The Parramatta Eels travel to The Gabba on Friday night in desperate need to make a statement when they face the Brisbane Broncos.
Parramatta scraped home in controversial fashion last week against the lowly Dragons, hardly the sort of performance many were expecting from the 2022 grand finalists.
While the Eels may still make the finals this season recent form suggests they will be mere cannon fodder for whoever they may come up against.
A win over the high-flying Broncos, however, could be exactly what Brad Arthur’s side needs to spark what has otherwise been an underwhelming 2023 campaign.
In team news, the Eels have made a change in the outside backs with Daejarn Asi lining up at centre and Bailey Simonsson shifting to the wing as debutant Arthur Miller-Stephen misses out.
There is a reshuffle on the bench too, with Brendan Hands recalled likely to give Joey Lussick a spell at some point in the game as Makahesi Makatoa goes to 18th man.
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As for the Broncos, they once again proved their premiership credentials last week with a convincing win over Queensland rivals the Cowboys.
Most impressive though was the fact that 30-14 victory came without halfback Adam Reynolds, who returns from a groin issue while Kobe Hetherington (back cork) and Jordan Riki (foot) are also fit and ready to go.
The Broncos are without Jesse Arthars (head knock) though as Deine Mariner comes in on the wing.
Considering Penrith’s superior for-and-against, Brisbane needs to keep winning games if it is to finish with the minor premiership for the first time since 2000.
The Broncos will feel confident returning to The Gabba for the third time this season, having won previous games at the venue against the Dolphins and Roosters.
There could be history made on Friday night if Brisbane is in a scoring mood, with Reynolds needing 21 points to overtake Johnathan Thurston (2,222) as the fourth highest point scorer of all-time.
There is also added motivation for both teams with Mitchell Moses playing his 150th game for Parramatta while Payne Haas will run out for his 100th NRL match.
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