NRL Finals sides facing injuries and possible sanctions ahead of the crucial final round.
In the past, coaches have used the final few NRL rounds as an opportunity to rest key players before of a finals run.
However, going into the penultimate round of the regular season, nobody had that luxury since nearly every spot in the top eight was still up for grabs.
That put a lot of talented people in jeopardy and severely hurt several of the leading candidates, but it wasn’t all bad luck. Some people are the ones who caused it.
The ultimate composition of the top four will be largely determined by the game on Thursday night.
Brisbane is in the running for their first minor premiership of the century after winning seven straight games, but they have also not defeated the Storm since 2016.
Although the Broncos have lost 23 of their last 25 games and 13 in a row against Melbourne, a win will give them the JJ Giltinan Shield. They will be counting on Penrith to lose if they lose in order to maintain their top status.
After winning 29–18 in Canberra, the Broncos took command of their own slim chances of winning the title.
Complete back Not everything was positive, though. Selwyn Cobbo scored three tries down the right wing, and Reece Walsh was once again important with three try assists and a try.
Brisbane already had to cope with the absence of captain and halfback Adam Reynolds due to a calf strain; on matchday eve, standout lock Pat Carrigan suffered a foot injury.
After being taken back to Brisbane for scans, it is anticipated that he will miss the Storm game as well as a few weeks following.
Walsh also gave everyone a scare in the last few minutes of the game when he was wobbling on his knee, despite his insistence that Although center Kotoni Staggs is well, he will miss the game on Thursday due to a one-match suspension for slapping Jordan Rapana in the forearm.
