Oracle of Delphi
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Craig HillRound twenty-one preview - Broncos vs Sea Eagles
August 5th 2007 02:34
VENUE and TIME: Suncorp Stadium, 3:00pm AEST, Sunday August 5
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 27, Broncos 15, Sea Eagles 11, draws 1
LAST TIME: Sea Eagles 18 - Broncos 6 at Brookvale Oval, round 10, 2007
COVERAGE: Channel 9 (delay), Fox Sports (delay), ABC Radio, 2GB
MEDICAL ROOM:
Brisbane welcome back centre Justin Hodes from a hamstring injury, but will be without the services of skipper Darren Lockyer (knee) and Brent Tate (knee) for the remainder of the season. Karmichael Hunt (hamstring), Michael Ennis (shoulder) and David Stagg (ankle) will all make returns over the next fortnight. Makeshift pivot Tonie Carroll will play despite leaving the field with a neck problem last weekend.
The Sea Eagles travel to Suncorp without Travis Burns (back) and Steve Matai (neck) who will remain sidelined for an indefinite period, while powerhouse prop Jason King is expected to return from a knee injury in round 25.
FORM:
The injury ravaged Broncos produced a courageous effort to overcome a disappointing Sharks outfit 30-16 last Sunday, with Brisbane’s star studded forward pack paving the way for their sixth win in their past seven matches.
The Sea Eagles extended their winning streak to four when they emerged from an 8-18 half-time deficit to finish over the top of the Eels in a spiteful clash at Parramatta Stadium last weekend. Despite not being rated by several in the media, Manly are shaping as the biggest threat to Melbourne for this year’s premiership.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Justin Hodges vs Steve Bell
The battle between attacking brilliance and punishing defence will be one of the highlights of this highly anticipated clash.
The Broncos leading try scorer this season, Hodges has assumed the mantle of most damaging centre in the NRL with his irresistible form this season. Strong, fast and physically imposing, the giant Maroons centre is currently equal third in the NRL for most line breaks this season with 14. With Hodges sure to attract a swarm of Sea Eagles defenders, look for the lanky centre to set up his outside support in space with his magical one armed offloads.
Having partnered Hodges in the centres for Queensland this season, Bell will have a fair idea as to how to shut him down. While he is not in the best form of his career, Bell has still been a major part of Manly’s brutal defensive unit this season.
Shaun Berrigan vs Michael Monaghan
The battle between these two creative number nines holds the key to victory for these two sides.
Berrigan has been a revelation since Bennett shifted him to the hooking role late last season, with the former centres speed and footwork carving up even the best of defences. The zippy number nine has been in irresistible form in the past month, with Berrigan’s two try effort against the Eels a standout performance.
Monaghan has been an integral part of Manly’s charge to second position on the premiership table. The former half possesses all the skills of a top class dummy half, with Monaghan providing the Sea Eagles with another attacking option when inside the oppositions red zone.
VERDICT:
The Broncos forwards will need to produce another powerhouse performance this Sunday if they hope to upset the second placed Sea Eagles. With Lockyer, Ennis, Hunt and Tate still missing through injury, Brisbane lack the firepower to penetrate Manly’s rock solid defence, which is the second best in the competition.
Sea Eagles by 8.
Brisbane Broncos Team
Darius Boyd, Steve Michaels, Nick Emmett, Justin Hodges, Craig Frawley, Tonie Carroll, Shane Perry, Ben Hannant, Shaun Berrigan, Petero Civoniceva ©, Corey Parker, Brad Thorn, Greg Eastwood
Bench: Dane Carlaw, Dave Taylor, Ian Lacey, Sam Thaiday
Manly Sea Eagles Team
Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steve Bell, Steve Menzies, Chris Hicks, Jamie Lyon, Matt Orford (c), Mark Bryant, Michael Monaghan, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart, Luke Williamson
Bench: Matt Ballin, Glenn Hall, Adam Cuthbertson, Jack Afamasaga, Clint Halden, Jason Wells
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 27, Broncos 15, Sea Eagles 11, draws 1
LAST TIME: Sea Eagles 18 - Broncos 6 at Brookvale Oval, round 10, 2007
COVERAGE: Channel 9 (delay), Fox Sports (delay), ABC Radio, 2GB
MEDICAL ROOM:
Brisbane welcome back centre Justin Hodes from a hamstring injury, but will be without the services of skipper Darren Lockyer (knee) and Brent Tate (knee) for the remainder of the season. Karmichael Hunt (hamstring), Michael Ennis (shoulder) and David Stagg (ankle) will all make returns over the next fortnight. Makeshift pivot Tonie Carroll will play despite leaving the field with a neck problem last weekend.
The Sea Eagles travel to Suncorp without Travis Burns (back) and Steve Matai (neck) who will remain sidelined for an indefinite period, while powerhouse prop Jason King is expected to return from a knee injury in round 25.
FORM:
The injury ravaged Broncos produced a courageous effort to overcome a disappointing Sharks outfit 30-16 last Sunday, with Brisbane’s star studded forward pack paving the way for their sixth win in their past seven matches.
The Sea Eagles extended their winning streak to four when they emerged from an 8-18 half-time deficit to finish over the top of the Eels in a spiteful clash at Parramatta Stadium last weekend. Despite not being rated by several in the media, Manly are shaping as the biggest threat to Melbourne for this year’s premiership.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Justin Hodges vs Steve Bell
The battle between attacking brilliance and punishing defence will be one of the highlights of this highly anticipated clash.
The Broncos leading try scorer this season, Hodges has assumed the mantle of most damaging centre in the NRL with his irresistible form this season. Strong, fast and physically imposing, the giant Maroons centre is currently equal third in the NRL for most line breaks this season with 14. With Hodges sure to attract a swarm of Sea Eagles defenders, look for the lanky centre to set up his outside support in space with his magical one armed offloads.
Having partnered Hodges in the centres for Queensland this season, Bell will have a fair idea as to how to shut him down. While he is not in the best form of his career, Bell has still been a major part of Manly’s brutal defensive unit this season.
Shaun Berrigan vs Michael Monaghan
The battle between these two creative number nines holds the key to victory for these two sides.
Berrigan has been a revelation since Bennett shifted him to the hooking role late last season, with the former centres speed and footwork carving up even the best of defences. The zippy number nine has been in irresistible form in the past month, with Berrigan’s two try effort against the Eels a standout performance.
Monaghan has been an integral part of Manly’s charge to second position on the premiership table. The former half possesses all the skills of a top class dummy half, with Monaghan providing the Sea Eagles with another attacking option when inside the oppositions red zone.
VERDICT:
The Broncos forwards will need to produce another powerhouse performance this Sunday if they hope to upset the second placed Sea Eagles. With Lockyer, Ennis, Hunt and Tate still missing through injury, Brisbane lack the firepower to penetrate Manly’s rock solid defence, which is the second best in the competition.
Sea Eagles by 8.
Brisbane Broncos Team
Darius Boyd, Steve Michaels, Nick Emmett, Justin Hodges, Craig Frawley, Tonie Carroll, Shane Perry, Ben Hannant, Shaun Berrigan, Petero Civoniceva ©, Corey Parker, Brad Thorn, Greg Eastwood
Bench: Dane Carlaw, Dave Taylor, Ian Lacey, Sam Thaiday
Manly Sea Eagles Team
Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steve Bell, Steve Menzies, Chris Hicks, Jamie Lyon, Matt Orford (c), Mark Bryant, Michael Monaghan, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart, Luke Williamson
Bench: Matt Ballin, Glenn Hall, Adam Cuthbertson, Jack Afamasaga, Clint Halden, Jason Wells
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