NRL LIVE: Panthers strike first against desperate Broncos in GF ...
In his first game for the Broncos in 40 days, Reece Walsh showed his blistering speed to make a break then burn Panthers rival Dylan Edwards.
Walsh’s try in the 27th minute saw Brisbane take a 6-4 lead in the grand final rematch.
Panthers playmaker Jack Cole has scored with his first touch of the ball after finishing a nice team try in the 11th minute.
Cole had only just onto the field to replace Dane Laurie who limped off with a hamstring injury.
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MATCH CENTRE: Broncos v Panthers, teams, stats, video
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MATCH PREVIEW
A host of State of Origin stars return for a blockbuster Grand Final rematch between the Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Both Kevin Walters and Ivan Cleary decided to rest a stack of talent last week and paid the price with the Broncos and Panthers losing to the Warriors and Cowboys respectively.
Brisbane are back at home and welcome back Reece Walsh, Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan from Queensland Maroons duties. But they will be without Kotoni Staggs due to personal reasons.
Deine Mariner shifts to centre to replace Staggs, while veteran Corey Oates returns from a knee injury on the wing.
Big Xavier Willison moves into the starting pack as Kobe Hetherington shifts to the bench.
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For Penrith, coach Ivan Cleary has axed Sunia Turuva with utility Daine Laurie coming onto the wing and Brian To’o switching sides, while Jack Colehas been benched for Brad Schneider
Captain Isaah Yeo returns to his usual starting lock role after playing off the bench last week. And New South Wales Blues quartet Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai and Liam Martin are back in the 17.
The reigning premiers go into this clash with the upper hand, having won seven of their last eight clashes with the Broncos — including Round 3.
It’s arguably the Broncos’ biggest game of the season thus far as they look to snap a four-game losing streak and get back into the top eight.
