Broncos coach Anthony Seibold sticks to his guns for do-or-die clash with Parramatta

Brisbane’s numbing loss to Canterbury last week could mean one of two things: either the Broncos have lost it or those players will be even more fired up to make amends in the elimination final against Parramatta.

Anthony Seibold is keeping faith in his struggling Broncos. Photo: AAP Image/Darren England

• Seibold’s serve for senior Broncos
• Broncos duo written into Maroons history

Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold has stuck to his guns and avoided a finals shake-up for Sunday’s do-or-die clash with Parramatta, making just the two changes to the side beaten 30-14 by the Bulldogs last week.

The Broncos will be buoyed by the return of Origin representative Joe Ofahengaue this week after the 23-year-old sat out the past fortnight with a calf injury.

Gehamat Shibasaki will make his NRL finals debut this weekend after being named on the bench as cover.

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Ofahengaue looks ready to return. Photo: Dan Peled/ AAP Imaging

The duo’s inclusion has forced out Rhys Kennedy and Izaia Perese from the 17 in the only two changes to the side badly beaten by the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium last weekend.

It comes as Queensland legend Johnathan Thurston turned up the heat on the Broncos’ spine combination of Anthony Milford, Jake Turpin and Darius Boyd, challenging the trio to lead the side to finals success.

Seibold blasted his players for their lack of energy following the Bulldogs loss and will be expecting a better performance against an Eels side which won 38-10 the last time the two sides clashed at Bankwest Stadium.

Anthony Seibold is keeping faith in his struggling Broncos. Photo: AAP Image/Darren England

Seibold earlier this week said he was aware of how difficult this weekend’s challenge was going to be.

“They have been very good at home this year,” Seibold said.

“They have only lost two games at Bankwest so I’m under no illusions about how tough it will be.”

The club’s playmaking stock took a massive hit at the weekend after back-up halfback Sean O’Sullivan was ruled out for the rest of the season with his third knee injury.

The 21-year-old suffered an ACL injury playing for his Intrust Super Cup side Norths Devils on Sunday and will likely require reconstruction surgery.

O’Sullivan was unlikely to play much finals footy but Seibold will face another halves headache if either Turpin or Boyd is injured this weekend.

Nineteen-year-old halfback Cory Paix was named in the 21-man team list and would be pitchforked into the playmaking role if injuries do occur.

It will be a baptism by fire for the youngster who is yet to make his NRL debut, however Seibold earlier this year said he was confident in the rookie’s ability.