The Broncos-Storm clash on Thursday night kicks off one of the most difficult rounds for tipsters in recent memory.
Form and history don’t mean much when half a team is rested and that scenario will play out several times over through round 27.
In most of the eight games that will conclude the 2023 season, it is easy to identify which team has been weakened more by a coach’s decision to rest players.
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That’s not the case on Thursday night, with both the minor-premiership chasing Broncos and the Storm resting almost every superstar in their respective squads.
Perhaps the only exceptions are Ryan Papenhuyzen, who will start at fullback for the first time at NRL level in well over 12 months and Queensland star Tom Flegler who needs some time back on the paddock after a foot injury kept him out of the action for several weeks post Origin.
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The list of sidelined stars from the two teams includes Harry Grant, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh, with two completely new look spines as well as a large contingent of representative class forwards cooling their heels.
For that reason, the Storm’s extraordinary stranglehold over the Broncos – Melbourne have won 22 of the last 26 games between them, including the last 10 at Suncorp Stadium – almost completely loses its meaning.
That hasn’t stopped Andrew Johns from tipping the hoodoo to continue, with the Immortal highlighting those stats to Brad Fittler for Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth’s Tips.
However, his point was countered by Fittler who chose to look at the available personnel and explained why he sees the Broncos’ B-team as superior.
“I was looking through the Brisbane list,” Fittler said.
“(Centre Delouise) Hoeter, (bench forward Xavier) Willison, these blokes are good. They’ve got a lot of energy, big and strong, young.
“I feel like Brisbane just may be too good.”
Scroll below for the current leaderboard and Round 27 tips by all Nine’s expert tipsters!
Andrew Johns: Storm, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Dolphins, Panthers, Knights, Titans, Sharks
Brad Fittler: Broncos, Sea Eagles, Roosters, Dolphins, Panthers, Dragons, Titans, Sharks
Billy Slater: Storm, Sea Eagles, Roosters, Warriors, Cowboys, Knights, Titans, Sharks
Paul Gallen: Storm, Manly, Roosters, Dolphins, Panthers, Dragons, Titans, Sharks
Darren Lockyer: Broncos, Sea Eagles, Roosters, Warriors, Panthers, Knights, Titans, Sharks
Mat Thompson: Storm, Manly, Souths, Warriors, Panthers, Knights, Titans, Sharks
Peter Psaltis: Broncos, Wests Tigers, Roosters, Dolphins, Panthers, Knights, Titans, Sharks
James Bracey: Broncos, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Panthers, Knights, Titans, Sharks
Allana Ferguson: Storm, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Cowboys, Knights, Titans, Sharks
The Mole: Broncos, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Dolphins, Panthers, Knights, Titans, Sharks
Ben Glover: Storm, Sea Eagles, Roosters, Dolphins, Panthers, Knights, Titans, Sharks