 With the Bulldogs having last won a premiership in 1995 and the Broncos in 1997, most players in both sides had grand final experience.Despite good weather, the attendance of 40,857 was the lowest seen at the Sydney Football Stadium for a grand final since 1989.The Broncos kicked off and in only the third minute of the match, a tackle on Willie Talau twenty metres out from Canterbury's line saw the ball come loose.