Potential safety and pedestrian improvements along Windsor Road remain in the planning stage, with Brisbane City Council continuing to review community feedback on what could change along the busy Red Hill–Kelvin Grove corridor.
Community consultation finished in December 2025, with Council saying at the time that it expected to share what it heard in early 2026. The project remains listed as “in progress”, although consultation findings and any resulting plans have not yet been published on the project page.
Feedback Is Shaping What Comes Next
Council asked residents about their experiences walking, riding and driving along Windsor Road between 17 November and 14 December 2025.
That feedback is being considered alongside technical data and design standards as Council investigates potential improvements along the corridor through Red Hill and Kelvin Grove.
Windsor Road connects homes with shops, public transport, schools, university facilities, recreation areas and surrounding suburbs, with Council identifying safety, accessibility and amenity as the focus of the project.
A Series of Smaller Changes on the Table
Rather than a major road reconstruction, Council is considering a series of smaller improvements.
These could include upgraded pedestrian crossings, kerb build-outs, minor intersection safety works, updated line markings and signage, and minor footpath upgrades.
None of those works has yet been confirmed for construction. Council says the project remains in its early planning phase, with any future construction dependent on design progress and the availability of funding.
Windsor Road Project Remains in Progress
Council’s project page continues to list the Windsor Road investigation as “in progress”.
The page says Council expected to share what it heard from the community in early 2026. As of August, the page has not been updated with those findings or a timetable for the next stage.
For now, the focus remains on planning, with the community feedback and technical work set to help determine what improvements could ultimately progress along Windsor Road.
Road and access changes around the large commercial site at 25 Musgrave Road in Red Hill have been approved as part of works required under an existing development approval.
Brisbane City Council approved a compliance assessment in February 2025 for works required under an existing development approval at 25 Musgrave Road and 46 Kelvin Grove Road. Council records classify the application as covering road works and/or stormwater drainage.
The application, lodged by S J Higgins Constructions Pty Ltd with Civil360 Engineering as consultant, relates to the site occupied by Tesla’s Red Hill showroom and service facility.
Changes at the Kelvin Grove Road Entrance
The approved engineering plans show changes concentrated around the Kelvin Grove Road side of the property, near its intersection with Hale Street.
They include a splitter island at the Kelvin Grove Road access, along with associated signage, line marking, concrete and kerb works. The plans also detail vehicle circulation and access arrangements within the property.
Council’s approval letter confirms the assessment was for works proposed to comply with a condition of an existing development approval.
It approved Revision F of two plans — New Crossovers Plan and Details and Signs and Line Marking Layout Plan — with both amended on 13 February 2025.
The letter states the works must be undertaken and maintained in accordance with the sequence and timing established by the relevant development approval conditions.
The Site Has Already Undergone a Major Change
The road works follow an earlier development approval for the Musgrave Road property.
A development application lodged in 2022 proposed converting existing commercial buildings into a Tesla vehicle showroom and service centre rather than demolishing the site for an entirely new development.
That proposal included low-impact industry, showroom and office uses, along with internal demolition, refurbishment and changes to the building exterior.
Planning material described the proposal as an adaptive reuse of the existing buildings.
A Site Between Three Major Roads
The property occupies a prominent position between Musgrave Road, Kelvin Grove Road and Hale Street, close to the Normanby Hotel and the Inner City Bypass.
The engineering plans show vehicle circulation extending across much of the property, with access arrangements connecting the commercial site to the surrounding road network.
Importantly, the latest Council decision is not approval for another major redevelopment.
Council records describe application A006646740 as a request for compliance assessment for road works and/or stormwater drainage. It was submitted on 4 November 2024 and approved on 14 February 2025.
The approval letter makes its purpose clearer: the works were assessed because they were proposed to satisfy a condition of an existing development approval.
The Bigger Redevelopment Question Remains
The longer-term future of the property is still worth watching.
When plans for the Tesla facility emerged in 2022, planning material indicated the refurbishment was intended as an interim use ahead of the potential redevelopment of the broader precinct.
The more recent compliance approval does not show that such a redevelopment is now proceeding.
Instead, it deals with infrastructure associated with the existing approved development, including vehicle access, crossovers, signs, line marking and related road works.
Any future proposal for a substantially different redevelopment would need to be considered on the planning applications and approvals applying at that time.
