2020 NRL – Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm taking place? Friday 24th July, 2020 – 10:55 (UK)
Where is Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm taking place? Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
What is the expected weather for Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm? 16c, showers
What channel is Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
BRISBANE BRONCOS
Starting 13: Milford, Farnworth, Staggs, Boyd, Coates, Croft, Dearden, Flegler, Paix, Haas, Ofahengaue, Pangai Jnr., Carrigan – Interchanges: Gamble, Kennedy, Hopoate, Te’o – Reserves: Kennar, Bullemor
Unavailable: Jack Bird (Injured), Jordan Kahu (Injured), Sean O’Sullivan (Injured), Keenan Palasia (Injured), David Fifita (Injured), Jake Turpin (Injured), Matt Lodge (Injured), Jesse Arthars (Injured), Alex Glenn (Injured), Corey Oates (Injured), Tesi Niu (Injured), Issac Luke (Suspended)
- Brisbane Broncos suffered another humiliating loss after they were nilled for the third time in their last 11 matches as they were on the end of a huge loss against Wests Tigers last week and time is rapidly running out to save their season.
- The Broncos were once again bullied through the middle in their 48-0 loss as they managed just 1,185 metres which dropped their average for the year to 1,455, the second-lowest total in the NRL and is an area they need to make huge improvements.
- Under pressure head coach Anthony Seibold has made big changes to his side this week with gun halfback Tom Dearden given a chance to shine with Anthony Milford switching to fullback while Kotoni Staggs and Herbie Farnworth return from injury and Tyson Gamble and Rhys Kennedy are the other inclusions.
MELBOURNE STORM
Starting 13: Papenhuyzen, Momirovski, Lee, Olam, Addo-Carr, Munster, Hughes, B. Smith, C. Smith, Welch, Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Finucane – Interchanges: Seve, Faasuamaleaui, Vete, Asofa-Solomona – Reserves: Vunivalu, Schonig
Unavailable: Tui Kamikamica (Injured), Sandor Earl (Injured), Tom Eisenhuth (Injured), Jesse Bromwich (Injured)
- Melbourne Storm produced a dominant display as they ran in seven tries to overcome Gold Coast Titans last week and make it four victories in a row with the Storm now sitting just one point off the top of the NRL ladder.
- The Storm rolled up the field as they made an average of 43.1 metres per set and in limiting the Titans to just 26.8m, they were simply too good when they worked their way into Gold Coast’s 20m zone in the 42-6 victory.
- After such a strong showing, Storm head coach Craig Bellamy has seen no reason to change his side this week as they go in search of an eighth straight success against Brisbane Broncos, although Suliasi Vunivalu could be a late inclusion after he was named amongst the reserves.
THE PREDICTION
Brisbane Broncos put in another embarrassing display as they capitulated against Wests Tigers last week and they now face the daunting prospect of facing Melbourne Storm. The Broncos start Round 11 having conceded more points than any other side in the NRL with 291 and that is an alarming figure that the Storm will believe they can greatly add to. Melbourne scored seven tries last week and will look to produce another strong display against a side that they have defeated in 17 of their last 19 meetings. The Broncos will hope big changes to their side can yield a better display this week but all signs point to another big Storm victory and they should be able to win by at least 18 points.
