Match Report | Round 17 v Broncos

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Full-time: The Roosters have held off a fast-finishing Broncos to claim a thrilling victory over Brisbane in front of 40,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium. It was an entertaining, attacking contest in wet conditions with Roosters winger Billy Smith crossing for a double. The Broncos fought bravely and attempted to pull off a late comeback but the Roosters defence was too good and they held on for the win. Broncos 18 - Roosters 24. 

79th minute: Now we've got a last-gasp Captain's Challenge by the Broncos after Jordan Riki was penalised for a strip. Replays show there were still two players in the tackle when the ball is ripped out and the Roosters receive the penalty. Broncos 18 - Roosters 24. 

78th minute: Brisbane are throwing everything at the Roosters but the visitors have received a big let off. Mark Nawaqanitawase was hit high by Blake Mozer and the Roosters will take their time with the touch-finder. Broncos 18 - Roosters 24. 

74th minute: The lead is back down to six after Brisbane kicked a penalty goal of their own. Nat Butcher was penalised and put on report for a hip-drop tackle on Aublix Tawha, with the Broncos opting to cut the deficit to a converted try with six minutes to play. Tawha is in a bit of pain and initially looked to play on but will now leave the field. Broncos 18 - Roosters 24. 

70th minute: The lead is out beyond a converted try after Connor Watson drew a penalty straight in front of the posts. Sam Walker takes the easy two points on offer and the margin is now eight with 10 to play. Broncos 16 - Roosters 24. 

66th minute: Brisbane have been on the back foot for the past 20 minutes but the door is slightly ajar now for the hosts to generate an attacking chance. Pinned deep inside their own half, the Broncos received a penalty and some field position when Rob Toia was penalised for a dangerous tackle. Broncos 16 - Roosters 22.

61st minute: There's no stopping the Roosters this time and Sam Walker has a try in his 100th NRL game. The halfback got the ball rolling when he stepped out of a tackle before flicking the ball back inside to James Tedesco. The ball hit the deck before it was kicked forward and the Roosters eventually regathered. From there, the visitors attacked left before Billy Smith passed back inside for Walker to score. Broncos 16 - Roosters 22.

58th minute: The Roosters are turning the screws but Brisbane just keep hanging in there. Mark Nawaqanitawase set off for the corner after latching on to a Sam Walker pass but Josiah Karapani was good enough to get across and make a try-saving tackle. Broncos 16 - Roosters 16. 

50th minute: The Roosters have been dealt a blow with Lindsay Collins ruled out for the match after failing an HIA during half-time. The prop has been put into the head knock protocol putting his hopes of lining up for Queensland in the State of Origin decider in doubt. Broncos 16 - Roosters 16.

43rd minute: Billy Smith has a double and the Roosters have capitalised on the early opportunity. Smith got the right arm out to fend off Jesse Arthars and overpowered his opposite winger on the way to the try line. The Rooster managed to get the ball down just before falling into touch and we are all locked up. Broncos 16 - Roosters 16. 

42nd minute: We have an early trip to the Bunker with the on-field referee spotting an illegal challenge in a contest for a bomb. Josiah Karapani is the man in the spotlight after he made contact with Mark Nawaqanitawase as the winger attempted to jump up for the ball. The Bunker rules a penalty is sufficient and the Roosters have an attacking set of six. Broncos 16 - Roosters 12. 

Kick-off: We are back underway with everything on the line at a wet Suncorp Stadium. The Broncos lead by four as they look to get their premiership defence back on track, while the Roosters are desperate to solidify their place in the top eight. Broncos 16 - Roosters 12. 

Half-time: That is time on an entertaining half of football. There was plenty of end-to-end action, with both sides moving the ball around in wet conditions and generating plenty of attacking chances. The Broncos hold a four-point lead courtesy of Grant Anderson's late try, but this game is evenly poised leading into the second 40. Broncos 16 - Roosters 12.

39th minute: Forget about field goals, the Broncos are scoring tries. A loose pass form Daly Cherry-Evans hit the deck, Grant Anderson scooped the ball up and ran 40 metres to score in the corner. Broncos 16 - Roosters 12. 

