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Parker: How Broncos can beat the Panthers in NRL prelim final
Corey Parker • September 23rd, 2025 11:35 am
I do have concerns because over Adam Reynolds but it's not his ability, it's the fact that he hasn't played in five weeks.
That's concern number one.
Concern number two is Brisbane have won five in a row (but) now Billy Walters won't be there because of his ACL injury so that change will be made.
They're playing a side who can pick apart deficiencies better than anyone you've ever seen.
So, Reynolds is going to have to be absolutely rock solid, hard and fit defensively to handle the likes of Liam Martin, Scott Sorensen and Lindsay Smith because these guys will know that Reyno hasn't played in five weeks.
No disrespect to Reyno but defence is not one of his strong suits. He's a halfback and not many get paid for their defence.
He is going to have to really hold his hands up and really go to that part of the game.
He’s a wonderful player and he's in the team every day of the week, but it’s going to be interesting with how the Broncos were playing and the tempo and poise from Billy Walters and Benny Hunt had unlocked Reece Walsh.
Reyno is a wonderful player and he's an organiser; he can get you down the field, but you don't want to disrupt this momentum that the Broncos have off the back of Reece Walsh.
Reyno might just have to peel back a fraction and give Reece the license to do that, because it's worked for the last five weeks.
He's a smart footballer and he will have sat back and seen how things unfolded.
But the Panthers will test him right from the very first set. Without doubt, they will find him.
This is a team going for their fifth straight Grand Final victory.
CAN BRONCOS BEAT THE PANTHERS?
Brisbane's game plan can absolutely beat the Panthers. I've got not a worry in the world.
A few things they need to do well:
They need to play Broncos style of football.
What does that mean? They need to play the long game.
That's been the definitive change that we've seen over the last few weeks.
A high percentage of completion rate, kick to the corners, but also play to your strength.
There's no Pat Carrigan, so Payne Haas is going to be doing what Payne Haas does which is a terrific offload.
There's no Pat Carrigan, so Payne Haas is going to be doing what Payne Haas does which is a terrific offload.
Don't be sitting back waiting for the next play, the Broncos have been on the front foot and it’s been too hard to handle.
If they can generate all that ruck speed, then, if you're a defender and you're on the back foot and you've got the likes of, Hunt, Reynolds and Walsh out the back, who can beat you with some footwork it is very difficult, to defend against.
Brisbane can't be handing over cheap ball.
What I mean by cheap ball is, if they come up with an error, it is paramount and priority number one, they defend that error.
No penalties, just discipline.
WHO PLAYS?
Brendan Piakura does he play? There was suspected fractured cheekbone.
Is Ezra fit? If he is fit, where does he come in?
Does Ezra come straight back into the number six? I don't see the advantage of having him sitting on the bench.
If he is fit he should be straight into the six with Ben Hunt's back to nine.
That's how I see it unfold.
