NRL, ROUND 11, MAY 11th, 2023 MELBOURNE STORM v BRISBANE BRONCOS
AAMI PARK,MELBOURNE
STORM.
Craig Bellamy has named the same 17 that went down to the Rabbitohs in Magic Round. Fijian powerhouse Tui Kamikamica is listed among the reserves on his return from a two-game suspension and could come into the squad closer to game day. George Jennings (hamstring) and Alec MacDonald (elbow) are at least another week away.
Storm Team. 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Aaron Pene 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Grant Anderson 18. Tyran Wishart 19. Tariq Sims 20. Tepai Moeroa 21. Tui Kamikamica 22. Jayden Nikorima
BRONCOS.
Kurt Capewell has been named to play despite suffering a head knock against the Sea Eagles. There are no changes to the 17 that got the job done in Magic Round with winger Corey Oates (knee) at least another week away from being back to full fitness.
Broncos Team. 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau 18. Deine Mariner 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Jock Madden 21. Brendan Piakura 22. Xavier Willison
The Broncos face a big test of their premiership credentials when they go on the road to face the Storm on Thursday night.
Brisbane haven’t won at AAMI Park since 2016 and come into this clash on the back of 12 consecutive defeats against Melbourne.
Kevin Walters’ side are flying at the top of the ladder after eight wins from 10 games this season, but when you look at their draw, the Broncos still have a bit to prove.
This will be just the third time Brisbane have travelled outside of Queensland this season, while apart from catching the Panthers off guard early in Round 1, they don’t really have a big scalp.
Beating the Cowboys, Dragons, Dolphins, Tigers, Titans, Eels and Sea Eagles is obviously a decent run of form, but all of those teams could easily miss the finals based on their form over the first 10 rounds.
When the Broncos ran into a genuine premiership contender a couple of weeks ago, they were demolished 32-6 at home by the Rabbitohs.
The Storm are still performing well below their best, but this is a match Craig Bellamy will have circled as a statement encounter.
Melbourne were also steamrolled by the rampant Rabbitohs last week, but they did beat Souths back in March and with close to their best team back on the park, this is the time to start building some momentum.
Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
PREDICTION.
Storm have won the last 12 meetings between the teams
Broncos haven’t beaten Storm at AAMI Park since 2016
Broncos are playing just their third game outside of Queensland all season
Five of Storm’s last six wins over Broncos have been by 28+ points
Broncos lost 32-6 vs Rabbitohs two weeks ago
Xavier Coates has scored 16 tries in 13 games at AAMI Park
Jesse Arthurs has scored a try in his last four games
The Broncos are tempting as outsiders, but as mentioned, I’m not fully convinced yet. They have beaten up the lesser teams this season and their attack is brilliant when it clicks, but they can be guilty of trying to score on every play.
The Storm have won the last 12 meetings and haven’t suffered a loss to Brisbane at AAMI Park since 2016. The Broncos have barely travelled outside of Queensland all season, so going to have faith in the Storm to make it 13 wins on the bounce here.
I don’t think Craig Bellamy will allow his team to loose at home in front of their fans. While they were well beaten last week I can not see this happening again. For me Storm by 5 points.
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