PRE-GAME [Round 8, 2026] - Broncos vs Bulldogs

[6moresongs]

I feel like 2026 is like 2024 all over again. Didn't get a full preseason at the end of the prior year due to GF and rep and had the post Xmas training cut short to play an exhibition. Injuries leading into the start of the year etc. Theres alot of similarities.

The big differentiator for me is Madge seems far more equipped to deal with this headache than Kevy (as much as I love Kevy, hes just a passionate guy and not a master tactician that can navigate an injury crisis after a half cooked pre-season). I just hope when our stars return they don't return underdone . When everyone returned they were chasing fitness and you can't do that returning from injury.

Anyway I think Madge has handled it beautifully so far and no doubt the team will be competative this week despite the fact our injury list could probably beat the dogs on any given day...

 

[MrTickyMcG]

I haven't been this excited for a team list Tuesday since last Tuesday.

 

[ivanhungryjak]

PRiki on the bench.

 

[Super Freak]

 

[Brocko]

I expected worse tbh lol

 

[ivanhungryjak]

I'm kinda keen to see how we go here. The thought of Jesse trying to catch Burton bombs is scary though.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Ben Talty, starting front rower.

 

[Super Freak]

I think that's about as good as you can expect at this stage.

I imagine a lot of fans are going to blow up about Cam not being the bench hooker but he's just a kid. His time will come. If we can avoid throwing him in the deep end at our roughest period that's probably the smart move for his development.

 

[ivanhungryjak]

I think that's about as good as you can expect at this stage.

I imagine a lot of fans are going to blow up about Cam not being the bench hooker but he's just a kid. His time will come. If we can avoid throwing him in the deep end at our roughest period that's probably the smart move for his development.

Yep, Rogers is a bigger body and older head - Cams time will come.

 

[MrTickyMcG]

Hang on, is everyone glossing over Jetski at starting prop!

 

[FACTHUNT]

Would still murder the dragons lol

 

[ivanhungryjak]

Hang on, is everyone glossing over Jetski at starting prop!

All he needs to do is make his tackles and hit-ups.

 

[Allo]

Young Bukowski is no Jake Turpin (who was one of the most overhyped players I have ever seen)

 

[FACTHUNT]

All he needs to do is make his tackles and hit-ups.

Us remembering the last time that Gos was just meant to 'make his tackles and take his hitups'

 

[MrTickyMcG]

All he needs to do is make his tackles and hit-ups.

Yeah, that's the problem. He isn't good at either of those things.

 

[Super Freak]

I think Gos at 10 is more acceptance that we're in a position where we're literally scraping the bottom of the barrel for players.

 

[_wwong]

Let’s jag a win.

 

[BroncsFan]

Hang on, is everyone glossing over Jetski at starting prop!

Yeah that starting middle looks a bit light to me.

Talty is effective because he comes on when fatigue hits... whole different ball game as a starter... wouldn't mind just starting with Semu, get through a 20min stint and then Talty comes on and tries to basically play out the game.

Gos I'm not expecting any run meters from, so Riki and Piaks will have to pick up some slack.

Willison going to have a massive load to carry in this game... but he's done it against dogs short-handed before