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Dragons v Broncos: McCullough late call-up; Carrigan, Cobbo return

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The Broncos' finals dreams appear to have gone up in smoke with their big losses to the Storm and Eels, but a win over the Dragons at least keeps them in the frame for another 24 hours.

If Kevin Walters' men can beat the Dragons on Saturday they go to 30 competition points, two clear of the Canberra Raiders, who play Wests Tigers on Sunday in the final game of the regular season.

If the Broncos and Raiders both win then eighth spot will be decided on points differential which at this stage sits in Canberra's favour by 43 points.

The Broncos beat the Dragons 32-18 at Suncorp Stadium in Round 17 so they can take some confidence out of that as they look to mount one last challenge to be part of the finals action.

Sportsbet Betting preview: Dragons v Broncos

The Rundown

Team news

Dragons: Veteran hooker Andrew McCullough is a late call-up an hour before kick-off after recovering from a knee injury. Jayden Sullivan drops to the bench and Tyrell Fuimaono to 18th Man.

Broncos: No late changes on game day. Skipper Adam Reynolds will play despite suffering a head knock against the Eels. Thomas Flegler (throat) and Selwyn Cobbo (rested) are both good to go. Rhys Kennedy was a mid-week inclusion on the bench with the forward taking the place of Corey Jensen (COVID). Back-rower Jordan Riki (eye) has also dropped out, replaced in the starting side by Zac Hosking with Brendan Piakura promoted to the interchange.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Cody Ramsey
    Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Te Maire Martin
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Tyrell Sloan
    Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mathew Feagai
    Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
    Centre for Broncos is number 4 Delouise Hoeter
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Tautau Moga
    Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone
    Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Tyson Gamble
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
    Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Jack De Belin
    Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 19 Andrew McCullough
    Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
    Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Josh McGuire
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 17 Zac Hosking
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack Bird
    Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 9 Jayden Sullivan
    Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Billy Walters
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Jaiyden Hunt
    Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Keenan Palasia
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Jackson Ford
    Interchange for Broncos is number 22 Rhys Kennedy
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Aaron Woods
    Interchange for Broncos is number 23 Brendan Piakura

Reserves

  • Replacement for Dragons is number 14 Tyrell Fuimaono
    Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Tesi Niu

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ben Cummins
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Video Referee: Nick Morel
  • Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated:

Key match-up

Ben Hunt v Adam Reynolds: Two of the game's most astute playmakers, Hunt and Reynolds have enjoyed standout season but it seems neither will be part of the finals action. Hunt's fate has been known for a few weeks but he continues to lead the Red V around the park with his pinpoint kicking game. Reynolds must have felt certain he was bound for a top-eight berth in his first season as a Bronco until the wheels fell off in recent weeks, but all he can control this weekend is to lead Brisbane to victory and hope for a miracle on Sunday.

Stat Attack

The Dragons and Broncos have the unwanted honour of sitting No.1 and No.2 on the table for most missed tackles in 2022. The Red V have missed 895 tackles at an average of 39 per game while the Broncos have missed 821 tackles at an average of 35 per game.

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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