Round 8 not only marks the first third of the season coming to an end, but a chance for the Bulldogs to steer the ship and get back on course against a Brisbane Broncos side that fails to yield.
Of course, the annual ANZAC Round clash will mean that both teams have much more to play for than just the two competition points.
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Match: Broncos v Bulldogs
Round 8 -
home Team
Broncos
9th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
10th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 8 Match Preview.
- Teamlists and Team News
- History vs Broncos and Last Time Out
- Key Match Up
- What They Said
- Stat Attack
- Where to Watch
Teamlists and Team News
A massive boost for the Bulldogs as Captain Stephen Crichton returns to the side, while young gun Jonathan Su'a comes in for Jacob Kiraz on the wing.
Young halfback Alex Conti has been named on the extended bench following strong form in the lower grades, as Sean O'Sullivan continues to serve a two-match suspension from NSW Cup.
For the Broncos, who come off a gutsy victory over the Wests Tigers in Round 7, have a slew of changes, with Payne Haas (knee) and Corey Jensen (pulmonary embolism) sidelined. Cory Paix returns at hooker, with Josh Rogers going back to the bench alongside Jaiyden Hunt, Preston Riki and VJ Semu, who makes his NRL debut.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Jesse ArtharsFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
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Winger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah KarapaniWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jonathan Sua
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Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
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Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat ShibasakiCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
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Winger for Broncos is number 5 Deine MarinerWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
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Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
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Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
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Prop for Broncos is number 8 Ben TaltyProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Samuel Hughes
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Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory PaixHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Jack GosiewskiProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
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Lock for Broncos is number 13 Xavier WillisonLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
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Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Josh RogersInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
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Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Jaiyden HuntInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
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Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Preston RikiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
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Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Va'a SemuInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jake Turpin
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Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Hayze PerhamInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Josh Curran
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Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Antonio VerhoevenInterchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Lipoi Hopoi
Reserves
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Reserve for Broncos is number 20 Thomas DuffyReserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Jethro Rinakama
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Reserve for Broncos is number 21 Cameron BukowskiReserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Alekolasimi Jones
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Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Alex Conti
Broncos Ins
- Antonio Verhoeven
- Cory Paix
- Jaiyden Hunt
- Preston Riki
Bulldogs Ins
- Alekolasimi Jones
- Alex Conti
- Jethro Rinakama
- Stephen Crichton
Broncos Outs
- Corey Jensen
- Payne Haas
Bulldogs Ins
- Jacob Kiraz
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
History vs Broncos and Last Time Out: Round 18, 2025
Since 1988 the Brisbane Broncos have been a dominant force in the competition, and hold the ledger against the Bulldogs, with 38 wins from 64 matches played.
That year, Phil Gould's Dogs of War took out the Premiership as they rounded out the 1980s with their fourth title in nine seasons in a golden period for the Club.
Brisbane became the 'it' team of the 1990s, claiming four titles of their own, with the two powerhouses duking it out in the 1998 Grand Final.
Broncos v Bulldogs – Round 21, 2024
Last time out was a tough one to swallow, with the Broncos mounting a late comeback in a tense 18-22 defeat for the Bulldogs.
However, Cameron Ciraldo's men have shown they can perform at Suncorp Stadium, winning two of their last three clashes at the venue, highlighted by a 41-16 clinic against the Broncos in 2024.
Key Match Up: X-Factor Five-Eighths
Lachlan Galvin and Adam Reynolds will steer the ship for the Bulldogs and Broncos respectively, but it's the x-factor from the number sixes in Matt Burton and Ezra Mam to put the points on the board.
Both players have been in strong form to start the 2026 season; Burton has been dangerous with the ball in hand, scoring two tries and setting up as many line break assists while averaging a mammoth 117 metres per match.
Burton Show-And-Go For His Second
His opposite in Mam has similarly been strong for Brisbane, averaging 95 metres with the ball in hand, scoring twice and setting up four line break assists.
With both sides missing key figures, it'll be up to the two men in the no.6 jerseys to break the game open and sway the scoreboard.
What They Said: Matt Burton & Kurt Mann
Matt Burton Round 8 Media
Kurt Mann Round 8 Media
Stat Attack via NRL.com
- Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored five tries in five games at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Broncos have lost three of their past four games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey has scored seven tries in six games against the Broncos.
- Broncos coach Michael Maguire has won six of his last seven games against the Bulldogs.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Where to Watch
Bulldogs Members and supporters will be available to watch the match on Channel 9, FoxSports and streamed via Kayo.
