Preview: Broncos v Raiders

VENUE & TIME: Suncorp Stadium, Friday, September 3, 7.35pm (AEST)
COVERAGE: Channel 9
HEAD TO HEADPlayed 38, Broncos 21, Raiders 16, draws 1
LAST TIME: Raiders 22 – Broncos 14 at Canberra Stadium, Round 2, 2010

WALKING WOUNDED: The sight of Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer appearing on the training paddock earlier in the week was an obvious sign the Aussie Test legend was as keen as mustard to make a return from his rib cartilage injury for this do-or-die clash on Friday night. But unfortunately for Brisbane fans, he struggled during a private contact session and has labeled himself no chance of playing. He may not even play for the remainder of the season and that could include the Four Nations. Adding to the club's woes was the loss of former NSW half-back Peter Wallace with a dislocated shoulder, suffered against the Warriors last Friday. This presents a new and inexperienced halves combo of Corey Norman and Ben Hunt. The Raiders have lost inspirational co-skipper Alan Tongue for two weeks with a calf injury, giving Glen Buttriss a start in the No. 9 jersey. Hooker Travis Waddell has been named as 18th man, hinting that he could make a comeback from a shoulder injury.

FORM: Brisbane made it three successive losses last Friday night, copping a 36-4 hiding at the hands of a rampant Warriors. With no Lockyer to call the shots and half-back Peter Wallace gone for much of the match with a shoulder injury, the best the Broncos could do was try and restrict the flow of Warriors' points although they struggled to plug the holes, going to the break 24-0 down. If they beat the Raiders by 15 points or more and the Dragons down the Rabbitohs on Sunday night, then they will sneak into eighth position, but that will require a massive turnaround in form on Brisbane's behalf to occur. The Raiders have heaps of momentum heading into this clash, following a fourth-straight victory last Saturday night over the hapless Cowboys. A win over Brisbane could see them finish as high as seventh position on the ladder.

WHO'S HOT: The Raiders had a host of impressive performers in their 48-4 hiding of the Cowboys, including revitalised winger Reece Robinson who picked up no less than four tries in the match. The former Bronco had been plying his trade for much of the season in the QLD Cup for feeder club Souths Logan and was given a shot in the top grade when experienced centre Adam Mogg pulled out late. He is an excellent finisher and could prove extremely valuable in the finals on the end of a backline that is in red hot form at present.

WE THINK: Basic common sense tells you the Broncos are gone as force in 2010 and they will be put out of their misery in a very public manner on Friday night by one of the more exciting teams in the competition at present. The Raiders' huge forward pack is firing and thus laying the platform for their exciting backs to do the job. In contrast, the Broncos are struggling up front and they lack the halves quality, minus Lockyer and Wallace, to create anything of substance for backline talents such as Israel Folau and Josh Hoffman to fully prosper. The 'Broncs' need