Match Preview: Round 23 – Dolphins v Broncos
A Battle For Brisbane victory could be all the Dolphins need to secure their maiden finals berth.
And that’s what’s on the line when the Dolphins step out onto Suncorp Stadium on Saturday evening for another blockbuster clash with the Broncos.
A 13th win of the season will secure the Dolphins their first-ever finals appearance, adding even more significance to one of the biggest games on the calendar.
The last time the two sides met was earlier this season in Round 4, when the Broncos claimed a 26-12 victory. The Dolphins will be looking to turn the tables this time around as they chase a piece of club history.
Coming off a win over the Dragons in Wollongong last week, the Dolphins will look to carry that momentum into Saturday’s sold-out Battle for Brisbane.
There are also milestones on the line, with Jack Bostock set to make his 50th NRL and Dolphins appearance.
Jamayne Isaako is also closing in on a major club milestone, sitting on 975 points for the Dolphins and needing just 25 more to become the first player to reach 1,000 points for the club.
The winger has enjoyed a strong run at Suncorp Stadium, scoring nine tries in his past seven appearances at the venue.
Team News
Dolphins
Just one change has been made to the side that defeated the Dragons, with Sebastian Su’a joining the interchange in place of Ray Stone.
Kristian Woolf has otherwise retained the same starting 13 as the Dolphins look to secure their 13th victory of the season.
Broncos
Thomas Duffy moves into halfback in place of Adam Reynolds, who has been ruled out with concussion.
Xavier Willison will start at prop, with Va’a Semu moving to the bench, while Jaiyden Hunt and Billy Walters have been promoted to the starting side.
Jack Gosiewski also returns from a rib injury and has been named on the interchange.
Match-Up
Jack Bostock v Kotoni Staggs
The battle of the centres shapes as one to watch in Saturday’s Battle For Brisbane, with two New South Wales representatives lining up on opposite edges.
Bostock will make his 50th NRL and Dolphins appearance, and his 10th game of the season. Across his nine appearances this year, he has scored four tries, registered eight try assists, 22 tackle breaks and three line breaks.
On the opposite edge, Staggs will line up for his 162nd NRL game and 17th appearance of the season. The Broncos centre has crossed for eight tries this year, alongside two try assists, 61 tackle breaks and six line breaks.
Both centres bring plenty of power and attacking threat out wide, with their ability to break tackles and create opportunities for those around them making them key weapons for their respective sides.
With plenty on the line in Battle For Brisbane, whichever centre can make the bigger impact on their edge could prove crucial in deciding Saturday night’s contest.
