The Broncos ran into a red-hot South Sydney side last week and although not playing badly, they were no match for their opponents who ran in 42 points to the Broncos’ 16.

It was the third loss from their past four games however, each of those games have been against a top eight side. This will be the first time since round 16 that the Broncos have come up against a side not in the top eight.

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Brisbane sit on 24 competition points, one win behind the Cowboys, Warriors and Eels who cover 7th to 9th spot on the ladder.

With the Cowboys facing Manly, Warrirors v Roosters and the Eels up against Manly, a win here could place the Broncos right in the middle of a dogfight for the last finals’ berth.

A win over Newcastle and their soon-to-be-again coach Wayne Bennett, should be the added incentive the Broncos need to come out here with a full head of steam and continue their recent run of good starts.

Lachlan Maranta has been named as the replacement for regular fullback Josh Hoffman who broke his leg last week and will miss the remainder of the season.

Expect to see Maranta tested early by the Knights.

KNIGHTS

The Knights recorded their sixth win from their past eight matches with a gutsy 28 – 22 win over the Warriors at Hunter Stadium last week.

Spurred on by the return of Jarrod Mullen and forward Beau Scott, the Knights where never headed, responding well each time the Warriors reeled their lead in, with man-of-the-match and winger Sione Mata’utia scoring a hat-rick.

With the end of a long season now in sight and the future of the Knights next season settled, the Knights have been able to concentrate on football for the first time in long while over the past two months and the results they’ve produced are pleasing.

They can claim the scalps of the Roosters and Storm in the last four weeks and whilst both wins have come at Hunter Stadium, they’ve got nice momentum coming into this game and travelling better than their fourteenth spot on the ladder would suggest.

Willie Mason has been named to return as prop for this clash whish should ensure we see a strong battle up front.

HEAD TO HEAD

When the two sides met in round 7 of this year, the Broncos recorded a dominant 32 – 6 win however, that was the first of seven consecutive losses for the Knights who were struggling to put several controversial off-field situations at the time, plus an extensive injury list, aside.

The Knights have improved considerably since then, now that those incidents have been addressed and they playing roster is a more familiar one.

They are in a much stronger position to take on the Broncos.

Last year the two sides met twice for a draw and Newcastle win – at Suncorp.

This match could be a return to those clashes and produce a contest much closer than the current market would suggest.

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Teams:

Broncos: Lachlan Maranta, Daniel Vidot, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Dale Copley, Ben Barba, Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Corey Parker (c), Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Sam Thaiday.
Interchange: Jarrod Wallace, Martin Kennedy, Ben Hannant, Corey Oates..

Knights: Kurt Gidley, Chanel Mata’utia, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Sione Mata’utia, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Adam Clydsdale, Willie Mason, Beau Scott, Robbie Rochow, Jeremy Smith.
Interchange: Travis Waddell, Korbin Sims, Adam Cuthbertson, David Fa’alogo, Chris Houston (one to be omitted).