Trial #2 vs. Gold Coast Titans Discussion

[Big Pete]

Brisbane Broncos vs. Gold Coast Titans
Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunday 12 February 2023
Kick Off: 7:05pm (AEST)

1. Reece Walsh 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jack Ahearn 15. Logan Bayliss-Brow 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Shalom O’Ofou 12. Brendan Frei 13. Corey Jensen

14. Billy Walters 16. Martin Taupau 17. Benjamin Te Kura 18. Ethan Quai-Ward 19. Tyson Smoothy 20. Tristan Sailor 21. Josh Rogers 22. James Johnson 23. Brendan Piakura

Omitted: 8. Thomas Flegler

1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Phillip Sami 5. Sosefo Fifita 6. Toby Sexton 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Chris Randall 10. Joe Stimson 11. David Fifita 12. Klese Haas 13. Erin Clark

14. Sam McIntyre 15. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui 16. Jo Vuna 17. Treymain Spry 18. Thomas Weaver 19. Keano Kini 20. Jaylan De Groot 21. Tony Francis 22. Josiah Pahulu 23. Vaka Sikahele 24. Jacob Alick 25. Ryan Foran 26. Jaron Purcell​

 

[Big Pete]

In last year's fixture, the Broncos fell back down to earth and were lucky to salvage a draw against a surprising Gold Coast outfit. The Broncos are coming off a resounding victory over the Seagulls and they'll be looking to put in an improved performance.

Selwyn Cobbo, Jordan Riki and Jesse Arthars are on All-Stars duty. Ezra Mam was supposed to join them but the young five eighth doesn't have a passport. He'll need to organise one before Round 13 when the Broncos play the Warriors minus their Origin reps.

Joining them on the list of unavailables will be Brendan Piakura (leg infection), Jock Madden (off-season surgery), Xavier Willison (off-season surgery), TC Robati (stood down) & Blake Mozer (off-season surgery). Keenan Palasia has also not been named to take on his future club, I've yet to hear why.

The talking points heading into the game centre around Reece Walsh lining up for the first time since 2021. The Gold Coast junior has a lot of expectations on his shoulders and he'll be looking to live up to them in this trial. The other is around Cory Paix starting over Billy Walters in something of a selection shock. I don't necessarily think Paix is infront of Billy in the pecking order of if Kev just views Billy as a Mr. Fix It 14.

Joel Gould & George Clarke of the Sydney Morning Herald reported recently that Paix has re-signed till the end of 2025. I'll wait until official confirmation, but if it's true the club obviously values him enough to keep him in that rotation until Mozer matures.

 

[Big Pete]

Flegler has been ruled out after suffering a head knock at training.

Bayliss comes into the starting team with Piakura coming onto the bench.