Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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A monster game to kick off Round 27 as the Brisbane Broncos get a chance to lock up a top-four finish in front of a boisterous home crowd at Suncorp Stadium.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Brisbane Broncos team news
Gehamat Shibasaki has been dropped for “a breach of team standards, which has been dealt with internally”. His omission sees Deine Mariner slot into the centres and Jesse Arthars earn a re-call on the wing. Jaiyden Hunt has also shifted to the bench, with Brendan Piakura returning to the starting side.
Squad: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Billy Walters 7. Ben Hunt 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Jaiyden Hunt 18. Delouise Hoeter 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Jock Madden 21. Va’a Semu 22. Gehamat Shibasaki
Melbourne Storm team news
Jahrome Hughes returns ahead of the finals series in a huge boost for the Storm, having been sidelined due to a shoulder injury. Xavier Coates, Eli Katoa, Nick Meaney and Josh King have all returned to the side after they were rested last week, while Tui Kamikamica also slots back in after suffering a head knock in Round 25. Jack Howarth has been named on the extended reserves, while in a big blow Shawn Blore has suffered a fractured larynx and has been sidelined, with Ativalu Lisati named in his place. The only player rested this week is Stefano Utoikamanu.
Squad: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Ativalu Lisati 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Joe Chan 18. Marion Seve 19. Jack Howarth 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Kane Bradley 22. Lazarus Vaalepu
Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm prediction
The Brisbane Broncos go into the round in fourth spot on 34 points, equal with the Cronulla Sharks and New Zealand Warriors, but boasting a superior points differential to both of those sides.
With Reece Walsh in dazzling form and Payne Haas leading the way in the middle the Broncos have the weapons to make some noise in September, but history shows the double chance afforded by a top four finish is vital.
The Melbourne Storm are set to finish second regardless of the result but they will be hell bent on making amends for a 40-10 hammering at the hands of the Sydney Roosters that soured coach Craig Bellamy's milestone night.
Statistics to consider
- The Broncos have won only one of their past 18 games against the Storm.
- The Storm have won 15 of their last 16 Thursday night games.
- Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has scored seven tries in his last seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Broncos have scored 122 points in their last three games.
There is much riding on this game for the Broncos, significantly more than their counterpart. This however, is the chance for the Storm to make a statement on the eve of the finals and stamp their authority over another rival.
Another disrupted week for the Broncos could be enough for the Storm to continue their recent domination over Brisbane in what could be a high scoring affair if a dry track is on offer.
Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm tip: Melbourne Storm to win
