The first of Friday night’s NRL Round 21 matches is between Newcastle Knights and Brisbane Broncos. The opening kick is set to commence at 7.35pm local time with the game to be played at Hunter Stadium. The home team the Newcastle Knights are the current favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between Newcastle Knights and Brisbane Broncos.
Hunter Stadium
Friday 7.35pm
Newcastle Knights $1.47 vs Brisbane Broncos $2.70 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match
Newcastle Knights $1.49 vs Brisbane Broncos $2.65 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:
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| Newcastle Knights | 1.47 | 1.48 | 1.49 | 1.48 | 1.47 | 1.48 |
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Brisbane Broncos
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2.70 | 2.65 | 2.65 | 2.65 | 2.70 | 2.70 |
Preview:
Brisbane welcomed back their Origin stars and extended their season by another week when Justin Hodges scored in the dying moments of their clash against North Queensland last week.
The win sees Brisbane, mathematically at least, still able to make the eight but a loss in this or any of their remaining games, will be the end of their season.
Given that they’re yet to register a win over a side who are currently in the eight, and that they have to travel to Newcastle (currently 8th spot) with a poor away record, their season hangs by a thread.
What will give the Broncos hope is their recent strong record over the Knights, having won the past four encounters by comfortable margins on each occasion.
After a narrow loss to Melbourne, the Knights strung three wins on the trot before last week, going down to Sydney Roosters 28 – 12 at this venue.
The score line didn’t’ reflect the closeness of the game with Newcastle within a converted try of Sydney with only 10 minutes to play before two late tries to the visiting team blew the score out.
There were certainly enough positives for Newcastle to take out of that game and like Brisbane; they too must continue to win with the in-form Warriors also on 22 competition points.
It’s going to be hard for Brisbane to pick themselves up each week and the trip to Newcastle this year, where the Knights support a 6 – 3 winning record, has been a tough one for most teams, let along one trying to keep it’s head above water.
Teams:
Newcastle Knights:
Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen (capt), Tyrone Roberts, David Fa’alogo, Danny Buderus, Zane Tetevano, Robbie Rochow, Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Craig Gower, Chris Houston, Neville Costigan, Adam Cuthbertson, Korbin Sims (one to be omitted).
Brisbane Broncos:
Josh Hoffman, Corey Oates, David Stagg, Justin Hodges, Lachlan Maranta, Scott Prince, Ben Hunt, Mitchell Dodds, Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire, Sam Thaiday (capt), Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange: Peter Wallace, Dunamis Lui, Lama Tasi, Nick Slyney.
Milford quashes Brisbane rumours, for now.
Canberra fullback Anthony Milford has quashed rumours he’ll move back to Brisbane to join the Broncos next year despite suffering from homesickness.
The 19-year-old sensation was linked to the Broncos last week after reports emerged the Brisbane junior wanted to move back home to be closer to his family.
While Milford is contracted to the Raiders until the end of 2014, it was suggested a family illness get-out clause relating to his father could allow him to switch clubs to Brisbane in 2014.
However Milford fronted the media to end the rumours on Tuesday, saying his father was doing well and getting medical check-ups three times a week following a heart-attack 18 months ago.
“This past year that I’ve been here I’ve really found a strong bond with (Josh Papalii’s) family and I’ve built that up to be my own,” he said.
Like his own family, Papalii’s parents are of Samoan heritage and while his relationship with them may be strong, he admitted it was still hard to overcome his homesickness.
“There’s always times where I’m trying to call back home and see how they are,” he said.
“I’m on the phone to them everyday, which helps.”
Meanwhile, Joel Thompson hopes to get a little more clarity this week on whether he’ll return to the backrow to make way for star centre Blake Ferguson.
Ferguson was again left out of the Raiders match day 17 when an unchanged team was announced on Tuesday to take on the Melbourne Storm this weekend in Canberra.
“I’d like to know early, but at the end of the day that’s football. I’m just happy to be in the team,” Thompson said.
In other news, French-bound winger Sandor Earl says he hasn’t yet been asked by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority to front for an interview despite reports 30 NRL players have been given times for a second round of talks.
Earl was named by the Nine Network in June as being probed following claims he was treated with peptides at a clinic in Sydney’s southwest while playing for Penrith.
The 23-year-old maintains his innocence and says he’s considering legal action after the season finishes.
“I expect to be (interviewed) after what was publicly said, it would be quite silly if I wasn’t,” he said.
“If that’s the case, I’m happy to co-operate.”