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Broncos v Bulldogs: Cobbo good to go; Hopoi joins bench

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pan66.com
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The Broncos are out to build on a drought-breaking victory when they return home to face the Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon. 

The return of halfback Adam Reynolds inspired the side to a 30-14 win over the Knights last weekend and kept their finals hopes alive with seven rounds to play. The result snapped a six-game losing streak.  

Now Brisbane have the opportunity to claim a victory over a side sitting above them on the ladder and close the gap with the top eight. 

The Bulldogs fell to sixth on the standings after a two-point loss to the Cowboys on Sunday night and they're desperate to return to form at Suncorp Stadium.

To do so, they will have to overcome a shocking record on the road. Canterbury have won just one from nine games away from home this season. 

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Team News

Broncos: Veteran winger Corey Oates joined the interchange in a swap with Tyson Smoothy when the squads were trimmed on Friday. Star fullback Reece Walsh missed the captain's run due to illness but Broncos coach Kevin Walters insists he will play. Oates was originally dropped to make way for the return of Selwyn Cobbo from a groin injury. Kobe Hetherington moves into the starting side in place of Brendan Piakura, who is listed among the reserves after suffering a groin injury against the Knights. Blake Mozer is the new man on the bench. Smoothy is 18th man.

Bulldogs: Captain Stephen Crichton is out and has been replaced in the centres by Jeral Skelton in a late change for the visitors. Lipoi Hopoi joins the bench in place of Chris Patolo. Utility Drew Hutchison's return from a hamstring injury has been delayed as he dropped off the reserves list on Friday. Hayze Perham is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
    Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
  • Winger for Broncos is number 2 Selwyn Cobbo
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Blake Wilson
  • Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
  • Centre for Broncos is number 4 Deine Mariner
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
  • Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse Arthars
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 22 Jeral Skelton
  • Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
    Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
  • Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds
    Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton

Forwards

  • Prop for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Josh Curran
  • Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
    Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
  • Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kobe Hetherington
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
  • Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
    Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Kurt Mann

Interchange

  • Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Blake Mozer
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Hayward
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Xavier Willison
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Lipoi Hopoi
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Martin Taupau
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis Morrin
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Corey Oates
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Harry Hayes

Reserves

  • Replacement for Broncos is number 15 Tyson Smoothy
    Replacement for Bulldogs is number 21 Hayze Perham

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Broncos have won their past five games against the Bulldogs.
  • The Bulldogs have not defeated the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium since 2015.
  • The Broncos have lost their past four games at Suncorp.
  • The Bulldogs have won only one of their past eight games in Queensland.
  • Broncos veteran Martin Taupau will make his 250th NRL appearance.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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