Broncos v Bulldogs preview

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Brisbane Broncos v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Saturday 3:00pm at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Broncos and Bulldogs set to battle in Brisbane

The Brisbane Broncos will host the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs this Saturday afternoon at Lang Park in a crucial fixture for both sides. With just four competition points separating them on the ladder, the 11th placed Broncos have an opportunity to draw closer to the top eight whilst the 6th placed Bulldogs could see themselves drop behind the likes of the Dolphins, Cowboys, and Dragons if they are the losing side this weekend. 

After snapping a six game losing streak last week, the Broncos will need to be careful not to slip back into losing habits. The win against the Knights was a long time coming for Brisbane fans, and reignites hope of a position in the finals. A Deine Mariner double and an 18-0 half-time lead helped the Broncos to their 30-14 win against the now 13th placed Knights. 

Selwyn Cobbo is set to play his first NRL game since round 18 after suffering a groin injury in Origin game 3. His return on the wing pushes veteran Corey Oates to 18th man. Brendan Piakura is also struggling with a groin injury and has dropped to the reserves, with Kobe Hetherington stepping up to start in the second row and Blake Mozer joining the bench.

The Bulldogs are able to taste finals football as the end of the regular season approaches, but there is still plenty of work to do. Dishing up consistently good performances this year, they'll be disappointed with their failure to snatch the two points against the Cowboys last weekend. With just two points proving the difference in Townsville, some missed Matt Burton conversions was all it took for North Queensland to come back from a half-time deficit to steal the win.

Lipoi Hopoi has been named on the bench for the Bulldogs in what will be the fifth NRL appearance for the 22 year old forward. Chris Patolo is the player to make way in the only change to the Canterbury-Bankstown 17. 

The Bulldogs haven't played finals since 2016. In those seven seasons since, Brisbane have played finals football in five of them. 

Last meeting: Round 20 2023 - Bulldogs 24 Broncos 44

Who to watch: Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh had a difficult Origin series to say the least. After getting flattened by Joseph Suaalii in game 1, he failed to live up to his potential in the following two losses in what can certainly be described as a learning experience for the 22 year old. Consistently in the media, Walsh would have certainly been feeling the pressure upon his return to clubland, which he made last weekend off the back of a very short turnaround. Scoring a try and racking up two try assists and linebreaks, Walsh was a key figure in his side's victory and he will be keen to remind Queenslanders again this weekend why he is one of the best fullbacks in the game.

Bulldogs utility Kurt Mann has slowly assumed the starting lock position throughout the 2024 season, his first season with Canterbury-Bankstown. Having spent time with the Storm, Dragons, and Knights throughout his career, the 31 year old has played exactly 37 minutes in his past two games. Known for working through a heap of tackles in a highly efficient manner, Mann was one of many somewhat ridiculed utility signings made by the Dogs for this season, but this has inarguably paid off. Signed until the end of 2025, Mann may be looking to settle down as the Bulldogs continue their rise with his help. 

FAVOURITE: Having won the past five straight games against the Bulldogs, Brisbane at home are tipped to be the strong favourites. 

MY TIP: The Bulldogs have pulled off some hardfought wins of late, and despite finishing on the wrong end of the scoreboard last time out, I think they have shown more resolve and determination than Brisbane this season. Bulldogs by 4.

1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kobe Hetherington 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 16. Xavier Willison 17. Martin Taupau 18. Corey Oates 15. Tyson Smoothy

1. Connor Tracey 22. Jeral Skelton 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Lipoi Hopoi 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Harry Hayes 21. Hayze Perham

Referees: Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Daniel Schwass; Video Referees: Wyatt Raymond;