Broncos v Storm NRL R27 betting tips | Thursday, September 5

Broncos v Storm best bets

Broncos v Storm match preview

The Brisbane Broncos will look to end their disappointing campaign on a high note when they host the Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night to kick off the final round of the 2024 NRL regular season.

Unsurprisingly, the minor premiers head to Queensland as short-priced favourites with major online bookmakers. Bet365 has the Storm at just $1.33 in the head-to-head betting, leaving the home team as a $3.70 outsider with Neds.

At a time when the Broncos were desperate to find their best form and fight for a spot in the finals, they were belted by the Dolphins in the Battle of Brisbane last weekend at Lang Park. Now the home side will need to make strong improvements to avoid another embarrassing loss to close out the season.

Melbourne rested several stars in round 26 and suffered only a narrow loss to the Cowboys in Townsville. This will be the perfect match for the visitors to fine-tune their combinations before they head into week one of the NRL finals.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has opted to rest front-rower Payne Haas, who returned from injury last weekend, while Kotoni Staggs (groin), Brendan Piakura (foot) and Xavier Willison (suspension) are unavailable. Deine Mariner has been named to return in the centres alongside Selwyn Cobbo, while Corey Oates could be playing his last game for the Broncos on the wing.

Fletcher Baker will start in the front row, Jaiyden Hunt lines up on the edge, and Benjamin Te Kura comes onto the bench. Reece Walsh has been named in the extended reserves and could be a late inclusion prior to kick off.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy welcomes back a dozen stars this weekend, although he will be without fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen after he copped a corky against the Cowboys. Sualauvi Faalogo will start at fullback, with Grant Anderson shifting to the wing with Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth and Nick Meaney have been paired up in the centres.

Jahrome Hughes returns at halfback, with Harry Grant completing the spine at hooker. Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Josh King are the props, with Shawn Blore and Eliesa Katoa in the second row and Trent Loiero locking the scrum.

Tyran Wishart, Christian Welch and Alec MacDonald drop back to the bench, where Tui Kamikamica makes his return.

Broncos v Storm R27 teams

Brisbane Broncos

1. Tristan Sailor
2. Corey Oates
3. Selwyn Cobbo
4. Deine Mariner
5. Jesse Arthars
6. Josh Rogers
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Corey Jensen
9. Billy Walters
10. Fletcher Baker
11. Jaiyden Hunt
12. Jordan Riki
13. Patrick Carrigan
14. Blake Mozer
15. Kobe Hetherington
16. Benjamin Te Kura
17. Martin Taupau

Melbourne Storm

1. Sualauvi Faalogo
2. Will Warbrick
3. Jack Howarth
4. Nick Meaney
5. Grant Anderson
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
9. Harry Grant
10. Josh King
11. Shawn Blore
12. Eliesa Katoa
13. Trent Loiero
14. Tyran Wishart
15. Christian Welch
16. Tui Kamikamica
17. Alec MacDonald

Broncos v Storm predictions

The Storm’s record against the Broncos could be the most dominant in the NRL, with 15 wins in their last 16 meetings. Also, Brisbane have struggled at Suncorp Stadium recently, and they’ve failed to cover the line in each of their last nine games. With the Storm rolling on to the finals, back them to win easily and cover the line of 15.5 points at $1.89 odds with top NRL bookies.

Melbourne have been the first tryscorers in each of their last five matches. Faalogo will start from the back this Thursday, having scored eight tries in his 13 matches this season. With his blistering speed and unparalleled footwork, the $9 at Neds is great value for Faalogo to be the club’s first tryscorer.

If the Storm get on a roll, this could be an incredibly high-scoring affair. Eight of the last nine matches between these two clubs have gone over the total points line. Should Bellamy’s side play a ruthless game of rugby league, this one will almost certainly go over 52.5 total points at $1.91 with Bet365.

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