Sunday, Suncorp Stadium, 3pm
Referee: Tony Archer

The return from injury of superstar five-eighth Darren Lockyer, whose latest comeback had to be aborted when he pushed the envelope trying to prove his fitness for Queensland before State of Origin II, and halfback Peter Wallace, who played for NSW in Origins I and II but hasn't played since being hurt in the second game, represents a massive boost for the Broncos. Their representatives from Origin III return as well, leaving only suspended centre Justin Hodges unavailable from their star group of players for this game. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, are in a real struggle to avoid the wooden spoon after their latest loss - against the Rabbitohs on Monday. The Bulldogs led 24-6 early in the second half of that game, but got run down, losing 34-30 in extra time.

If you can see a Bulldogs win in this game then your vision is either exceptional or you have taken a knock and you are simply seeing things that aren't really there. The Bulldogs have been battling a big injury toll recently and have lost five games in a row to drop to second-last on the table. They are dangerous when second-rower Sonny Bill Williams gets the ball in any sort of space, but there is not a lot doing elsewhere for them. If they win here it will be one of the upsets of the season.

LATE MAIL
Brisbane have been boosted for Sunday's match against the Bulldogs with the return of halves duo Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace. This will be the first time the pair has played together since round eight. Lockyer's return to the training field yesterday attracted hundreds of spectators to Red Hill. The Bulldogs don't anticipate any changes to their side, with Reni Maitua having recovered from the shoulder injury that kept him out of Monday night's golden-point loss to Souths.
Nathan Ryan

BRONCOS: Karmichael Hunt, Denan Kemp, Darius Boyd, David Stagg, Kaine Manihera, Darren Lockyer (capt), Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis, Joel Clinton, Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday, Tonie Carroll. Interchange: Ashton Sims, Greg Eastwood, David Taylor, Nick Emmett, Andrew McCullough (one to be omitted)

BULLDOGS: Brent Crisp, Hazem El Masri, Daryl Millard, Tim Winitana, Heka Nanai, Daniel Holdsworth, Arana Taumata, Jarrad Hickey, Corey Hughes, Fred Briggs, Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Ryan (capt), Reni Maitua. Interchange: Chris Armit, Lee Te Maari, John Kite, Ben Roberts