NRL.com match preview: Round 3 v Broncos
After starting their season 2-0 the Broncos play host to a Dragons side who opened their campaign with a dominant victory over the Titans last week.
After upsetting the premiers in Round 1 the Broncos ran hot in a 28-16 victory over the Cowboys last week, with fullback Reece Walsh stealing the show in his club debut and Ezra Mam having a night out in the halves.
The Dragons meanwhile defied pre-season expectations to overcome the Titans, with former Bronco Ben Hunt their standout player and Tyrell Sloan proving lethal at fullback.
St George Illawarra have a brilliant recent history against Brisbane, having lost to them just once in their past seven head-to-head meetings since 2018, although Suncorp Stadium hasn't been a kind hunting ground for them through that period and they have lost their last five games at the venue.
The Broncos have punished opposing defence lines with their carries through the opening fortnight and average a competition-high 670 post-contact metres heading into Round 3.
Match: Broncos v Dragons
Round 3 -
home Team
Broncos
1st Position
away Team
Dragons
11th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team News
Broncos: Thomas Flegler will start at prop with Corey Jensen dropping back to the bench in the only change when the teams were finalised 60 minutes before kick-off. The only switch from Round 2 sees Jesse Arthars replace winger Corey Oates, who has had surgery on his jaw and faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines. Star forward Pat Carrigan is set to play after undergoing emergency dental surgery earlier this week.
Dragons: Rookie Toby Couchman, who failed a HIA last week and was under concussion protocols, was withdrawn from the squad on Friday night and replaced by Michael Molo on the bench. The side is otherwise unchanged from Round 2. Jack de Belin is at least another week away with his calf injury.
Match: Broncos v Dragons
Round 3 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Jesse ArtharsWinger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn CobboWinger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Jayden Sullivan
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy WaltersHooker for Dragons is number 9 Moses Mbye
-
Prop for Broncos is number 16 Thomas FleglerProp for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Ben Murdoch-Masila
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Dragons is number 13 Jack Bird
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 8 Corey JensenInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Cory PaixInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Zane Musgrove
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Keenan PalasiaInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Josh Kerr
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Martin TaupauInterchange for Dragons is number 18 Michael Molo
Reserves
-
Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Deine MarinerReplacement for Dragons is number 20 Jaiyden Hunt
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Reece Walsh scored a try, set one up and saved one at the other end in his club debut, in addition to setting up three line breaks.
- Payne Haas leads in the NRL in post-contact metres, averaging 84.4 per game.
- The Broncos are aiming for a 3-0 start for the first time since 2009.
- Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo has scored nine tries in his past seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Dragons have lost their past five games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds has won 15 games from 18 against the Dragons.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
