Sunday’s NRL 2018 Round 25 match is between Brisbane Broncos and Manly Sea Eagles. The opening kick is set to commence at 16:10 local time with the game to be played at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. The home team Brisbane Broncos are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Brisbane Broncos and Manly Sea Eagles.
When: 16:10 | Sunday 02/09/2018
Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Preview:
If you’re going to pick on pure form, this game is a landslide.
The only problem is Brisbane’s ability this year to perform against the lower bottom 8 sides.
Super important game though given the fact they won’t want to lose any of the momentum particularly after beating the two heavyweights.
Look for Josh McGuire and Jake Trbojevic to again battle it out and butt heads.
I love the way these two put in 100 percent every week for their teams.
The Verdict
Could the Manly Sea Eagles spoil the party?
Absolutely, but I just can’t see how this will happen if Brisbane turn up in the right frame of mind.
On another note, will the Manly side even have a coach for this game?
The circus of uncertainty continues and the quicker this year finishes the better.
I feel the playing group is in that same mindset.
Brisbane to head into the semi-finals with a good win.
The Broncos have a 47-21 (69.1 percent) record after a win playing as a home team since 2010.
Unibet Odds:
Brisbane Broncos at $1.32
Manly Sea Eagles at $3.45
Odds:
Tip: Brisbane Broncos at $1.29
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Jamayne Isaako at $10.00
More Info:
Teams:
Brisbane Broncos:
1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. James Roberts 4. Jordan Kahu 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Turpin 10. Sam Thaiday 11. Alex Glenn 12. Tevita Pangai 13. Josh McGuire
Interchange: 14. Patrick Mago 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Korbin Sims 17. David Fifita
Reserves: 18. Sam Tagataese 20. Kotoni Staggs
Players cut: 19. Todd Murphy 21. Jack Bird
Manly Sea Eagles: 
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Matthew Wright 3. Moses Suli 4. Brian Kelly 5. Brad Parker 6. Dylan Walker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Manase Fainu 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Shaun Lane 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Trent Hodkinson 15. Kelepi Tanginoa 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. Taniela Paseka
Reserves: 18. Frank Winterstein 19. Tevita Funa
Players cut: 20. Tom Wright 21. Lloyd Perrett
NRL News:
Hooker Andrew McCullough is expected to be ruled out of Brisbane’s final round NRL match with Manly after being knocked out in Dylan Napa’s controversial tackle.
Veteran forward Sam Thaiday says McCullough will be a big loss as the seventh-placed Broncos chase the opportunity to secure a home final when they take on the Sea Eagles at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Sydney Roosters prop Napa accepted a three-match ban for his head-first tackle which struck McCullough in the face last weekend.
The retiring Thaiday has previously filled the void at dummy half and in what could be his last game at home, may be asked to do it again.
“Definitely (we’ll miss him); what he brings to the team attacking-wise is fantastic and brilliant,” Thaiday said of McCullough.
“Defensively he leads our line speed, leads our tackle count every week.
“Of course we’re going to miss a player like him but it’s a bit of a blessing in disguise because it gives him a rest into finals, he’s got a few little niggly things that he can look after.”
Thaiday declined to comment on the length of Napa’s suspension but conceded the Maroons forward needed to tweak his tackling style.
“He was apologetic … it’s a technical issue he has to work on,” Thaiday said.
Josh McGuire and Alex Glenn could also be used in the No.9 role against the Sea Eagles, with the Broncos gunning for three straight wins.
Brisbane could finish the season as high as fifth and host a final depending on the result of Penrith’s clash with Melbourne and how St George Illawarra fair against Newcastle.
A loss would likely make Sunday’s contest Thaiday’s last at home and his family have responded, with his brother flying in from Germany for the occasion.
“You never know, there’s a few different scenarios out there,” he said.
“It’s going to be hard for us to not watch all the games that are going around over the weekend.”
