Round 24 vs. Parramatta Eels Discussion

[Big Pete]

Brisbane Broncos vs. Parramatta Eels
Suncorp Stadium, Thursday 25 August 2022
Kick Off: 7:55pm

1. Te Maire Martin 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Brenko Lee 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Ryan James

Interchange: 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Corey Jensen 17. Rhys Kennedy

Reserves: 18. Delouise Hoeter 19. Jordan Pereira 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Keenan Palasia 22. Zac Hosking

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali'i 13. Ryan Matterson

Interchange: 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Jakob Arthur 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Marata Niukore

Reserves: 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Bailey Simonsson 20. Bryce Cartwright 21. Sean Russell 22. Ky Rodwell​

 

[Big Pete]

It's the final home game of the season as the Broncos look to keep their finals hopes alive against the Eels. As it stands, they're just 1 win clear of the Raiders with a 46 point differential. If Brisbane win their remaining 2 games, they're in. Otherwise it will come down to multiple scenarios related to for and against.

Interestingly Walters has only made one change to the team that had 60 points put on them, with Brenko Lee coming in for Delouise Hoeter. The fans are irate and they want Ryan James and Jake Turpin dropped at a minimum. Jordan Riki and Rhys Kennedy are also unpopular among supporters.

Admittedly I was surprised James was kept. I thought it was clear his selection backfired last week and it was time to get the best potential 17 together. That would mean Hetherington would go to 13, Palasia and Paix to the bench and Gamble potentially coming into play lock.

It certainly seems like Walters is keeping his powder dry and is waiting for next week's game with Carrigan and Farnworth's return to make some major changes. I still wouldn't be surprised if there's some news tomorrow and a few late changes are made.

 

[Showtime]

Looks like James is out with a broken finger (no great loss) and Cobbo is being rested. Kevvie definitely seems to be putting all his eggs in one basket in relation to the Dragons game.

Depending on what Parra side turn up, I’ve got an uneasy feeling about this game with Parra racking up a cricket score.

 

[CQLeaguey]

I’m betting against broncos in this one. Hopefully that means Parra will stuff it up & lose.

 

[Big Pete]

Parramatta Eels 53 def. Brisbane Broncos 6 (Lee try; Staggs goal)

13-10

Another forgettable night at the office for the Broncos. Whatever resilience they had at the start of the season eluded them and as the game went on they just kept losing players until they had nobody left on the bench.

Like last week there's not a lot to say because they were in survival mode after 20 minutes. They had a few opportunities early but the most they could muster was a left hand second man shift to Capewell. When Reynolds finally got his hands on the ball, he went the all or nothing pass and Pereira was easy pickings for the defence. The few times they earned a repeat set, the Eels just exploited the height difference of Sivo and Pereira to regain possession.

Once again, the right hand side was exposed and if they couldn't score there, they'd attack the left and just get the team for numbers. Even when Parramatta weren't executing, passes were managing to stick and it the game was well and truly over at 31-6.

Second half could have gotten really ugly, but the Eels took until late in the game when fatigue really sunk in.

The loss gives Canberra a +1 better differential. If they win, they'll go ahead of the Broncos and it'll become a shoot out in the final round.

Another scenario to keep an eye on is between the Roosters and the Rabbitohs. If either team loses this round and loses their next clash against one another and the Broncos win, Brisbane will make the finals.