Round 21: Bulldogs v Broncos preview
Banana skin game for Brisbane as 'Dogs look to play spoiler.
We're now well into that troubling period for top eight sides - five games out from the end of the regular season and any number of potential slip-up games against lower-placed sides. This week 7th-placed Brisbane, who've ridden a veritable rollercoaster of form in the last two months, face a Canterbury side that's offered some interesting footy in recent weeks.
For the Broncos, this game is another chance to display their defensive mettle, part of the reason they've been so competitive this season. The 'Wall of Wayne' was at its tackling best last week, restricting an electric Sharks side to just ten points. Scoring points was a different matter, but they'll be hoping they can make amends for that this week.
Strangely, the Bulldogs' defence has been largely impressive in the weeks since Aaron Woods and Moses Mbye left the club prior to the June 30 deadline. With Kieran Foran also missing the remainder of 2018 with a foot injury, rookie coach Dean Pay has been forced to look to youth as a solution, with Jeremy Marshall-King and Lachlan Lewis performing more than ably given the club's position coming into the second half of the premiership.
A quick squiz at the Tuesday teamsheets reveals no ins or outs for the Broncos, with Matt Lodge promoted back to starting prop in favour of Joe Ofahengaue. Canterbury have lost David Klemmer (suspension), which sees Danny Fualalo start up front and mid-season recruit Chris Smith added to the interchange.
Last meeting: Round 9 2018 - Broncos 22 Bulldogs 20
An at-times controversial win saw Brisbane get the chocolates in Round 9. Former Bulldog Moses Mbye was sin-binned in the final stages as Brisbane scored a final-minute matchwinning penalty goal in a game that seemed destined for golden point. Overall the Broncos have won 30 times from 52 matches between these sides.
Who to watch: Will Hopoate has shone bright at the 'Dogs since he returned to the fullback position in the wake of Mbye's much-publicised exit to the Tigers. Hoppa's form has been a highlight of the Bulldogs' mid-season footy and while their attack is still yet to click, it's been much better to watch with his support play and reliability at the back.
Brisbane's halves will need to take control early and lay a solid platform for the forwards to dominate on Thursday night. Kodi Nikorima is relatively inexperienced but still has a far bigger base to work from at NRL level than his opposite number in Marshall-King, and that gap is more pronounced between five-eighths Milford and Lewis. As such, the more experienced Broncos' spine should hold the key to victory.
The favourite: Brisbane are solidly backed to win this one and consolidate their top eight spot.
My tip: The loss of David Klemmer for Canterbury is huge but they've already dealt with that a couple of times this season. Brisbane's quality across the park however should be far too good on the night, but don't expect a high-scoring contest. Brisbane by 8.
