**Title: Brisbane Broncos Face Penrith Panthers in NRL Preliminary Final**
The Brisbane Broncos are set to host the Penrith Panthers in a highly anticipated preliminary final at Lang Park. This match is crucial for both teams, as Penrith aims for its sixth consecutive grand final appearance and fifth NRL premiership in a row. The Broncos, on the other hand, are looking to reach the grand final for the second time in three seasons.
Kick-off is scheduled for 4:05 PM AEST. Fans in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, and Tasmania can tune in at this time. For those in South Australia and the Northern Territory, the match will start at 3:35 PM ACST, while viewers in Western Australia can catch the action at 2:05 PM AWST.
In the lead-up to the match, Andrew Johns addressed concerns regarding Broncos captain Adam Reynolds. Reynolds has been sidelined for six weeks due to a hamstring injury but has been named as the starting halfback. While some worry he may be "rusty" after his time off, Johns expressed confidence in Reynolds' experience. "You can lose your feel a little bit when of when to put the pedal down," Johns said. He added, "He will have a bit of rust, but you know what, he is so experienced and he knows his way around the park."
Selwyn Cobbo, another key player for the Broncos, recently returned from a hamstring strain but will not participate in this match. Club legend Darren Lockyer noted that Cobbo's future with the Broncos may still be uncertain as he is expected to move to the Dolphins soon.
On the Panthers' side, coach Ivan Cleary is optimistic about his rookie players, Casey McLean and Blaize Talagi, who are expected to face a tough challenge against the Broncos' strong attack. Kotoni Staggs, a powerful player for Brisbane, has identified Penrith's left edge as a potential weakness. "We know their left edge struggles," Staggs stated, highlighting the strategy the Broncos may employ during the game.
As the match approaches, fans are eager to see which team will advance to the grand final, where the Melbourne Storm awaits. The excitement is palpable as both teams prepare for this critical showdown in the NRL finals series.