Foxsports predictions
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...k=d50d9dae854fee17581441437ea902ab-1615145690
Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels, 8.05pm at Suncorp Stadium
Predicted Broncos team: 1 Jamayne Isaako 2 Xavier Coates 3 Tesi Niu 4 Herbie Farnworth 5 Jesse Arthars 6 Anthony Milford 7 Tom Dearden 8 Matthew Lodge 9 Jake Turpin 10 Thomas Flegler 11 Alex Glenn 12 Tevita Pangai Jr 13 Patrick Carrigan 14 Cory Paix 15 Jordan Riki 16 Corey Oates 17 John Asiata
Team Tips: Broncos playmaker Anthony Milford is set to overcome a broken hand in time to play in Round 1. Who he partners remains a mystery with new coach Kevin Walters playing mind games with halfback’s Tom Dearden and Brodie Croft who have both spent time at No.7 at training. Dearden played for Souths Logan over the weekend, with Walters still undecided ahead of naming his first team as Broncos coach. Star prop Payne Haas will miss the first three games through suspension with Thomas Flegeler likely to partner Matt Lodge up front after overcoming a shoulder injury. Herbie Farnworth (chest) and Jesse Arthars (ankle) are expected to start in the backline. Corey Oates is set for a permanent shift to the back row in 2021. “I will be on the edge this year,” Oates told the Broncos website. “Unless ‘Kevvie’ flips his mind and throws me out on the wing, I have been training the whole pre-season in the back row and I’m loving it.” Dale Copley is out indefinitely with a throat injury, with Tesi Niu set to partner Herbie Farnworth in the centres. Niu was reprimanded for driving offences last week and if Walters decides to suspend him Arthars would go to centre with David Mead coming onto the wing potentially.
Predicted Eels team: 1 Clint Gutherson 2 Maika Sivo 3 Tom Opacic 4 Waqa Blake 5 Blake Ferguson 6 Dylan Brown 7 Mitchell Moses 8 Junior Paulo 9 Reed Mahoney 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11 Shaun Lane 12 Ryan Matterson 13 Nathan Brown 14 Will Smith 15 Ray Stone 16 Oregon Kaufusi 17 Isaiah Papali’i
Team Tips: Eels recruit Bryce Cartwright’s broken jaw will delay his debut until the early rounds of the competition, while Marata Niukore is suspended until Round 2. That has opened up two bench spots which will likely be filled by Will Smithand Ray Stone. The biggest challenge for the Eels will be replacing Michael Jennings who has been stood down while he fights drug cheat charges, with replacement Michael Oldfield also out with knee injury until Round 4. Rookie sensation Will Penisini is unlikely to be thrown in the deep end in Round 1, with Tom Opacic set to partner Waqa Blake in the centres.
