As it happened: Broncos stun Bulldogs; Historic win over Knights

Post match

Bulldogs 

Broncos

Fulltime: The Broncos have won it. In a remarkable turnaround, the Broncos came from an 16-0 deficit at halftime to record a 22-18 win, running in four second half tries to none. The Bulldogs were punished for their errors and lack of attention to detail in the second half and once Brisbane got on a roll - with improved second half performances from the likes of Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo, they couldn't hold them out. In the end, the possession evened out to 53% to the Bulldogs with 33/47 completion rate with the Broncos improving to 32/43, while both sides made 14 errors apiece. Broncos prop Xavier Willison was immense in his starting role, running for 200+ metres and making 43 tackles in the absence of Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan on Origin duty and Corey Jensen with injury. 

74th min: And another! The Broncos hit the front when Brendan Piakura spins over the line. The try was set up with a flying run down the right side from Kotoni Staggs putting the Bulldogs on the back foot. Galvin puts the ball in touch and the Broncos get the chance to attack, with Ezra Mam sending a short ball to his second rower to score. Reynolds converts and it's 22-18. 

71st min: Billy Walters goes over for a try in his 100th NRL game and Bulldogs fans will be slightly nervous with the Broncos comeback well and truly on. Again, penalties and errors are compounding for the home side. Reynolds converts and it's 18-16.

66th min: The Broncos go back-to-back with late call-up Delouise Hoeter going over on the left-hand side. The Bulldogs errors are being punished by the Broncos now and they have somehow made this a close game. The centre got the ball from a good Mam pass out after a scrum. Reynold can't covert from the left sideline and the Broncos trail 18-10. 

61st min: Finally a try to the Broncos who do well to force an error, with the ball going to ground after putting on pressure defending their own line. It's picked up by Kotoni Staggs who sprints away, before the ball goes inside to Ezra Mam who find winger Josiah Karapani to his left to has plenty to distance to cover before putting the ball over the line. Reynolds converts and it's 18-6. 

45th min: First points of the second half come via a penalty goal from Matt Burton to put the Bulldogs up 18-0 from right in front after debutant Ben Talty is pinged for an early tackle. 

Halftime: The home side are in control and take a 16-0 lead into the break. The Bulldogs have enjoyed 60 percent of the possession with 22/27 completion rate. The Broncos have a 13/17 completion rate in comparison. Both sides have conceded two penalties each, while the Broncos have made six errors to Canterbury-Bankstown's five. 

33rd min: A kick from Lachlan Galvin is allowed to bounce and is chased by Toby Sexton who collects it, swings the ball left to Viliame Kikau to gather and he runs over to score his side's third of the night. Burton converts for a 16-0 lead. 

21st min: It was messy, but the Bulldogs get another try after Burton puts in a kick that gets chased in a scrambling attack and gets into the Broncos in goal. Brisbane can't put the ball dead and instead it is Burton who touches down. Burton can't convert from way out to the left and the score remains 10-0 to the Bulldogs.

14th min: First try of the night goes to the Bulldogs who capitalise on a scrum in their own attacking 20, going right for Marcelo Montoya. Matt Burton kicks the conversion for a 6-0 lead.

2nd min - injury update: Broncos forward Brendan Piakura has come off with a Category 2 head knock. 

Kick off: Big changes to both sides from when they last met in Round 8 where the Broncos handed the Bulldogs their first loss of the season.

Late Mail

Bulldogs: Mass changes to the Bulldogs line-up before kick off. Lachlan Galvin comes into the starting side at five-eighth with Matt Burton heading to the centres. Enari Tuala makes his club debut on the wing, moving from the centres. Jake Turpin comes into the starting side at lock in the no.19 jersey, with Bailey Hayward moving to the interchange bench. Jack Todd comes onto the interchange bench in the no.21 jersey for his first NRL match since Good Friday. Blake Wilson is the new 18th player. 

Broncos: Star winger Jesse Arthars (ribs) and prop Corey Jensen (calf) have been ruled out, with 26-year-old forward Ben Talty to make his NRL debut from the bench and Delouise Hoeter promoted from 18th man to the wing. Tyson Smoothy comes into the starting side at prop. With Reece Walsh among five Broncos on Origin duty, Selwyn Cobbo has been recalled and will line up at fullback. No late changes on game day. 

