Broncos vs Storm Predictions: Broncos eager to end on a high

Two of the most successful NRL teams of the modern era meet in the final round of the 2024 regular season, with the Brisbane Broncos playing host to the Melbourne Storm on Thursday morning (10:50).

Read on for the latest match odds, team news and my Broncos vs Storm predictions.

Broncos vs Storm Odds

After securing top spot in the table, Melbourne are 1/6 favourites to collect another win on Thursday. Brisbane can be backed at 4/1 to cause an upset in Round 27, while the draw is available at 28/1.

A win with a 16-point head start for the home team is on offer at 10/11, with the Storm are 1/1 with -16 on the handicap.

Team News

Brisbane will be without prop Xavier Willison through suspension, while Kotoni Staggs, Brendan Piakura and Payne Haas miss out through injury.

The Broncos are boosted by the return though of centre Deine Mariner, who missed last week’s defeat to the Dolphins due to flu.

Lock Kobe Hetherington is also back in the squad, after sitting out last week under the concussion protocol.

Melbourne are missing Christian Welch for the trip to Queensland, with the 30-year-old prop sidelined by illness.

Injured duo Joe Chan and Kane Bradley will also sit out the clash at the Suncorp Stadium.

Broncos +10 handicap @ 8/5

With Melbourne having at least one eye on the play-offs, which get underway next weekend, Brisbane will feel they can end their season on a high.

The Broncos won their opening four home matches of the campaign and then saw a dip in form, which cost them their place in the final eight.

Coach Kevin Walters did see his team run the Storm close though in Week Five, losing 34-32 in Melbourne after a couple of late tries for the home team.

It’s also worth noting that Brisbane won this fixture 26-0 last season and with the Storm having bigger tests ahead in the next couple of weeks, the Broncos could take advantage.

Broncos to win by 1-5 points @ 11/1

Walters admitted that the players are hurting after a disappointing season, having led the Broncos to the Grand Final last term.

Much of Brisbane’s struggles can be put down to injury problems, especially to captain Adam Reynolds, who has played just 10 games all season.

The half-back will be available for the final game and his presence, along with a full house at the Suncorp Stadium, could be vital.

Melbourne boss Craig Bellamy will also be tempted to rest some of his key players, with the play-offs beginning next week.

The Broncos come into this match having won two of their last three fixtures – an 18-42 win over the Cowboys, who have made the play-offs, in Round 23 and a 30-24 success over the Eels.

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