NRL Rond 11 Preview - Broncos v Roosters @ Suncorp Stadium

Brisbane Broncos v Sydney Roosters @ Suncorp Stadium
 
Verdict - It's a blockbuster on Friday night football as the Broncos and Roosters collide at Suncorp Stadium. The Broncos were embarrassed 38-24 by Manly on home turf last week, and now sit a full game outside the Top 8 at 5-5 as their season starts to enter a critical month with Origin just around the corner. The Roosters put in by far their best 80-minute performance of the season with a stunning 32-0 defeat of the Warriors, which outlined they’re premiership contenders, as they got to 6-4 despite having played nowhere near their best football all season. 
 
Brisbane Broncos’ Scouting Report - Wayne Bennett looks to have swung the axe with Jack Bird training with the Reserves as he deals with poor form and a sternum injury. Tom Opacic takes his place in the centres as the Broncos look to bounce back from an embarrassing defeat on home soil to Manly. 
 
Sydney Roosters’ Scouting Report - The Roosters are further strengthened with the return of Victor Radley who missed their big victory over the Warriors through suspension. Key players James Tedesco and Cooper Cronk look to be finding a bit of rhythm as we head towards the halfway point of the season.
 
Verdict - Roosters by 1-8 in a high scoring game

I am very wary of a Broncos’ bounce-back here, given how ordinary they were last week, particularly defensively. However I think the Roosters would have gained enormous confidence from the way they played last week and, if they play anything like that again, they should beat Brisbane. The Broncos’ senior players in the likes of Boyd, Bird and Thaiday look a few yards off the pace for me this season, and at times this is a side where it looks like no one has any idea what they’re doing on 5th tackle. Expecting a Bronco’ ambush early, but the Roosters to weather and come out on top in a high scoring, open and close game throughout.