For now, the latest documents provide a clearer picture of changes around the existing Tesla facility — but not yet the next chapter for one of Red Hill’s most prominent commercial sites.
Brisbane Broncos have opened negotiations on a reported three-year contract extension for Xavier Willison, signalling the club’s long-term strategy as they prepare for life after Payne Haas.
The proposed deal would keep the 23-year-old New Zealand international at Red Hill until the end of 2029. While Willison remains contracted through 2027, he becomes a free agent to negotiate with rival clubs for 2028 from November 1 this year.
By initiating talks now, Brisbane aims to secure their rising star before the open market can tempt him.
Securing the Post-Haas Era
With Haas set to join South Sydney after the 2026 season, Brisbane has identified Willison as the front-rower to lead their pack into a new era.
Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy confirmed that discussions with Willison’s management have commenced, praising the young prop’s growth as both a footballer and a leader.
Donaghy also dismissed external noise, expressing confidence in Willison’s future at Red Hill despite recent media speculation linking the player’s contract decision to uncertainty surrounding head coach Michael Maguire.
From Potential to Premiership Player
Willison’s rise is proof of his resilience. Serious knee injuries interrupted his progress shortly after his NRL debut, but he fought his way back through the Broncos’ development programme to become a crucial cog in Brisbane’s forward rotation.
His breakout performances during the club’s 2025 premiership campaign culminated in a New Zealand Test debut later that year. Since then, he has cemented his reputation as a dependable, elite middle forward.
While replacing a player of Haas’ calibre is a daunting task, Willison has credited the departing prop with teaching him the discipline, preparation, and professional standards required off the field. Rather than comparing himself to Haas, Willison remains focused on securing a permanent starting role.
Ward off Rival Bids
The Broncos’ proactive approach reflects a rapidly inflating player market. Reports suggest the proposed extension is worth upwards of $900,000 a season, with scope to increase if the NRL salary cap rises under the league’s next broadcast agreement.
Quality young middle forwards are a rare commodity in the NRL. Brisbane is determined to keep their home-grown talent at Red Hill and anchor their forward pack for years to come, locking down a key asset before rival clubs have a chance to tempt him away.
The Brisbane Broncos have marked a club first at their Red Hill home base, unveiling a 2026 Indigenous Round jersey designed by Beyond the Broncos student Ladda Kaewhanam.
The Brisbane Broncos have unveiled their 2026 Indigenous Round jersey during NAIDOC Week, with the shirt marking a first for the club’s Beyond the Broncos Indigenous mentoring program.
The jersey was designed by 17-year-old Beerwah State High School student Ladda Kaewhanam, a Whadjuk Noongar and Wangkathaa young woman from Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.
Ladda is the first student from Beyond the Broncos to design the club’s Indigenous Round jersey.
The jersey launch also points to the reach of Beyond the Broncos, which has supported more than 7000 students across 53 schools in Queensland and northern New South Wales since 2015.
Photo Credit: Brisbane Broncos
Shirt Design Carries Journey Theme
The artwork is titled One Journey to The Other and was developed from Ladda’s work with help from Quandamooka artist Casey Coolwell-Fisher.
The jersey design centres on connection across Australia, including people, places, generations and cultures. It also draws on family, identity, community and Country, while connecting the shirt to education and the pathways created through Beyond the Broncos.
Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy acknowledged Ladda’s achievement as the first Beyond the Broncos student to design the club’s Indigenous Round jersey, with the shirt presented as part of the club’s connection with Indigenous communities and young people.
Photo Credit: Brisbane Broncos
Broncos Teams To Wear 2026 Jersey
The Red Hill-based club will wear the jersey during both of its NRL Indigenous Round fixtures at Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos will wear the design against the Dolphins on Saturday, 8 August, and against the Warriors on Saturday, 15 August.
The Broncos’ NRLW side will also wear the 2026 design.
The jersey campaign features Ladda alongside Brisbane Indigenous players Ezra Mam, Kotoni Staggs and Gehamat Shibasaki.
Romy Teitzel and Georgia Barlett are also included in the campaign for the NRLW side.
The club introduced Ladda as the artist of the 2026 Indigenous Round jersey on social media, where public comments included congratulations for the student designer and praise for the design.
