Broncos v Bulldogs: Dearden in for Asiata
The Broncos have now lost 13 matches in a row dating back to round nine last year and Kevin Walters already looks to be feeling the strain.
But Trent Barrett isn't all smiles either since his side is also win-less after two rounds. At least that means someone is going to find some joy this weekend.
The Bulldogs and Broncos shared the spoils in their two most recent meetings (26-18 to the Broncos in July 2020, and 30-14 to the Bulldogs in September 2019) so picking a winner this time around isn't easy.
Perhaps the greater experience of forwards like Adam Elliott, Josh Jackson and Dylan Napa coming off the bench could swing things the Bulldogs' way. They have the ability to keep the Dogs in the grind, whereas the Broncos are slipping in that department.
Broncos v Bulldogs
Match: Broncos v Bulldogs
Round 3 -
home Team
Broncos
10th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
15th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The rundown
Team news
Broncos: Brodie Croft has retained the No.7 jersey but young halfback Tom Dearden has been recalled to the squad to be the bench utility with John Asiata rested due to a neck concern.
Coach Kevin Walters has backed his players to turn things around despite the fact Brisbane's record-breaking losing streak now stands at 13.
Forward leader Payne Haas will return from suspension next round while prop Matthew Lodge (hamstring) is at least a week or two away.
After Richie Kennar and Cory Paix were the two players left out 24 hours before the match, Asiata and Corey Oates were omitted an hour before kick-off..
The Broncos have won their past five games against the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium.
Bulldogs: There has been one change announced an hour before kick-off, with Dylan Napa moving into the starting side and Ofahiki Ogden now back on the bench.
Dean Britt and Lachlan Lewis were the two players left out an hour before kick-off.
Back-rower Raymond Faitala-Mariner (broken foot) has been lost for up to 20 weeks with Corey Waddell moving from the interchange into the starting line-up and Joe Stimson from the reserves last week to the bench.
Winger Tuipulotu Katoa will play his second NRL game as the replacement for suspended Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Hooker Sione Katoa has changed places with Jeremy Marshall-King, who made his comeback from injury last week via the bench.
Centre Nick Cotric has scored five tries in his past four games against the Broncos.
Match: Broncos v Bulldogs
Round 3 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Jamayne IsaakoFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Corey Allan
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Xavier CoatesWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Nick Meaney
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Will Hopoate
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Tesi NiuCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Nick Cotric
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 David MeadWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Tuipulotu Katoa
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony MilfordFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Jake Averillo
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Brodie CroftHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Tevita Pangai JuniorProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Jack Hetherington
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake TurpinHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Thomas FleglerProp for Bulldogs is number 17 Dylan Napa
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Adam Elliott
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Corey Waddell
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh Jackson
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Rhys KennedyInterchange for Bulldogs is number 8 Ofahiki Ogden
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Sione Katoa
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Ben Te'oInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Renouf Atoni
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Tom DeardenInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Joe Stimson
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Key match-up
Jamayne Isaako v Corey Allan: The Bulldogs custodian was Queensland fullback in Game III last year, but is unlikely to find many friends at Suncorp Stadium despite being a Logan Brothers junior and coming through the Broncos ranks before moving to Sydney.
His match-up with opposite No.1 Isaako will bring a contrast in fullback styles - Allan is a more up-the-middle kind of player, while Isaako flirts with the edges.
Stat attack
Much is made of the Broncos' 13 straight losses, but the Bulldogs have won only one game in their past 11 - round 19 last year over South Sydney. Previous to that, however, you have to go back to July 26 in 2020 against the Knights for a win.
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