37th minute: Well that probably wasn't on your bingo card for tonight. With three minutes remaining in the first half, Broncos fullback Reece Walsh attempted a shot at field goal. The kick from 35-metres out sailed wide and the Roosters have a seven-tackle set. Broncos 12 - Roosters 12.

32nd minute: Daly Cherry-Evans has been denied by a sensational try-saving tackle that stopped him centimetres short of the line. The five-eighth wasn't able to score but the Roosters look dangerous with ball in hand. Rob Toia put his side on the attack when he broke through the defensive line. Broncos 12 - Roosters 12. 

27th minute: The frenetic pace of this game continues, with the Roosters hitting straight back. James Tedesco danced around before dropping the ball on to the boot and grubbering into the in-goal. Rob Toia was on the sport and won the race to the ball to level the scores. Broncos 12 - Roosters 12.

23rd minute: The Broncos have hit the front. Brendan Piakura set up the first try, now he's scored the second latching on to a Tom Duffy grubber to give his team the lead. Brisbane have been dealt a blow, however, with Xavier Willison failing an HIA and ruled out for the game after copping a high shot from Lindsay Collins a few minutes ago. The Queensland prop has been placed on report and faces a nervous wait for the charge sheet to come out. Broncos 12 - Roosters 6.

19th minute: Brisbane have largely controlled the last few minutes and they have turned pressure into points. Ben Hunt hit Brendan Piakura short, who bent the Roosters defensive line before offloading to Tom Duffy for the try as heavy rain starts to fall at Suncorp Stadium. Broncos 6 - Roosters 6. 

14th minute: We have a Captain's Challenge by the Roosters after a Tom Duffy pass hit Brendan Piakura and travelled forward. The on-field referee ruled it had been touched by a Rooster, but replays show it did not and it's a successful challenge. Broncos 0 - Roosters 6. 

11th minute: We're off to the Bunker with Cory Paix claiming a try for the Broncos. An error from the kick-off handed Brisbane attacking territory and they've spent the past few minutes attempting to break through. Paix burrowed over from dummy half but couldn't get the ball down and was held up. Broncos 0 - Titans 6.

7th minute: They were denied a few minutes ago but this time there is no stopping the Roosters. Another bomb delivered a result, with the visitors scooping up the loose ball before shifting the ball from the right flank all the way to the left flank. Centre Hugo Savala delivered the final pass and Billy Smith scored in the corner. Broncos 0 - Roosters 6.

3rd minute: We're off to the Bunker with James Tedesco claiming a try in a very similar fashion to his Origin I match-winner. The fullback leaps for a bomb in a contest with opposite Reece Walsh. Walsh knocks it on first, but the Bunker also rules Tedesco knocked it into Walsh before regathering. The end result is no try but the Roosters get an early attacking set of six. Broncos 0 - Roosters 0. 

Kick-off: A Friday night blockbuster between two competition heavyweights at a packed Suncorp Stadium is underway, with the Broncos looking to get their season back on track against the high-flying Roosters. James Tedesco is playing his 200th game for the club, while Payne Haas is captaining the Broncos with Adam Reynolds and Pat Carrigan sidelined. Broncos 0 - Roosters 0.

Late Mail

Broncos: Brisbane will line up 1-19 after coach Michael Maguire confirmed his squad in the final team update. The loss of Adam Reynolds will see Ben Hunt step into the No.7 jumper to partner Tom Duffy in the halves, while Ezra Mam has also been ruled out and will be replaced by Blake Mozer on the six-man bench. The utility is preparing for his first NRL match since breaking his jaw in Round 6. Brisbane have received a boost with the return of Origin stars Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs and Payne Haas.

Roosters: The Roosters are also 1-19, with the team locked in 90-minutes before kick-off. A broken nose won't impact James Tedesco's ability to start at fullback for his 200th match as a Rooster. Hugo Savala is also back in the centres after progressing through the concussion protocols and is on track to take his place in the team. The centre's return will see Billy Smith shift back to the wing and Tommy Talau drop out. Toby Rodwell and Taylor Losalu were omitted at the 24-hour update.

