VENUE & TIME: Suncorp Stadium, August 1, 5.00pm (NZT)
COVERAGE: Sky Sport
HEAD TO HEADPlayed 24, Broncos 13, Dragons 11
LAST TIME: Dragons 34 – Brisbane 16 at Win Stadium, Round 5, 2010
MATCH ODDS: TAB NZ: Broncos $2.00, Dragons $1.75
WALKING WOUNDED: The Broncos have lost form back-rower Ben Te'o for up to four weeks with mid-foot sprain, allowing the versatile Matt Gillett a start in the second-row. Forward trio Scott Anderson, Lagi Setu and Ashton Sims have all been named on an extended bench, but only one of them is expected to play with the remaining two dropping back to QLD Cup duties. There is still no definite word as to when centre Justin Hodges will be back from his Achilles injury. The Dragons remain unchanged for this clash, with star recruit Mark Gasnier still biding his time on the interchange bench, amid calls from past St George greats to have him starting matches. Prop Michael Weyman returns from suspension next week.
FORM: The Broncos showed just what they are capable of in a 15 minute second half blitz last Monday night when they piled on 24 points to assume a 30-28 lead over the Roosters. It was an amazing comeback, but things stalled after they hit the front, allowing the Chooks to get the points. Coach Ivan Henjak admitted his side didn't deserve to win and they will have to produce better 80-minute performances in coming weeks if they want to sneak back into the top-eight. The Dragons have now lost two of their past three matches, giving life to those Dragon doubters out there who enjoy using the term 'choke' a lot around this time of season. Dragons' fans shouldn't become too disheartened though because coach Wayne Bennett is the ultimate pro and will not fall into the same traps as last year. As the Dragons had a fair Origin representation this season, Bennett has gone easy on his troops at training during the post-Origin series period and has budgeted to lose a couple of games during this time. It's all about peaking at the right time and avoiding a late-season burn-out. Just ask the premiership-winning Brisbane team of 2006 just how effective this approach can be.
WHO'S HOT: Since being dropped from the third Origin match, Ben Creagh has been a solid performer for the Dragons. He was a stand-out in a losing side against the Titans last Friday night, scoring his team's only try and ploughing through 179m from 22 hit-ups. Corey Parker continued his impressive 2010 form for the Broncos on Monday night, leading the metres-gained for his side and landing five goals from as many attempts. Parker, along with Sam Thaiday, are two of better performed back-rowers in the NRL at present.
WE THINK: Expect a crowd of around 50,000 for this clash as the Broncos attempt to sneak back into the top-eight against the competition-leading Dragons, coached by non-other than former Brisbane mentor Mr Bennett. The Broncos have a poor record against the Dragons at Suncorp Stadium, losing five of their past six matches at the ground, but the game they did win in that sequence was in last year's semi final series – a result that ultimately saw the table-topping Dragons eliminated. As mentioned earlier, Bennett has gone easy on his