Match Preview | Footy returns to Allianz Stadium

The Roosters will be looking to prove their critics wrong when they take on a fresh-faced Brisbane team to kick off their season.

Trent Robinson has waved goodbye to a bunch of seasoned players during the off-season, both up front and out wide, with the big names of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and playmaker Luke Keary jumping ship to the Super League.

Their depth will be seriously tested at the start of the season with key players like Sam Walker and Brandon Smith sidelined with injuries, and Spencer Leniu copping a two-game ban for a high shot in the trial against Newcastle.

Meanwhile, for the Broncos, it's a case of back to the future with the return of Ben Hunt, who's back at the club and raring to go.

Starting the season in the halves alongside captain Adam Reynolds, this dynamic duo may be one of the oldest half pairings in the league, but they've shown they've still got it when it comes to quick thinking and slick plays, as evidenced by their back-to-back Pre-Season Challenge title wins, including a solid performance in the final round against the Bulldogs.

Talented centre Kotoni Staggs is sidelined with a quad injury, opening the door for Gehamat Shibasaki to make his NRL comeback after spending last year playing top-grade for Souths.