If you’ve walked past Red Hill Cinemas on Enoggera Terrace lately and noticed a glow of pink neon spilling onto the footpath, that’s Loverboy Cafe — and it’s well worth stepping inside. Loverboy Cafe Red Hill has quietly become one of the suburb’s more distinctive little spots, sitting right beside the cinema and pitching itself as the perfect pre- or post-film destination for locals.
The space has a fun, unapologetically bold aesthetic — think bright pinks and neon lighting — and the menu leans into that same playful energy. Whether you’re after something sweet or something more substantial, there’s a reasonable spread to choose from, centred around waffles, crepes and toasties.
Waffles with a bit of flair
The waffle menu is where things get interesting. Alongside a Hong Kong-style waffle served with condensed milk, peanut butter and a sprinkle of sugar, there’s a signature creation called the Habibi Dubai Choc Waffle — a warm, fluffy waffle topped with pistachio cream, Nutella and caramel. Other sweet options include a Biscoff version with biscoff crème, crumbs, strawberry purée, whipped cream and gelato, as well as a Strawberry Matcha waffle.
For those not in a dessert mood, the savoury waffle — topped with three strips of bacon, two eggs, a hash brown and melted cheese — makes a solid case for itself.
Crepes for every craving
The crepe selection covers similar ground. On the sweet side, you’ll find options like Biscoff, peaches and cream, Violet Crumble, Cherry Ripe, Classic Nutella Strawberry and a Crepes Suzette. Savoury crepes include a breakfast-style option with egg, bacon, hash brown, melted cheese, smoky BBQ sauce, chutney, chives and hollandaise; a Tuna Tunisia with harissa; salmon with avo and cream cheese; and a four-cheese variety.
There’s also a small selection of toasties — tuna melt, chicken with cheese and truffle, or a simple ham and cheese — plus scoops of gelato if you just want something simple.
Drinks to match
The drinks menu keeps things lively, with milkshakes in flavours like Snickers, Tiramisu and Biscoff sitting alongside smoothies, coffee, soft drinks and iced matcha in strawberry or mango varieties.
Free on-street parking is available nearby, which is handy given the Enoggera Terrace location. Whether you’re making a night of it at the cinema or just after a sweet treat in the neighbourhood, Loverboy adds a bit of colour — literally — to Red Hill’s dining options.
Loverboy Cafe is located next to Red Hill Cinemas on Enoggera Terrace, Red Hill.
Supporters hoping to represent the Brisbane Broncos on game day are being urged to stay alert after scammers allegedly targeted fans with fake mascot audition opportunities on Facebook.
The NRL club has warned the public about fraudulent social media accounts posing as official Broncos pages and offering people the chance to audition as one of the club’s mascots in exchange for payment. The scam has reportedly left some supporters out of pocket after they transferred money believing they were applying for a legitimate opportunity.
In a statement, the Broncos said the fake auditions had no connection to the club and stressed that it would never ask people to pay to audition for mascot roles or other unsolicited opportunities promoted through social media or private messages.
The club also encouraged supporters to avoid engaging with suspicious accounts, never share personal or financial information, and rely only on its verified website and official social media channels for official communications. The Queensland Police Service is aware of the matter.
The scam involves one of the Broncos’ best-known game-day attractions. Alongside Buck, the horse that appears at Broncos home games, the club also has a costumed mascot. According to reports received by the club, scammers convinced hopeful applicants they could secure an audition by paying a fee. Instead, those supporters reportedly lost money without receiving any genuine opportunity.
The incident is not the first time the Broncos have warned supporters about fraudulent activity linked to the club.
Last year, the Broncos alerted fans after counterfeit versions of the club’s popular all-black mental health jersey began appearing online. The fake jerseys emerged after the limited-edition design sold out quickly, with unofficial sellers attempting to capitalise on the strong demand.
The club’s mascots have also attracted attention for reasons unrelated to scams. Last year, animal rights organisation PETA called on the Broncos to retire Buck and adopt a different identity. The proposal was met with strong opposition from many supporters, and the Broncos confirmed they had no plans to retire the long-serving horse.
With the latest scam now under investigation, the Broncos are reminding supporters that official opportunities will only be promoted through the club’s verified website and official social media channels, and that the club does not charge people to audition for mascot roles.
Fruition Hair, with its Red Hill salon has been named Australian Salon of the Year at the 2026 Australian Hair Fashion Awards, held on 19 April at Sydney Town Hall, claiming the night’s most prestigious business title against the best salons in the country.
