Matt Attard previews the round two clash between two of last round’s victors the Bulldogs and the Broncos. Here’s what we have to look forward to.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Vs Brisbane Broncos
Venue: Accor Stadium
Date: Sunday March 20, 6:15pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Related: NRL Team List Tuesday
Embed from Getty ImagesBulldogs: 1. Matt Duffy 2. Jayden Okunbor 3. Braidon Burns 4. Brent Naden 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Jake Averillo 8. Luke Thompson 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Jack Hetherington 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Josh Jackson 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo 15. Corey Waddell 16. Max King 17. Ava Seumanufagai 19. Chris Patolo 20. Brandon Wakeham 21. Joe Stimson 22. Kyle Flanagan 23. Reece Hoffman 24. Josh Cook 25. Aaron Schoupp
Embed from Getty ImagesBroncos: 1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Albert Kelly 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Keenan Palasia 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 4. Ryan James 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. TC Robati 17. Billy Walters 18. Brenko Lee 19. Rhys Kennedy 20. Corey Jensen 21. Jordan Pereira 22. Cory Paix 23. Jamayne Isaako 24. Tyson Gamble
brief comment on any interesting team news. i.e., players missing through injury, shock selections, players returning from injury.
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Both teams are coming off the back of close but unconvincing victories. Take nothing away from their grit and determination, however an improved attacking display will be needed.
Adam Reynolds returns in a huge boost to the Broncos, with the star recruit set to play his first game since recovering from Covid. He will add much needed direction to a clunky attack and should improve them ten-fold.
For the home side, they sure battled in atrocious conditions away from home last weekend and will be looking for an improvement in all facets, especially their discipline. Matt Burton never got a chance to display his prowess aside from some unreal bombs. Tevita Pangai Jnr will also play his first game for the club, funnily enough against the team who punted him last year.
Payne Haas was at his damaging best in round one and, along with Pat Carrigan, topped the metre count. Although the Bulldogs had just 46% possession against the Cowboys all of their top metre eaters were outside backs.
They’ll need an improved forwards performance here if they’re any chance of building combinations and unleashing attacking play that Bulldogs fans have longed for.
You can expect both teams to have a real dig and defend with pride. What it will come down to for the home side is discipline, something that is becoming a huge issue for Barrett’s men. If they can stop shooting themselves in the foot they will have a chance, otherwise the dynamic Broncos guns like Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs and Herbie Farnworth will make them pay.
On trial form and round one form alone, the Broncos are easily more durable in attack. Reynolds will be a huge inclusion for their cohesion moving forward.
Embed from Getty ImagesINTERESTING FACT
If the Bulldogs can conjure up a victory here in will be the first time since 2016 that they’ve won their opening two games of the competition.
On aggregate, the Broncos have beaten the Bulldogs 92-44 since 2018. The Bulldogs only win in that time was a 30-14 win in 2019.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Broncos by 12
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