The stakes are simple for Brisbane in the opening match of Round 27 of the NRL season — beat Melbourne, and the Broncos will finish in the top four.
Michael Maguire’s side will be without centre Gehamat Shibasaki, who has been dropped for failing to meet team standards.
The Storm are locked into second spot regardless of what happens over the course of the weekend but will welcome back Jahrome Hughes from injury and Eli Katoa and Xavier Coates after they were rested last week.
Live updates
Injury: Jahrome Hughes
Massive news here with Jahrome Hughes coming away ginger from a tackle on Brendan Piakura.
He’s tried to play on, but as he’s passed the ball he’s grimaced in pain and he’s up the tunnel. Tyran Wishart is on.
The early prognosis is a broken wrist. Hughes was making his return from a shoulder injury.
I’ll bring you more updates as soon as I have them.
Sin bin: Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Two high tackles, Katoa on Piakura and Asofa-Solomona on Talty, brings Brisbane right up the field.
Asofa-Solomona’s is bad, it’s direct contact to the head. I think he’ll be off to the bin…and yup, there he goes.
It’s 12 on 12 with Brisbane on the attack!
Sin bin: Deine Mariner
Munster nails a 40/20 and the Storm are on the attack in the shadows of halftime.
A six again on the fourth helps them build some pressure, Asofa-Solomona nearly sneaks over from close range, there’s ANOTHER six again on the last and Mariner is off to the sin bin!
It’s for repeated infringements, the referee says. Melbourne take the tap.
Brisbane defend their line bravely, Coates goes high and claims it on the last but Arthars wraps him and Brisbane hold their line. Dramatic stuff at Lang Park!
27′ Storm score their first through Katoa
Papenhuyzen nearly slips through around midfield – Melbourne look good when they move the ball but up the guts there’s not much for them.
Munster gets whacked a touch late as he puts up a bomb and the Storm will have a set on the attack.
Munster puts a kick up, Warbrick gets it, loses it backwards and Katoa is there first to score! We’ll need a look at this but first replay looks alright……try confirmed.
Meaney from touch and it’s wide, Brisbane 6-4.
22′ Brisbane deny the Storm again
Carrigan gets pinged for a penalty in the ruck and Melbourne really needed that penalty, Brisbane have been dominating this game physically.
Munster ducks down the right and fires a bullet to Meaney and he puts it down. Bit of confusion out there for the Storm. Bronco ball.
16′ Broncos get a controversial try
Papenhuyzen drops a speculator of a Hunt kick and Brisbane are right on the attack!
Haas runs over the top of someone, offloads to Walsh, he looks to have dropped it, kicked it through and scored but did it come off his knee?
The Bunker says it did, I have no idea how to be honest with you. Now we go to the contact between Papenhuyzen in cover and Walsh…but that’s clean, this will be a try!
A controversial one to start with. Walsh sprays it but it’s 6-0 Broncos.
13′ Broncos hold their line again
Staggs checks Coates as he’s running to catch a bomb and Melbourne get a fresh set on the line.
Katoa gets Warbrick into a little bit of space, he dives for the corner but Karapani gets the stop! Good effort from the young Bronco.
Brisbane ball, 20 metre restart.
8′ Broncos take first points
Walsh pokes in a kick that doesn’t look great off the boot but it lands in space, Munster collects it and Brisbane trap him in-goal.
Piakura gets hit high by Katoa and Brisbane will take the two. Walsh makes no mistake.
5′ Broncos hold firm early
Paix gets pinged for a leg pull on King and Melbourne will go on the attack. They string it across field but Loiero gets hit hard by Walters and he forces the error.
And away we go!
Lang Park is HEAVING as Brisbane get us underway, kicking off left to right.
Tips
OK, here’s the situation.
I’ve been a bit lucky this year and I’m currently leading the tipping comp down at my local….by one.
The tiebreaker is for and against and mine is terrible, so we don’t have a lot of room to play with here.
I’m taking Melbourne tonight but Brisbane are in with a red hot chance – backing the Storm to be a bit too clinical, but the Broncos attacking class makes them dangerous.
Let’s go Storm by six with Xavier Coates to get a double and finish the year as top tryscorer.
How’s your tipping been this year? Let me know in the comments.
