BRONCOS
The Broncos slipped to tenth on the ladder after suffering a 16 – 4 loss to Manly at Brookvale last week, their fifth defeat in the past six matches.

Despite spending 54 minutes in the opposition’s half (compared to Manly’s 24), try as the Broncos may, they had no answer against Manly’s staunch defence, scoring only the one try via winger Jack Reed in the 32nd minute.

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The loss was compounded by the injury to centre Justin Hodges, whose position this week will be filled by Reed with Lachlan Maranta on to the wing.

The string of losses sees in the Broncos in the unenviable position of not being able to afford a loss for the remainder of the season but, with Souths and Melbourne (who defeated 30 – 8 in round 20) still to be faced, it’ll be only the strongest of believers that think the Broncos will make this year’s finals.

Since the news broke a fortnight ago that Wayne Bennett will replace current coach Anthony Griffin next year, the players have vowed to produce their best to ensure Griffin departs on a positive note.

A home game against a struggling Dogs outfit will be their chance to start delivering on that prom-ise.

BULLDOGS
Things are just going right for the Dogs at present and despite welcoming back Origin five-eight Josh Reynolds for the first time in three weeks, they tasted defeat as the short-priced favourites for the third consecutive week when losing 20 – 12 to the Cowboys last round.

Several contentious Video Referee decision in the first half didn’t help their cause and added to the pressure the Dogs are already under.

The run of outs has seen the Dogs remain on 26 competition points where they are level with Mel-bourne and only won win ahead of the Cowboys, Warriors and Eels, who face off against the Tig-ers, Sharks and Raiders respectively this weekend.

This is a must win game for the Dogs otherwise they could possible see themselves clinging onto eighth spot heading in round 23.

The Dogs normally respond well when face with such a challenge and this week will be bolstered again by the return of centre Josh Morris and forward Aidan Tolman.

HEAD TO HEAD.
The Broncos have toughed out narrow wins the last two times these sides have met, winning by 5 points and in the most recent clash back in the opening round of the season, 6 points (18 – 12).

In fact only one of the last five matches, of which the Broncos hold the advantage 3 – 2, have been decided by more than 10 points and with everything at stake for both clubs, expect another close encounter here.

The Dogs had to cop some tough decisions last week, decisions that had a significant impact on the bearing of the game. With a more reliable defence than the Broncos, who have conceded an average of 24 points in the past six rounds, the Dogs might be able to sneak home here.

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Teams:

Broncos: Josh Hoffman, Daniel Vidot, Dale Copley, Jack Reed, Lachlan Maranta, Ben Barba, Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Corey Parker, Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Sam Thaiday. Interchange: Jake Granville, Todd Lowrie, Ben Hannant, Corey Oates, Martin Kennedy, Jarrod Wallace

Ins: Lachlan Maranta, Martin Kennedy, Jarrod Wallace. Outs: Justin Hodges (hamstring, indefinite)

Bulldogs: Sam Perrett, Corey Thompson, Josh Morris, Timoteo Lafai, Mitch Brown, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Sam Kasiano, Michael Ennis, James Graham, Josh Jackson, Tony Williams, Greg Eastwood. Interchange: Aiden Tolman, Dale Finucane, David Klemmer, Lloyd Perrett, Moses Mbye, Reni Maitua

Ins: Josh Morris, Mitch Brown, Aiden Tolman. Outs: Chase Stanley