Brisbane Broncos Round 18 team news: Alex Glenn, Xavier Coates, Joe Ofahengaue back
Brisbane will welcome back three big name stars for the South Queensland derby - but all eyes will be on one man when the Broncos take on the Titans. TEAM NEWS.
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Broncos stars insist they haven’t given up and are desperate to avoid the wooden spoon as Brisbane superstar David Fifita braces for Saturday night’s grudge match against the Titans.
The cavalry is returning for the embattled Broncos with skipper Alex Glenn, boom winger Xavier Coates and Origin prop Joe Ofahengaue returning from injury and suspension for the derby clash at Cbus Super Stadium.
But all eyes will be on departing Bronco Fifita, who faces his future club for the first time since he shocked Brisbane by inking a three-year, $3.5 million deal to join the Titans from next season.
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The Titans thumped the Broncos 30-12 in round seven, but Brisbane interim coach Peter Gentle believes Fifita has every incentive to deliver one of the most brutal performances of his career.
“I would like Dave to show the Titans what they are getting,” Gentle said.
“People keep asking what have the guys got to play for? We are playing for pride, we have to get a result in the final three games. We need to build on our effort in recent weeks.”
The Titans have won three of their last five games, including victories in the past fortnight against the Dragons (14-10) and Canterbury (18-14), consecutive triumphs that have underscored the Coast‘s greater defensive steel.
The Titans have won twice as many games as the Broncos this season, but 15th-placed Brisbane are confident of knocking off the Coast after last week’s committed 25-12 loss to ladder leaders Penrith.
The Broncos will be boosted by the return of captain Glenn, while Ofahengaue returns from suspension and Coates will start from the bench after missing a month with a foot injury.
Star Broncos pivot Anthony Milford has again been ruled out with a hamstring injury, but remains hopeful of being cleared for Brisbane’s final-round game against the Cowboys.
Rookie Brisbane centre Herbie Farnworth insists the Broncos have not raised the white flag as they fight to avoid the first wooden spoon in the club‘s proud history.
“I don’t think anyone has sat down and thought this year has been a write-off,” he said.
“We haven’t sat back and thought this year is over.
“The Titans have been playing good footy this year.
“We’ve just got to aim up and do all the little things right.”
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Stand-in Broncos skipper Pat Carrigan urged his troops to back up last week‘s fighting display against the Panthers.
“There’s a lot of improvements in our results, but we still have to go out there to win footy games,” he said.
“That (Penrith effort) has to be the minimum standard of what we produce over the next three weeks.”
Originally published as Brisbane Broncos Round 18 team news: Alex Glenn, Xavier Coates, Joe Ofahengaue back