The Raiders' shock loss to the Dragons has opened the door for the Storm to make a late run for a seventh minor premiership in club history.
With two games to come against the Broncos as well as clashes with the Panthers, Bulldogs and Roosters, the run home is certainly a tough one for the Storm but they know all about high-pressure games at the business end of the season.
If they can finish top four and then get star playmaker Jahrome Hughes back for the finals then the Storm loom as a major contender for the title.
The Broncos have won six of their past seven to rise from 11th to sixth and sit just two points outside the top four with games against the Storm, Dolphins, Knights, Cowboys and Storm again to round out their season.
With the attacking threats of Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam and Kotoni Staggs they have the firepower to take down any opponent on their day - and what better place to make a statement than against one of the NRL's heavyweights on their own patch.
Match: Storm v Broncos
Round 23 -
home Team
Storm
2nd Position
away Team
Broncos
6th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Team News
Storm: Centre Jack Howarth has been ruled out with a groin injury so Kane Bradley will take his place. Alec MacDonald is pushing to return from a rib injury that has kept him sidelined since Round 18 and remained in the squad when it was trimmed on Thursday. Trent Loiero is also set to take his place in the team after being rested, with Ativalu Lisati shifting to the bench. Harry Grant will play his 100th game for the Storm.
Broncos: Powerhouse prop Payne Haas is on track to return in a major boost for the Broncos after he missed last week's game with an infection. The forward spent time in hospital but is expected to line up on Thursday night. "He's had his break, he's ready to go," coach Michael Maguire said on Wednesday. Xavier Willison has been ruled out with a broken arm. No changes in Wednesday's 24-hour update with Tyson Smoothy the 18th man.
Match: Storm v Broncos
Round 23 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Grant AndersonWinger for Broncos is number 2 Selwyn Cobbo
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick MeaneyCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
-
Centre for Storm is number 17 Joe ChanCentre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Broncos is number 5 Deine Mariner
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Tyran WishartHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Broncos is number 9 Ben Hunt
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jack Gosiewski
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Jonah PezetInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Billy Walters
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Ativalu LisatiInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Kobe Hetherington
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui KamikamicaInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Ben Talty
-
Interchange for Storm is number 21 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Jaiyden Hunt
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 19 Bronson GarlickReplacement for Broncos is number 18 Tyson Smoothy
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won 16 of their last 17 games against the Broncos.
- The Broncos have not won at AAMI Park since 2016.
- Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has scored seven tries in six games against the Broncos.
- Broncos captain Adam Reynolds has won only three out of 20 games against the Storm.
- Storm captain Harry Grant will play his 100th game for the club.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
