Bulldogs Run Down by Broncos

Enari Tuala became Bulldog no.875 in his Club debut, while Jack Todd enjoyed his first match in the NRL since Good Friday following a long layoff with injury.

The newest 'Dog on the block made his presence known early, forcing an error from the Broncos on fifth tackle with a great hit. Tearaway Jacob Preston poked his nose through the line, before bursting through thanks to some slick work from centre Bronson Xerri in good signs from the Blue and Whites. 

A 40/20 attempt from Reed Mahoney fell agonisingly short, but the hooker's clever kick kept the Broncos in their own half, with further pressure from stand-in Captain Viliame Kikau forcing a kick out on the full.

With the spine working in tandem, Toby Sexton's grubber pinned the Broncos behind their line before a slick scrum move saw Marcelo Montoya cross in the corner. Matt Burton's sideline conversion saw the side claim an handy 6-nil lead.

The right side continued to fire with Preston and Xerri causing plenty of havoc, but it was Burton on the left side who scored a remarkable four-pointer after a frantic set of six.

The momentum kept coming for the Bulldogs, with a Brisbane restart out on the full, an unsuccessful Captain's Challenge from the visitors and even a charge down, however they were forced to wait for their next try scoring opportunity. 

Connor Tracey continued his strong form, thwarting a 40/20 attempt, and it was his effort that directly led to points as Kikau scored just moments later, thanks to some clever kicking from Galvin and Sexton. 

While Brisbane had chances to reply, the Bulldogs kept the scoreline to 16-nil at the break after a clever rake from Kikau forced the ball from Selwyn Cobbo's grasp, before a classic tackle from Burton levelled the Broncos fullback.

A penalty goal extended the lead to eighteen, but eventually the visitors crossed through Josiah Karapani in the 61st minute, closing the gap to twelve points. 

An unsuccessful Captain's Challenge saw the Broncos pack a scrum 20 metres from the line, and soon after Delouise Hoeter crossed to bridge the gap to eight points with just over ten minutes remaining. 

Errors continued to cruel the Bulldogs, and the momentum shift continued Brisbane's way with Billy Walters crossing - and it wasn't long before the Broncos struck again, with Brendan Piakura giving the visitors the lead with just five minutes on the clock. 

Unfortunately, the Bulldogs were unable to make a late charge, with the scoreboard reading 22-18 in favour to the Broncos at full-time. 

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 18 (Marcelo Montoya, Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau tries; Matt Burton 2 goals; Matt Burton penalty goal) def by Brisbane Broncos 22 (Josiah Karapani, Delouise Hoeter, Billy Walters, Brendan Piakura tries; Adam Reynolds 4 goals)