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NRL Round 18 Match Preview: Broncos Blockbuster

With the Broncos rocketing into fifth spot on the ladder, the Bulldogs will be keen to maintain their top four positioning and bounce back into the winners' circle. 

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, with the home side eager to get back in the winners' circle on a historic night where the Club's NRLW 

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.

Broncos: Selwyn Cobbo is back in the NRL and will line up at fullback in place of Reece Walsh (Origin camp). 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. Jaiyden Hunt and Tyson Smoothy are the new men on the bench.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
    Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Selwyn Cobbo
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 4 Enari Tuala
    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 6 Matt Burton
    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 14 Lachlan Galvin
    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 19 Jake Turpin
    Lock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Bailey Hayward
    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 17 Kurtis Morrin
    Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Jack Gosiewski
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 21 Jack Todd
    Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Ben Talty

Reserves

  • Replacement for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson
    Replacement for Broncos is number 21 Va'a Semu

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 Bulldogs have won three from six without captain Stephen Crichton in 2024-25.
  • The Broncos have won six of their past seven games against the Bulldogs.
  • Broncos hooker Billy Walters will make his 100th NRL appearance.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.

Acknowledgement of Country

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs respect and honour the Darug and Eora nations, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.