Bulldogs left 'shellshocked' as three stars given marching orders in nightmare first loss

An undefeated Canterbury Bulldogs outfit were left "shellshocked" at Suncorp Stadium as the Brisbane Broncos unveiled 24-point thrashing in the rain.

The Bulldogs took to the field with the hopes of recording their first 7-0 start to the season in the club's history but instead were left scrambling for answers.

It was a troubling night for the visitors, who within the space of 10 minutes had conceded 12 points, two penalties and were reduced to 12 men.

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An additional two calls to send Sitili Tupouniua and Marcelo Montoya to the sin bin seemed to sum up the horror on the faces of the Bulldogs line.

But the decision for the pair to sit out of the action for a short period was one that Cameron Smith and Brad Fittler conceded they did not agree with.

Tupouniua was placed on report late in the first half for a high shot on Brendan Piakura in what referee Gerard Sutton stated was caused by a leading shoulder.

"Of course he leads with his shoulder, that's how you make a tackle in rugby league," Smith proclaimed on Nine.

Brad Fittler added: "That was ridiculous. He shouldn't be in the sin bin."

Tupouniua's time on the sidelines was not enough to see him escape being put on report again as he was pinged for lifting his knee while carrying the ball.

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It was only a matter of time until their next star was sent packing, this time in the form of Marcello Montoya.

Montoya also attempted to make a tackle on Piakura but was given orders to head to the sin bin for making high contact.

"I can't agree with that one," Smith said.

"I don't know what Marcello's supposed to do here. He can not disappear or move his body [in that situation]. He can't get out of the way."

Stephen Crichton attempted to plea with Sutton to save his teammate but was told his men "needed to display more discipline".

Such comment seemed to help the Bulldogs for a short period as Jacob Preston, Bronson Xerri and Montoya powered over to put the visitors on the board.

A sin bin for Selwyn Cobbo in the 77th caused little damage for the home side as Billy Walters darted under the posts on the stroke of fulltime to seal the scores.

"He hasn't smiled in three years," Fittler laughed as Michael Maguire was seen celebrating in his coaching box.

Earlier, an error in the first set by Jacob Preston opened the gates for the Broncos to immediately pounce, with Xavier Willison crashing over to snatch the first points.

A 40/20 kick by Billy Walters kept the Dogs stuck in defence before a shifting play through the middle set up Reynolds to pounce.

Preston was then given marching orders for a high shot on Payne Haas.

Curran's swinging arm made contact with the Broncos prop's head, with Sutton wasting no time to inform the Bulldogs prop that he was headed for the sidelines.

"It's a small lack of discipline that has plagued the Bulldogs... it's something we haven't seen really so far in their season," Smith said on Nine.

"Penalties and errors are compounding on each other.

"The Bulldogs are shellshocked."

The troubles did not end with Curran as star five-eighth Matt Burton was pulled off the field by the independent doctor for a head injury assessment.

But the pairs exit marked the beginning of a try-scoring onslaught for the hosts.

Deine Mariner was the first to strike during Preston's time in the sin bin as he dived over untouched in the corner courtesy of a pin-point Adam Reynolds kick.

Gehamat Shibasaki followed on the edge before Mariner crossed again for a double.

Jesse Arthars powered over in the 31st minute to extend the lead to 32-nil.

"The (Bulldogs) are stunned. I'm shocked," Brad Fittler said on Nine.