The Brisbane Broncos aren’t in full flight, but will be aiming to make it three wins in their last four starts when they host a sputtering Canterbury Bulldogs outfit who must turn things around. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
We are a third of the way through the season and the Bulldogs already have their backs to the wall, winning just two from their first eight to sit in 14th spot, equal on competition points with the Cowboys, and Eels below them.
The need to turn things around as they make the trek north to Brisbane is immense for the Dogs, but confidence will be down, given the blue and white have lost four of their last five at the venue, including a 42-12 loss last time out.
Canterbury went down to Penrith by eight points last week and while there were glimpses of things turning around in the first half for Dean Pay’s side, consistency continues to evade them.
In truth, the Bulldogs have been better attacking-wise than they were last year. Sure, they were held to zero by the Roosters a fortnight ago, but there have been times this year they looked dangerous. Execution has been out of reach for the most part though and with consistency also lacking, it’s showing on the ladder.
Coach Pay has swung a big change 24 hours from kick-off, with Michael Lichaa dropped from the side. It appears Jeremy Marshall-King will move to hooker, breaking up his underperforming halves combination with Kieran Foran, which will likely allow Matt Frawley to return to the side.
The Broncos have been far from perfect themselves, but are starting to find ways to get things done, taking two of their last three, including a big upset last week over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
They were a little slow out of the gates, but found their way quickly and the final four-point margin didn’t show their dominance over the contest, with the cardinal and myrtle running on a couple of late tries to make things interesting.
It did expose the Broncos’ right-edge defence though. Whether that was laziness at the end of 80 minutes or something more serious remains to be seen, but you can bet Canterbury will try them out plenty of times early on.
Before the win over Souths, the Broncos had lost to the Storm and beat the Warriors, but even in the loss there were plenty of positive signs for a club who will be boosted by a shock return for Andrew McCullough this week.
Prediction
The Broncos are at home and showing a lot more than Canterbury. With McCullough also likely to be back and the Bulldogs making a change which may or may not work, it’s impossible to tip against the hosts.
Broncos by 8.
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Mycall
Guest
As I said, not a fan of either team but as a fan of rugby league, I don't want the refs letting players get away with offside all night! When the A defender is putting pressure on the first receiver because he is offside right in front of the ref, then for mine, it ruins the game. You may be right that the Bulldogs were as offside as the Broncos, but they probably just weren't able to benefit as much as the Broncos because they weren't moving up as fast. Either way, the fans want the refs to take control and not allow teams to get offside and last night, they didn't do that.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Well I was at the game and just like every game, both teams were as offside as they could get away with all night. It always amuses me how fans think only one team is doing it. Defies logic.
Matt H
Roar Guru
I was in row 8 right where the blocking penalty was given and I'm as one-eye a Broncos supporter as you will find, and I still had to ask what the penalty was for.
Fraser
Guest
I completely agree that the inconsistency is frustrating as spectator. All we ask is that they adjudicate to the rules in a consistent manner regardless of player, jersey, or situation. I think this year we are finally starting to see that, but it's certainly a work in progress at the moment.
The Barry
Roar Guru
But it's the inconsistency...you admit they're usually called knock ons, the player thought he'd knocked it on, if it happens tomorrow it will be called a knock on. But this one incident is called a knock back. It's infuriating.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I haven't thought about it. My initial thoughts are I'm not sure he has any sort of a long kicking game and he and Foran would have to be one of the slowest halves combos of all time. Not that Foran and Frawley is much better. Last night when Hoppa made the break that lead to Holland's try he had to kick inside because the support players had jogged past him. I think he's playing his best footy since coming back to the game so I'd leave him at centre. I'd like to see them give Josh Cleeland an opportunity. He's been killing it in NSW Cup for a couple of years. Same as Rhyse Martin...they give him a go and he plays well.
Fraser
Guest
Just because they're usually called knock-ons doesn't mean that it's a knock-on. In this case it was knocked back. The referees got it right, even though Isaako thought they would call him for it because any dropped ball is commonly called a knock-on in today's game. I recall this was something that annoyed the Roarers a couple of weeks ago - that the game was basically officiated like touch football in that every drop was a knock-on. Now the referees ruled a knock back correctly and everyone is blowing up. Quite amusing really.
Someone
Guest
Saw the Knock-on/Knock-back now. It is a knock-back, look at where the ball was going to land and where it did land. That said, a lot of them are called knock-ons just like foward passes are the opposite and are usually missed.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
Seriously who blinks during an an enthralling rugby league battle like that? And my distance from the play was as good as the zoom on the camera, still a long way off from where the ref was and HE is the one supposedly trained to have an extremely excellent eye when it comes to detecting things like this..
