Perham’s first start in 964 days as Broncos blood two
Joel Gould
Fullback Hayze Perham will make his first appearance for his former club in 964 days as Brisbane prepares to field two more starters amid an injury crisis.
Prop Va’a Semu will make his NRL debut, while utility forward Preston Riki will make his debut against Canterbury at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Center Kotoni Staggs (foot) was given the green light after suffering an injury in the seventh round, but fullback Jesse Arthars (leg) failed a fitness test on Thursday.
Perham, who made his debut for the club last week off the bench, has settled into the starting man role.
He will be replaced by winger Deine Mariner, who injured his knee in training on Tuesday night.
Perham played his last starting game for the Bulldogs in round 27 of 2023.
An anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in Brisbane ruined his 2025 season, but coach Michael Maguire has full confidence in the 26-year-old Kiwi.
“Hayze’s been through quite a rough patch and believe it or not he’s playing against his former team so it’s funny how things work,” Maguire said.
“He’s another great story of a player coming back from a knee, he’s bouncing around and he’s excited. We were able to give him some time there last week so he’ll fit in really well.”
Perham’s experience at NRL level is a plus for the Broncos, who do not have 12 players available for selection.
“He played quite a bit as a freshman at full-back, so he knows what he is doing at the back,” Maguire said.
“When you come back from the knee, it takes a while to find your belts, and now he’s getting into that area, it’s really exciting.”
The coach said Arthars “had some fungus on his shin and was bleeding on his calf.”
In last week’s gutsy 21-20 away win over Wests Tigers the club blooded hooker Cameron Bukowski as Bronco No.301 and Perham (No.302).
Numbers 303 and 304, in order to be determined, will now go to 194 centimeters and 110 kilograms tall front-rower Semu and former Penrith forward Riki, who also represents the Maori All Stars.
“This is great for these two kids,” Maguire said.
“They’re both pretty decent-sized guys, so it’s nice to have those guys coming.”
Maguire, whose trusty captain Adam Reynolds steers the ship, said the underdog crew would “make fun” as they did last week.
“The team did a great job. They built around what they were able to achieve last week,” he said.
“We have to put this aside and do it again because that is what will be demanded tomorrow night.”
AAP
