It has been 965 days since Hayze Perham last wore a number one jersey in the NRL: playing under Cameron Ciraldo at the Bulldogs in 2023.
Tonight, the 26-year-old starts as Brisbane’s fullback following extended run in the NRL wilderness – and in a poetic twist, it’s against his former side.
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Perham is the young face of a Broncos outfit fighting its way through a $3.5 million injury crisis.
Twelve Broncos players have been ruled out of tonight’s match against the Bulldogs, including Jesse Arthars, whose inability to complete Thursday captain’s run parachuted Perham into the starting side.
Perham has journeyed between different NRL clubs since making his debut at the Warriors in 2019. The Broncos extended him a lifeline last year, ahead of 24 minutes off the bench on debut against the Tigers last weekend.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Perham told foxsports.com.au.
“I didn’t get to play in 2024 and then was out for the whole year last year [due to a ruptured ACL in the pre-season]. To be able to run on the field and be back on the big stage is a huge blessing and I can’t really describe it.
“I was definitely nervous against the Tigers, but you get that first touch of the ball and you get smacked a couple of times, you’re sweet after that.
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Hayze Perham hasn’t started at fullback in the NRL since 2023.Source: Supplied Source Known
Perham’s waiting in the wings isn’t unique at the Broncos, but their current injury toll has dramatically changed the complexion of the side that won last year’s premiership.
Tonight, Brisbane will finally unleash hulking prop Va’a Semu against the Bulldogs following a patient two-year wait, while little-known forward Preston Riki joins the extended bench after coach Michael Maguire secured special dispensation for him to join the Broncos’ top 30 squad.
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Preston Riki gets a shot off the bench against the Bulldogs.Source: News Corp Australia
Others, such as 20-year-old Cameron Bukowski, have been thrust into the Broncos NRL side much sooner than expected. Bukowski started the season as Brisbane’s fifth-ranked hooking option – before suddenly being parachuted in to make his debut with 31 minutes against the Tigers last week.
“It means everything,” said Bukowski, the son of Brisbane’s long-time salary cap manager, Louise Bukowski.
“I was a ball boy when guys like Payno made their debut so to be playing with them is a huge pinch-myself moment and an incredible feeling. I probably got my opportunity a bit quicker than what I thought, in Round 7. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was so special.”
If Perham, Riki and Bukowski are the Broncos’ saviours, then captain Adam Reynolds is their steady hand. The veteran half put together a masterclass in the Bronco’s 21-20 victory over the Wests Tigers last weekend, proving the difference with his controlling kicking game, composure in attack and winning field goal to ice the occasion.
Cameron Bukowski, plays his first game in the senior team Brisbane Broncos – photo Supplied Facebook Brisbane BroncosSource: Supplied Source Known
This week, Reynolds was again a picture of calmness at Broncos training – even in the face of injury scare to Deine Mariner, who was unable to complete training on Tuesday due to a locked knee.
While insiders at the Broncos say Reynolds has categorically ruled out playing beyond 2026, his presence on and off the field is being noticed. It’s understood levers are being pulled internally for the 35-year-old’s transition into coaching next year.
Reynolds says his brief as captain and halfback can be stripped back to a very simple formula: keep the group calm, get them around the park and kick them into corners, waiting for your opposition to make a mistake. Friday’s Bulldogs blockbuster will be no different.
“Our depth is being tested at the moment but it’s a credit to the coaches and the leaders in the group. We’re going to need it all this week,” Reynolds said.
“You can’t control what’s happened, it’s just about staying present at the time. We’ve still got a job to do, and everyone has got a role to play.”
For Maguire, Brisbane’s resilience in 2026 reflects the culture among the playing group – one that even he has had to wrap his head around as a premiership-winner with decades in the trade.
“There’s something there that’s really telling at the moment,” Maguire told foxsports.com.au.
“The boys have faced a fair bit over a fair period of time. All that goes on up in Brissy, the noise and all that – they put it aside and keep working hard the way they are. It galvanizes them.”
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For rookies like Bukowski, Reynolds is not only proving the difference in the big moments, but in the lead-up to big games too.
“He’s massive, he makes it 100 times easier out there,” Bukowski said. “His communication, his calmness, everything about it. He makes it so easy to do your job out there, he directs all the boys around, and as a hooker you know where the ball has got to go all the time. Reynolds is telling you.
“The reason why he’s a champion halfback is because of all of those things. I grew up watching him play so I pinch myself playing alongside him. He has been massive for me, absolutely massive. He’s always checking up on me, always telling me to relax, and to treat it just as another game.”