The first major test of season 2026 comes this weekend as the Bulldogs go outback in their quest to make it three wins in a row for the very first time.
Standing in their way are the ladder-leading defending Premiers - the Brisbane Broncos - but the Bulldogs will be confident following their past two performances when they head to Wagga Wagga for the NRLW's Magic Round.
Download Your 2026 NRLW Team Poster here!
Match: Bulldogs v Broncos
Round 5 -
home Team
Bulldogs
7th Position
away Team
Broncos
1st Position
Venue: Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 5 Match Preview.
Teamlists and Team News
Just one change for the Bulldogs following their big win over the Dragons last week. On the bench, Giovanna Suani has been named to return to the side, taking the place of Ma’atuleio Fotu-Moala.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Andie RobinsonFullback for Broncos is number 1 Tamika Upton
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Simina LokotuiWinger for Broncos is number 2 Georgia Bartlett
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Daynah NankivellCentre for Broncos is number 3 Deleni Paitai
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Monica TagoaiCentre for Broncos is number 4 Julia Robinson
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Elizabeth MacGregorWinger for Broncos is number 5 Caitlin Urwin
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Ashleigh QuinlanFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ali Brigginshaw
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Tayla PrestonHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Jesse Southwell
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Kalosipani HopoateProp for Broncos is number 8 Shannon Mato
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Mary-Jane TaitoHooker for Broncos is number 9 Jada Ferguson
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Alexis TauaneaiProp for Broncos is number 10 Brianna Clark
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Leilani Wilson2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Lauren Dam
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Tamika Jones2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Angelina Teakaraanga-KatoaLock for Broncos is number 13 Bree Spreadborough
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Evelyn RobertsInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Rhemy Hinckesman
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Giovanna SuaniInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Chelsea Lenarduzzi
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Hope MillardInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Tara McGrath-West
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Latisha SmytheInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Reegan Hicks
Reserves
-
Replacement for Bulldogs is number 18 Bridget HoyReplacement for Broncos is number 18 Harlem Walker
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 19 Paea UilouReserve for Broncos is number 19 Linneke Gevers
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Ebony PriorReserve for Broncos is number 20 Skyla Adams
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Moana CourtenayReserve for Broncos is number 21 Tavarna Papalii
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Waimarie MartinReserve for Broncos is number 22 Amanii Misa
Bulldogs Ins
- Bridget Hoy
- Ebony Prior
- Giovanna Suani
- Moana Courtenay
- Paea Uilou
Broncos Ins
- Amanii Misa
- Deleni Paitai
- Harlem Walker
- Linneke Gevers
- Skyla Adams
- Tavarna Papalii
Bulldogs Outs
- Ma’atuleio Fotu-Moala
Broncos Ins
- Kerri Johnson
- Lillian Yarrow
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Two forced changes for the Broncos with a Category 1 head knock ruling Lillian Yarrow out this week, moving Shannon Mato to starting prop. Rookie Deleni Paitai comes into the centres for her second game, with Georgia Bartlett switching to the wing in place of Kerri Johnson, who suffered an AC joint injury in the win over the Knights last week. Off-season recruit Tara McGrath-West comes on to the bench for her first Broncos appearance after serving as 18th player last week, with Harlem Walker named in that role this week.
Last Time Out: Round 9, 2025
In our first and only meeting with Brisbane, it was a brave but tough outing at Totally Workwear Stadium in Round 9 last year.
Off the back of a winless month, the fledgling Bulldogs were blown away by the eventual Premiers in a 44-nil thumping in Queensland.
NRLW Match Highlights: Bulldogs v Dragons - Round 4, 2026
Despite the scoreline, there were certainly plenty of lessons that the Bulldogs won't be forgetting anytime soon.
This time around however, the battle-hardened squad will be brimming with confidence after two consecutive victories - including last week's breakout performance - so expect a very different scoreline this time around.
Key Match Up: Powerhouses Take Centre Stage
While there is plenty of talent across the park, the stand-out match up this week has to go to powerhouse centres Monica Tagoai and Julia Robinson.
Tagoai - in just her second season in the NRLW and Rugby League - has proven to be a force out wide for the Blue and Whites since she first arrived at the Club.
The 27-year-old former Black Fern has scored three tries in her four matches in 2026, making four line breaks, 20 tackle breaks and averaging 97 metres with ball at hand. She has been a rock in defence as well, holding down the left side with 40 tackles at a 93% efficiency.
Tagoai Crashes Over
Opposing her this week is Julia Robinson - a State of Origin, International and Premiership-winning player and Golden Boot Winner, who is one of the best in the business.
While it has been a quiet start for the strike centre, with a try, a try assist, a line break and nine tackle breaks, she has proven to be a metre-eater in attack, averaging 150 metres with over 20 receipts per game.
It's a battle of the centres this week, and one you won't want to miss.
Stat Attack via NRL.com
- The Bulldogs have scored 52 points in their last two games
- Bulldogs winger Simina Lokotui has scored four tries in her last two games
- Broncos fullback Tamika Upton scored four tries in her only game against the Bulldogs
- Broncos second rower Romy Teitzel will play her 50th NRLW game
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 and FoxSports, or stream via Nine Now and Kayo.
