Sunday has three NRL matches with the second game for Round 22 is between Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra Dragons with the opening kick to commence at 3:00PM local time. The game is to be played at Suncorp Stadium with the favourite for the match being Brisbane Broncos. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra Dragons.
WHERE AND WHEN: Suncorp Stadium, Sunday, 11/08, 3:00PM
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Opening odds comparison:
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| Brisbane Broncos | 1.35 | 1.36 | 1.33 | 1.36 | 1.35 | 1.38 |
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St George Illawarra Dragons
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3.20 | 3.20 | 3.40 | 3.20 | 3.20 | 3.20 |
Preview:
The second Sunday match is between the Brisbane Broncos and the St George Dragons, kicking off at 3.00pm at Suncorp Stadium. The Broncos will be favourites to win here at home, even though they have very little to play for at this time of the season. The Dragons are also struggling back in 14th position, and looked very ordinary in defence last round. Most of the money will be on Brisbane for this one, with the home ground advantage probably enough to see them through.
Teams:
Brisbane Broncos:
Josh Hoffman, Corey Oates, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Lachlan Maranta, Scott Prince, Ben Hunt, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire, Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange: Peter Wallace, David Stagg, Dunamis Lui, Lama Tasi, Scott Anderson, Jarrod Wallace, Nick Slyney
St George Illawarra Dragons:
Josh Dugan, Brett Morris, Nathan Green, Daniel Vidot, Jason Nightingale, Adam Quinlan, Nathan Fien, Jack de Belin, Mitch Rein, Ben Creagh, Bronson Harrison, Tyson Frizell, Trent Merrin. Interchange: Matt Prior, Leeson Ah Mau, Will Matthews, Jack Stockwell
Hunt is Broncos’ X-factor: Lockyer
While Brisbane weigh outside options for their next X-factor player, Darren Lockyer believes the NRL club have one in their midst in new halfback Ben Hunt.
The likes of Bulldogs superstar Ben Barba and Canberra livewire Anthony Milford – both currently unsettled – are in Brisbane’s sights ahead of next season as they look to reinvigorate the struggling team.
However, club great Lockyer reckons he has already seen enough to convince him that Hunt is the answer to their problems, even if it is at his former halves partner Peter Wallace’s expense.
“I think the signs that he (Hunt) showed against the Knights (in last round’s 18-all draw) showed he can become another X-factor for the team,” Lockyer said.
Former NSW Origin halfback Wallace has been relegated to Brisbane back-up hooker role after Hunt was thrown the No.7 jersey in a desperate bid to keep the Broncos’ faint finals hopes alive.
Wallace is frustrated by his treatment at the Broncos and is keen to go “anywhere” in the NRL despite being contracted to Brisbane until the end of 2014.
But Lockyer said: “You are measured by your results and where the Broncos are on the ladder is unacceptable – the decision had to be made.
“It is unfortunate for the guys on the receiving end of that because someone like Wal (Wallace) has given the club so much and worked so hard.
“But that is the nature of the beast.”
Since being thrust into the halfback role, Hunt has responded with an inspired hand in an 18-16 win over North Queensland and glimpses of brilliance in the last round draw in Newcastle.
Brisbane – who are two wins outside the top eight – must keep winning to be a top eight chance, starting with Sunday’s Suncorp Stadium showdown with St George Illawarra.
Asked if Hunt’s switch to No.7 came too late, Lockyer said: “He’s there now, we can’t change the past but we can look forward to the future.
“He showed some real positive signs against the Knights. It would have been a good learning experience that last 10 minutes.
“I think if he was in the same situation he would take more control and close the game out.”
Brisbane are expected to know more in November on whether Barba will seek a Bulldogs release, a move the Dally M Medallist could pursue if his ex-partner and their two young children return to Queensland.
Milford’s recruitment appears more certain after his manager requested a release from the final year of his Canberra contract, even though the Raiders admit they’re desperate to keep him.
Asked if Brisbane needed an X-factor, Lockyer said: “I think Ben Hunt will provide some of that, and obviously (centre) Justin Hodges does.
“Any quality player out there in the competition that is available the Broncos have said they are willing to have a chat.
“But it is up to them what they do.”