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Broncos v Knights: Selwyn win situation; Frizell back on deck

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pan66.com
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The Broncos continue to enjoy an outstanding season and have now registered wins over the top four sides from last season.

After taking down the Panthers in Round 1, Cowboys in Round 2 and Eels in Round 8, Kevin Walters' men completed the sweep of last year's heavyweights with an impressive 20-12 victory over the Sharks in Round 14.

Any doubts about their ability to match it with the big guns have been well and truly dispelled and with matches against the Knights, Titans and Dolphins as well as two byes in the next five weeks, the Broncos are on track for a top-four finish.

With Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan leading the way up front and veteran playmaker Adam Reynolds combining beautifully with young gun Ezra Mam, the Broncos look every bit a title contender in 2023.

The Knights have won two of their past three and should be up for the challenge after recharging the batteries with a Round 14 bye.

Having made himself unavailable for Origin to focus on club footy, gun fullback Kalyn Ponga will have his sights set on a huge second half of the season as Newcastle eye a finals return after last year's 14th placed finish.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Broncos v Knights

Team News

Broncos: No changes for the Broncos on game day after a change on Friday with Tyson Smoothy promoted to the starting side at hooker for his first game in Broncos colours after four games with the Storm in 2021. Cory Paix goes back to the reserves. Maroons winger Selwyn Cobbo is back on deck after missing the Sharks game with a hip injury so Jesse Arthars goes to 18th Man.

Knights: The Knights will take the field as named after Lachlan Fitzgibbon failed to come up from the calf injury he suffered against the Sea Eagles and was replaced in the starting side by Dylan Lucas on Friday. The Knights welcome Tyson Frizell back from Origin duty so Jack Johns makes way. Utility Kurt Mann joins the bench at the expense of Lachlan Miller. The Knights came out of their first bye in Round 10 with over the Titans in Round 11 and will be looking for a similar result after the Round 14 freshen up.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
    Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
  • Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
    Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
  • Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
    Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
  • Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
    Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
  • Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
    Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
  • Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
    Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
  • Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds
    Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

  • Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler
    Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
  • Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
    Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
  • Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
    Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell
    2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
    2nd Row for Knights is number 18 Dylan Lucas
  • Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
    Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

  • Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Brendan Piakura
    Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt Mann
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Kobe Hetherington
    Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Martin Taupau
    Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack  Hetherington
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 22 Tyson Smoothy
    Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker

Reserves

  • Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Jesse Arthars
    Replacement for Knights is number 20 Jack Johns

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Broncos Payne Haas (868m) and Herbie Farnworth (842m) are the top two in the NRL for post-contact metres.
  • The Broncos lead the NRL in tackle breaks with 529 while the Knights are third on the list with 463. 
  • The Knights have not won back-to-back games since Round 1-2 in 2022.
  • The Broncos have won five of their past six games against the Knights at Suncorp Stadium.
  • The Knights have won only two of their past eight games in Queensland.
  • Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo has scored six tries in three games against the Knights.
  • The Knights will be aiming to notch the 400th win in the club’s history.
  • The Broncos are chasing their 200th win at Suncorp Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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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.