Numbers Game

• The Broncos have not defeated the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium since 2019.
• The Roosters have won nine of their last 12 games against the Broncos.
• The Broncos have conceded 218 points in six consecutive losses.
• Captain James Tedesco will play his 200th game for the Roosters.
• Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has scored six tries in his last six games at Suncorp Stadium. 

Titans v Bulldogs at Cbus Super Stadium

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Full-time: Canterbury have won three in a row as their mid-season revival continues. Captain Stephen Crichton was superb, finishing with three try assists to steer the Bulldogs to a hard-fought 30-12 victory over the Titans in wet conditions on the Gold Coast. Canterbury are now just two points outside the top eight and well in the hunt for a finals finish. Phil Sami scored a hat-trick for the Titans but the hosts struggled to break down the Bulldogs defensive wall. Titans 12 - Bulldogs 30.

78th minute: The Bulldogs have secured the two points now. The Titans threw the ball around deep in their own half in search of points but turned the ball over. Canterbury capitalised, Josh Curran charging on to another short ball for the second double of his career. Titans 12 - Bulldogs 30.

74th minute: Phil Sami has a hat-trick and the Titans are coming home with a wet sail. Another Bulldogs error handed the hosts a chance to attack and they instantly capitalised. Keano Kini threw a floating cut-out pass to the winger, who raced to the corner for his third. Titans 12 - Bulldogs 24.

70th minute: Don't go anywhere, this match is not over. The Titans short kick-off, bounced into touch, handing the hosts a scrum 35 metres out from the try-line. It was a relatively simple shift to Phil Sami, who burst pass Bronson Xerri and Lachlan Galvin before just holding off a brave Connor Tracey effort to get the ball down. Titans 8 - Bulldogs 24.

67th minute: Canterbury have taken control of this contest now and it's Max King who scores in his 150th NRL match. The prop made his debut at the Titans back in 2017, moved to Melbourne, feared his career was over before joining the Bulldogs in 2022 and now he's got his first try of the year. Titans 4 - Bulldogs 24.

62nd minute: After turning the Titans down at one end of the field, the Bulldogs have rolled 100 metres and struck to extend their lead. Bailey Hayward did the lead up work and Jethro Rinakama finished it off to score in the corner. Titans 4 - Bulldogs 18. 

60th minute: The Bulldogs continue to stand tall defensively, Max King and Josh Curran combining to stop a charging Mo Fotuaika and forcing the ball free in the process. The Titans have had multiple opportunities to add a second but they haven't found a way through. Titans 4 - Bulldogs 12.

56th minute: Enari Tuala has saved a certain Beah Fermor try with a stunning try-saving tackle. The Titans were on the attack, AJ Brimson put the ball on the toe, Fermor charged through, scooped up the ball and looked destined to score before Tuala chopped him down and forced the ball free. Titans 4 - Bulldogs 12.

53rd minute: The Titans have broken through. A couple of Bulldogs errors let the hosts back into the game and the opportunities eventually led to points. AJ Brimson came close a couple of plays earlier before he produced a superb tap on to Phil Sami for the try. Meanwhile, Jacob Kiraz is back on the sidelines and could be in the frame for a return to the field. Titans 4 - Bulldogs 12. 

45th minute: The second half has started in the same manner as the first, with the Bulldogs on the attack. An error fielding a kick by Keano Kini handed the visitors a chance to strike, with Lachlan Galvin forcing a line dropout. This time, however, the Titans defence was up to the task and Jaeman Salmon spilled the football. Another blow for Canterbury, with Jacob Kiraz leaving the field and heading into the sheds with a rib injury. Titans 0 - Bulldogs 12. 

Kick-off: We are back for the second half, with the Titans desperate to overturn a 12-point deficit. Canterbury dominated the first half, controlling the game with ball in hand and preventing their opponents from getting anything going in attack. Gold Coast halves Zane Harrison and Jayden Campbell will look to shake things up in challenging conditions to get their team back in the contest. Titans 0 - Bulldogs 12.

