NRL Round 23 Preview and Prediction - Brisbane Broncos v Cronulla Sharks @ Suncorp Stadium

Brisbane Broncos (3rd) v Cronulla Sharks (4th) @ Suncorp Stadium
 
Preview - We get a Friday night blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium as two Top 4 combatants lock horns when the Broncos and Sharks collide. The Broncos revived their flagging Premiership hopes last week, with a thumping 54-0 win in the local derby against the Titans down the road on the Gold Coast. The Broncos played some sparkling football, scoring a number of long distance tries, as they racked up 38 points in a 2nd half demolition, to put themselves back into 3rd spot on the ladder. The Sharks were shocked at home 30-12 by a resurgent Raiders’ outfit to see themselves hanging on to 4th spot with a number of teams breathing down their neck. The Sharks have been a big disappointment at home this year, managing to win just 5 from 11 games at Shark Park. 

History - These sides opened the 2017 season back in Round 1 on a Thursday Night at Shark Park with the Broncos emerging victorious 26-18. The Sharks love going to Suncorp Stadium having won  their last three at the venue, with Brisbane's last win against the Sharks at home coming way back in 2011
 
Brisbane Broncos’ Scouting Report - The Broncos will be missing exciting young forward Joe Ofahengaue for the next 3 weeks due to that spear tackle going wrong last week against the Titans. Jai Arrow gains a spot on the bench, with Wayne Bennett sticking to the spine that did an outstanding job last week. Ben Hunt might well have found his best position at hooker, scoring 3 tries and having a hand in several others, in a brilliant display at Number 9 replacing the injured Andrew McCullough. 
 
Cronulla Sharks’ Scouting Report - The Sharks get a key inclusion with James Maloney named to play after missing the last few rounds with a hand injury. However, the Sharks will be missing strike centre Jack Bird after he suffered a shoulder injury against the Raiders, with the versatile Kurt Capewell coming into the centres. Fa’amanu Brown shifts back into the Number 9 jersey, with James Segeyaro going back to the bench. 
 
Verdict - Broncos by 1-6 in a cracking game

I like the Broncos here after their sparkling performance against the Titans last week, however I think this game will be a lot closer then some people think. I think Ben Hunt gives them an added threat out of dummy half and, whilst the Sharks always respond after a heavy defeat, I have a few concerns about the way they are playing at the moment, they are looking a bit jaded. Without Jack Bird, the Sharks are looking a bit banged up at the moment and defensively looked a little sore and sorry against the Raiders. The Broncos have been a very tough nut to crack at home this year and, whilst the Sharks have been better on the road than at home, a 6-day turnaround with a few injuries going up to Brisbane is one of the tougher tasks in the game. I think this game will be very physical, and the Sharks will be willing, but the Broncos will win it by a try or less in a thriller.