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Match Preview

Bulldogs v Broncos: Big four on Origin duty; Cobbo returns

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94ddz.com
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After rocketing into fifth spot on the ladder, the Broncos are hoping to repeat the dose against the Bulldogs and claim a second win against the competition's front runners.

Brisbane upset the Bulldogs 42-18 when the last met in Round 8, but since then, the side have begun to click, coming into this game after stringing together three wins on the trot.

The Bulldogs however remain a tough challenge, despite coming away second best against the Panthers last week in their close 8-6 loss in what some have called the game of the season. 

Both sides will be without players on State of Origin duty, leaving it an even contest. 

Team News

Bulldogs: Blake Wilson and Enari Tuala join the backline with Stephen Crichton and Jacob Kiraz on Blues duty while Harry Hayes and Sam Hughes are the new props in place of Max King (Origin) and Daniel Suluka-Fifita (concussion). Two fresh faces on the bench with Lipoi Hopoi and Kurt Morrin taking over from Kurt Mann (Origin) and Hayes. No changes in Thursday's 24-hour update with Jake Turpin the 18th man.

Broncos: Star winger Jesse Arthars (ribs) and prop Corey Jensen (calf) have been ruled out, with 26-year-old forward Ben Talty to make his NRL debut from the bench and Delouise Hoeter promoted from 18th man to the wing. Tyson Smoothy will start at prop. With Reece Walsh among five Broncos on Origin duty, Selwyn Cobbo has been recalled and will line up at fullback. Deine Mariner also joins the backline in place of Maroons debutant Gehamat Shibasaki. With Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan also on Origin duty, Xavier Willison and Kobe Hetherington join the starting side. Va'a Semu is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
    Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Selwyn Cobbo
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson
    Winger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah Karapani
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
    Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Enari Tuala
    Centre for Broncos is number 18 Delouise Hoeter
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
    Winger for Broncos is number 4 Deine Mariner
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
    Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton
    Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Harry Hayes
    Prop for Broncos is number 10 Xavier Willison
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
    Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory Paix
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes
    Prop for Broncos is number 16 Tyson Smoothy
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Bailey Hayward
    Lock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Lachlan Galvin
    Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Billy Walters
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran
    Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Jaiyden Hunt
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Lipoi Hopoi
    Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Jack Gosiewski
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Kurtis Morrin
    Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Ben Talty

Reserves

  • Replacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Jake Turpin
    Replacement for Broncos is number 21 Va'a Semu
  • Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Jack Todd
    Reserve for Broncos is number 22 Josh Rogers

Bulldogs Ins

  • Blake Wilson
  • Enari Tuala
  • Jack Todd
  • Jake Turpin
  • Lipoi Hopoi
  • Samuel Hughes

Broncos Ins

  • Ben Talty
  • Deine Mariner
  • Delouise Hoeter
  • Jaiyden Hunt
  • Josh Rogers
  • Selwyn Cobbo
  • Va'a Semu

Bulldogs Outs

  • Daniel Suluka-Fifita
  • Jacob Kiraz
  • Kurt Mann
  • Max King
  • Stephen Crichton

Broncos Ins

  • Corey Jensen
  • Gehamat Shibasaki
  • Jesse Arthars
  • Patrick Carrigan
  • Payne Haas
  • Reece Walsh

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Bulldogs have won five of their six games at Accor Stadium this season.
  • The Broncos have won six of their past seven games against the Bulldogs.
  • The Bulldogs have not beaten the Broncos at Accor Stadium since 2019.
  • Broncos hooker Billy Walters will make his 100th NRL appearance.
  • The Bulldogs have won three from six without captain Stephen Crichton in 2024-25.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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