In Round 27 of the NRL season, one of the league’s notable contemporary rivalries is set to have a markedly different tone. The Brisbane Broncos, who were last year’s grand finalists, find themselves out of the finals race and are now gearing up to reflect on a challenging season.
Heading into the Saturday night clash known as the Battle of Brisbane, the Broncos were still in contention for a finals spot. However, their hopes took a significant hit when they were overwhelmed by the Dolphins, suffering a 40-6 defeat. This loss has shifted their focus from the excitement and optimism of the previous year to a period of contemplation and missed opportunities.
On the other hand, the Melbourne Storm, while also defeated, did not face the same level of dismay. In their match in Townsville, the Storm opted to rest 11 of their regular starters in preparation for the impending finals. Despite this strategic decision, the Storm were far from disgraced in their performance.
One key player who did participate was fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who sustained some bone bruising in his leg. As a result, Papenhuyzen is expected to miss the upcoming game, providing an opportunity for Sua Faalogo to take over the No.1 jersey.
Since their debut in the competition in 1998, the Storm have built a commanding 41-14 head-to-head record against the Broncos, including one draw. This strong performance record means that Melbourne, under the leadership of coach Craig Bellamy, approach a visit to Suncorp Stadium with confidence.
Statistically, the Broncos have struggled at Suncorp Stadium recently, losing six of their last seven games there. In contrast, the Storm have enjoyed considerable success, winning 15 of their past 16 encounters with the Broncos. Furthermore, the Broncos have conceded 135 points in their last four matches at Suncorp Stadium.
Notable individual statistics also highlight the Storm’s advantage: Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has scored nine tries in 11 games against the Broncos, and Broncos winger Deine Mariner has scored 11 tries in his last 14 games. Despite these individual successes, the overall trends suggest a challenging game ahead for Brisbane.
