Broncos Rely on Debutants and Perham's Return in Injury-Hit Clash
The Brisbane Broncos are set to field a reshuffled lineup as they confront an injury crisis, with fullback Hayze Perham making his first start in 964 days against his former club, the Canterbury Bulldogs, at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. This marks a significant milestone for Perham, whose last starting match was in Round 27 of 2023 for the Bulldogs, before an ACL injury sidelined him for the 2025 season.
New Faces Step Up Amidst Broncos' Selection Woes
In addition to Perham's return, the Broncos will introduce two more club debutants to bolster their squad. Prop Va'a Semu is poised to make his NRL debut, while utility forward Preston Riki will earn his first cap for Brisbane. These additions come as the club grapples with 12 players unavailable for selection, testing their depth and resilience.
Coach Michael Maguire expressed confidence in the incoming players, highlighting their physical presence and readiness. "It's great for those two boys," Maguire said. "They are both pretty decent sized humans, so it's nice to have those guys coming in." Semu, standing at 194cm and weighing 110kg, and Riki, a former Penrith forward and Maori All Stars representative, are expected to bring size and energy to the pack.
Perham's Comeback and Coach's Faith
Perham's journey back to the starting lineup has been arduous, but Maguire has full faith in the 26-year-old Kiwi's abilities. "Hayze has been through a fair bit and believe it or not he is playing against his old team, so it's funny how it works," Maguire remarked. "He has played a fair bit of first grade at fullback, so he knows what he is doing at the back. When you come back from a knee, it takes a bit of time to find your straps and he is getting into that space now so it's really exciting."
Perham made his club debut off the bench last week in a gutsy 21-20 away win over the Wests Tigers, where hooker Cameron Bukowski also debuted as Bronco No.301, with Perham following as No.302. Now, Semu and Riki will join as Nos.303 and 304, adding to the club's legacy of blooding new talent.
Injury Updates and Team Adjustments
On the injury front, centre Kotoni Staggs has been cleared to play after managing a foot issue in round seven. However, fullback Jesse Arthars failed a fitness test on Thursday due to a leg injury, described by Maguire as "a bit of a cork down his shin and it bled into the calf." Winger Deine Mariner, who sustained a knee injury at training on Tuesday night, has recovered sufficiently to take his place in the side.
Maguire emphasized the team's collective effort and determination, urging them to build on last week's performance. "The squad has done a fantastic job. They have galvanised around what they were able to achieve last week," he said. "We have to put that aside and do it again because that is what is going to be demanded come tomorrow night." With captain Adam Reynolds providing steady leadership, the Broncos aim to "rip in" and secure another hard-fought victory.
This match highlights the Broncos' adaptability and depth as they navigate a challenging period, with all eyes on Perham's emotional return and the debutants' impact in a crucial NRL showdown.
