Match Preview: Round 25 – Battle for Brisbane
In what is shaping up to be the biggest game in club rugby league, the Dolphins are set to host the Broncos at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium for Round 26's Battle for Brisbane.
This highly anticipated clash marks the fourth meeting between both Brisbane teams, with the Dolphins determined to claim their first victory over their cross-town rivals.
The Dolphins and Broncos are locked at 26 competition points, just outside the top eight, and will be closely watching the Dragons' remaining two games, hoping for a slip-up. Saturday's showdown presents a crucial opportunity for the winner to take a significant step toward securing a spot in the 2024 finals.
TEAM CHANGES:
The Dolphins will be without Jesse Bromwich and Kodi Nikorima, with Mark Nicholls stepping into the captaincy role for the match. Tesi Niu, Mason Teague and Kurt Donoghoe return to the side on the interchange bench.
The Broncos will make one change to their side, with Benjamin Te Kura replacing Kobe Hetherington on the bench.
CLASH OF THE WEEK:
Big players shine brightest in big games, and this week's key match-up features two athletes who perfectly embody that truth. It's centre versus centre—Farnworth versus Staggs. Former teammates will now face each other as rivals for the first time on Saturday, setting the stage for an intense showdown.
Herbie Farnworth, celebrated for his relentless running style, is on the brink of a milestone, needing just 165 metres on Saturday night to surpass 3,000 total running metres for the season. His effectiveness after contact is remarkable, with over a third of his metres gained coming post-contact, demonstrating his resilience and power.
On the other side, Kotoni Staggs brings a different kind of threat, relying on explosive power and dynamic play. Dolphins fans will remember his heart-breaking, length-of-the-field try that clinched the Broncos' victory in the first-ever Battle for Brisbane, with an 18 to 12 final score.
Both Farnworth and Staggs will play pivotal roles in their teams' success, each aiming to lead from the backfield and make a decisive impact on the outcome of this crucial match.
THE RUBENS:
Award-winning Australian band The Rubens are set to headline the game, taking the stage for a special halftime performance.
With four Top 3 ARIA Albums to their name, including their #1 Hottest 100 hit 'Hoops' (certified 5x Platinum), The Rubens have solidified their place in the Australian music scene.
The band have announced the release of their highly anticipated new studio album SODA – set to drop on Friday, 20 September. To celebrate the release of SODA, The Rubens will embark on an 8-date national headline tour in September/October, bringing their new music to fans across the country.
RIVERFIRE COMES TO SUNCORP STADIUM:
As well as heralding the opening weekend of the Brisbane Festival, Riverfire will punctuate this much-anticipated NRL showdown between the Dolphins and Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on the same night.
A special one-off, three-minute pyrotechnics display will explode over the stadium when the siren sounds on full-time to ensure footy fans don't miss out on the beloved annual extravaganza. The Dolphins have collaborated with Brisbane Festival organisers to meld the excitement of Riverfire and the Battle for Brisbane.
With the match set to finish at 7:15 pm, Riverfire celebrations will finish with a specialised fireworks display from the roof of Suncorp Stadium.
