Broncos too good for a poor Bulldogs

A controlled Broncos side has given tonight's visitors a 16-8 win over hosts the Bulldogs in front of 16,253 fans at a wet and wild ANZ Stadium.

The Bulldogs looked to have the upper hand early on as they made the Broncos start their first few sets deep into their own half, but it wasn't long until Brisbane fought back and really dominated field position. Canterbury struggled with their last tackle options, with the ball finding the Broncos backs on the full numerous times.

Brisbane opened the scoring out wide through Daniel Vidot, while the only Bulldogs try in the first half came from a controversial pass that the referee ruled to come off a Broncos player. On closer inspection, it didn't look to touch any Broncos players, and was likely forward.

The Broncos went into the sheds at half time with a 6 point lead after Sam Thaiday crossed untouched out wide.

It was at this point the much-reported "Antarctic Blast" kicked in - the temperature at Olympic Park dropped by about 5 degrees and torrential rain and a thunderstorm lashed the ground, delaying the restart of play for the second half as lightning struck nearby.

Things didn't get any better for the Bulldogs in the second half as they continued to struggle with field position, only scoring through Shaun Lane in the 51st minute before Brisbane hit back through Adam Blair inside the last twenty minutes. Canterbury had several changes to stage a comeback but ultimately poor ball control and discipline cost the home side as Brisbane held on for a convincing win.

After pushing out to an eight point margin, Brisbane were in control all game and the Bulldogs never looked like coming back.

Next week the Broncos host Sunday footy at Suncorp against cellar dwellers Wests Tigers, while the Bulldogs are the away side against a resurgent Parramatta at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.

Match Details

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 8 Brisbane Broncos 16
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Crowd: 16253
Halftime Score: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 4 Brisbane Broncos 10

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (8)
Tries: Josh Morris, Shaun Lane
Conversions: Moses Mbye (0/2)

BRISBANE BRONCOS (16)
Tries: Daniel Vidot, Sam Thaiday, Adam Blair
Conversions: Corey Parker (1/2), Jordan Kahu (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Sam Thaiday
2 points - Ben Hunt
1 point - Anthony Milford

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to game two this Saturday night. Tonight the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs host the Brisbane Broncos at ANZ Stadium. Bulldogs are without Trent Hodkinson and Lloyd Perrett. The Broncos are 1-17.
There is a bit of rain around in the area, what impact will this have on the game?

1: And we're underway! The Bulldogs kicking off to start the game.

5: An error free start from both teams so far. Bulldogs look to be applying pressure early on by forcing the Broncos backs to bring the ball back from their own line in the first two sets.

7: The crowd goes up for a Broncos try but the referee rules a tap forward by Reed.

8: Penalty to the Bulldogs for an interference in the play the ball.

9: Perrett with an opportunity to score but leaves the ball behind. Broncos with the ball.

11: Parker runs the ball on the last, throws it out the back and the Bulldogs knock it on. Broncos end up with the ball and have a full set 5m out from the line.

12: Both teams have had opportunities early on and have come up empty handed. Still no errors in this game. We're seeing very end to end stuff.

13: Penalty against the Bulldogs for laying in the play the ball. Broncos on the attack 28m out.

14: We've got a double knock on. First one to the Bulldogs so it will be a Broncos scrum 10m out.

16: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Daniel Vidot. Kick to come.
Great pass from Reed puts Vidot over the line on the last tackle!

17: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker unsuccessful.
Difficult kick from the sideline missed by Parker

23: Both teams are sending on fresh legs. The tempo of the game will now probably lift.

25: Bulldogs struggling with field position as Reynolds keeps finding the Broncos backs on the full with his last tackle options.

26: Gillett stuck with kicking duties on the last tackle. The ball goes dead and the Bulldogs have a 20m restart. Now's their chance to get some good field position.

27: We've going to the video ref for a possible Bulldogs try! The ball looked to be thrown forward but the ref has called that a Broncos hand was in there which caused it to go forward.

