NRL TODAY : ROUND 21 BRISBANE BRONCOS v CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Rugby League

3:00 pm SATURDAY, JULY 27th, 2024 SUNCORP STADIUM, BRISBANE

Brisbane Broncos Aim to Stay in Top Eight as They Host Canterbury Bulldogs

 In a rare Saturday afternoon home game, Brisbane aims to stay in contention for the top eight, while Canterbury seeks to maintain their pursuit of a top four spot.

Broncos Look to Build Momentum After Breaking Losing Streak

After breaking their losing streak, the Broncos look to build momentum as they host the Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.

Adam Reynolds’ Return Sparks Broncos to Victory

Halfback Adam Reynolds’ return inspired the team to a 30-14 win over the Knights last weekend, reviving their finals hopes with seven rounds remaining. The victory ended a six-game losing streak.

Brisbane Eyes Opportunity to Narrow Gap to Top Eight

Now, Brisbane has the chance to defeat a higher-ranked team and narrow the gap to the top eight.

Big Changes for the Broncos: Cobbo Returns and Squad Adjustments

The biggest change for the Broncos is the return of Selwyn Cobbo to the side on the wing. He hasn’t started on the wing for the Broncos since the 2023 Grand Final. However, coach Kevin Walters has chosen to keep Deine Mariner at centre, even though he has played on the wing for most of the season.

Due to Cobbo’s return, Corey Oates has been moved to the reserves. Kobe Hetherington is set to start at second row, as Brendan Piakura deals with a minor quad issue, though Piakura is still listed among the reserves. Additionally, Blake Mozer joins the interchange.

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars , 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas , 11. Kobe Hetherington 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan, 14. Blake Mozer 15. Tyson Smoothy , 16. Xavier Willison 17. Martin Taupau, 18. Corey Oates 19. Josiah Karapani 20. Tristan Sailor, 21. Vaa Semu 22. Brendan Piakura

Bulldogs Drop to Sixth Place After Narrow Loss

The Bulldogs dropped to sixth place in the standings following a narrow two-point loss to the Cowboys on Sunday night, and they are eager to regain their form at Suncorp Stadium.

Canterbury Faces Challenge with Poor Away Record

However, they face the challenge of a poor away record, having won just one out of nine road games this season.

Bulldogs Coach Monitors Key Players Ahead of Broncos Clash

Coach Cameron Ciraldo will keep an eye on skipper Stephen Crichton and forward Viliame Kikau after they both sustained knocks in the loss to North Queensland. However, he anticipates that both players will be available for Saturday’s clash. The Broncos have won their past five games against the Bulldogs.

LATE MAIL. I hear Crichton may be out.

One Change for the Bulldogs: Rookie Hopoi Returns

There is only one change for the Bulldogs: impressive rookie Lipoi Hopoi returns to the side after a late withdrawal last week, while Chris Patolo is out with a knee injury. Harry Hayes has also been named to make his second appearance in the top grade after a strong showing on debut against the Cowboys.

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson, 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann , 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Lipoi Hopoi 16. Kurtis Morrin , 17. Harry Hayes , 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Liam Knight 21. Hayze Perham 22. Jeral Skelton , 23. Drew Hutchison

Bulldogs Assemble Dossier of Referee Blunders

In a disturbing trend the Bulldogs are secretly assembling a dossier of referee blunders, against a certain referee, whom I won’t name, while refereeing Bulldogs games. At this stage they have not released this dossier, but the NRL are aware, and to me this looks like trying to intimidate the refs decisions against them.

Referee. Grant Atkins ,Touch Judges, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Dan Schwass, Bunker. Wyatt Raymond

Double Celebration for the Broncos

It will be a double celebration for the Broncos on Saturday, with Pat Carrigan playing his 100th first grade game and Martin Taupa’u playing his 250th.

Historical Matchup Insights

The Bulldogs have not defeated the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium since 2015.

The Broncos have lost their past four games at Suncorp.

The Bulldogs have won only one of their past eight games in Queensland.

Prediction.

With the fact that they must keep winning if they hope to make the finals, they should have the motivation to get the job done. At home helps and the Broncos Women are the pre game against the Parramatta Eels. Lets predict a double for the Broncos.

Cowboys vs Sharks

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