The table-topping Bulldogs were out to make it seven straight victories when they headed to Brisbane on Thursday night but left with their tales between their legs after a 42-18 loss.
After taking giant strides from 15th in 2023 to the finals in 2024, Cameron Ciraldo's men have carried that momentum into the new season but they were off their game from the outset at Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos' first-half blitz had them up 34-0 at the break before the Bulldogs showed some ticker to grab three second-half tries.
Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds controlled game superbly with his boot but left the field late in the game clutching his shoulder.
Follow all of the Round 8 action in the 2025 Telstra Premiership on NRL.com's live blog.
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Broncos v Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium
Next week: The NRL roadshow hits Suncorp Stadium for Magic Round where the Bulldogs will look to regroup against the Titans on Sunday afternoon before the Broncos face the Panthers.
Full-time: On the back of mammoth efforts from Payne Haas (27 runs for 255 metres) and Pat Carrigan (24 runs for 181 metres) the Broncos opened ANZAC Round in style with a comprehensive victory in front of 40,233 fans. Selwyn Cobbo was strong at fullback filling in for Reece Walsh, running for 145 metres and breaking four tackles. The Broncos had 36 tackle breaks to the Dogs' 11.
80 min: Cory Paix puts in a neat grubber and fellow hooker Billy Walters follows through to score. Selwyn Cobbo converts. Broncos 42-18.
78 min: The Broncos get their first points of the second half with a penalty goal to Selwyn Cobbo which makes it 36-18 to Michael Maguire's men.
75 min: Adam Reynolds leaves the field in some discomfort with a shoulder issue after falling awkwardly.
72 min: The Bulldogs keep the ball alive on both sides of the field and Viliame Kikau delivers the final pass for Bronson Xerri to grab a third try for the visitors. Deine Mariner catches Kikau high as he delivers the pass and is sent to the sin bin to leave the Broncos a man down for the remainder of the match. Stephen Crichton converts. Broncos 34-18.
66 min: A good shot by Kurt Mann on Kobe Hetherington forces an error but the Bulldogs are fast running out of time.
64 min: Kotoni Staggs muscles up in defence to force an error from Jacob Kiraz and the Broncos go on the attack from 20 metres out.
63 min: Adam Reynolds turns the screws with an inch perfect kick which Connor Tracey gathers but is forced back into the in goal.
57 min: The Bulldogs grab a second try after Jacob Kiraz climbs high to bring down a bomb and slips a good offload to Jacob Preston who dots down. Stephen Crichton adds the extras. Broncos 34-12.
56 min: The Bulldogs lose their captain's challenge after contesting a knock on call against Stephen Crichton.
54 min: Toby Sexton's touch finder makes contact with a trainer and the Bulldogs are made to go back and take the kick again.
53 min: Marcelo Montoya is placed on report and sent to the sin bin for high contact as Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton is warned by referee Gerard Sutton about 'repeated acts of foul play'.
52 min: Sitili Tupouniua is placed on report for a second time after raising his knee into a Broncos defender as he took the ball to the line.
46 min: Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau combine on the left edge to put Marcelo Montoya over for the Bulldogs' opening try. Stephen Crichton converts. Broncos 34-6.
41 min: Billy Walters is back in the action having passed his HIA during the half-time break.
Half-time: The opening 40 belonged to Adam Reynolds, who came up with two try assists, one line break, a try under the sticks and five goals in testing conditions to inspire his team to a staggering 34-point lead. Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas again dominated in the middle, running for 265 metres between them. The Broncos had 62 per cent of possession and completed 19 of 23 sets at 82 per cent.
40 min: With one last chance to post some points the Bulldogs came up with a simple error through Jacob Kiraz.
36 min: Broncos hooker Billy Walters is sent for a HIA after copping high contact from Matt Burton a couple of minutes earlier. Burton was placed on report.
34 min: The Bulldogs lose another player to the sin bin after Sitili Tupouniua is banished for a shoulder charge.
32 min: The massacre continues as Pat Carrigan goes to the line and finds Ben Hunt who delivers a superb cut-out pass for Jesse Arthars to slide over in the corner for his 10th try of the season. Adam Reynolds pilots another conversion for a scarcely believable 34-0 scoreline.
30 min: With rain absolutely bucketing down Adam Reynolds produces a 40-20 to put his side in range again and then earns a repeat set with a neat grubber.
30 min: Matt Burton returns to the field after passing his HIA.
28 min: The Adam Reynolds masterclass continues as the champion No.7 again kicks cross field for Deine Mariner to cross untouched. Broncos 28-0.
25 min: A Toby Sexton kick again goes too long and is easily taken in the in goal by Brisbane to come away with a seven-tackle set.
18 min: Great lead-up work by Ben Hunt and Kobe Hetherington and a superb final pass from Selwyn Cobbo puts Gehamat Shibasaki over for a try in the left corner as the home side continue to run rampant. Adam Reynolds again adds the extras. Broncos 24-0.
17 min: Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton leaves the field for a HIA.
14 min: Bulldogs winger Marcelo Montoya for high contact on Deine Mariner as he crossed for the try.
13 min: Deine Mariner crosses in the corner courtesy of a pinpoint cross field kick from Adam Reynolds. The skipper nails the conversion from touch to make it 18-0. The Bulldogs have already conceded three penalties and have a man in the bin.
11 min: Bulldogs forward Josh Curran is sent to the sin bin for a shoulder charge on Payne Haas.
9 min: A superb offload by Payne Haas puts Adam Reynolds over under the sticks for the Broncos' second try. Reynolds lands awkwardly and grabs for his shoulder but he rises to his feet and walks back with his teammates. Selwyn Cobbo converts. Broncos 12-0.
7 min: Bulldogs halfback Toby Sexton launches a kick on the last tackle which is easily fielded in goal by Jesse Arthars. The Broncos take the 20m tap and then get a penalty for a flop to come out of their own end.
4 min: Broncos hooker Billy Walters comes up with a 40-20 but the home team can't cash in after Brendan Piakura spills a Ben Hunt pass and the Bulldogs come away.
2 min: A mistake by Jacob Preston in the first set of the game handed the Broncos a chance inside the Red Zone and Xavier Willison powers past Reed Mahoney to open the scoring. Adam Reynolds' conversion makes it 6-0.
Pre-Game Ceremony
The first of eight emotion-charged ANZAC Day services for the weekend has Suncorp Stadium in hushed silence. Captains Stephen Crichton and Adam Reynolds laid wreaths as a mark of respect before ode was read by Broncos NRLW player, Lance Corporal Julia Robinson, and the Last Post rung out across the night air.
Late Mail
Broncos:No late changes on game day after Jordan Riki was ruled out due to a staph infection on Wednesday. His place taken in the starting line-up is taken by Brendan Piakura in his return from suspension with Tyson Smoothy joining the bench. Selwyn Cobbo shifts to fullback after Reece Walsh was ruled out with a knee injury, with Deine Mariner coming into the side on the wing.
Bulldogs: The Bulldogs are 1-17 with no late changes. Harry Hayes is set to complete his comeback from an ankle injury and will take the place of Jack Todd, who broke his arm in the Good Friday win over South Sydney.
Numbers Game
- The Broncos have won five of their past six games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs are aiming for seven consecutive wins for the first time since 2014.
- Broncos winger Jesse Arthars has scored nine tries in seven games in 2025.
