Brisbane Broncos host Newcastle Knights in Round 22 of the 2026 NRL season at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane on Saturday, 1st August at 7:35 PM AEST. Read on for our full match preview, betting tips, and best odds.
The Broncos’ title defence is all but done, but will that open the door for the finals-bound Knights to grab a crucial win after a couple of devastating injury blows?
FORM: The Broncos have won just one of their last 10, following up a heroic 14-12 upset of Penrith with an 18-10 defeat to North Queensland.
The seventh-placed Knights have lost their last three, though they could hardly have been more gallant in a 23-22 loss to the Roosters with Kalyn Ponga out, and Dylan Lucas and Dylan Brown exiting with season-ending injuries.
INS AND OUTS: Gehamat Shibasaki drops out of the Broncos’ line-up with Deine Mariner moving to centre and Grant Anderson recalled on the wing. Va’a Semu replaces Preston Riki, while Ben Hunt and Billy Walters are both on the bench.
Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai return for Newcastle, while Sandon Smith and Fletcher Sharpe will combine in the halves with Dylan Brown gone for the year. Jeremine McEwen comes in following second-rower Dylan Lucas’ season-ending injury.
KEY MATCH-UP: Queensland teammates Ponga and Walsh face off in the No.1 jerseys – it doesn’t get much better.
HISTORY: The Broncos are on a six-match winning streak against the Knights, including a 46-12 romp in Round 25 in Newcastle in their only 2025 encounter.
KEY STAT: Deine Mariner scored doubles in his last two games against the Knights.
VERDICT: With the finals a near-impossibility now for the Broncos, it will fascinating to see which version of the enigmatic champs turns up. In 2024, they limped to the finish line with only three wins from their last 13 games.
The Knights are reeling from their most recent injury blows, but they’ve navigated key-player absences well all season and boast solid depth and versatility in their squad. Last week’s performance was so hearty – anything resembling that commitment should be enough to win…if Ponga plays.
Tip: Back the Knights to Cover the Line (+6.5) @ $1.83
SGM: KNIGHTS WIN / OVER 45.5 TOTAL POINTS / BRADMAN BEST ANYTIME TRYSCORER / DEINE MARINER ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $25.33
Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights Odds & Popular Betting Markets
Here’s a quick look at the current odds and popular betting markets for the Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights matchup.
*odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change
| Team | Odds | |
|---|---|---|
| Newcastle Knights (6.5) | 1.83 | Bet Now |
| Brisbane Broncos (-6.5) | 1.98 | Bet Now |
NRL odds correct as of 30/07/2026 and subject to change. Event scheduled to start at 01/08/2026 7:35pm AEST.
NRL odds correct as of 30/07/2026 and subject to change. Event scheduled to start at 01/08/2026 7:35pm AEST.