The win did not come alone. Fruition stylist Louise Graham took Queensland Hairdresser of the Year at the same ceremony, and Helmet Hair Co., the Nundah salon founded by the same owner as Fruition, added Apprentice of the Year through Jake Pafumi.
Together, the three titles gave the Fruition group a sweep of Australia’s most respected industry awards spanning salon leadership, advanced styling and emerging talent in a single night.
Fruition was also represented in two further national finalist positions. Louise Graham earned a national finalist spot for Australian Creative Colourist of the Year, and Helmet Hair Co.’s Max Cooper was a finalist for Australian Hairdresser of the Year.
The Person Behind the Salons
Craig Smith has been a fixture in Brisbane’s hairdressing world since opening Fruition in the Brisbane CBD in 1996, relocating to Wilston in 2012 and later establishing the Red Hill salon to bring the Fruition experience closer to the inner-west community.
Photo Credit: Supplied
He is himself an AHFA Australian Hairdresser of the Year alumni, and has spent three decades building a group that pairs high-end technical work with genuine mentorship at every level.
Smith also co-owns Helmet Hair Co., the Nundah salon described on the Fruition website as “the cool, creative little sister/brother to Fruition,” grown from the same commitment to exceptional hair but with a bolder, more rebellious character. The fact that both brands contributed to the same awards night sweep reflects the depth and consistency Smith has cultivated across his group.
Fruition Red Hill, led day-to-day by salon director Chad Nicholson alongside Smith’s creative direction, is known for its elevated but unpretentious feel: expert craftsmanship, award-winning stylists and the kind of considered service that has kept a loyal client base coming back for years. Reviews consistently point to Louise Graham as one of the most trusted stylists in the building.
“I have been going to Fruition Hair for years now and have always seen Louise,” one client noted. “She has completely transformed my hair into the hair I had when I was a child, thick, healthy and long. Louise is incredibly knowledgeable, caring and consistent, and you can truly tell she loves what she does.”
A Closer Look at Salon of the Year
The AHFA, which has been running since 1992, is judged by an international panel of industry experts and is the longest-running and most prestigious independent hairdressing awards programme in Australia and New Zealand. Salon of the Year does not recognise a single moment of creative work. It recognises how a business operates across every dimension: team development, client experience, culture, commercial performance and consistency over time.
Winning it places Fruition in the company of the most respected salon businesses Australia has produced. For a salon operating in Red Hill and Wilston rather than a major CBD flagship location, it is a result that says something clear about the standard being set on Musgrave Road.
Book and Find Out More
Fruition Red Hill is at 160 Musgrave Road, Red Hill, phone (07) 3506 0216. Fruition Wilston is at Shop 1, 2 Heather Street, Wilston, phone (07) 3356 3311. Bookings and information can be viewed here, or follow the salon on Instagram.
The Brisbane Broncos Sport Business Institute, delivered in partnership with TAFE Queensland from the Clive Berghofer Centre on Fulcher Road in Red Hill, has celebrated its 150th graduate, marking a significant milestone for a program that has quickly established itself as one of Australia’s most distinctive sport industry education pathways.
Launched in 2023 as Queensland’s first accredited education program embedding work-integrated learning across an entire professional sporting organisation, the institute has grown steadily across three years of operation. The 150th graduate milestone reflects consistent demand from students seeking a credentialled, practical pathway into the sport and entertainment industry, delivered not from a conventional classroom but from within the operational structure of one of the NRL’s most recognised clubs.
What the Program Offers
The Brisbane Broncos Sport Business Institute delivers a dual qualification across one year of full-time study, combining a Diploma of Sport and a Diploma of Leadership and Management. Students gain a nationally recognised credential spanning both sport-specific competencies and broad business management skills, with the dual-diploma structure designed to open doors across the sport industry and beyond.
The program’s most distinctive feature is its 100 hours of work-integrated learning placed directly across Brisbane Broncos departments, spanning areas including membership, game development, fan engagement, community partnerships and events. Students work alongside Broncos staff on live projects and real operational deliverables, building industry networks and practical skills simultaneously.
Brisbane Broncos staff and players also support TAFE Queensland educators in content delivery, giving students direct exposure to how an elite NRL club operates across its commercial, football and community functions.
