One of the NRL’s great modern-day rivalries will have a very different feel about it in Round 27 with last year’s grand finalists Brisbane out of finals contention and preparing to conduct a post-mortem on a tough season.
The Broncos headed into Saturday night’s Battle of Brisbane very much in the finals mix but capitulated 40-6 to the Dolphins, consigning them to a month of ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’ as opposed to the euphoria of 12 months ago.
The Storm were beaten but far from disgraced in Townsville as they took the opportunity to rest 11 regular starters with the finals just around the corner.
One star who did take the field was fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who picked up some bone bruising to his leg and is set to miss this week’s game, giving livewire Sua Faalogo another shot in the No.1 jersey.
Since entering the competition in 1998 the Storm hold a remarkable 41-14 advantage over the Broncos head-to-head with one draw, so a trip to Suncorp Stadium holds no fears for Craig Bellamy’s men.
Stat Attack
- The Broncos have lost six of their past seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Storm have won 15 of their past 16 games against the Broncos.
- The Broncos have conceded 135 points in their past four games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has scored nine tries in 11 games against the Broncos.
- Broncos winger Deine Mariner has scored 11 tries in his last 14 games.
