Broncos v Sea Eagles preview

Brisbane Broncos v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Suncorp Stadium - Friday 7:35pm

Can the Broncos extend their winning run or will the Sea Eagles soar on Friday Night Football?

Having strung together two wins in the space of six days during the start of the Origin period, the Broncos will be out to consolidate their position atop the premiership ladder. While Justin Hodges returns in the centres as captain, Corey Parker has been rested after featuring for Queensland and the Broncos last week. Daniel Vidot has also retained his spot in the backline at the expense of Lachlan Maranta, despite continued speculation surrounding his future, including a possible mid-season release to join the Bulldogs. The last time these two sides met at Suncorp Stadium, the Broncos produced a clinical 36-10 performance; a result Wayne Bennett will be hoping to replicate on Friday night.

After the devastation of losing to the Cowboys in the final minutes last week, Manly will be desperate for a win if they are to be any hope of featuring in the finals. Currently anchored to the bottom of the ladder, with a mere three wins, the Sea Eagles will hope the return of Feleti Mateo aids their cause off the bench. Despite Daly Cherry-Evans signing a lifetime deal on Tuesday, the Sea Eagles will once again be without the representative half, with Kieran Foran and Jamie Lyon to direct play. While Jamie Buhrer, Brenton Lawrence, Josh Starling, Jesse Sene-Lefao and Clinton Gutherson remain on the injured list alongside Cherry-Evans, Manly's injury toll has provided youngsters Tom Trbojevic, Ligi Sao, Blake Leary and Jake Trbojevic an opportunity to gain valuable experience in the NRL.

Last Meeting: Round 21, 2014: Manly Sea Eagles 16 Brisbane Broncos 4

Who to watch: While his personal issues were once again publicised in a fantastic "Australian Story" feature on Monday night, Darius Boyd will be out to prove he is back to the form that saw him apart of a string of successful premiership and representative sides. Having made his comeback from injury against Penrith a month ago, Boyd has slowly worked his way back, but will be out to improve upon his near-barren try-scoring form, crossing only once against Manly in 13 appearances.

He may have failed to crack a 100 metres in a game so far this year; but Sea Eagles' fullback Brett Stewart hasn't lost his love of the try-line. Crossing for 7 tries in 9 appearances in 2015, the Manly legend has been a rare shining light for the struggling side, providing tremendous support and leadership to counteract the inexperience of much of the side.

The favourite: It will come as no surprise to see the 2nd placed Broncos predicted to run out winners over the 16th placed Sea Eagles.

My tip: While Manly will put up a fight, the class of the Broncos will be too much in a high-scoring affair. Broncos by 12.

1. Darius Boyd 2. Jordan Kahu 3. Jack Reed 4. Justin Hodges 5. Daniel Vidot 6. Anthony Milford 7. Ben Hunt 8. Josh McGuire 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Adam Blair 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Sam Thaiday
Interchange: 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Francis Molo 16. Corey Oates 17. Matt Parcell

1. Brett Stewart 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Peta Hiku 4. Steve Matai 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Jamie Lyon 7. Kieran Foran 8. Luke Burgess 9. Matt Ballin 10. Willie Mason 11. Blake Leary 12. Justin Horo 13. Dunamis Lui
Interchange: 14. Tom Symonds 15. Jake Trbojevic 16. Feleti Mateo 17. Ligi Sao 18. James Hasson

Referees: Matt Cecchin, Gavin Morris; Sideline Officials: Michael Wise, Dave Munro; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Luke Phillips;

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