Brisbane and Parramatta are set to collide for the first time in NRLW history to wrap up the final round of the competition with spots in the top four on the line at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
The Broncos surrendered top spot on the NRLW ladder after a shock loss to the Titans last week while Parramatta's inconsistent season continued with a one-point defeat to the Roosters.
It sets up a vital clash to round out the regular season with Brisbane requiring a big win over the Eels, and relying on the Dragons to lose, to wrap up their fourth minor premiership.
Parramatta face a big challenge to not only beat the Broncos but fend off the Titans and Roosters to reach the finals. A positive for the blue and gold will be they'll know where they stand before they run out onto Suncorp Stadium.
The match-up promises to be a fiery clash with plenty of State of Origin talent from NSW and Queensland in both sides.
Match: Broncos v Eels
Round 5 -
home Team
Broncos
1st Position
away Team
Eels
5th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Rundown
Team news
Broncos: Tamika Upton has been ruled out with COVID and her place at fullback is taken by Hayley Maddick with Jada Ferguson joining the bench.
Millie Boyle and Emily Bass are named to return for the huge clash against the Eels. Amber Hall moves back to her preferred edge role with Tallisha Harden to come off the bench.
Eels: Ellie Johnston has come into the starting side on Saturday with Jamie-Ann Wright dropping out. Tommaya Kelly-Sines joins the bench after originally being named among the reserves on Tuesday.
Abbi Church maintains her spot in the centres with Jocephy Daniels listed as 18th player.
Match: Broncos v Eels
Round 5 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 14 Hayley MaddickFullback for Eels is number 1 Botille Vette-Welsh
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Hagiga MosbyWinger for Eels is number 2 Taina Naividi
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Amy TurnerCentre for Eels is number 3 Tiana Penitani
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae CiesiolkaCentre for Eels is number 15 Abbi Church
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Emily BassWinger for Eels is number 5 Rikeya Horne
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Tarryn AikenFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Emily Curtain
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali BrigginshawHalfback for Eels is number 7 Maddie Studdon
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Millie BoyleProp for Eels is number 8 Filomina Hanisi
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Lauren BrownHooker for Eels is number 9 Nita Maynard
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Chelsea LenarduzziProp for Eels is number 10 Kennedy Cherrington
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kaitlyn Phillips2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Christian Pio
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Amber Hall2nd Row for Eels is number 17 Ellie Johnston
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Lavinia GouldLock for Eels is number 13 Simaima Taufa
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Tallisha HardenInterchange for Eels is number 4 Tommaya Kelly-Sines
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Roxy MurdochInterchange for Eels is number 14 Seli Mailangi
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Sara SautiaInterchange for Eels is number 16 Sereana Naitokatoka
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Jada FergusonInterchange for Eels is number 19 Christine Pauli
Reserves
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 20 China PolataReserve for Eels is number 18 Jocephy Daniels
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Key match-up
Millie Boyle v Kennedy Cherrington: The front-row battle between the NSW team-mates could almost be worth the price of admission alone. Boyle was being touted as one of the best players in the NRLW after her early season performances for the Broncos but Kennedy will have plenty to say about that when the pair come face-to-face. The Eels enforcer rarely takes a backward step and with so much riding on the result she will be looking to inspire her team-mates with a strong performance up front.
Stat attack
If the Eels can take anything away from how the Dragons and Titans have played the Broncos in the past fortnight, it's been with no fear. The Broncos have remarkably been dominant with possession (57%) on average throughout the season but defensively have fallen away in recent weeks in an area that will concern coach Kelvin Wright. Parramatta have won both their games when they've had an even share of the ball.
