With heavy rain and multiple codes played on Brisbane's No.1 venue over the past few weeks, Suncorp Stadium staff are reportedly set to rip up and re-lay fresh turf ahead of Magic Round. NRL coaches will be praying it holds up and there are no major injuries stemming from the heavy traffic of nine games in four days.
WILL BENNETT TURN TO SCHUSTER?
With Latrell Mitchell picking up a suspension from South Sydney's loss to Melbourne, Wayne Bennett's stocks are getting thin, with Cody Walker and Jamie Humphreys injured. Josh Schuster has been building his minutes in NSW Cup from the bench and could prove a stop-gap for Saturday's clash with Newcastle.
MELBOURNE REPRESENT CANBERRA'S BIGGEST TEST
The third-placed Raiders have taken many experts by surprise with their early-season form (6-2), picking up four straight wins. But they've yet to face a serious heavyweight through that quartet of victories. A match-up with Melbourne, who sit second, to complete Magic Round will give a clear indicator as to whether Ricky Stuart's youthful Canberra side are the real deal.Â
BRISBANE LOOK TO EXORCISE PENRITH DEMONS
The Broncos have beaten the Panthers once in the past nine matches, and the clash at Suncorp Stadium has much riding on it. The Panthers must start winning or watch their finals hopes slide further away. The sight of Nathan Cleary will bring back horrid memories for the Broncos, but this is their chance to get one back on him for the 2023 grand final.
CAN BULLDOGS FIRE WITHOUT MISSING TRIO?
Canterbury's first glitch of the season last week in the 42-18 loss to Brisbane had further ramifications, with Sitili Toupuniua, Josh Curran and Matt Burton all suspended. The clash with the out-of-form Gold Coast is a chance to restore normal service and prove last week was an aberration and not a sign of a deeper malaise.
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