Injuries have struck a host of clubs ahead of Round 8, with the Storm facing a backline crisis after their latest blow.
The Broncos, meanwhile, will have a big decision to make regarding who wears the No.1 jersey, while the Rabbitohs are also set to reshuffle their halves with a playmaker returning.
Brisbane Broncos vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 7.50pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium
Last week’s Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 16. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 9. Cory Paix 11. Jaiyden Hunt 15. Corey Jensen 17. Tyson Smoothy. 18th man: 18. Deine Mariner
Team Tips: Michael Maguire has been dealt a huge blow with superstar fullback Reece Walsh set to sit out for four to six weeks with a PCL injury in his knee. Selwyn Cobbo is the leading contender to wear the No.1 jersey, with electric flyer Deine Mariner returning to first grade on the wing. Latrell Siegwalt shapes as another option should Maguire not want to shake-up his backline. There are question marks over Ben Hunt, meanwhile, after Michael Maguire switched the veteran to dummy half during the loss to the Warriors. Billy Walters moved into the halves in a move that could have longer term implications with playmaker Ezra Mam just weeks away from a return from suspension. In other news, Brendan Piakura, is also due to return from suspension and will likely start in the back row alongside Jordan Riki, which could see Tyson Smoothy drop off the bench after the Broncos played a trio of dummy-half and utilities in Round 7.
Brisbane Broncos team list, latest squad news for Round 8
The Broncos entered into their clashes with the Sydney Roosters and the Warriors as favourites but were outplayed on both occasions to leave Michael Maguire facing the first sticky spot of his early reign.
The Queenslanders will be desperate to atone for the two poor showings on home soil, yet will have their work cut out for them as they will be unable to call upon Reece Walsh for their meeting with the Dogs.
Brisbane Broncos NRL game this week
The Broncos take on the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday, April 24 at 7:50pm (AEST).
Broncos predicted team list vs. Bulldogs for Round 8
1. Selwyn Cobbo
2. Deine Mariner
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Gehamat Shibasaki
5. Jesse Arthars
6. Ben Hunt
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Patrick Carrigan
9. Cory Paix
10. Payne Haas
11. Xavier Willison
12. Jordan Riki
13. Kobe Hetherington
14. Billy Walters
15. Corey Jensen
16. Brendan Piakura
17. Tyson Smoothy
Broncos latest team news for Round
Reece Walsh suffered a knee injury during his side’s loss to the Warriors and is expected to be out for up to six weeks in a major blow for Brisbane.
Selwyn Cobbo will take the No.1 jersey with Deine Mariner brought back into the team on the wing.
Cory Paix was named to start but dropped back to the bench for Billy Walters ahead of the game in Auckland. Michael Maguire is likely to list Paix in the No.9 jersey again.
Jaiyden Hunt was named to start in the backrow in the absence of Jack Gosiewski, however he was replaced by Xavier Willison in a late change. The big forward could be handed the starting jersey in this one.
Hunt or Tyson Smoothy will lose their spot in the 17 with Brendan Piakura back on deck after serving his ban.