Bulldogs v Broncos: Round 2 Pregame Notes

Author: bulldogs.com.au
Timestamp: Thu 17 Mar 2022, 03:55 PM

After a hard fought and thrilling Round One win against the Cowboys in Townsville, the Bulldogs return to Sydney for their first home fixture of the season when they host the Broncos at Accor Stadium on Sunday at 6:15PM (AEDT).

Round One was the start to 2022 that Trent Barrett and his troops needed, despite the conditions being in no way conducive to playing attacking and open rugby league. It was a grind in the true sense of the word and in the end, Canterbury did superbly, despite mounting injuries and worsening conditions.

The eventual 6-4 score line was reflective of the conditions and neither side would walk away disappointed with their effort levels or commitment in defence. However, the Broncos win against Souths will have given Kevin Walters’ men a huge boost, with a number of players set to return to the squad this week, including Adam Reynolds on debut.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 20 Mar

Full Time

Bulldogs

Broncos

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Matthew Dufty

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi Niu
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jayden Okunbor

Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Braidon Burns

Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Brent Naden

Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr

Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton

Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Albert Kelly
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Jake Averillo

Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Paul Vaughan

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Keenan Palasia
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King

Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
Prop for Bulldogs is number 15 Corey Waddell

Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Jack Hetherington

2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior

2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh Jackson

Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 8 Luke Thompson

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Ryan James
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Biondi-Odo

Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Kobe Hetherington
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Max King

Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Teui Robati
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Ava Seumanufagai

Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Billy Walters

Reserves

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 25 Aaron Schoupp

Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Brenko Lee

Match Officials

Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated: 3/4/2024 11:32:51 PM

For the Bulldogs, Trent Barrett has added Tevita Pangai Junior to the seventeen for the clash with Brisbane, with Chris Patolo the unlucky player to miss out.

With drier conditions likely this weekend, this could well be the first real look fans have at the new backline and how the Bulldogs have set up their attacking structures for 2022. There was little doubt around the enthusiasm shown by the inspirational Josh Addo-Carr on Sunday, nor the attacking threats presented by Matt Dufty, Brent Naden and Matt Burton, yet it will be the sum of all the parts that Bulldogs fans will be looking forward to.

Should the Canterbury forwards hold their own up the middle and lay a platform from which to score points, it will then be up to the quicker men to co-ordinate waves of attack in the shapes that Barrett has designed. Led by Josh Jackson, Paul Vaughan and Luke Thompson, the forwards continue to be the strength they have been in recent times, and the addition of Pangai Junior for this match adds to the quality on display.

The coach will be hoping to see the blue and whites show the same grit as they did in Townsville, to make it two from two.

Key Match-Up

Jake Averillo v Adam Reynolds: The young Bulldog tasted victory for just the seventh time in his 35-game career last Sunday and will have taken plenty of confidence out of the grinding win. With new recruit Matt Burton looking after the majority of the general play kicking, Averillo should relish the opportunity to take the line on more and play some off the cuff footy. Reynolds will be champing at the bit after missing round one due to COVID and his steadying hand and cool head will make the Broncos a more formidable opponent.