The Broncos have been a revelation in 2022 but they face a stern test of their premiership credentials when they confront one of the NRL's benchmark teams on their own patch.
After winning just seven games last season and three the year before, Brisbane have already chalked up nine wins this year on the back of Adam Reynolds' poise and the power of Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas, but they'll have to make do without their skipper at AAMI Park after he injured his ribs against Canberra.
The Storm were pushed all the way by the Roosters on Saturday but found a way to win even with three players backing up from Origin and Xavier Coates sidelined by an ankle injury.
The Broncos also overcame adversity to stave off a determined Canberra side at Suncorp Stadium to again highlight just how far they have come from their horror 2020-21 campaigns.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Storm v Broncos
The Rundown
Team news
Storm: Star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen was set to return from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since round nine but a positive COVID test ruled him out on Wednesday meaning Nick Meaney retains the fullback job for at least another week. Tui Kamikamica will start in a late swap with prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona. Tyran Wishart is 18th man.
Broncos: Skipper Adam Reynolds will miss the game with a rib injury, paving the way for Tyrone Roberts to play his first game since round one. Kotoni Staggs returns after missing the Raiders game with a corked shoulder suffered in Origin One and Brenko Lee holds his place in the centres with Herbie Farnworth sidelined by a biceps injury. Maroons winger Selwyn Cobbo is back on deck so Jordan Pereira goes to 18th man.
Kurt Capewell returns in the back row so TC Robati goes to the reserves. Jake Turpin joins the bench in place of the injured Cory Paix (knee). Payne Haas has been named to play despite hurting his shoulder against Canberra.
There were no changes when the squad was cut to 19 on Friday.
Match: Storm v Broncos
Round 15 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick MeaneyFullback for Broncos is number 1 Te Maire Martin
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Winger for Storm is number 2 Dean IeremiaWinger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Marion SeveCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Broncos is number 4 Brenko Lee
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Grant AndersonWinger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Tyrone Roberts
Forwards
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Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
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Prop for Storm is number 15 Tui KamikamicaProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
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Lock for Storm is number 14 Brandon SmithLock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Jake Turpin
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Interchange for Storm is number 13 Josh KingInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Kobe Hetherington
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Trent LoieroInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Thomas Flegler
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Chris LewisInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Keenan Palasia
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 22 Tyran WishartReplacement for Broncos is number 18 Jordan Pereira
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Jesse Bromwich v Payne Haas: Just 17 games short of the magical 300, Bromwich continues to set the standards in his final season at the Storm before joining the Dolphins. The 33-year-old will relish the battle with a man 11 years his junior but already regarded as one of the game's elite front-rowers. Haas is churning out 166 metres per game this season as well as getting through 32 tackles a match as he leads the Broncos' charge towards a first finals series since 2019.
Stat Attack
In the two meetings between the sides last year Melbourne piled on 80 points to Brisbane's 18. Ryan Papenhuyzen bagged four tries and five goals in the first clash at AAMI Park for a personal haul of 26 points, the second highest individual tally in Storm history behind Matt Geyer's 34 against Wests in 1999.
Match: Storm v Broncos
Round 15 -
home Team
Storm
2nd Position
away Team
Broncos
5th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