 

NRLW: Bulldogs v Knights at Accor Stadium

Post match

Knights

Bulldogs

Highlights

Fulltime: The Bulldogs have claimed a strong 26-12 win in their maiden NRLW match, showcasing some strong running from their forwards and astute kicking from their halves. While it was an even opening with the Knights also scoring the first try of the game, the second half belonged to the new side, with the forwards putting the team on the front foot and the Knights could not respond. Bulldogs had three players run for more than 200 metres, including co-captain Teakaraanga-Katoa leading from the front. 

64th min: The Bulldogs halt the momentum of the Knights, with Quinlan getting her second of the night to put her side even further in front. Preston can't covert this one so the lead remains 26-12. 

55th min: Vette-Welsh does it all herself to get the Knights back into the game. Taking a pass from Southwell down the right, BVW takes a run, feeds the Bulldogs left defenders a dummy, then charges straight over the top of the last line of defence to score. Southwell slots a difficult kick and Knights trail the Bulldogs 22-12. 

52rd min: The Dogs are on a roll and Courtenay has a double. Preston puts up a kick that takes a favourable bounce with Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau collecting the ball, passing back inside to the supporting winger to score. Preston converts again and it's 22-6. 

49th min: Bulldogs co-captain Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa puts her side further in front with a try under the posts. The Bulldogs have been on the front foot for the whole half and this time, a kick that rebounds off the goal posts bounces up into the arms of the prop who scores. Preston converts for a 16-6 lead.

48th min: An unsuccessful captain's challenge from the Knights. 

46th min: Bunker confirms the Bulldogs are held up yet again after crossing over the line, with the Knights working hard on their tryline this half with the Bulldogs having most of the running.

Halftime: An entertaining first half with new kids on the block the Bulldogs taking a 10-6 lead into the break. After a fairly even opening, the Knights were the first to strike with Georgia Roche running in for a great try. However, some errors then gave the Bulldogs a chance which they took with both hands, posting back-to-back tries for the lead in their first ever game. 

34th min: Huge run from Andie Robison gives the Bulldogs great position, charging up the field before a great tackle from Botille Vette-Welsh brings her down. However, Ash Quinlan helps the Bulldogs go back-to-back when she gets over the line, with the Bunker finding the tip of the ball hit the line. Preston converts and the Dogs have a 10-6 lead. 

29th min: They don't have to wait long however, with Moana Courtenay scoring the first ever try for the Bulldogs down the right side, just inside the sideline. Tayla Preston can't convert and the Knights lead 6-4. 

28th min: The Bulldogs have been denied a try for the second time in the half, with the Knights goal-line defence holding up a hard-running Pani Hopoate denied.

16th min: First points to the Knights with a stepping run to the line from Georgia Roche to get her side on the board. The try was set up with a great run from skipper Clydsdale that got the momentum rolling for her side. Jesse Southwell converts for a 6-0 lead.

9th min: Fairly even opening with the Bulldogs not taking a backward step. The Knights however under new captain Yasmin Clydsdale get an early advantage with a successful captain's challenge. 

Kick off: History in the making as the Bulldogs take to the field in the NRLW for the first time. 

Late Mail

Bulldogs: One change before kick-off, with Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau to start and Ebony Prior reverting to the interchange bench. Halfback Tayla Preston and prop Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa will captain the Bulldogs in their inaugural NRLW match. Ash Quinlan will link up with Preston in the halves, while former Shark Andie Robinson has won the race for the fullback jersey. Tegan Dymock, the daughter of Bulldogs premiership winner Jim, will continue the family's long association with the club when she starts at prop. Hope Millard is the 18th player.

Knights: Bo Vette-Welsh will start at fullback as Newcastle enter a new era in 2025. Joeli Morris is set to step into the No.9 jumper with Olivia Higgins suspended, while Jesse Southwell and Georgia Roche will play in the halves. Young gun Evah McEwen is set to start in the back row alongside experienced skipper Yasmin Clydsdale. Tess Staines is 18th player with Viena Tinao dropping out of the squad in the game day update.