knights is number 8 Cody Hopwood
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory PaixHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Knights is number 10 Trey Mooney
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Xavier Willison2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Francis Manuleleua
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Billy WaltersInterchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Ben TaltyInterchange for Knights is number 15 Tyson Frizell
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Jaiyden HuntInterchange for Knights is number 16 Thomas Cant
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Ben HuntInterchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Luke GaleInterchange for Knights is number 18 Fletcher Hunt
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Hayze PerhamInterchange for Knights is number 19 Lachlan Crouch
Reserves
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 20 Gehamat ShibasakiReserve for Knights is number 20 Toby Winter
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 21 Jesse ArtharsReserve for Knights is number 21 Kyle McCarthy
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 22 Joshua CoricReserve for Knights is number 22 Connor Votano
Broncos Ins
- Hayze Perham
- Jaiyden Hunt
- Jesse Arthars
- Joshua Coric
Knights Ins
- Connor Votano
- Dane Gagai
- Jermaine McEwen
- Kalyn Ponga
- Lachlan Crouch
- Toby Winter
Broncos Outs
- Preston Riki
Knights Ins
- Dylan Lucas
- Dylan Brown
- Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Broncos have scored 199 points in six straight wins over the Knights.
- The Knights’ four losses since Round 14 have been by margins of two points or less.
- The Broncos have lost their last five games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Knights five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe has scored five tries in two games at Suncorp.
- The Broncos have scored only 64 points since Round 15; the lowest tally in the competition.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Be there to back the Broncos as they fight for a place in the top eight. Kids tickets are available from just $15, click here to secure your seats before they sell out.
