Friday, Suncorp Stadium, 7.45pm
Referee: Shayne Hayne

The Broncos are going to have to improve on their recent form to beat the Sharks, even at home, but they are obviously capable of doing that. Coach Wayne Bennett was unhappy with Brisbane's performance in beating struggling North Queensland 32-18 last weekend and publicly criticised the team after the game - no doubt with this match in mind. It will probably have the desired effect of the players lifting their performances here. But, whatever happens, the Sharks will be hard to beat. Even when they are finding it hard to score points, they have a way of staying in games and taking them down to the wire. Their away record of 7-2 is the best in the competition, too.

The Broncos will get a significant boost through the return from suspension of representative centre Justin Hodges. Plus, five-eighth and captain Darren Lockyer should be ready to figure more prominently now that he has had two games back from the knee problem that had been bugging him for some time. But if the Sharks get solid contributions from key players Paul Gallen, Brett Kimmorley, Brett Seymour and Brett Kearney as is likely they should be very competitive.

BRONCOS: Karmichael Hunt, Denan Kemp, Darius Boyd, Justin Hodges, Kaine Manihera, Darren Lockyer (capt), Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis, Joel Clinton, Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday, Tonie Carroll. Interchange: Ashton Sims, Greg Eastwood, Nick Kenny, David Stagg

SHARKS: Brett Kearney, Misi Taulapapa, Ben Pomeroy, David Simmons, Luke Covell, Brett Seymour, Brett Kimmorley, Ben Ross, Isaac De Gois, Luke Douglas, Grant Millington, Fraser Anderson, Paul Gallen (capt). Interchange: Danny Nutley, Kade Snowden, Adam Peek, Terence Seu Seu, Blake Green (one to be omitted)