Dominic BrockUpdated July 31, 2026 — 8:32pm,first published 7:30pmYour say: Storm or Bulldogs?By Latest Posts8.32pmTRY: Crichton sends Rinakama over after shoulder scareBy Possible dramas for the Bulldogs here, with Stephen Crighton staying down after being hit a little late after getting a pass away. It’s a penalty at close range for Canterbury and Crichton is playing on after getting a quick check from the Bulldogs trainer.The Dogs are camped in Melbourne territory and they go left with Viliame Kikau almost crashing through himself. Then Crichton throws a long ball to winger Jethro Rinakama – the pass is almost intercepted by Storm winger Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown, but he can only get a touch to the ball – and Rinakama does well to catch it and score in the corner.Crichton’s sideline conversion attempt goes wide.Storm 12, Bulldogs 10 after 27 minutes8.26pmTRY: Toelau sets up Fa’alogo as Storm lead againBy Just as the Bulldogs start looking likely, Melbourne go on the attack and regain the lead. Trent Toelau is taking on a lot of the short kicking and his jabs in a nice grubber kick with Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey up in the defensive line, and Storm No.1 Sua Fa’alogo is quicker than everyone to the ball and scores his 15th try of the season.Storm 12, Bulldogs 6 after 23 minutes8.20pmTRY: Kikau busts open Melbourne defence to set up SalmonBy The Bulldogs have plenty of weapons in this side and one of them breaks the Storm defence open now – Viliame Kikau, from inside his own half, bumps off one defender, shoves away another and offloads to Stephen Crichton, who pops the final pass to Jaeman Salmon who streaks away to score.It’s a very nice try to open the account for the Dogs tonight, and Crichton adds the extras.Storm 6, Bulldogs 6 after 17 minutes8.16pmChan held up as Storm continue to dominateBy The Storm are dominating territory now, forcing a dropout, earning a penalty, and almost scoring again when Joe Chan is held up over the line.But the Bulldogs survive thanks to an obstruction call.On paper this Bulldogs team is a class above the injury-hit Storm, but Melbourne are giving them a real challenge so far.Storm 6, Bulldogs 0 after 13 minutes8.09pmTRY: Leo opens scoring for injury-hit StormBy A couple of good, long kicks early from debutant Storm halfback Hayden Watson, a fomer Australian schoolboys captain who was born in Geelong and raised in Queensland.The Bulldogs give away a couple of penalties – Bailey Hayward for an illegal strip then Max King for a high shot.Melbourne go on the attack, hooker Trent Toelau puts up a bomb, and Moses Leo outjumped Jacob Kiraz and does very well to bring the ball down to score the opening try of the game. Nick Meaney converts.Storm 6, Bulldogs 0 after eight minutes8.02pmKick-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 14. Hayden Watson 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Trent Toelau 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Trent LoieroBench: 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Shawn Blore 18. Joe Chan 19. Angus Hinchey 22. Jai Bowden1 of 2