An injury-ravaged Broncos side got the job done against the odds in Campbelltown last week, but face a tough ask to beat the Bulldogs in Round 8.
Broncos captain Adam Reynolds was instrumental in the win which saw Payne Haas and Jesse Arthars unable to finish the match due to injury sustained in the game that will keep them out this week, joining a growing casualty ward.
However, with plenty of rep experience to call on, including Cook Islands and Kiwi international Xavier Willison who had an strong game, they were able to post a 21-20 victory, thanks to a clever Reynolds field goal.
The Bulldogs suffered their third loss of the season last weekend against a fired-up Parramatta side who just didn't let them find any rhythm.
Despite some strong individual performances like 232 run metres from fullback Connor Tracey and two tries assists to Bronson Xerri and Matt Burton, it was not enough to catch the Eels who led 18-4 at half-time and went on with the job.
Match: Broncos v Bulldogs
Round 8 -
home Team
Broncos
5th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
11th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team News
Broncos: Fullback Jesse Arthars was initially named to play but hasn't come up. "He has a bit of cork down the shin there that bled into the calf so that was unfortunate," coach Michael Maguire said on Thursday. Hayze Perham has come into the side at fullback and Thomas Duffy is added to the bench. Hooker Cory Paix is also set to slide straight back into the No.9 jumper after recovering from a head knock. No such luck for Payne Haas or Corey Jensen, who will miss Friday's match. Ben Talty and Jack Gosiewksi are set to start at prop in a new-look front row. No further changes in Friday's final team update, Cameron Bukowski dropping out of the squad.
Bulldogs: Coach Cameron Ciraldo has unveiled a shock late change in the final team update, promoting Jake Turpin to the starting hooker role and shifting Bailey Hayward to the bench. There is one other change to the interchange, Jethro Rinakama coming in and Lipoi Hopoi dropping out. Captain Stephen Crichton is set to complete his comeback from a shoulder injury after just falling short of an early return last week. The Bulldogs will be without Jacob Kiraz on Friday night after the winger succumbed to a knee injury. Jonathan Sua will start in his place, having replaced Kiraz in the second half last week. Alekolasimi Jones and Alex Conti came out of the side in the 24-hour update.
Match: Broncos v Bulldogs
Round 8 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 18 Hayze PerhamFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah KarapaniWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jonathan Sua
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat ShibasakiCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Deine MarinerWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Ben TaltyProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Samuel Hughes
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory PaixHooker for Bulldogs is number 17 Jake Turpin
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Jack GosiewskiProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Xavier WillisonLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Josh RogersInterchange for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Jaiyden HuntInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Preston RikiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Va'a SemuInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
Reserves
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 19 Antonio VerhoevenReserve for Bulldogs is number 19 Josh Curran
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 20 Thomas DuffyReserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Jethro Rinakama
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Broncos have won seven of their last eight games against the Bulldogs.
- Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored five tries in five games at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Broncos have lost three of their past four games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey has scored seven tries in six games against the Broncos.
- Broncos coach Michael Maguire has won six of his last seven games against the Bulldogs.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
