NRL Round 17 Preview and Prediction - Brisbane Broncos v Melbourne Storm @ Suncorp Stadium

Brisbane Broncos v Melbourne Storm @ Suncorp Stadium
 
Preview - We get a Friday night blockbuster here at Suncorp Stadium as the 3rd placed Broncos host the 1st place Storm as two of the competition heavyweights go head to head. The Broncos got one of their most impressive road victories of the year last week as they went to chilly Canberra and came away with a 30-20 upset victory in what was a desperate game for the Raiders’ final chances. The win moves Brisbane to 10 wins and just 2 games behind the Premiership leaders. The Storm’s youngsters once again put in an outstanding display despite going down 25-24 to the high flying Roosters in Golden Point. The Storm, without 4 of their Origin stars, dominated the game for 60 minutes having lead 20-6 and then 24-12 with just 8 minutes to play, before being run down at the death. 
 
History - The Storm have the best record against the Broncos in the competition by a country mile. They are the only Club in the competition with the winning record against the Broncos, and it is not even close, with 27 victories, 1 draw and just 13 losses. The Storm love playing at Suncorp Stadium having won their last 6 games against the Broncos up there, as well as 11 of the past 13 at all venues. 
 
Brisbane Broncos’ Scouting Report - The Broncos have made a late change with Ben Hunt promoted back to starting halfback after a dominant display off the bench last week against the Raiders. Kodi Nikorima drops back to the bench whilst Korbin Sims returns at prop, which relegates Herman Ese'ese to the bench. Benji Marshall is having somewhat of an Indian summer, having produced a brilliant performance last week against the Raiders in which he turned back the clock with a couple of magical passes and kicks. 
 
Melbourne Storm Scouting Report - The Melbourne Storm welcome back all their big guns with Billy Slater, Will Chambers, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith all named to play after being rested last week against the Roosters in Adelaide. Tim Glassby is promoted to the starting side while Curtis Scott, Jahrome Hughes, Brodie Croft, Brandon Smith and Mark Nicholls have all dropped out of the 17 despite some of them playing starring roles over the past 2 weeks. 
 
Verdict - Storm by 6-12

I like the Storm here to continue their dominance over the Broncos. The Storm have won their last 6 clashes against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, and 11 of the last 13 overall. They are back to full strength and their Queensland contingent of Slater, Chambers, Cronk and Smith are used to winning games at Suncorp and will feel right at home there despite being the away side. Brisbane are having a really good Origin period considering the disruptions they have to endure, however I think for them it's a tough week to be coming up against the Storm who rarely lose back-to-back games under Craig Bellamy. I think this will be one of the games of the season with the Broncos desperate to make a statement, however I think the Storm have too much firepower and can win this game by a try or two.