Broncos vs Bulldogs live score, stats<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776909012_441_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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It has been quite the stunning turnaround in the last fortnight for the two sides, with the Broncos seemingly down and out after a 35-31 loss to North Queensland left them with a growing casualty ward.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, were clearly trending up after an upset win over the Panthers.<\/p>\n
But instead Cameron Ciraldo\u2019s side have now dropped two games in a row while the defending premiers have claimed two big scalps in the form of the Tigers and Bulldogs.<\/p>\n
Friday\u2019s loss came at a cost for the Broncos, with Brendan Piakura reaggravating a knee injury while Preston Riki faces a nervous wait after a high shot landed him in the sin bin. <\/p>\n
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, lost Viliame Kikau after the second rower succumbed to a suspected pec injury and had four players plced on report.<\/p>\n
The Broncos stormed out to a 20-0 lead at halftime as an ill-disciplined Bulldogs side found itself on the wrong end of a 6-1 penalty count. <\/p>\n
It was particularly concerning for the Bulldogs that they went scoreless despite having more tackles in Brisbane\u2019s 20, with Luke Keary admitting at halftime he \u201cdid not see this coming\u201d. <\/p>\n
But it was yet another victory that could define Brisbane\u2019s premiership defence as the Broncos continue a remarkable turnaround considering the growing injury toll after a slow start to 2026.<\/p>\n
Ezra Mam was a standout for the Broncos.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
BIG HITS<\/p>\n
Premiership pomp<\/p>\n
The Panthers may be title favourites but, hello, don\u2019t dismiss the Broncos. The defending premiers flexed their muscle in this Anzac special.<\/p>\n
This was one of Brisbane\u2019s most complete performances under coach Michael Maguire. Without their big guns, the Broncos completed superbly, tackled brutally and executed masterfully to suggest they can win back-to-back titles.<\/p>\n
Five-eighth Mam has been patchy in the first two months but he was in glorious touch, setting up two tries and scoring one himself, while Reynolds outpointed Lachlan Galvin with his peerless kicking.<\/p>\n
Ciraldo: “We didn’t take our chances!” | 04:38<\/p>\n
Brickwall Broncos<\/p>\n
No Haas. No Jensen. No Carrigan. No worries.<\/p>\n
Brisbane\u2019s rebadged engine-room pairing of Ben Talty and Jack Gosiewski were outstanding in the absence of starting props Haas and Corey Jensen and suspended lock Pat Carrigan.<\/p>\n
What seemed a weakness was an eye-opening strength. In his starting debut as prop, Talty (88m and 40 tackles) ripped into the Dogs of War, while makeshift front-rower Gosiewski racked up 41 tackles in a tireless display that broke the Bulldogs\u2019 spirit.<\/p>\n
The unheralded duo were ably supported by the brilliant Xavier Willison (143m), who set-up Brisbane\u2019s first try with a clever offload before crossing himself on the stroke of full-time to cap a wonderful game.<\/p>\n
Deine Mariner celebrates after scoring a try. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Dogs in a Hayze<\/p>\n
Jesse Arthars\u2019 scratching at the captain\u2019s run opened the door for Hayze Perham and the maligned fullback took his chance superbly.<\/p>\n
Perham fell out of favour at the Bulldogs. The Broncos threw him a lifeline. This was sweet redemption for Perham, who showed a cool head with two clever plays in his first starting NRL game in 964 days.<\/p>\n
On the comeback trail from a knee reconstruction, Perham had a hand in two tries in five minutes. He threw a well-timed pass to put Deine Mariner (33rd) over in the corner before releasing back-rower Jordan Riki, who linked with Mariner to put hooker Cory Paix over for a stunning 20-0 lead.<\/p>\n
Undermanned Bronx run riot over Dogs | 01:59<\/p>\n
Ciro\u2019s conundrum<\/p>\n
Pressure is building on coach Cameron Ciraldo to rediscover the Bulldogs\u2019 mojo after a patchy 3-4 start to the season.<\/p>\n
Rated by many as title contenders, Canterbury were insipid in the first half as the Bulldogs bumbled to a second consecutive loss. Young Galvin is too erratic at halfback. He is not a No.7. The Dogs\u2019 defence is lacking the ruthless intensity that underpinned their top-four finish last season.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs players look dejected. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Mighty Mariner<\/p>\n
NRL wingers have turned acrobatic tryscoring plays into an artform. But Mariner\u2019s 33rd-minute effort will be remembered as one of the greatest finishes of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n
Perham fed Mariner. He saw space but there was an awful lot of work to do. Four Bulldogs defenders came flying across, but Mariner (158m) hit a gear few possess and sensationally dived for the corner, touching down inches from the sideline.<\/p>\n
What a finish. It summed up a magical night for the Broncos where everything went right.<\/p>\n
JUDICIARY WATCH<\/p>\n
There are four Bulldogs facing a nervous wait after Friday\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
Sam Hughes was placed on report for a crusher tackle early in the match. He has two non related high tackle charges in the past 12 months. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Harry Hayes was sin-binned for a trip on Adam Reynolds just beyond the 30 minute mark. He has no prior guilty charges. <\/p>\n
Matt Burton was placed on report late for a dangerous tackle on Kotoni Staggs. He has two unrelated high tackle charges in the past 12 months. <\/p>\n
Elsewhere, skipper Stephen Crichton was placed on report in the dying stages for an attempted trip. He has two unrelated high contact charges in the past 12 months. <\/p>\n
As for Brisbane, Preston Riki was sin-binned for a high tackle on Jon Sua. He has no prior charges.<\/p>\n
STAT ATTACK (via Fox Lab)<\/p>\n
– Three straight wins for the Broncos over the Bulldogs, have now won eight of their past nine against them. Five of those wins by 20 points or more. <\/p>\n
– Canterbury have now won just four of their last 13 games. Third time in the past four games the Bulldogs have conceded 30+ points. They only conceded 30+ points four times last season. <\/p>\n
– 61 consecutive games for the Broncos conceding double figures – the equal ninth longest streak in Premiership history. Last conceded single figures in the 2023 finals. <\/p>\n
– The Bulldogs had 53 percent possession and 35 tackles to 10 in the opposition 20.<\/p>\n
95 percent completions from the Broncos (38\/40) – their best in at least 20 seasons (since 2007).<\/p>\n
– Fox Lab POTM was Ezra Mam. This was his best performance of the season so far. He scored a try and set up an equal career-high three others.<\/p>\n
LIVE BLOG <\/p>\n
Follow the latest updates from the Broncos vs Bulldogs game below!<\/p>\n
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