NRL Previews - Broncos v Bulldogs (Round 8)

  vs  
29-04-2011 07:30PM at Suncorp Stadium

Referees: Gavin Badger and Adam Devcich
Touch Judges: Ricky Macfarlane and Clayton Sharpe
Video Referee: Tim Mander

To kick off the last round before representative scheduling destroys big games like this one, the Brisbane Broncos host the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. Match of the Round for mine as youngsters Trent Hodkinson and Kris Keating face the NRLs best defence and set out to prove that youth can overcome experience. This is just one of many great matchups across the park.

Justin Hodges is showing no signs of a hangover from ankle surgery and will be at his devastating best against Josh Morris in a possible origin preview. The biggest battle, however, will be the speed and discipline of the Broncos defensive line against the creativity of the Bulldogs' attack. With Ben Barba in the form that he is in, the visitors will have just enough points in them to stop the Bronco juggernaut and steal the two points in a beauty.

My Tip: Bulldogs 22-18

The Teams

Brisbane Broncos               Canterbury Bulldogs
Suspensions No Suspensions Injuries M. Gillett B. Te'o S. Anderson J. Hoffman M. Gillett	1. Gerard Beale Fullback 1. Ben Barba 2. Dale Copley Wing 2. Steve Turner 3. Jack Reed Centre 3. Josh Morris 4. Justin Hodges Centre 4. Jamal Idris 5. Jharal Yow Yeh Wing 5. Michael Lett 6. Darren Lockyer Five Eighth 6. Kris Keating 7. Peter Wallace Halfback 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Ben Hannant Prop 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Andrew McCullough Hooker 9. Michael Ennis 10. Dane Carlaw Prop 10. Mickey Paea 11. Alex Glenn Second Row 11. Frank Pritchard 12. Sam Thaiday Second Row 12. Andrew Ryan 13. Corey Parker Lock 13. David Stagg 14. Mitchell Dodds Interchange 14. Greg Eastwood 15. Josh McGuire Interchange 15. Grant Millington 16. Nick Kenny Interchange 16. Corey Payne 17. Ben Hunt Interchange 17. Dene Halatau	Suspensions No Suspensions Injuries T. Browne M. Hodgson B. Goodwin

Head to Head

Other Games this Round

• Brisbane Broncos v Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium
• South Sydney Rabbitohs v Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at ANZ Stadium
• Gold Coast Titans v Sydney Roosters at Skilled Park
• North Queensland Cowboys v Manly Sea Eagles at Dairy Farmers Stadium
• Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights at AAMI Park, Melbourne
• New Zealand Warriors v Penrith Panthers at Mt Smart Stadium
• Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium
• St George Illawarra Dragons v Parramatta Eels at WIN Jubilee Oval, Kogarah