Brisbane Broncos comeback to win 22-18 over Canterbury Bulldogs

The Brisbane Broncos have overcome a shocking first half performance and produced a stunning comeback to beat the Canterbury Bulldogs without their Origin stars.

Besieged Billy Walters has turned up the heat on Broncos starting hooker Cory Paix following a sizzling display to inspire Brisbane’s epic 22-18 defeat of the Bulldogs on Friday night.

Paix is in danger of being axed from Brisbane’s top 17, with Walters producing bench heroics and marquee recruit Ben Hunt due to return from injury in next Sunday’s away clash against the Titans.

Speculation was rife Walters was fighting for his future at Red Hill after Paix won the No.9 jumper for round 1, but the veteran rake has sensationally reprised his 2023 grand-final form over the past month.

In his 100th NRL game, Walters was sublime against the Bulldogs, spearheading Brisbane’s second-half fightback with the 70th-minute solo try from dummy half that whittled the deficit to 18-16.

On current form, Walters cannot be dropped ahead of Paix. If Hunt (hamstring) returns this week against the Titans, as expected, three into two won’t go, leaving Broncos coach Michael Maguire to face the agonising call of axing either Walters or Paix.

There is even an argument for Walters to start in the No.9 jumper he wore in the 2023 grand final if Maguire decides to ease Hunt back into the action off the bench in the Titans derby at Cbus Super Stadium.

Billy Walters of the Broncos celebrates scoring a try with teammates. Picture: Getty Images

Maguire lauded Walters’ outstanding display of guile and creativity as the Broncos (9-7) chalked-up their fourth consecutive win to charge into top-four contention.

“Billy is speeding things up and picking the right time for him to find some fatigue (in the opposition defence),” said a beaming Maguire in the wake of Brisbane’s Homebush ambush.

“He scored a try and has been great for us.

“Billy knew he would get his turn out there and when he did he took it.”

Walters’ long-term future at the Broncos has come under a cloud after the club last month signed rising rake Blake Mozer to a two-year extension.

The 31-year-old is off-contract at the end of next season, but with Paix still unsigned for 2026, Walters is making formidable statements to Maguire that he is far from a spent force around the rucks.

A fortnight ago, Walters told this masthead he was taking nothing for granted and is up for the fight to reclaim his status as Brisbane’s top hooker.

“I feel like everyone’s position is up for grabs,” Walters said.

“I’m not sure what Madge’s plan is with ‘Hunty’, but it’s up to me and ‘Paixy’ to see who’s playing the best or who can bring the most out of the team.

“I suppose we’ll see in the coming weeks.

“I feel I haven’t had as many minutes as what I’ve had the last couple years. I’m in a bit of a different role this year, so when I come onto the field I try and bring some energy and lift the boys.”

Asked if he is concerned about his future, Walters said: “I’m signed for next year, so I’m not too worried. At the moment I’ve got a spot in the team.

“I’ve got to make sure I can hold that spot.”

Former NSW Origin and Bulldogs hooker Michael Ennis said Walters was at the heart of Brisbane’s brilliant come-from-behind win after trailing 18-0.

Billy Walters of the Broncos celebrates his crucial try. Picture: Getty Images

“Billy Walters’ injection into the No.9, impact is the word,” Fox League analyst Ennis said.

“That was what they needed from Billy ... he brought some real spark to the ruck and scored an important try.”

Brisbane skipper Adam Reynolds said the Broncos had the attacking weapons to shake-up the NRL in the run to the finals.

“When we have that (momentum) we have a dangerous football team,” he said.

“We have had belief the whole year.

“At times we weren’t playing good footy, but once it clicked we knew we had a footy team here and we believe in our brand of football.”

PIAKURA SCORES 👏

Telstra Moment of the Match pic.twitter.com/sTl4MRfEq9

— NRL (@NRL) July 4, 2025

BRONCOS PRODUCE MIRACLE COMEBACK AS BULLDOGS COLLAPSE

—Martin Gabor

The Broncos overcame a horror first half to pull off the heist of the season to stun the Bulldogs thanks to three moments of magic from five-eighth Ezra Mam who was booed every time he touched the ball.

