No fear: MacGregor adamant Bulldogs can unsettle champs

Liz MacGregor is hoping some of the magic dust from Newcastle last year will travel south and settle on her again in Wagga Wagga as the Bulldogs prepare to face top-of-the-table Broncos in the NRLW 2026 Magic Round. 

MacGregor scored two tries in the 14-14 draw with the Titans in 2025 with the Bulldogs enjoying back-to-back wins in 2026 over the Sharks and Dragons as they head to Wagga Wagga. 

“Broncos are a top-two side and won the grand final but I think we’re seeing a slightly different side this year where teams are getting quite close to them,” MacGregor told NRL.com. 

“So it’s exciting to see where we land in that situation and see if we can compete with them. 

“It will give us a good idea of how well we’re going in this comp if we give the Broncos a real good shake. 

“The Sharks win [in Round 3] gave us a lot of confidence beating a top-four standard team, so we didn’t want to take a backward step [against the Dragons].

“We wanted to use that momentum, keep it going for this week and Magic Round.” 

MacGregor says the Bulldogs are not intimidated by the premiers. 

“They have some big names but we have such a good connection in this team right now that I feel we can really put it to them,” she said. 

When Canterbury’s rookie utility hooker Evelyn Roberts takes a run at the Broncos she will see some familiar faces after being a member of Brisbane’s BMD Premiership side in the QRL competition and training with the NRLW squad last year. 

Roberts played five-eighth and helped the Broncos to the QRL Women’s premiership with a win over Burleigh Bears. 

She is enjoying the transition to hooker. 

“The difference is me defending in the middle a lot more and getting my forwards going,” Roberts said. 

“I’ve got to get those quick play-the-balls so our halves and outside backs can play off that."

It’s the 18-year-old’s maiden NRLW season and she’s been asking a lot of questions of coach Brayden Wiliame and captain Tayla Preston. 

“I lean a lot on her when I need answers to my questions about certain areas of footy,” Roberts said. 

“She’s very encouraging to make sure the younger girls like me are up to par on what she needs from us. 

“It’s been a massive learning curve but the girls here and coaching staff have been very approachable to make my job easier.” 

MacGregor, who came from the Roosters pathway system to the Bulldogs, pointed to her five-eighth and New Zealand international Ash Quinlan for inspiration. 

“You saw how she gave 110 per cent chasing down players and making try-saving tackles,” MacGregor said. 

“She also sets me up for a lot of my tries so I’m very grateful for that. She’s older than most of the girls here so she brings great experience.”