Gold Coast Titans will hope to snap a two game losing streak when they host the Brisbane Broncos in a blockbuster showdown at Skilled Park on Friday night.
In Round 10 the Titans had a three game winning streak ended by the Broncos in a 28-6 thumping at Suncorp Stadium.
Two months later both sides will hope to spark their run towards the finals when they meet in front of what should be close to a sold out crowd at Robina.
The Titans have lost four of their last five games against the Broncos and went down 40-32 in their most recent clash at Skilled Park in the first week of the 2009 Finals series.
Coach John Cartwright has included former Bronco Steve Michaels on a five man bench for this weekend’s local clash.
Michaels signed with the Titans midway through the season after playing just one NRL game for Brisbane in 2010.
He is the only addition to the side that lost 15-14 to the Wests Tigers last week.
Scott Prince made a successful return from a hamstring injury while Origin representatives Ashley Harrison and Greg Bird also managed to back up.
The Titans sit in fifth position but a loss could see them slip out of the top eight if other results go against them.
Glenn back for Brisbane
Utility Alex Glenn joins returning Queensland trio Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday and Israel Folau in the Broncos team for Friday night.
Glenn, on the fringe of New Zealand selection, injured his ankle in the loss to Penrith a month ago.
After missing the win over Parramatta three weeks ago, the last minute 16-14 loss without Origin stars to Wests Tigers and with the bye last week, Glenn is set to return in the centres two weeks ahead of schedule.
His inclusion pushes Matt Gillett back to the bench where he is likely to be injected into the match at his preferred back row position.
Young props Mitchell Dodds and Josh McGuire have retained interchange spots with more experienced forwards Lagi Setu, Ashton Sims and Scott Anderson expected to play Queensland Cup this week.
The Broncos enter Round 19 in eighth position on the table but are amongst a host of teams log-jammed in the middle of the ladder.
A win could propel Brisbane into the top four albeit temporarily with other matches to complete across the weekend.
Cowboys search for answers
North Queensland Cowboys have only pride to play for after slumping to another loss at Parramatta Stadium last night.
They have won just one of their past six games, plus two byes, and have lost their last three.
With just four victories all season the Cowboys would be in the wooden spoon position without the Melbourne Storm salary cap drama.
They gain back-rower Luke O’Donnell back from suspension but could lose utility Anthony Watts for Monday night’s match with the Wests Tigers at Leichardt Oval.
Watts will challenge a one match suspension at the judiciary tomorrow night after he was charged for a dangerous tackle in the final minute of last night’s 36-24 loss to the Eels.
O’Donnell comes in at lock as Wests Tigers aim to complete a Queensland treble by adding the Cowboys scalp to complement wins over Brisbane and Gold Coast in the last two weeks.
Ben Harris drops out of the 17 man squad used last night.
The match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Two with kick-off just after 7pm Monday.
Channel Nine will have the south-east Queensland derby live from the Gold Coast from 7:30pm Friday.
Gold Coast Titans vs. Brisbane, Friday 7:35pm, (Channel Nine, live)
Preston Campbell, Kevin Gordon, Mat Rogers, Bodene Thompson, William Zillman, Greg Bird, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Nathan Friend, Michael Henderson, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Matthew White, Brad Meyers, Ryan James, Luke O’Dwyer, Steve Michaels (one to be omitted).
Brisbane Broncos vs. Gold Coast, Friday 7:35pm, (Channel Nine, live)
Josh Hoffman, Antonio Winterstein, Alex Glenn, Israel Folau, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Shane Tronc, Andrew McCullough, Nick Kenny, Ben Te’o, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Ben Hunt, Matt Gillett, Mitchell Dodds, Josh McGuire.
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Tigers, Monday 7pm, (Fox Sports Two, live).
Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Arana Taumata, Willie Tonga, Will Tupou, Grant Rovelli, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott, Aaron Payne, Willie Mason, Scott Bolton, Leeson Ah Mau, Luke O’Donnell. Interchange: Anthony Watts, Dane Hogan, Carl Webb, James Tamou.
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