You must have flash player to view media.
Dominic Brock | rugbyleaguelive.com | 05/09/08 | 0
AUDIO - About to tip? Catch Blocker's final round rundown
AUDIO - Andrew Moore's Round 26 preview
AUDIO - Brian Smith previews the Knights' clash with Brisbane
AUDIO - Tonie Carroll on farewelling the Broncos
Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights
Friday 5th September, 7.35pm
Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Tony Archer
HEAD TO HEAD
Broncos 22 wins, Knights 9 wins.
FORM GUIDE
Broncos: WWWLWLWWLLBWLLWDBLWWWLLWW
Knights: WWLLLWBWLLBLWWLLLWLWWWLWW
This will be an emotional game for Brisbane fans, who will see off their champion coach Wayne Bennett and veteran player Tonie Carroll in their final regular season games with the club.
They can still grab a top-four spot and a home semi-final with a win here, if the Roosters are beaten by the in-form Dragons, so there will be plenty of incentive for the Brisbane boys.
But there’s even more on the line for Newcastle, who have the chance to cement a spot in the finals.
The Knights have been terrific in recent weeks, pipping Melbourne last week – without injured skipper Danny Buderus – on the back of a big lift in intensity in defence.
But with no Buderus again at Suncorp on Friday night, the visitors could struggle to compete with Brisbane trump cards Darren Lockyer and Justin Hodges.
The Broncos have been in cruise control, taking underwhelming wins over injury-ravaged strugglers Gold Coast and the Bulldogs.
They’ll need to step up a level here, but there’s no reason they can’t farewell Bennett and Carroll in style.
THE BURNING QUESTION
Can Newcastle’s dream run spoil Wayne Bennett’s farewell party?
KEY MATCH UP
Karmichael Hunt v Kurt Gidley
Hunt received a massive wrap from Bennett this week, being hailed as a “remarkable” and “fearless” player and a Broncos captain of the future.
The 21-year-old is rock solid at the back, and despite often being overshadowed by flashier teammates like Hodges and Lockyer – not to mention rival fullbacks Billy Slater and Brett Stewart – the youngster’s cool presence is a real bonus for Brisbane’s backline.
Gidley has already risen to the role of skipper at Newcastle, and has cemented his place as the NRL’s best players this season.
He does it all for the Knights – makes huge metres from fullback, runs the team from dummy half, makes line breaks, sets up tries and kicks goals.
With Buderus missing Gidley’s role is more crucial than usual, but he’ll love the challenge of taking on the Broncos up north.
COACHES CORNER
Bennett has of course insisted it will be business as usual this weekend, but this will be a special occasion for the near-permanently grumpy coach – even if he doesn’t show it.
He’ll want to farewell his beloved Broncos fans with a win, but knows keeping his players’ minds on the job (“It’s just another game”) is the key to victory.
Bennett does have an almost full-strength squad at his disposal, something that can’t be said for counterpart Brian Smith.
The former Parramatta mentor can finally silence his long list of critics by getting his unsung Knights side into the finals with a win here.
The desperation in defence the Novocastrians showed last week will be needed again here to shut down the likes of Hodges and Sam Thaiday, while the back three will need to be on guard against the kicking games of Lockyer and Peter Wallace.
PUNTERS GUIDE
Head-to-head: Broncos $1.28 – Knights $3.50
Brisbane start clear favourites but this one could be a beauty. The Knights have more to play for – a loss will mean they will have to rely on Parramatta beating the Warriors on Saturday – and they have been playing well above their weight.
But up against rugby league heavyweights Wayne Bennett and Darren Lockyer – in Brisbane – Newcastle face a tough task.
Brisbane to win by 1-12, but an upset here isn’t out of the question.
CASUALTY WARD
Broncos: Steve Michaels – knee (season), Nick Emmett – ankle (season)
Knights: Danny Buderus – bicep (season), Zeb Taia – knee (season), Dan Tolar – back (indefinite).
BAD BOYS
Broncos: -
Knights: -
TEAM LISTS
Broncos: Karmichael Hunt, Darius Boyd, Joel Moon, Justin Hodges, Denan Kemp, Darren Lockyer (capt), Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis, Joel Clinton, Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday, Tonie Carroll. Interchange: David Stagg, Ashton Sims, Greg Eastwood, Nick Kenny
Knights: Kurt Gidley (capt), James McManus, Junior Sau, Adam MacDougall, Wes Naiqama, Jarrod Mullen, Scott Dureau, Matt White, Matt Hilder, Ben Cross, Steve Simpson, Cory Patterson, Mark Taufua. Interchange: Jesse Royal, Chris Bailey, Danny Wicks, Chris Houston, Richard Fa'aoso (one to be omitted)
Send to friend
* Required field