Michael Maguire has handed a debut to a young enforcer after pulling a bench switch for the Battle of Brisbane clash with the Dolphins. Cameron Ciraldo has given an update on Bronson Xerri.
Broncos vs Dolphins Team Changes
The Broncos team is: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Grant Anderson 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ben Hunt 15. Ben Talty 16. Aublix Tawha 17. Gehamat Shibasaki 18. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Va’a Semu.
Players cut from the Broncos squad are 19. Blake Mozer 20. Jesse Arthars 21. Thomas Duffy.
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. Va’a was given a development contract for this season by the Broncos, off the back of two impressive seasons with Souths Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup. Such deals are typically worth about $85,000, with the player building towards inclusion in a club’s Top 30. Gehamat Shibasaki famously went from a development contract to a premiership, plus Origin and Test representation last season. Va’a has played his first three games this year for Burleigh Bears in Q-Cup, but may now get his first NRL appearance.
There will be no Payne Haas. Michael Maguire told reporters the star prop is no guarantee to play next week. “At the moment, we are sort of a wait and see on that one, but he is actually getting better,” Maguire said. “We will judge that (whether he plays next week) over the next couple of days.”
The Dolphins team is: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Tom Gilbert 9. Max Plath 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Brad Schneider 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Oryn Keeley 17. Ray Stone 18. Trai Fuller 19. Francis Molo.
Players cut from the Dolphins are: 20. Lewis Symonds 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Brian Pouniu.
The Dolphins are unchanged for Friday night’s game.
Bulldogs and Knights Team Updates
The Bulldogs team is: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Sitili Tupouniua 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Jonathan Sua 20. Fletcher Baker 22. Jack Underhill.
Players cut: 21. Logan Spinks 23. Bronson Xerri.
Star Bulldogs recruit Leo Thompson is set to return to the field earlier than anticipated according to general manager Phil Gould. Gould posted on X that Thompso