The curriculum spans emotional intelligence, critical thinking, workplace relationships, team effectiveness, business risk management, project management and anti-doping and integrity, equipping graduates with a well-rounded professional foundation relevant to a wide range of sport industry roles.
From Student to Staff: A Proven Pathway
The institute’s strongest evidence of impact lies in its graduate outcomes. The program guarantees a minimum of two graduate roles at the Brisbane Broncos for students completing each intake, providing a direct employment pathway that most educational programs cannot match. Students who complete their 100 hours of work-integrated learning may also be considered for casual roles at the club during the course.
The graduate journey of 2024 alumna Abby Mills illustrates the pathway clearly. Mills completed placements in community partnerships and events during her time in the program, working across landmark club moments including the Presentation Ball and the NRLW Launch.
After graduating, she transitioned into a project coordinator role at the club, contributing to the Broncos’ major brand refresh. Her experience reflects the institute’s intent: to create a pipeline from enrolled student to employed professional within the Broncos organisation and the broader sport industry.
For graduates who pursue opportunities outside the club, the dual-diploma qualification carries articulation pathways into a range of undergraduate degrees across Queensland universities, providing a bridge from the vocational sector into higher education for those who choose to continue their studies.
The model, embedding accredited vocational education inside professional sporting environments, has proven a compelling alternative to traditional business or sport management degrees for students who want immediate practical immersion rather than theoretical preparation.
For Paddington, Red Hill and the inner-western suburbs, the presence of a nationally recognised sport business education program operating from the Clive Berghofer Centre adds another dimension to a sporting precinct already central to Brisbane’s rugby league identity.
The institute draws students from across Brisbane and South East Queensland, many of whom spend their study year engaging daily with one of the city’s most iconic organisations from a campus that most residents associate purely with game days.
How to Apply
The Brisbane Broncos Sport Business Institute runs three cohorts in 2026, with two having commenced in January and a final intake opening in April. Applications for the April intake are currently open through TAFE Queensland. Prospective students can register their interest, attend an information session or book a one-on-one program call through brisbanebroncossbi.com.au, or contact the team directly at study@broncos.com.au.
Let’s not sugarcoat it — that one was there to be won.
For 25 minutes, the Broncos looked like the premiers again. Fast through the middle, line speed up, Walsh carving them up out the back. 20–6 up at Suncorp and the Eels looked on the ropes.
Then Brisbane lost their way.
Missed tackles, penalties, defensive disconnects and a complete momentum swing turned a comfortable lead into a 40–32 loss. Two rounds into the season and the defending premiers are 0–2, still searching for the defensive steel that carried them to the title.
Good teams can lose. Champions sometimes start slow. But blowing a game like this at home is the sort of collapse that forces a hard look in the mirror.
The Broncos can still turn this around. But right now, the truth is simple: they’re not playing like a premiership side for 80 minutes.
The opening half hour showed exactly what Brisbane can be when things click.
The Broncos dominated field position early, forcing repeat sets before Reece Walsh sliced through in the fifth minute for the first try of the season. Kotoni Staggs soon followed off a pinpoint Adam Reynolds grubber, and when Payne Haas crashed through in the 26th minute, Brisbane were cruising at 20–6.
Then it unravelled.
Parramatta found momentum and Brisbane’s left edge couldn’t hold. In the space of five minutes before halftime, the Eels crossed three times, flipping the game completely and taking a 22–20 lead into the sheds.
The second half turned into a shootout.
Staggs scored again off an Ezra Mam chip kick to level things up, and Walsh produced a piece of magic with a chip-and-chase try to put Brisbane back in front.
But every Broncos surge was answered.
With the game in the balance, Jonah Pezet controlled the key moments — setting up Sean Russell with a grubber before sealing the result himself when he chased down his own kick in the dying minutes.
The final score: Parramatta 40, Brisbane 32 in a chaotic 12-try contest.
Round 2 Analysis: What Went Wrong (and Right)
For the Broncos
Edge defence exposed
Parramatta repeatedly attacked Brisbane’s left side and found space between Ezra Mam, Jack Gosiewski and Aublix Tawha. Once the Eels got momentum, they scored quickly and easily through that channel.
Walsh: brilliance and errors
Walsh produced moments only he can — two spectacular tries and several dangerous runs; but there were costly mistakes too, including an airswing on a bomb that led directly to an Eels try.
It was a classic rocks-and-diamonds night. Discipline killing them.
