NRL Round 17 Brisbane Broncos v Cronulla Sharks Preview

Welcome to Suncorp Stadium, the home of the gallant Brisbane Broncos and the passionate QLD Maroons. Come Wednesday next week, there will be a sea of Maroon there ranting and raving to see some Blues blood spilt on the turf. But first, an NRL clash between the Broncos and the Cronulla Sharks will wet the palet of fans hanging out until Wednesday. Both teams are going to be missing some key players in their lineup due to SOO but I've said it time and time again, that is part and parcale with the NRL and a clubs depth must be tested. NSW and QLD have both named extended squads to cover for injuries and perhaps those players that will be missing SOO or being named as 18th, 19th and 20th man may be released to play their club games. But I would not count on that happening. You will also hear the age old argument that SOO should be played on a stand alone weekend, but people seem to adapt quiet well regardless, so why the need for change? As the representative season will conclude after SOO, every team in the NRL will refocus on their run home towards September. This game could be very critical to the winner as a vital two points minus their representative stars. But to the loser, they may be left ruing this missed chance and have to play sudden death football from week 1 of the finals or, dare I say, miss the finals altogether. So before SOO begins, lets enjoy a great round of NRL action.

Brisbane Broncos

You will need to have a rest after reading out all the players that are missing for the Broncos. This is a very proud club that has always boasted a mountain of depth in the junior ranks so perhaps the players coming into the lineup are players that we may see on a regular basis in a few years time. In the backs, the Broncos are just missing Justin Hodges. As a result, Dale Copely moves from the wing into the centres and Lachlan Maranta comes into fill Copely's boots on the wing. In the forwards, Ben Hannant, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker, Ben Te'o, Petro Civoniceva and Matt Gillett are all drawn away for SOO duty. Hannatt was missing from the Broncos lineup last week as a late withdrawal but Parker was a late inclusion. Josh McGuire and Mitchell Dodds move into the front row, Brendon Gibb and Dunamis Lui come into the backrow to partner Alex Glenn, with Lui to wear 13. The Broncos have named an extended bench going to this game so along with Ben Hunt, Aaron Whitchurch, Jarrod Wallace, Nick Slyney and Kurt Baptiste are present. Many of the young Broncos coming into the lineup have tasted NRL in the past and feature heavily in the clubs Toyota Cup program or regularly in the Intrust Super Cup (QLD Cup). It must also be pointed out, that after this week, the Broncos will enjoy a week off. A win going into their second bye would certainly have the Broncos firmly cemented into the Top 8. After that, they have a fairly tough run home but do have a easier games against lowly ranked teams.

Cronulla Sharks

The Sharks will definitely be missing there two SOO stars but the holes left by them can be filled to some extent. The Sharks were without Gallen so perhaps another game without him this season wouldn't cause too much of a disruption for them. Wade Graham is named to start at lock and his play this season has been great for the Sharks. A one time 5/8, he is no doubt better suited to playing at lock. Chad Townsend comes into the lineup to replace Carney. The Sharks have also named an extended bench that now include Tyson Frizell and Sam Tagataese, no doubt one of those players will drop off. As a squad, the Sharks will definitely be refreshed after having the bye following a tough win against the Warriors. They do lose a lot with the players that they have away on representative duty but certainly have the depth to cover those positions. They also have an adequate run home with a mix of tough and easier opponents. Two points here against a weakened Broncos team would definitely come in handy should they drop a game in their run home.

Recent History
Overall = Broncos 30 - Sharks 16
Last 5 games = Broncos 5 - Sharks 0
At Suncorp Stadium = Broncos 11 - Sharks 1

Odds
TAB Sportsbet = Broncos $1.53 Sharks $2.50
Centrebet = Broncos $1.50 Sharks $2.60
Sportsbet = Broncos $1.55 Sharks $2.45

Verdict
I smell an upset. I am sick of saying it, but the Sharks team this team is not like the old Sharks teams of the late 2000's. At $2.45+ they are posing great value. They are only missing two SOO stars to the Broncos six, but the two players the Sharks are missing are very key to their success. But remember the Sharks beat the Storm this season without Gallen and then ground out a tough 1 point victory over the Warriors. Yes, both victories were at home and they have a terrible record at Suncorp Stadium...but please read the second sentence! The Broncos will put up a fight and will have a bumper crowd to play in front of but they are going to have to work overtime to win this game.

Suggested Bet
Sharks @ $2.60 (with Centrebet)


Bite off more = Sharks 1-12 @ $3.75 - If you think the Sharks can win this game, then why not try to grab a better price with a margin? The Broncos will not lye down easily but the Sharks should win a close game.


Still not convinced? = Sharks +5.5 @ $1.90 - If you are not convinced the Sharks can win the match and it is too hard to decide, then take the +5.5 points on offer.


Good luck!
Scooby
@scoobystips