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Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm NRL Round 27 Tips - Hughes return gives Brisbane a reality check

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Tue 02 Sep 2025 15:43

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Jeremy Darke 02 Sep 2025

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Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm expert predictions for Thursday’s Round 27 NRL game
Kick off is at 7:50 PM (AEST) at Suncorp Stadium
Jahrome Hughes returns, boosting Storm's attack; Xavier Coates set to score.
Broncos' defensive issues may see them fall out of top 4 as Storm cover the spread.

Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm NRL Round 27 Tips

Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm, Round 27 2025 - Expert Prediction

Jahrome Hughes will have a successful return from injury as the Storm head into the 2025 NRL with momentum back on their side as they cover against the Broncos who will slip out of the top 4.

Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm, Round 27 2025 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head
Brisbane Broncos Form Analysis
Brisbane Broncos Team News
Brisbane Broncos Team List
Melbourne Storm Form Analysis
Melbourne Storm Team News
Melbourne Storm Team List
Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm NRL 2025 Round 27 FAQ’s

Broncos vs Storm Rd 27 Cheat Sheet

Everything on the line for Brisbane this week with a top four spot in their grasp, but it will slip away as the Storm build towards a long finals campaign and continue their absolute domination of the Broncos making 18th consecutive win at Suncorp Stadium against the QLD side.

There can’t be too many trends in the NRL that are stronger than that and Broncos fans have more than a hoodoo that worries them this week. The Broncos have been reckless and have dug themselves out of trouble over the last few weeks. That isn’t happening against the Storm that love to put up a score against them at Suncorp.

Hughes is back in the lineup and he will pick up where he left off and find his boy Xavier Coates in the air as the Storm rack up around 30 points against Brisbane and run away with this one.

Melbourne have not lost to Brisbane in the home and away season since 2016.
Melbourne are 7-3 against top eight sides, while Brisbane have a 5-5 record.
Melbourne average 36.83 points in their last 12 home/away season games against Brisbane.
Xavier Coates has 6 tries in his last 4 games.

Head to Head

Melbourne have won the last 17 home and away season matches against the Broncos with their only loss since 2016 coming in the finals. The Storm also have an immaculate record against the Broncos in Brisbane, winning the last 17 clashes at Suncorp.

9 of the last 12 matches between the Broncos and Storm have gone over the game total.

Brisbane Broncos Form Analysis

Brisbane have won three in a row and they find themselves holding their own top-four destiny in their hands with a win this week sealing an extra life in the finals, which will likely be needed.

The last 5 wins for the Broncos have been against bottom 9 teams and their last three victories have not been pretty. Reece Walsh has been electric but they are relying on their star fullback to dig them out of trouble and that is not going to cut it in the finals.

The Broncos were poor in the first half against the Knights a couple of weeks ago and have given up 28 points to the Dolphins and 30 to the Cowboys and found a way to win the shootouts. Handling errors and poor discipline open the door for their opponents and will need to be addressed.

Brisbane Broncos Team News

Gehamat Shibasaki has been moved out of the side due to disciplinary reasons with Jesse Arthurs coming in on the wing and Deine Mariner moving to the centres.

Brendan Piakura moves into the starting side with Jaiyden Hunt moving to the bench.

Brisbane Broncos Team List

1. Reece Walsh

2. Josiah Karapani

3. Kotoni Staggs

4. Deine Mariner

5. Jesse Arthars

6. Billy Walters

7. Ben Hunt

8. Corey Jensen

9. Cory Paix

10. Payne Haas

11. Brendan Piakura

12. Jordan Riki

13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange

14. Tyson Smoothy

15. Kobe Hetherington

16. Ben Talty

17. Jaiyden Hunt

Reserves

18. Delouise Hoeter

19. Fletcher Baker

20. Jock Madden

21. Va'a Semu

22. Gehamat Shibasaki

Melbourne Storm Form Analysis

Melbourne lost just their second match in 13 games, going down to the Roosters 40-10 after holding Sydney scoreless in the first half. The result was no surprise really with Craig Bellamy choosing to rest 4 of his key starters before the finals.

Yes the Storm leaked 40 last week but the 4 games prior they averaged just 11 points against, with 3 of their opponents being top eight sides. Many haters are talking about the lack of attack from Melbourne over the last month but they must be turning a blind-eye to the fact that Jahrome Hughes has been missing.

The reigning Dally-M winner returns this week and we can expect that their attack will be ready to fire and find the form that had them averaging 31.5 points in their first 18 matches this season.

Melbourne Storm Team News

The biggest news of the week is Jahrome Hughes will start this week in the halves with Tyran Wishart moving back to his utility role in the No.14.

Xavier Coates, Nick Meaney, Eli Katoa and Josh King all return after being rested last week. It is Stefano Utoikamanu to take a week off before the finals, while Tui Kamakimica returns from concussion.

Melbourne Storm Team List

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen

2. Will Warbrick

3. Grant Anderson

4. Nick Meaney

5. Xavier Coates

6. Cameron Munster

7. Jahrome Hughes

8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

9. Bronson Garlick

10. Josh King

11. Ativalu Lisati

12. Eli Katoa

13. Trent Loiero

Interchange

14. Tyran Wishart

15. Alec MacDonald

16. Tui Kamakimica

17. Joe Chan

Reserves

18. Marion Seve

19. Jack Howarth

20. Jonah Pezet

21. Kane Bradley

22. Lazarus Vaalepu

Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm NRL 2025 Round 27 FAQ’s

How to watch Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm NRL 2025 Round 27?

You can watch the Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm NRL 2025 Round 27 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm NRL 2025 Round 27?

To buy tickets to the Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm NRL 2025 Round 27 game check the NRL website or the official Brisbane Broncos site.

Verdict

Brisbane Broncos v Melbourne Storm

Xavier Coates will score and The Storm will score over their team total of 24.5 points and cover the 3.5 points as the favourites.

Melbourne Storm -3.5

Handicap/Line

$1.91 - 3 Units

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