28: The ball didn't look to touch a Broncos player but the ref can't call on a forward pass. Looks like this will be a try.

28: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Josh Morris. Kick to come.
It's a Morris to Morris special!

28: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Moses Mbye unsuccessful.
The ball never looked like going over.

31: The Broncos kick the ball dead but get the penalty as Pritchard was offside off the kick and went within 10m of the ball.

33: A very exciting piece of play ends with Pritchard jumping to catch the ball and misses but gets a touch to the ball. Broncos scrum 10m out from their own line.

34: Penalty against the Bulldogs for being too slow to get off the tackled player.

35: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Sam Thaiday. Kick to come.
Some poor defence from the Bulldogs sees Thaiday go through the line and score!

36: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Jordan Kahu successful.
Ball just makes it inside the upright.

38: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Moses Mbye makes an unforced error.
The rain is really coming down here at ANZ. Mbye couldn't hold onto the ball in the slippery conditions.

39: Penalty against Tim Browne for a second effort in the tackle. The Broncos on the attack with less than 2mins to go in the first half.

40: We're going to the video ref for a possible Broncos try. The onfield decision was try but not too sure that Maranta got the ball down.

40: On field decision has been overturned. Maranta couldn't hold onto the ball. That takes us to half time.

40: The Broncos had all the momentum in the first half and go into the sheds at half time in front. The slippery conditions caused by the rain will make the second half interesting.

40: Small amounts of hail at half time. There's going to be a 3min delay for the second half due to some lightening in the area.

40: After a short delay, we're underway for the second half.

44: Three Bulldogs players drag Vidot over the sideline. There's lots of water on the ground over Vidot's side, he had no chance of staying in once he hit the ground.

49: Another poor fifth tackle option from Reynolds see's Milford scoop up the ball and make a run for it. In all that excitement there was a double knock on and we have a Bulldogs scrum 30m out.

50: We're off to the video ref for a possible Bulldogs try. They're checking the grounding.

51: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Shaun Lane. Kick to come.
The ball was grounded and the try has been awarded!

51: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Moses Mbye unsuccessful.
Mbye unable to level the scores with his conversion.

55: Kahu down injured. Looks to be a lower leg injury.

55: Play has restarted with Kahu up and moving around.

57: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Alex Glenn makes an unforced error.
Couldn't hold onto the ball close to the line.

58: Bulldogs have knocked on in the play the ball on the change over. I'm picturing Des losing it in the coaches box.

59: Despite Morris' efforts, he couldn't get the ball back into play and we have a Bulldogs line drop out.

60: We're going to the video ref for a possible Broncos try. We're checking the grounding from Blair.

61: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Adam Blair. Kick to come.
No issues with the put down. It's a try to the Broncos!

61: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
Easy conversion from right in front.

62: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Adam Blair makes an unforced error.
Adam Blair has lost the ball in the play the ball and has undone all his good work down the other end.

63: The Bulldogs give up a perfect opportunity as Lafai puts his foot on the sideline in the tackle.

67: After being originally called a knock on against the Bulldogs, the pocket referee chimes in and calls a penalty against the Broncos for taking out the player catching the ball.

68: Nothing going right for the Bulldogs tonight with Josh Morris kicking the ball out on the full on the last tackle.

70: Penalty against the Bulldogs for dragging the player back in goal after being called held.

77: Hunt's kick goes dead and the Bulldogs opt for the kick restart from the 20m line and get the scrum 30m out.

78: The desperation from the Bulldogs is evident with Kasiano kicking early on in the set. Luckily they get the ball back from a drop out.

79: Maxwell rules Lafai is held up over the line. Last tackle now for the Bulldogs.

80: The Bulldogs come up with nothing and it's a handover 10m out. That's the game there.

80: Thanks for joining us tonight - stay tuned for the match report, and join us on our forums for more Rugby League discussion after the match.