Half-time: A big defensive stand by the Bulldogs in the final minutes of the half to deny their opponents and maintain a clean sheet in the first half. Canterbury dominated the opening 30 minutes and jumped out to a 12-0 lead before momentum shifted to the Titans. The hosts had a handful of chances to score but couldn't breakthrough. There was some concern late in the half for Stephen Crichton who came out of a tackle clutching his shoulder and neck but it looks to have been a stinger and he appears ok. Titans 0 - Bulldogs 12. 

37th minute: We're off to the Bunker after Oliver Pascoe attempted to burrow over from dummy half. The referee ruled the Titans hooker was short and replays confirm the ball was short of the line. It was the last tackle, so Canterbury receive possession. Titans 0 - Bulldogs 12. 

33rd minute: It's Canterbury's turn to defend their own line and they have successfully repelled the Titans. The set ended with a cross-field kick, with Jaylan De Groot soaring through the air to attempt an overhead catch but the ball was dislodged by Stephen Crichton and the Bulldogs regain possession. Titans 0 - Bulldogs 12.

26th minute: The Titans successfully defended their own line a few minutes ago but this time they can't stop a rampaging Josh Curran. The back-rower burst onto a no-look pass from Stephen Crichton, fended off fullback Keano Kini and scored the try. The opportunity came after the Titans finally entered attacking territory before an Arama Hau error handed possession straight back to the Bulldogs. Titans 0 - Bulldogs 12. 

21st minute: Canterbury continue to turn the screws and they've forced another line dropout. Lachlan Galvin put the ball on the toe, Stephen Crichton chased through before the Titans tapped it dead. Titans 0 - Bulldogs 6.

15th minute: This time the Bulldogs are in. Jethro Rinakama is the man to score in the corner after the visitors earned another repeat set through a well-placed grubber. The Titans were stretched, Canterbury shifted from right to left and the Fijian winger has the first points of the game. In a sign of their early dominance, the Bulldogs have had 91% of the territory through the opening 15 minutes. Titans 0 - Bulldogs 6.

11th minute: The visitors continue to dominate and Stephen Crichton has almost laid on the perfect play for Matt Burton. The centre charged on to a Crichton pass but juggled the ball before being hit by a try-saving tackle from Jojo Fifita and Keano Kini, who forced the ball free. Titans 0 - Bulldogs 0. 

6th minute: The Bulldogs have controlled the early exchanges and had multiple attacking sets of six in succession. The Titans defence was up to the task, with the hosts scrambling to deny a charging Leo Thompson after Canterbury opted to run the ball on the last. Titans 0 - Bulldogs 0. 

Kick-off: We are underway at a wet Cbus Super Stadium with the Titans looking to build on last week's win over the Panthers. Young halfback Zane Harrison was the match-winner last Saturday and he'll look to steer his side around the park tonight. The Bulldogs have also found form in recent times, winning three of their past four and this game looms as another chance to rise up the ladder. It's Max King's 150th NRL game, while Stephen Crichton will line up at five-eighth for the second-straight week. Titans 0 - Bulldogs 0. 

Late Mail

Titans: The home side are 1-19 with no late changes. Chris Randall returns from a concussion and will line up at lock in place of Cooper Bai (head knock), while captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui takes his place at prop after being rested last week. The loss of Jensen Taumoepeau to an ankle injury will see Jaylan De Groot line up on the wing. 

Bulldogs: No late changes for the Dogs after back-rower Jacob Preston fell short in his bid to return from a broken arm suffered in Round 12 and dropped off the reserves list on Thursday. "He got some training in this week but he hasn't crossed the line to be able to play so he'll be back after the bye," coach Cameron Ciraldo said. Stephen Crichton is set to remain at five-eighth this weekend, with Matt Burton in the centres and Bronson Xerri on the six-man bench. Josh Curran is set to line up in the back row after Sitili Tupouniua injured his hamstring late in last week's thrilling win over Manly.

Numbers Game

• The Titans have improved their defensive ranking from 17th in 2025 to ninth in 2026.
• The Bulldogs have won five of their past six games against the Titans.
• Titans winger Phillip Sami has scored a try in his last four games.
• Bulldogs prop Max King will play his 150th NRL game and his 100th for the Bulldogs.
• Titans forward Kurtis Morrin has scored four tries in his last five games.