Our best bet for Thursday's NRL Round 26 clash between the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm is the Home Team Over 23.5 / Away Team Over 26.5 / Fa'alogo to Score Same Game Multi at $6.25, with both sides expected to throw the ball around in a dead rubber and Fa'alogo scoring 16 tries this season.
Round 26 of the NRL kicks off with an unlikely dead rubber, as the Broncos host the Storm in a repeat of the 2025 Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday.
Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm
Few would have expected both sides to be out of finals contention with two games to go, but it's a clear reflection of how their seasons have gone.
Brisbane sit 15th with just seven wins from 22 played, having won last week for the first time in five matches.
Melbourne are marginally better at 11th, but also saw their finals hopes snuffed out when they lost 22-14 to the Panthers last week.
Leg 1 - Home Team Over 23.5 Points
With nothing on the line in this clash, picking a winner is a dangerous game. However, plenty of points can be expected as both sides will look to finish with a flurry and throw the ball around.
The Broncos' attack clicked last week, racking up 34 points against the Raiders. Earlier this month, they put 32 points on the Dolphins too.
With Jesse Arthurs back in the mix this round as well, expect Brisbane to at least crack the 23.5-point mark.
Leg 2 - Away Team Over 26.5 Points
Likewise for the Storm, they'll be throwing caution to the wind here.
The visitors get Jahrome Hughes back in a huge boost for their attack, which has already been improving this month.
Melbourne have scored 26, 22, 42 and 14 in their last four outings, so against the 15th-placed Broncos in a dead rubber, 26+ is very realistic.
Leg 3 - Sualauvi Fa'alogo to Score
One player who's been in the midst of all Melbourne's attack is Sualauvi Fa'alogo.
The Storm fullback has 16 tries for the season, and was on a three-match scoring streak until the Panthers held him out last week.
Expect him to bounce back here and find his way across the line in a free-flowing game on Thursday.
Same Game Multi
Home Team Over 23.5 / Away Team Over 26.5 / Fa'alogo to Score = $6.25
Value Bet
Despite their poor season, the Broncos have beaten Melbourne already this year.
In fact, Brisbane have won their last three against the Storm, the last two of which have been by a 1-12 margin.
Coming into this off the back of a win, with zero pressure, against a familiar foe, the Broncos are a dangerous side.