Brisbane conceded eight penalties and multiple ruck infringements, repeatedly handing Parramatta field position and back-to-back sets.
In the faster 2026 game, those momentum swings are brutal. Teams defending repeat sets eventually crack.
For the Eels
Pezet ran the show
The Eels five-eighth had a breakout game — two tries and several try assists, constantly targeting the Broncos defensive line with grubbers and short balls.
In an ironic twist, he will be wearing Broncos colours in 2027.
On Thursday night, he picked them apart.
The Historical Lens: Is the Season Over?
It is still March — but Brisbane have given themselves work to do.
Two rounds in and the Broncos have already conceded 66 points, a sign their defensive structure and discipline are not where they need to be.
The attack still has strike — they proved that by scoring 32 points against Parramatta — but premiership sides do not concede 40 and expect to win.
Can they still win the premiership? That’s the question on everyone’s minds.
The case for optimism
There are still reasons to believe the Broncos can steady the ship.
Coach Michael Maguire pointed to the opening 20 minutes as proof of what the side is capable of when they execute their game plan.
“We showed for 20 minutes what we’re capable of doing… but it’s an 80-minute game,” Maguire said, post-match.
Prop Payne Haas delivered a similar message of perspective.
“You don’t win premierships in March,” he said, while acknowledging the team must fix its bad habits quickly.
Reinforcements are also on the horizon, with back-rower Brendan Piakura expected to return soon to help stabilise the edge defence.
What must change
The fixes are not complicated; but they are urgent.
First, the Broncos must find 80-minute toughness. Strong starts are meaningless if the intensity drops once momentum swings. That has happened in both games to start the season.
Second, the defence has to tighten, particularly on the edges. Parramatta repeatedly targeted Brisbane’s left side and found space far too easily. Premiership teams don’t concede points in bunches like that.
Finally, game management will be critical, especially if Adam Reynolds misses time with a rib injury. Without their on-field organiser late against Parramatta, Brisbane looked short on direction. If Reynolds is sidelined, another voice — likely Ben Hunt — will need to steer the side through the high-tempo pace of the modern NRL.
Heading into Round 3: The Path to Redemption
Next up is a grand final rematch against Melbourne.
It is about as tough a response game as you can get.
For the Broncos the formula is simple.
Tighten the defence. Cut the penalties. Play the full 80 minutes.
Because if Brisbane keep giving teams momentum the way they did against Parramatta, the hole will only get deeper.
Published 13-March-2026
PRE-GAME PREVIEW
Broncos Return to the Cauldron Seeking Redemption Against the Eels
Published 11-March-2026
The schlacking by the Panthers was a massive wake up call for the Broncos but let’s not kid ourselves, they were very ordinary for 30% of last season and gradually found their 5th gear to beat all-comers.
The eery silence that filled the ground towards the end of the game, is not something Madge and the boys will ever want to hear again.
The Parramatta Eels arrive in Brisbane carrying wounds of their own after a heavy Round 1 loss to Melbourne, meaning both sides enter the contest desperate for their first win of the 2026 season.
In front of another expectant Suncorp Stadium crowd, the match has quickly become more than just another early-round fixture. It is a test of response, resilience and pride.
Match Snapshot
Broncos vs Eels Round 2 — Thursday, March 12 7:00pm AEST | Suncorp Stadium Channel 9 / Fox League / Kayo
Coach Michael Maguire has resisted the urge to panic after the Round 1 defeat, naming largely the same 17 to face Parramatta. Ezra Mam has again been listed at five-eighth with veteran Ben Hunt on the bench in a flexible playmaking rotation that could shift during the match.
The Broncos remain without back-rower Brendan Piakura as he continues recovering from a knee injury.
Blake Mozer, Delouise Hoeter and Thomas Duffy have been added to the extended squad as the club maintains depth across the roster heading into the short turnaround.
Despite the disappointment against Penrith, Maguire’s message has been clear: improvement will come through execution rather than sweeping changes.
Paramatta Eels
Parramatta travel north boosted by the return of winger Josh Addo-Carr from a thumb injury. His inclusion pushes Sean Russell into the centres and adds pace to the Eels’ backline.
However, the Eels will be without forward J’maine Hopgood, who is serving a suspension following the opening-round defeat to Melbourne.
Coach Jason Ryles has reshuffled his pack accordingly, with Jack Williams moving into the starting front-row and Kelma Tuilagi promoted to the starting side.
