Suncorp Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 18 NRL game between Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers. The game kicks off at 8:00 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Brisbane Broncos vs. Penrith Panthers game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday July 5, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Where: Suncorp Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers Odds
Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers Preview
The second grand final rematch of the season sees both sides missing their gun No.7s, with Brisbane is under immense pressure after losing four in a row and Penrith has not been able to enjoy its customary smooth ride through the Origin period.
The Broncos have tumbled out of the Top 8 thanks to successive losses to the Titans, Sharks, Rabbitohs and Warriors, a period that has also encompassed two byes.
Perhaps the most worrying stat around Kevin Walters side is that their last win was in Magic Round.
Errors, a lack of playmaking impetus and the Warriors overwhelming dominance in the middle of the park were key factors in their 32-16 defeat in Auckland last Saturday.
Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas all return after being rested last week, but Kotoni Staggs is on compassionate leave which sees Deine Mariner move to centre and Corey Oates come back on the wing.
The second-placed Panthers are also looking to regain some momentum after coming off the bye with a 16-6 home loss to the Cowboys, with both sides sitting out a host of Origin stars.
Issah Yeo was the only Blues rep to back up, but Dylan Edwards, Brian Too, Jarome Luai and Liam Martin are back in the line-up this week.
The Panthers romped to a 34-12 home win over the Reynolds-less Broncos in Round 3, with Reece Walshs early exit a factor.
Izack Tago and Brian Too both scored double in the Panthers seventh win from their last eight against the Broncos.
Penrith has also won the teams last four encounters at Suncorp Stadium, restricting the hosts to 12 points or less each time.
As well as Carrigan and Haas matching the Penrith middles, Walsh is the obvious key to a Broncos turnaround but they need to be getting more out of the likes of strike players Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo.
The Panthers have largely struggled to put teams to the sword without Cleary, so this shapes as a tight low-scorer.
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Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers Tip
We're tipping Penrith Panthers to win at $1.57 odds.
Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers Teams
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Deine Mariner 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Kobe Hetherington 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau 18. Tristan Sailor 19. Joshua Rogers 20. Cory Paix 21. Blake Mozer 22. Kotoni Staggs
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Brad Schneider 19. Luron Patea 20. Trent Toelau 21. Casey McLean 22. Luke Sommerton
