BRONCOS v PANTHERS

I reckon if the Broncos can’t beat the Panthers on Friday night they may as well start planning their Mad Monday – and the same can be said about the Panthers if they can’t beat the Broncos. It’s just that close. In fact, these teams are almost mirror images of each other. Both started the season with new coaches, both got off to a slow start before finding some form and, after a couple of stumbles, they are now both in with a show of still being around come finals time. It all depends how they go on Friday night. On paper it looks like being a matter of who can impose themselves more effectively – the Brisbane forwards or the Penrith playmakers. In Nathan Cleary and James Maloney the Panthers have one of the best scrumbase combinations in the NRL. Darius Boyd will have to have his best game of the year in the number six if he is to match them. It is the same in the pack. Much has been written about the threat of Penrith’s powerhouse backrower Viliame Kikau and it will be up to the Broncos’ pairing of Tevita Pangai Jr and David Fifita to shut him down. It’s crunch time, with both sides needing not only the win, but the momentum and confidence it will bring. I reckon it’s the Broncos’ biggest game of the season - and the Panthers' too. What do YOU reckon?