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
I think the dogs were hard done by. and the refs well they would rather decide a match instead of letting the players themselves do it. I think they got the last call with Mbye right. But that knock on by the Brisbane winger and that ludicrous penalty against Josh Morris SET UP Brisbane for a win
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Centimetres on your tv perhaps. In reality he was 30 metres away on an angle running back to get in position for the next set at ground level. All one has to do is blink at the wrong time.
Remo Shankar
Roar Pro
Hey TB, Have you got an opinion on moving Hopate to 5/8? He looks the goods to me.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
I've seen some knock backs given as 'knock-ons' this one was a pretty blatant KNOCK ON! No question! Seriously the refs, are we seeing the same things? Yeah they might have had angles but I can see it is a knock on from my tv 3,000 miles away and he can't see that centimeters away ?
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don't necessarily disagree..but it can be difficult when the first question is "what did you think of the decision at the end" followed by "what did you think of the knock on" followed by "the players must be pretty disappointed" As I said the Dogs haven't been getting the rub of the green and that happens when you're battling. A bit of a mild blow out at a presser might level things up for a couple of weeks in the get square stakes.
Nat
Roar Guru
As much as I don't like to say it, Sammy is really a step off the pace. His one advantage is his old school legs tackle that can bring down a big boy quickly but then gets left behind in the PTB thus leaving gaps in the defensive line. That first try was a great example, he made the tackle, young JMK scoots past him aims at a gap, steps back and Milford slips but Sammy wasn't there to cover the inside hole - first try Bulldogs. Lodge was probably best prop on the park, why Bennett insists on replacing him at the 20min, every time, irrespective of dominance, is a head scratcher. Bennett may just top me as a first grade coach (:p) but if a bloke is on everything give him, let Sims wait a while longer.
kk
Guest
PILLOW TALK kk: When is a knock on , not a knock on. jo: When the ball in use has been suttonised with youi water. kk: Bloody referees are a protected species. jo: So are death adders.
Nat
Roar Guru
Wow, 480 comments! Not a great way to win but what was Mbye thinking? I was sittiing down where the Morris Bros were defending that last half and I swear they must communicate telepathically in D as they can be miles apart one second then come together for strong line defence. They are seasoned old stooges though, constantly creeping and chatting to young Isaako. Don't be surprised if the touchie was half influenced to call that penalty ÿou're not getting near it mate", "all day mate" when he bundled out a few times. Then run him off the kick (not really near the ball) - penalty! Have to give the dogs D credit. Not sure how it looked on TV, but the Broncos were actually talking, pointing and running angles but the Dogs kept plugging the gaps. Any concerns young Payne Haas had of getting a big head was quickly deflated by a Klemmer shoulder. Might be the best thing to happen to him in the long run.Happy to get the 2 points, may be the last tip for the weekend. The playing surface is stuffed with whole sections getting ripped up under foot. I joked to a mate that if they played a bledisloe on it, it would resemble a 1970's mud bath.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Broncos forward rotation is pretty good. TPJ is a beast and is improving rapidly. Lodge is laying a good platform. Ofahengaue and Sims keep the momentum going off the bench. Su’a is a strong runner. Thaiday gets plenty of serves but he’s getting his job done. He’s not the same player or playing the same role he was even a few years ago. Attack looks pretty loose though. Milford is constantly probing but is that enough? Centres, wingers and Bird not getting the ball in space or in any sort of structured way. Seems like they’re just throwing Bird out there and telling him to run with no clear role. He’s looking confused most of the time. Oates and Isaako are pretty effective at bringing the ball back. Long way to go to be giants though, sleeping or otherwise.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Really liked Klemmer off the bench as well, him and Woods both seem to work better when they're the sole go to guy. When they're on together they seem to dilute each others effectiveness.
Nico
Guest
A few things look to be falling into place for Brisbane and they could be the sleeping giants of the competition. They're getting some decent firepower from the bench of Sims, Nikorima, Haas and Ofahengaue, and Pangai and Lodge look formidable up front. They're winning by hanging tough and doing it without 4 rep players in McGuire, Gillette, Savelio and Kahu. It looks fairly likely they won't get decimated by origin. Only question mark is what to do with Bird. He still looks out of sorts, do you persist or give him a week or so in q cup? Would be a blow for him but worked wonders for Hunt last season