Round 23 NRL tips: Backflip on discarded stars key to Broncos' chances of bucking bogey man

Brad Fittler has expressed surprise at how long it took Broncos coach Michael Maguire to recall gun wingers Selwyn Cobbo and Deine Mariner, with both spending a significant chunk of the 2025 season exiled to reserve grade.

Previewing the Thursday night blockbuster that pits the top four chasing Broncos against premiership favourites the Storm, Fittler said any chance Brisbane had of springing an upset in Melbourne would rest on strong performances from their excitement machines in the back three.

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Craig Bellamy has the wood over the Broncos in extraordinary fashion having led his Storm sides to victory in 16 of the last 17 matches they've played.

It's a stranglehold that makes Melbourne the definition of a "bogey" team for the Broncos and even without reigning Dally M Medallist Jahrome Hughes pulling the strings, the Storm are heavy favourites to get the job done yet again, particularly as it is being played on their home fortress at AAMI Park.

Speaking to Andrew Johns for Wide World of Sports' Freddy and the Eighth's Tips, Fittler said he'd like to see the Broncos' outside backs unleashed.

"I like their wingers, it's taken a while to get them back in there, Deine Mariner and Selwyn Cobbo, I think if they're going to push towards a final, they need to be fit and part of the team."

Both Johns and Fittler tipped the Storm in a tight one but the legendary No.7 expressed concern about the absence of Nelson Asofa-Solomona from Melbourne's line-up.

The 29-year-old was available for selection this week but was overlooked despite having served a two-week ban for elbowing Manly hooker Jake Simpkin in a surprising Melbourne loss.

Writing in his column for The Sydney Morning Herald, Johns questioned whether Asofa-Solomona had been left out due to fitness concerns.

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"There are question marks over Nelson Asofa-Solomona, whether he can get himself back in shape and into the team. They really missed him last year in the grand final against Penrith," Johns wrote.

He added in his column that the only way for the Broncos to spring an upset would be to take a daring game plan to Melbourne in which they unleash all out attack.

"I thought Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh combined really well last week; they are so dangerous when they get together. In several of the tries against the Rabbitohs, they were next to each other in support. That's exciting for Broncos fans," he wrote.

"The way they play, I'd just let them go for all-out attack. They look better when they have an attacking mindset, which excites their key players."

Scroll below for the current leaderboard and round 23 tips by all Nine's expert tipsters!

Andrew Johns: Storm, Panthers, Raiders, Dragons, Dolphins, Warriors, Titans, Eels

Brad Fittler: Storm, Panthers, Raiders, Sharks, Roosters, Bulldogs, Titans, Eels

Darren Lockyer: Broncos, Panthers, Raiders, Sharks, Dolphins, Bulldogs, Titans, Eels

Paul Gallen: Broncos, Panthers, Raiders, Sharks, Roosters, Bulldogs, Titans, Eels

Mat Thompson: Storm, Panthers, Raiders, Dragons, Dolphins, Bulldogs, Rabbitohs, Eels

Danika Mason: Storm, Panthers, Raiders, Sharks, Roosters, Bulldogs, Titans, Eels

Peter Psaltis: Broncos, Panthers, Raiders, Sharks, Dolphins, Bulldogs, Titans, Eels

David Middleton: Storm, Panthers, Raiders, Sharks, Roosters, Bulldogs, Titans, Eels

The Mole: Storm, Panthers, Raiders, Sharks, Dolphins, Bulldogs, Titans, Cowboys

Ben Glover: Storm, Panthers, Raiders, Sharks, Dolphins, Bulldogs, Titans, Eels