Brisbane Broncos secure 32-12 victory over Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs despite many players being unavailable

Apr 24, 2026, 12:22

Introduction

The Brisbane Broncos defeated the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 32-12 at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. They achieved this result even though 12 to 13 of their first-choice players were absent due to injury, suspension, or personal leave. The match was part of the Anzac Round in the 2026 NRL season.

Main Body

The Broncos entered the game with a weakened squad. They were missing key players such as fullback Reece Walsh (cheekbone), centre Kotoni Staggs, middle forwards Payne Haas (knee), Pat Carrigan (suspension), and Corey Jensen (pulmonary embolism), as well as several other regulars like Ben Hunt, Billy Walters, and Jesse Arthars. The total value of the unavailable talent was estimated at over $5 million. Despite these absences, Brisbane showed strong defence and good ball handling. They completed 40 of 43 sets and gave away only two penalties, whereas the Bulldogs had seven penalties and 14 errors. Early defensive stands, including three consecutive goal-line sets, gave them momentum. Captain and halfback Adam Reynolds led the attack with 689 metres of kicking, which forced several dropouts. Ezra Mam scored an impressive try, keeping control of the ball as he touched down near the sideline. Xavier Willison, who replaced Carrigan at lock, played 75 minutes, ran for 170 metres, made 33 tackles, and scored the final try. Other contributors included Hayze Perham at fullback, who set up a try for Deine Mariner, and forwards Ben Talty and Jack Gosiewski, who together made 85 tackles. The Bulldogs'' points came from tries by Matt Burton and Lachlan Galvin. Canterbury-Bankstown also had an injury concern when Viliame Kikau suffered a chest injury. Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo stated that his team was not surprised by the Broncos'' performance. He pointed out the depth of the Brisbane squad, mentioning players like Kotoni Staggs, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, and Xavier Willison as evidence. Broncos coach Michael Maguire praised Willison''s progress and said his form would help the team when injured players return. Brisbane will regain Pat Carrigan for the next match, while several others remain sidelined, including Ben Te Kura, who is trying to join the NFL. Brendan Piakura left the game at halftime because of a knee problem.

Conclusion

The Broncos'' victory, achieved with many players missing, showed how effective their defensive structure was and how well less experienced players contributed. The team has now won two consecutive matches when they were not expected to win. The return of injured players in the coming weeks could make them even stronger in the competition.

Vocabulary Learning

absent due to
Not present because of a specific reason因某原因缺席
Example:The Broncos were missing 12 to 13 of their first-choice players absent due to injury, suspension, or personal leave.
consecutive matches
Games that happen one after another without interruption連續的比賽
Example:The team has now won two consecutive matches when they were not expected to win.
defensive stands
Actions or periods where a team successfully prevents the opponent from scoring防守阻擋
Example:Early defensive stands, including three consecutive goal-line sets, gave them momentum.
set up a try
To create an opportunity for a teammate to score a try (in rugby)為隊友創造達陣機會
Example:Hayze Perham at fullback set up a try for Deine Mariner.
weakened squad
A team that has fewer strong or key players than usual實力減弱的隊伍
Example:The Broncos entered the game with a weakened squad.

Sentence Learning

They achieved this result even though 12 to 13 of their first-choice players were absent due to injury, suspension, or personal leave.
Uses 'even though' to introduce a contrasting clause, showing the result occurred despite the absence of many players.使用「even though」引出對比子句，表示儘管多名球員缺陣，仍然取得此結果。
Despite these absences, Brisbane showed strong defence and good ball handling.
Uses 'Despite' + noun phrase to show contrast between the absences and the team's strong performance.使用「Despite」+ 名詞短語，表示在缺陣情況下球隊仍有出色防守和控球。
They completed 40 of 43 sets and gave away only two penalties, whereas the Bulldogs had seven penalties and 14 errors.
Uses 'whereas' to contrast two different sets of statistics, highlighting the Broncos' discipline.使用「whereas」對比兩組數據，凸顯野馬隊的紀律性。
Xavier Willison, who replaced Carrigan at lock, played 75 minutes, ran for 170 metres, made 33 tackles, and scored the final try.
Uses a non-defining relative clause 'who replaced Carrigan at lock' to provide additional information about the player.使用非限制性關係從句「who replaced Carrigan at lock」補充說明該球員的背景。
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo stated that his team was not surprised by the Broncos' performance.
Uses passive voice 'was not surprised' to report the coach's statement, focusing on the team's reaction rather than the actor.使用被動語態「was not surprised」來報導教練的陳述，強調球隊的反應而非動作執行者。