The second game on Friday for NRL round 11 is between Canterbury Bulldogs and Brisbane Broncos. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7.35pm with the game to be played at ANZ Stadium. The favourite for the match is home team Canterbury Bulldogs. View our preview and teams for the game between Canterbury Bulldogs and Brisbane Broncos.

Featured Bookmakers:

Canterbury Bulldogs $1.55 vs Brisbane Broncos $2.50 at Sportsbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Canterbury Bulldogs $1.53 vs Brisbane Broncos $2.55 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:

Canterbury Bulldogs	1.55	1.55	1.53	1.55	1.55	1.55
Brisbane Broncos	2.50	2.50	2.55	2.50	2.50	2.50

Preview:

The momentum the Bulldogs had gathered after three successive wins over Sharks (24-8), Tigers (40-4) and Warriors (24-16) was well and truly stopped by the Newcastle Knights last week who handed them a 44-8 hiding.

The Bulldogs’ forward back were beaten at their own game last week and Coach Hassler and the players themselves, will been keen to bounce back immediately and, with Sydney Roosters and Manly to face them in their next three matches, they’ll have to win to ensure they keep in touch with the top eight.

Brisbane returned to form last week after a poor loss to Parramatta in round 9, with a 32-6 win over Gold Coast.

With several key players missing, it was a very pleasing win as several young faces within the Bronco squad, took the opportunity to display their wares.

The win has them placed sixth on the ladder and a win here is a must for the Broncos to ensure their spot within the eight is secured as they head into an always rigorous, Origin period.

Canterbury has had the better of Brisbane in recent times and hold a 4-2 record since 2008.

This will be a close game and Brisbane will welcome back Justin Hodges from injury but still miss several key players. Canterbury keen to put the embarrassment of last week’s performance behind them, the Dog should prevail in a close one.

Teams:

Canterbury Bulldogs:
Ben Barba, Mitch Brown, Josh Morris, Tim Lafai, Sam Perrett, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis (capt), Sam Kasiano, Tony Williams, Frank Pritchard, Greg Eastwood. Interchange: Dene Halatau, Josh Jackson, James Graham, Dale Finucane, Martin Taupau, Tim Browne

Brisbane Broncos:
Corey Norman, Josh Hoffman, Jordan Kahu, Justin Hodges, Lachlan Maranta, Ben Hunt, Peter Wallace, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Sam Thaiday (c), Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange: Jake Granville, Scott Anderson, David Hala, Jarrod Wallace, Dunamis Lui, Denan Kemp

Hodges will tackle Bulldogs in NRL clash

Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin expects Canterbury to carry out its own medical examination of Broncos centre Justin Hodges at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.

Hodges was spared the late contact work at training on Thursday morning but will carry the remnants of a painful rib injury into what is tipped to be a bruising encounter with the Bulldogs, up against likely Origin rival Josh Morris.

Hodges pulled out of last week’s 32-6 win over the Gold Coast after scans detected a small fracture in his lower rib.

He trained with the side on Thursday morning and while he dodged the heavy collision work, Griffin declared he would tackle the Bulldogs.

There’s a possibility he’ll have a pre-game painkilling injection.

“He’s sweet, he’s going to play,” said Griffin.

“Obviously he’s still got a little issue there with his ribs but he’ll get some contact on Friday night I imagine.”

Griffin was confident young utility Jordan Kahu would handle his latest challenge of switching from Hodges’s right side to fill in for English international Jack Reed (fractured eye socket) at left centre.

“He’s a good kid and one thing about him is he doesn’t get flustered,” Griffin said.

“It’s a massive thing losing Jack and Staggy (David Stagg, medial ligament). They’re two experienced guys and you’d prefer to have them there.

“It’s given Jordie another opportunity to keep improving which he’s done very week.”

Ben Hunt will wear the No.6 jumper again with Scott Prince given an extra week to recover from a hamstring strain for when Brisbane lose their star players to Origin.

“I thought he was very composed last week (against the Titans) and made some very good decisions,” said Griffin.

The Bulldogs, who lost last year’s grand final to Melbourne, are currently in 13th place but only one win outside of the top eight.