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Ciraldo 'will not be happy': Broncos second half try-scoring blitz crumbles Bulldogs hopes

Alyssa Bone
Alyssa Bone

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Cameron Ciraldo will be looking for an explanation from his playing group after the Bulldogs were left stunned by a late comeback charge by the Broncos.

The Bulldogs were well in control of the match when Josiah Karapani blasted down the sideline and ignited a sensational try-scoring blitz for the visitors on Friday night.

In the space of 10 minutes, Delouise Hoeter and Billy Walters powered over the line to narrow the scoreline to a two-point thriller.

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"They are very nervous, the Bulldogs," Brad Fittler said in commentary on Nine.

Errors began to prove a costly component in the hosts' game as a time violation and a contentious tackle in the 31st minute of the half turned the match on its head.

At that point, the Bulldogs had successfully completed eight of their 15 sets for the half.

Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

But it was a powering try for Brendan Piakura that sealed the Bulldogs' troubling fate.

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"They are celebrating like they have won the comp," Nine caller Mat Thompson said at full time.

"He will not be happy with the second half, Cameron Ciraldo," Andrew Johns added.

Brendan Piakura of the Broncos celebrates scoring a try.

Brendan Piakura of the Broncos celebrates scoring a try. Getty

Earlier, the Bulldogs established the lead in the 13th minute via Marcelo Montoya before a messy try-scoring effort by Matt Burton left two league greats stunned.

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Lachlan Galvin looked to make a quick pass out to Connor Tracey on the last tackle but the ball went long and hit the turf before bouncing near a ready Montoya on the wing.

Collecting the ball, the Bulldogs winger powered towards the middle where he was pulled to the ground, but he popped a perfect pass over his head to Viliame Kikau.

The unbelievable effort was followed by a beautiful shift to the left edge for Matt Burton to kick into goal and reset the Bulldogs line.

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But the kick defusal was a costly mess for the Broncos as two players failed to collect the ball, which lay directly in front of a chasing Burton, who grounded it successfully.

"No way," Johns said in commentary on Nine.

"They went all around the world and then came back to where they came from."

A replay of the try raised concerns for Johns as to whether Burton's hip was in touch, whilst Fittler feared a teammate may have been offside before the playmaker kicked.

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Matt Burton of the Bulldogs celebrates his try.

Matt Burton of the Bulldogs celebrates his try. Getty

"Do you think he would be cheering like that if he didn't force it (to the ground)?," Fittler replied to Johns.

"He is in ... I'm just thinking when he kicked it, is Enari Tuala in front of him?"

The try was confirmed by the Bunker but Burton was unable to convert his efforts.

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Brisbane's power defence was exposed once more in the 32nd minute as Kikau charged over the line to extend the home side's lead to 16-0 into the half time break.

The Broncos won 22-18.

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