The visitors are now well and truly in the hunt for a top-four spot after leaving Accor Stadium with a 22-18 victory when it looked at one stage like they would lose by 40.

The Broncos have produced a miracle comeback on the back of a complete Bulldogs collapse. Picture: Getty Images

The Broncos were dead and buried when Matt Burton slotted a penalty goal to put the hosts up 18-0 early in the second half, but some Mam brilliance turned the game on its head as Brisbane crossed four times in the final 20 minutes to steal the win.

“The way ‘Reyno’ (Adam Reynolds) and Ezra are coming together, they’re starting to grow together,” Michael Maguire said.

“Just watching them go about their game, that’s what’s impressed me. ‘Ez’ took the game on, and I say Reyno talk to Ez about what they needed to do, and they both went and did it.”

They couldn’t have played any worse in the first half as Selwyn Cobbo struggled in his return to first grade, but the undermanned Broncos still had Mam who took it upon himself to steal the win.

The classy five-eighth got the ball rolling when he found Josiah Karapani with a long ball, with the winger dancing through to score a stunner from near halfway.

Mam then played short to set up journeyman Delouise Hoeter for a try five minutes later, before Billy Walters burrowed over from close range to bring them within two.

A Kotoni Staggs break should have resulted in a Broncos penalty from wide out, but it mattered little as Mam played short to send Brendan Piakura over for the winner with seven minutes to go after he passed an early HIA.

HALF MEASURES

Friday’s shock result cost the Bulldogs any chance of finishing the round in first spot, with their second-half fade out set to leave coach Cameron Ciraldo furious given his side should have been able to defend the lead.

Next year’s halves situation may be looking a lot clearer with confirmation Toby Sexton is off to the Super League, but the playmaker conundrum for the rest of 2025 remains a mystery after the Bulldogs pulled a late switch on Friday night.

The Bulldogs seemingly had the game dead and buried after leading by 18-points with 20-minutes to go, but collapsed in the final quarter. Picture: Getty Images

Ciraldo declared on Thursday that his plans for Lachlan Galvin wouldn’t be influenced by the same people who questioned his side’s recruitment strategy, but the mid-season recruit did end up starting on the same day that Sexton’s move to join Catalans in 2026 was confirmed.

While the halfback won’t be there next year, he still remains a key figure this season, with the only question who will partner him in the halves.

Matt Burton was named at five-eighth after finally not being the NSW 18th man, but he started at left centre thanks to a late reshuffle that saw Galvin start in the halves.

Both men had their moments – Burton scored and Galvin had some joy with his kicking game – but they didn’t combine well in attack on a night that didn’t provide Ciraldo with the answers he would have wanted.

“We were just trying to land knockout punches when we earned some good ball,” Ciraldo said.

“The Broncos were defending well and I think we got frustrated and handed the ball over way too cheaply. That was frustrating because it was the same lesson as last week.”

OH NO COBBO

Cobbo’s first game since round 13 couldn’t have gone any worse with the Broncos fullback at fault for two tries on a night that justified Michael Maguire’s decision to drop him to reserve grade.

The former Maroons star had been out for a month but got his chance with Reece Walsh and Gehamat Shibasaki away on Origin duty, but it was a night to forget for the young man who is off to the Dolphins in 2026.

Cobbo and Deine Mariner failed to clean up a kick which allowed Burton to score, while he didn’t catch a Galvin bomb which ended up with Viliame Kikau crashing over.

He also sent a kick-off sailing out on the full and fumbled a ball when the Broncos had a rare attacking opportunity which could see him sent straight back to reserve grade.

He wasn’t the only one who struggled with skipper Adam Reynolds kicking out on the full twice, sending a grubber dead and having another one charged down before he nailed some clutch goals to seal the win.

“I was a big part of why it was going pretty bad,” Reynolds said.

“It wasn’t my best night, but I knew if we stuck at it (then we could come back).”

Originally published as Brisbane Broncos comeback to win 22-18 over Canterbury Bulldogs