The Brisbane Broncos will be looking to continue their form resurgence when they host the fourth-placed Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium. To follow all of the action be sure to join us for live scores on The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) on Thursday night.
2016 has been a year of ups and downs for the Brisbane Broncos as they look for redemption after their grand final loss last season. After a strong start to the year, the Broncos struggled through the middle portion of the season with a combination of injuries, suspension and poor form seeing them drop outside of the top four.
They currently sit in sixth position, two wins behind the Bulldogs in fourth, with three weeks left in the regular season. While it will be tough to get back into the top four, the Broncos will know that if they can beat the Bulldogs this week then the door is still open to claim a double chance.
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are a team that continue to defy their critics as they have put themselves in the top four with just three games left to play. Despite many experts doubting their premiership credentials, the Bulldogs seem to be taking no notice as they continue to win tough games of football.
A positive sign for the Bulldogs will be that they have got to fourth spot despite having an inconsistent year in terms of form, which means that if they can manage to tighten up a few areas then they will be a contender come finals time.
In terms of team news this week the Broncos welcome back Jordan Kahu on the wing which means Jonus Pearson misses out. The Bulldogs have added Greg Eastwood and Kerrod Holland to an extended squad that will be trimmed before kick-off.
The Bulldogs have won eight of their 17 games at Suncorp Stadium, while the Broncos own a slight advantage in the overall head to head record since 1998. This sets up as a mouth-watering clash with both sides possessing plenty of talent.
The obvious battle that will go a long way to determining the result of this game will be in the forwards, with both sides having a number of representative level players in their packs.
A key for the Bulldogs this year has been Sam Kasiano and Tony Williams making an impact off the bench and they will need them to be good again against a formidable Broncos pack.
A struggle for the Bulldogs this year has been their kicking game so that is where the Broncos halves Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford can gain an advantage for their team.
Prediction:
This is a tough one to pick but going on the fact it is at Suncorp Stadium and that the Broncos have looked better the last few weeks, they get my tip in a close one.
Broncos by four points.
Can the Broncos keep their top four hopes alive or will the Bulldogs score a crucial away win? Join us on The Roar for live scores from 7:50pm (AEST) to follow all of the action.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It's not a matter of 'believing' anything. Parker was hanging onto Kasianos legs after he lost the ball and was trying to get it. That's fact not belief. I think you're just seeing what you want to see. Because I said Parker held on too long, you're extrapolating that to mean I'm blaming Parker for being kicked in the face which I've repeatedly said I'm not doing. As for being biased - of course I support my team but I haven't defended Kasiano once over this incident. Wheres the bias? As for the qualities of my team and what other fans think of them...Glass houses mate. Where do you think McGuire, Thaiday and poor little golden boy Parker sit on the grub, cheap shot scale? All three well and truly top 10....probably top 5. Shame Hodges retired...
The Barry
Roar Guru
The problem is they're not even using their props as ball distributors. Graham, Tolman and Kasiano aren't ball playing like they did in 2012. They're just taking too many meandering, one out hit ups.
robbo
Guest
TB While they continue touse front rowers as ball distributors they will struggle With such a dominant forward pack they really need to let the halves fo their job Great backline when unleashed but too much emphasis onfrint rowers as first receiver
The Barry
Roar Guru
Of course holding someone around the legs increases your chances of getting kicked in the head. Are you saying that it decreases your chances? It was a bad incident and I've never said otherwise. But Kasiano is nowhere near the first player who's kicked out while someone's been holding their legs.
howzyapappa
Guest
that is fair enough. I had a bit of a night last night. Myapologies TB.
howzyapappa
Guest
again. sorry for that one. good night last night. doh
howzyapappa
Guest
sorry about that one
howzyapappa
Guest
However I do apologise for saying your comment was boring. Actually your comments are generally quite interesting. I was horribly smashed last night on some yummy beer. So to all the young kids out there "Don't drink and text".
V.O.R.
Guest
Yer you've started believing your own narrative about what actually transpired. Can I suggest you watch the footage again while trying to be impartial. Regardless of your position your team is quickly getting the reputation among NRL fans as dirty players. They also act for penalties more than any other team. I'm out.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Come off it...I put a big smiley face next to that comment. Renegade also replied with a lol...so he got that I was mucking about. You missed it. I haven't said anything to put blame on Parker. Kasiano did the wrong thing and is 100% accountable for his actions regardless of what Parker was doing. But the statement that Parker is allowed to hang onto Kasianos legs and hold him back while he is trying to get to the ball is incorrect. That is a completely seperate and distinct point from saying that Kasiano is justified to kick him in the face, which I've never done. It's completely justified to say that Parker broke the rules without excusing Kasiano's actions. It will be two weeks if he takes the early plea and one week when they get it downgraded. ???
V.O.R.
Guest
"And anyone that’s played the game knows that if you hang onto someone’s legs while they’re trying to get up your chances of getting kicked in the head increase exponentially." Rubbish. If holding on increased your chances 'exponentially' of getting kicked in the head then we would see this type of thing every other week...but we don't. We saw it because Kasiano decided he would buck kick a guy in the head who was defenseless laying on the ground.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Got a haircut as well. Even Rabs could tell the difference between him and Blair.
The Barry
Roar Guru
What an odd thing to write? Did I suggest that you shouldn't reply? You can reply to whatever you like.
V.O.R.
Guest
I can read champ, very well. Renegade pulled you up straight away. Your comments: "He was trying to kick out. Contact was incidental" "there’s no way he would have deliberately kicked him in the face." and then "Parker has no right at all to hang onto him." You do know the League has him facing a 3 week suspension? My issue with your commentary on the incident that like a seasoned politician you are deflecting from what is a very grievous act, that is, kicking someone in the head, by laying a degree of blame on Parker for holding on in the tackle. There is absolutely no excuse for what Kasiano did. It was shocking foul play and there's no place for it in our game. Don't get me started on tripping. What a joke.
howzyapappa
Guest
Yeah. That one was a bit odd. Looked like he was trying to put his arm around the player
howzyapappa
Guest
Yes. I was surprised at that. In the 90s they always took the tap. It paid off this time albeit a bit lucky from Hunt
howzyapappa
Guest
Can I not reply to his comment Barry. Sounds like you own the Roar because you are a Guru now. Can I not reply to somebody saying "gutless refereeing". You reply to plenty of comments Barry. Is that not true?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Learn to read champ...I specifically said Parker didn't deserve to be kicked in the face. I'm not blaming Parker, Kasiano shouldn't have kicked out like that. Kasiano shouldn't have kicked out like that. Kasiano shouldn't have kicked out like that. I was just refuting the point that Parker was allowed to hang onto Kasiano's leg and couldn't disappear. That's a load of garbage. And anyone that's played the game knows that if you hang onto someone's legs while they're trying to get up your chances of getting kicked in the head increase exponentially. Don't act like this has never happened before in footy....
howzyapappa
Guest
I thought there was plenty of muscle from both teams. But the Dogs did kill themselves with errors.
howzyapappa
Guest
It was a great game Barry. I still think the Bulldogs can make it. They just made some silly errors last night. They played a bit like the Broncos a few weeks ago. I would not mind them making it as I quite like Hasler as a coach.