Dominic BrockUpdated July 31, 2026 — 8:02pm,first published 7:30pmYour say: Storm or Bulldogs?By Latest Posts8.02pmKick-off timeBy The Bulldogs take the field first in Melbourne, then the Storm run onto AAMI Park. They’ve had a good run at home, winning their last five games at the ground, but the Storm aren’t what they used to be and are effectively out of the finals race already. They’re looking to the future tonight with 19-year-old Hayden Watson making his debut at halfback.The Storm kick this one off and Canterbury have first use of the ball, getting to their 40-metre line on the last tackle before Lachie Galvin’s clearing kick.Storm 0, Bulldogs 0 after one minute7.54pmDolphins pip Dragons in WollongongBy In tonight’s early game, the Dolphins remained in fifth place on the ladder with a tough 28-22 win over a gutsy St George Illawarra side in Wollongong. We’ll have a full match report from that game shortly.Now we’re just a few minutes away from kick-off in Melbourne, in what looms as a huge game for the Bulldogs’ finals chances. They’ll start favourites against an under-strength Storm side, and they also have the chance to improve their poor for-and-against (which currently stands at -58) if they can produce a big win.7.52pmWatch: The last time these teams playedBy Canterbury finished 30-20 winners over Melbourne at Accor Stadium back in round 12. Watch the highlights below.7.46pmWill the Bulldogs play finals – and beyond?By 7.38pmStorm v Bulldogs team listsBy The Melbourne Storm’s star-studded spine has has been wrecked by injury, with Jahrome Hughes (hamstring soreness) joining Cameron Munster (knee) and Harry Grant (hamstring) on the sidelines. Geelong-born, Queensland-raised halfback Hayden Watson will make his NRL debut in Hughes’ place, at the age of 19.Stephen Crichton will once again start at five-eighth for the rejuvenated Bulldogs.Melbourne Storm1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 3. Manaia Waitere 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Hayden Watson 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Trent Toelau 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Trent LoieroBench: 14. Alec MacDonald 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Shawn Blore 17. Joe Chan 18. Angus Hinchey 19. Jai Bowden7.37pmHow offloads, a new halves combo and the six-again dropoff led to the Dogs’ revivalBy Dan WalshAre the Bulldogs … back?Five wins from their past six starts says they’re getting warmer.Brutal injury tolls for Friday’s opponents Melbourne, Souths and Newcastle, along with Manly’s post-Origin slide, suggest that a top-eight finish is there for the taking – if that run of victories over some strugglers and stragglers hasn’t misled.Canterbury’s road home is rough and ready. But as the third-placed Warriors just found out, the Bulldogs might just have the blend of old and new to run roughshod.Read the full analysis from Dan WalshPinned post from 7.29pmYour say: Storm or Bulldogs?By 7.29pmNRL set to trial controversial kick-off ruleBy This won’t be taking place tonight, or for any games that will have ramifications for the finals race, but the NRL is set to road-test the controversial “scorer kicks off” rule change that was being considered at the start of this season.The rule would give a team that concedes points the option of kicking off as usual or receiving the kick-off following points.The trial of the initiative is weeks away, sources speaking on the condition of anonymity to speak freely, said. It will give stakeholders a chance to witness the rule being tested under match conditions, and then determine whether it adds value to the game. It’s the same avenue by which another big shake-up, the captain’s challenge, was introduced.Read the full story from Adrian Proszenko7.29pmWelcomeBy Hello and welcome to our coverage of Friday night’s round 22 clash between Melbourne and Canterbury.After a slow first half of the year, the Bulldogs have won six of their past eight games and are on the verge of breaking into the top eight – especially after North Queensland’s disastrous 82-12 loss to the Roosters on Thursday night.That result means a win for the Dogs tonight would catapult them into eighth place on the ladder, at least temporarily.And they are every chance to do so, with Melbourne’s AAMI Park not the daunting fortress it once was. They’ve lost three times at home already this season and are without superstar playmakers Cameron Munster (knee), Harry Grant (hamstring) and – in a late change – Jahrome Hughes (hamstring) due to injury tonight.Kick-off is at 8pm.1 of 1