The Broncos have lowered the colours of the previously unbeaten Bulldogs in spectacular fashion on a wet Suncorp Stadium 42-18, but it may have come at a cost.
Broncos star Adam Reynolds left the field in the final minutes with a shoulder injury.
According to Fox League’s Jake Duke, the early signs are promising. Reynolds clutched at his shoulder after scoring a try in the first half but remained on the field.
Reynolds was outstanding and one of the best afield, recording three try assists in the first half.
“Hopefully it’s just a burner and it will settle down. It is related to the injury he picked up in the first half,” Duke reported.
The Broncos skipper fronted up to the post-match press conference and provided an update.
“It’s a little sore. It went dead on me when I scored the try and then I got it pretty bad at the end there,” Reynolds said.
“We’ll have a look when we get back but it’s pretty sore.
“We’ll get back to the club and see what they say but the aim is to play every game.”
Michael Maguire then added “he‘ll be right” with a smile on his face, desperate for his gun halfback to be fit for Round 9.
However, following the clash Reynolds revealed he was battling with more than just his fresh shoulder injury, almost having to pull out because of an infection according to Code Sports.
An ingrown hair in his leg triggered the infection, which saw him battle cold sweats and no appetite on game day, soldiering on and taking the field.
“I woke up feeling terrible,” he said.
“There was a period during the day when I was umming and ahhing (about pulling out).
“I was a bit tired (on Thursday) but you have got to do what you have got to do, just get out there. Jordan Riki went through it last week and he was pretty bad, too.
“He spent two or three days in hospital and only just got back to Brisbane (after their trip to play the Warriors in New Zealand) so it can be bad.
“Lucky I got it early and I am on top of it with the doctors.”
In what Fox League’s Michael Ennis described as a “bloodbath”, the Broncos piled on the points in the first half, scoring six tries against a Bulldogs defence who had conceded less than 10 points a game this season.
Ben Hunt responded from an awful showing last week with a strong game against the Dogs while Selwyn Cobbo was excellent replacing the injured Reece Walsh at fullback.
It could have been ugly for the Bulldogs, but they showed some real character to keep the Broncos to just one try in the second half.
The Bulldogs hadn’t conceded a point in over 200 minutes entering this game but the Broncos managed to score four tries in the first 18 minutes.
They would add two more before half time against a shell-shocked Dogs side.
In a drama-filled game, four players were sent to the sin bin, including three Bulldogs.
Prop Josh Curran was sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Payne Haas. Sitili Tupouniua became the second Bulldog to go to the sin bin late in the first half and Marcelo Montoya made it a triple binning when he was given his marching orders in the second half.
Broncos flyer Deine Mariner was binned in the 73rd minute when hitting Viliame Kikau high.
Star pivot Matt Burton suffered a head knock and left the ground for a HIA. Thankfully, he passed and returned to the game.
COBBO PROVES A HANDY REPLACEMENT
Stepping in for the injured Reece Walsh at fullback, Cobbo was at his brilliant best, running for 122 metres and producing a try assist and a line break assist in the Broncos’ win.
Michael Ennis sung the praises of Cobbo on Fox League’s commentary.
“He’s been impressive tonight, the Brisbane fullback,” Ennis said.
“Stepping in for Reece Walsh, he’s been busy.
“He’s shown some great skill. His physicality to start the year, the way he’s returned the ball on the wing, after moving from the centre back out into that wing position has been great I think.
“He’s been in great form, but tonight at fullback, it’s really unlocked his movements.”
STAR TREADS THE LINE
Three different Bulldogs were given their marching orders on Thursday night, with one of those being edge forward Sitili Tupouniua.
Tupouniua was binned late in the first half for a high shot but he can consider himself very unlucky that he didn’t leave the field again for a second half incident.
The former Rooster was placed on report for raising his knee to the head of Brendan Piakura when taking a hit up.
Fox League’s Warren Smith believes Tupouniua should have been binned but veteran journalist Phil Rothfield was much harsher.
Posting on social media site X, Rothfield said the Bulldogs forward’s actions warranted a send off.
BULLDOGS’ ALARMING DEFENSIVE SLIP-UP
Entering their clash with the Broncos, the Bulldogs hadn’t conceded a point since the 32nd minute of their Round 4 match with the Sharks on March 29.
The Dogs beat Newcastle 20-0 in Round 5, had the bye in Round 6, and won 32-0 over the Rabbitohs in Round 7, holding their opponents scoreless in consecutive games for the first time in their 90-year history.
But that all changed very quickly against the Broncos, with Xavier Willison crashing over just 90 seconds into the game.
Deine Mariner scored a double as the Broncos ran in six first half tries, to lead 34-0 after just 32 minutes.
At that stage, there was a chance the Bulldogs would concede more points in one game than they had in their first six games this season.
In their first six games, the Bulldogs had only conceded 58 points in total.
But after trailing 34-0 at halftime, the Bulldogs saved some face, only conceding eight points in the second half as they went down 42-18.