The rugby league has returned to normal this week as the Broncos return back to their rightful Friday Night fixture. For once though, you can understand why this match is on where it is. There is so much at stake for both sides and it will be a great preview as everybody looks to the finals beginning in September. These two teams have had a very different few weeks that has lead to a lot of speculation about the importance of this clash. The Storm have gotten their season back on track with two good wins, albeit in front of their home fans. Either way their season was going south very fast and something had to be done...immediately! They handed out a punishing display to the Panthers, but more impressive was their "come-from-behind" win over the Titans. Meanwhile at Brisbane, they have struggled to win a a game against anyone, including teams without a chance of making the Top 8! Their last win was over the Warriors in Round 19 and people are beginning to suggest that they could even be the side that vacates the Top 8 by the final round as they have a very tough run home. This is a big statement to make when you look at the quality roster that the Broncos have. But something is not right within their team at the moment. Perhaps it is their direction around the field from their halves, or maybe their forwards are not producing a dominate display up front to set a platform for the backs. What ever the problem is, they need to figure it out very soon. This is a side that has a great balance between youth and experience. It would be a disappointment for their fans if they were to not make the Top 8 or even bow out in the first round. A lot is on the line in this "finals preview" and there will be plenty of questions answered by fulltime.
Brisbane Broncos
There are a lot of changes to the Broncos this week as they welcome back some players from injury and try to get the right combinations working to get them a victory. Corey Norman has been named at fullback in place of Josh Hoffman who is named on the wing but was actually a late withdrawal from the side that played the Bulldogs. The player that vacates the side is Lachlan Maranta from the wing. Ben Hunt and Wallace are retained in the halves and it is definitely time for Wallace to stand up and show the rest of the competition what he is capable of. There is a lot of pressure on him. The forwards remain exactly the same which is a positive sign but they need to maintain their early intensity for the whole match. Luke Capewell is a new face on the bench, along with Brendon Gibb who replaces Josh McGuire. It would not surprise if there were again a few late changes to this Broncos side so stay tuned to my twitter feed for their final team. It is going to be very interesting to see where the Broncos attempt to beat the Storm. The forwards is one of their strengths that they should play to. But their bench is weaker than most and is often where they lose some intensity.
Melbourne Storm
After two good wins, the Storm have again maintained and unchanged lineup, just a minor tweak to their starting lineup. Todd Lowrie comes back into the starting side at the expense of Ryan Hinchcliffe, who is moved back to the bench. There is also an extended bench of 6 which interesting features Dane Nielsen who could come back into the side as a late inclusion. It would be hard to fit him back into a very powerful and dynamic backline that have scored a mountain of points in recent weeks. There is still a question mark over the Storms forwards and their real potential to dominate opposing packs, those whispers and suggestions will grow quieter with each win they have. Much like the Broncos, they also have a weaker bench than most other teams in this competition. Intensity is a very hard thing to maintain and coach Craig Bellamy will have to ensure that he doesn't lose anything as he give his starting players a rest. In this stage of the game, their "Big 3" will have have to stand up and take charge of the game when it matters most.
Recent History
Overall = Broncos 11 - Draw 1 - Storm 19
Last 5 games = Broncos 1 - Storm 4
At Suncorp Stadium = Broncos 3 - Storm 6
Odds
TAB Sportsbet = Broncos $2.45 Storm $1.57
Centrebet = Broncos $2.40 Storm $1.60
Sportsbet = Broncos $2.45 Storm $1.57
Betfair = Broncos $2.56 Storm $1.60
Verdict
This is a very dangerous game to bet on. On the surface, the Storm look as though they should get through the Broncos with ease. They have a far superior record against the Broncos, even against them up at Suncorp Stadium and the Broncos are on a slide. But the Broncos have a lot at stake in this clash. They have a very difficult run home and a loss here could spell the end of their chance to get into the Top 4, if they then don't finish either 5th or 6th they will also lose home ground advantage in Week 1 of the finals. To make a decision, you are going to have to go and look at the form line around the Titans. Both sides have played the Titans within a month and the Storm were the side to fight back and beat them. The Broncos also have to contend with a very short turn around and have to recover from a tough and bruising encounter against the Bulldogs. This is going to be a very good contest but it is hard to go past the Storm, but tread lightly.
This is a very dangerous game to bet on. On the surface, the Storm look as though they should get through the Broncos with ease. They have a far superior record against the Broncos, even against them up at Suncorp Stadium and the Broncos are on a slide. But the Broncos have a lot at stake in this clash. They have a very difficult run home and a loss here could spell the end of their chance to get into the Top 4, if they then don't finish either 5th or 6th they will also lose home ground advantage in Week 1 of the finals. To make a decision, you are going to have to go and look at the form line around the Titans. Both sides have played the Titans within a month and the Storm were the side to fight back and beat them. The Broncos also have to contend with a very short turn around and have to recover from a tough and bruising encounter against the Bulldogs. This is going to be a very good contest but it is hard to go past the Storm, but tread lightly.
Suggested Bet
Storm @ $1.60
Hedge your bets = Tri Bet Either Team Under 6.5 points @ $2.80 - It is going to be a very close game. If you think that things may get too close to call then this is a good bet for you to have a look at.
First scoring play = Broncos Try @ $2 - In two of their past two games, the Storm have been conceded a try. A bit of a exotic bet to throw a cat amongst the pigeons early on.
Storm @ $1.60
Hedge your bets = Tri Bet Either Team Under 6.5 points @ $2.80 - It is going to be a very close game. If you think that things may get too close to call then this is a good bet for you to have a look at.
First scoring play = Broncos Try @ $2 - In two of their past two games, the Storm have been conceded a try. A bit of a exotic bet to throw a cat amongst the pigeons early on.
Good luck!
Scooby
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