Broncos Reality Check
Broncos fans know last week simply wasn’t good enough.
Brisbane completed just 61 percent of their sets and produced 19 errors against Penrith — numbers that made sustained attacking pressure almost impossible.
For a side built on momentum through the middle and quick attacking shifts from players like Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam, that lack of control proved fatal.
The encouraging sign for Brisbane supporters is that premiership teams rarely stay down for long. Thursday night now becomes an opportunity to reset their standards.
Key Match-Up
Adam Reynolds vs Mitchell Moses
The tactical battle between the two veteran halfbacks could ultimately shape the contest.
Reynolds controls Brisbane’s tempo with precise kicking and field positioning, while Moses provides Parramatta with one of the NRL’s most dangerous long-range kicking games.
Whichever playmaker wins the territorial battle will give their side the platform to attack.
Players to Watch
Several Broncos will be under the spotlight as Brisbane looks to reignite its attack.
Reece Walsh
The Broncos fullback is rarely quiet two weeks in a row. Expect Walsh to be heavily involved as Brisbane look to ignite their attack through broken play and quick shifts.
Adam Reynolds
The veteran halfback remains the organiser of Brisbane’s attack. His kicking game and calm decision-making will be critical against an Eels side led by Mitchell Moses.
Xavier Willison
With Payne Haas set to depart the club in the future, young forward Xavier Willison is increasingly viewed as part of Brisbane’s long-term middle-forward leadership. The New Zealand representative has credited Haas as a key mentor as he continues to develop his game.
3 Questions for the Broncos
Can the discipline improve?
Brisbane’s 19 errors and low completion rate against Penrith prevented the Broncos from building any sustained pressure. Reducing those mistakes will be the first step toward rediscovering their attacking rhythm.
Will the Reynolds–Mam combination click?
The halves pairing remains central to Brisbane’s structure. If Adam Reynolds can control territory and Ezra Mam finds space to attack, the Broncos’ backline suddenly becomes far more dangerous.
How will the forwards respond?
The Broncos’ premiership run was built on dominance through the middle. Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan and the forward pack will be expected to set the tone early against a Parramatta side missing key enforcer J’maine Hopgood.
Broncos vs Eels: What are the odds?
Bookmakers have installed Brisbane as strong favourites heading into Thursday night, reflecting the Broncos’ home advantage and overall roster strength.
Several analysts expect the defending premiers to respond strongly, predicting a comfortable victory if Brisbane rediscover their discipline and attacking rhythm.
The Stakes
For the Broncos, Thursday night is about more than two competition points.
It is about restoring confidence, re-establishing standards and reminding the competition why Brisbane lifted the premiership trophy only months ago.
The Cauldron has seen countless Broncos redemption stories over the years.
On Thursday night, Suncorp Stadium will be expecting another one.
A Red Hill property steeped in Brisbane history has sold under the hammer for $2.32 million, well above its reserve, after an eight-minute auction that drew four registered bidders on Saturday.
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom home at 111 Arthur Terrace sits on a 506-square-metre block and is notable for its use of salvaged materials sourced from some of Brisbane’s most recognisable landmarks. The home incorporates bricks from the Cannon Hill stockyards, cupboards originally from a convent, benchtops made from floor joists salvaged from the Treasury Building, and structural pillars from Brett’s Wharf.
The buyer, a local Brisbane man, had been watching the property for four years — having first taken notice of it during the pandemic. On Saturday, his persistence paid off when he opened bidding at $1.6 million. A series of $100,000 rises followed before the field narrowed to two determined bidders, with the hammer falling in just eight minutes.
Selling agent Alex Rutherford of Place New Farm described the atmosphere as electric, saying the vendors were delighted with the result while the buyer was left in a state of disbelief. She noted that pre-auction offers had fallen well short of the $2 million mark, making the final sale price a significant result for the vendors.
Rutherford attributed the strong outcome to the home’s one-of-a-kind construction, combined with tight stock levels and growing demand in Red Hill. The property had previously sold in 2018 for $1.03 million and had most recently been held by a local investor, who was renting it out at $1,000 per week.
The sale was one of 126 auctions scheduled across south-east Queensland on the day. By Saturday evening, Domain had recorded a preliminary clearance rate of 49 per cent from 82 reported results, with nine properties withdrawn.
