The return of Kotoni Staggs from injury will give Brisbane an injection of power and passion for the derby clash with the Dolphins.
Staggs has not played in the opening three rounds due to a hip flexor injury but is the man who set the scene for the 'Battle of Brisbane' rivalry in the inaugural match in 2022.
After scoring a match-winning late try he jubilantly cried out 'this is our home' after the Dolphins had claimed co-tenancy rights at Suncorp Stadium in the buildup.
Staggs will have a full week of training at right centre and AAP understands he will replace Deine Mariner for Friday night's showdown. Gehamat Shibasaki, fresh from one of his best ever NRL matches in the 26-16 over North Queensland, will retain his spot at left centre.
The Broncos are 2-1 after three rounds and the Dolphins (0-3) are still searching for their first win.
You won't see the Broncos puffing their chests out this week. They are internally taking an underdog mentality into the match after the Dolphins put the cleaners through them 40-4 in round 26 last year.
Prop Payne Haas won the Carl Webb Medal as man of the match in the win over the Cowboys and is just happy Staggs is back for a game he usually thrives in.
The 26-year-old Staggs was on the cusp of returning last week but coach Michael Maguire erred on the side of caution.
"It's probably one of the best games I've been a part of, to be honest," Haas said.
"I remember in 2022 when we first had it and when Kotoni scored the winning try and the stadium was rumbling, so it's honestly an honour to be a part of and I just can't wait to be there."
Haas, who was unstoppable against North Queensland, said last year's loss "wasn't ideal".
"That was last year," he said.
In a warning for the Dolphins, Haas added he was just warming into his best work after an off-season ankle operation.
"I had a pretty disruptive pre-season. I had surgery at the start of the year and that probably knocked me back a bit with my fitness," he said.
"I'm building myself up again."
Broncos five-eighth Ben Hunt will play in his first Dolphins derby after returning to the club he last played for in 2017.
The Dolphins investigated signing Hunt but the 34-year-old said he was only ever going to come home.
"It wasn't overly serious. They showed a little bit of interest but in the end, I just wanted to come back here," he said.
"Pretty much it was about (my love for the Broncos). With everything they have given me early in my career, it was hard to not come back.
"It is going to be another massive game ... the Battle of Brisbane and they will come ready to play. It will be a tough battle, so I'm looking forward to it."
Canberra Times
