Bulldogs v Broncos: Mann in the mix; Talty joins bench
The Bulldogs' slim finals hopes evaporated with last week's loss to the Panthers but they will look to finish on a high in front of their loyal fans on Thursday night.
Cameron Ciraldo's men welcome premiers Brisbane to town for the second meeting of the clubs this year - the first resulting in a 32-12 win to the Broncos in Round 8.
At that stage the Broncos were 5-3 and sitting seventh on the ladder, with very few indications of the horror that was about to unfold across an eight-game losing streak.
The Bulldogs kept their finals flame flickering a whole lot longer than the Broncos but ultimately they will reflect on 2026 as a season of wasted opportunities and 'what ifs'.
Match: Bulldogs v Broncos
Round 27 -
home Team
Bulldogs
10th Position
away Team
Broncos
15th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Bulldogs: No changes to Cameron Ciraldo's starting side but Kurt Mann could be a chance for a late call-up after being listed among the reserves. Mann missed last week's loss to the Panthers with a groin injury. Jed Reardon and Jack Underhill are the new faces on the interchange.
Broncos: The Broncos stick with the same starting side for their final match with the only change on the bench where Blake Mozer (concussion) is replaced by Ben Talty. Forward Preston Riki is listed among the reserves and could get a late call-up after five games out with a syndesmosis injury.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor TraceyFullback for Broncos is number 1 Hayze Perham
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob KirazWinger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah Karapani
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Matt BurtonCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Bronson XerriCentre for Broncos is number 4 Deine Mariner
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Enari TualaWinger for Broncos is number 5 Grant Anderson
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Stephen CrichtonFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan GalvinHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Ben Hunt
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Broncos is number 8 Xavier Willison
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey HaywardHooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jaiyden Hunt
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman SalmonLock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jake TurpinInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Thomas Duffy
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Alekolasimi JonesInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Va'a Semu
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry HayesInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Jack Gosiewski
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Josh CurranInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Aublix Tawha
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Jed ReardonInterchange for Broncos is number 18 Gehamat Shibasaki
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Jack UnderhillInterchange for Broncos is number 19 Ben Talty
Reserves
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Logan SpinksReserve for Broncos is number 20 Cameron Bukowski
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Sean O'SullivanReserve for Broncos is number 21 Jesse Arthars
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Kurt MannReserve for Broncos is number 22 Preston Riki
Bulldogs Ins
- Jack Underhill
- Jed Reardon
- Kurt Mann
- Logan Spinks
Broncos Ins
- Ben Talty
- Cameron Bukowski
- Jesse Arthars
- Preston Riki
Bulldogs Outs
- Cooper Toy
Broncos Ins
- Blake Mozer
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs have not defeated the Broncos at Accor Stadium since 2019.
- The Broncos have won eight of their last nine games against the Bulldogs.
- Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey has scored seven tries in seven games against the Broncos.
- Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam has scored six tries in his last four games.
- Bulldogs centre Matt Burton has scored six tries in his last eight games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
