The battle for south-east Queensland bragging rights is set up perfectly with the Broncos and Dolphins arriving in winning form and primed to make a statement at a packed Suncorp Stadium.

The Broncos took the honours in both meetings last year as they surged towards a drought-breaking premiership but the Dolphins are a very different proposition with Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert back in business.

Once the forwards have slugged it out in the middle the ball will find its way to a flotilla of flashy finishers including Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs and Ezra Mam on one side and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Herbie Farnworth and Jake Averillo on the other.

A high-scoring shootout is certainly on the cards as last year’s most potent team the Dolphins look to outrun and outgun the defending premiers who put the steel back in their defence in the second half at AAMI Park.

Team News

Broncos: A major blow for the premiers with Payne Haas ruled out of Friday’s Battle of Brisbane due to a shoulder injury. Xavier Willison is set to start at prop in his place. In positive news, halfback Adam Reynolds is on track to return from a rib injury that forced him to miss last week’s win over Melbourne. Reynolds’ inclusion will see Ben Hunt shift to the interchange. Jesse Arthars and Thomas Duffy were omitted 24 hours before kick-off with Va’a Semu added to the six-man interchange in jersey No.22.

Dolphins: Representative prop Tom Flegler is set to make his return from a rib injury via the interchange, with coach Kristian Woolf looking to roll out the same starting side that defeated Cronulla last weekend. Francis Molo is also in the mix to return from suspension and has been named on the bench. Tevita Naufahu and Brian Pouniu were omitted 24 hours before kick-off.

Stat Attack

The Broncos have won four of their five games against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.
Dolphins centre Jake Averillo has scored six tries in his last four NRL games.
Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has scored seven tries in his last six games at Suncorp Stadium.
Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 20 tries in his last 14 games at Suncorp.
Broncos prop Corey Jensen will make his 150th NRL appearance.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.