It was a tough outing for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in their second Pre-Season Challenge match, with a late surge failing to overcome the Brisbane Broncos, 30-18.
In what was an intense and entertaining match throughout the full 80 minutes, both the Bulldogs and Broncos fielded strong outfits that resembled closer to NRL-class teams.
While the Broncos were denied a try in the 8th minute, they opened the scoring after a hard and fast first quarter following an error from the Blue and White.
Match: Broncos v Bulldogs
Round 3 -
home Team
Broncos
1st Position
away Team
Bulldogs
11th Position
Venue: Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe
Brisbane got on the board twice more in the opening half despite the Bulldogs dominating territory through the middle of the field, trailing 14-nil at the break.
Not to be deterred, Cameron Ciraldo's side attack came together with 20 minutes remaining, scoring three tries in a nine-minute period to bring the scoreline to within four points.
Jacob Preston took advantage first, breaking through from dummy-half to score a scintillating 60-metre try that saw the second rower beat the opposition fullback and open the Bulldogs' account.
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Match Highlights - Pre-Season Challenge: Week 3, 2025
Just four minutes later a scrum move orchestrated from Matt Burton saw recently re-signed winger Jethro Rinakama finish off.
Flying home with a wet sail, Canterbury capitalised from a Brisbane error, which saw Rinakama come agonisingly close to a second, before fellow winger Blake Wilson dived over in the opposite corner for an 18-14 scoreline.
Unfortunately the momentum was halted with two tries in the final ten minutes from the Broncos, leaving the final scoreline at 30-14.
Match Snapshot
- Despite trailing 14-nil at the break, the Bulldogs mounted a mighty comeback that saw them score three tries in a nine-minute period.
- Kurt Mann played his first match since Round 25, 2024. The creative lock was in everything, notching 114 metres with 34 tackles.
- Jacob Preston put in a solid shift for the Blue and White. He topped the side's tackle count (41) and run metres (183), while scoring the Bulldogs' first try.
- Following up from his All Stars debut, Kurtis Morrin added plenty of impact from the bench with 74 metres from seven runs and setting up Blake Wilson's try.
- Recently re-signed winger Jethro Rinkama scored his third try in two Pre-Season Challenge matches, adding a line break to boot.
- Possession was close for the sides, 53/47 the way of the Broncos.
- The error count cruelled the Bulldogs, especially in the first half. Their 12 errors resulted in a 75% completion rate.
- The will now have a week off, before their Round 1 clash against fierce rivals the St George Illawarra Dragons on Saturday, March 8 at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah.
