Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Quarter-Final
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A battered Melbourne Storm host an out of sorts Canterbury Bulldogs at AAMI Park in a classic top-four showdown. The Storm must navigate a severe injury crisis while the Bulldogs look to overcome a late-season form slump.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Melbourne Storm team news
The Storm are without Jahrome Hughes (arm), Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion), and Nelson Asofa-Solomona (suspension). Tyran Wishart is named at halfback, with Nick Meaney at fullback. Captain Harry Grant returns from suspension.
Squad: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Will Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Joe Chan 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Ativalu Lisati 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Bronson Garlick 18. Kane Bradley 19. Marion Seve 20. Jack Howarth 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Lazarus Vaalepu
Canterbury Bulldogs team news
Sources suggest Toby Sexton will come into the 17 for the Bulldogs on the interchange, replacing Reed Mahoney. Sexton hasn’t played for the Bulldogs since their Round 19 win over the Cowboys. The Bulldogs have won 12 of their 16 games this season with Sexton at halfback. Mahoney has fallen out of favour under Head Coach Cameron Ciraldo, losing his starting spot to Bailey Hayward. Now he will slip out of the 17. Mahoney has signed to join the Cowboys next season and the talented No.9 may have played his final game.The Bulldogs have also lost winger Marcelo Montoya (ankle) and centre Bronson Xerri (concussion). Jethro Rinakama and Blake Wilson come onto the wings, while regular winger Jacob Kiraz is an outside chance to return after being named in the reserves.
Squad: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jethro Rinakama 3. Enari Tuala 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Josh Curran 17. Reed Mahoney 19. Jake Turpin 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Toby Sexton 22. Harry Hayes 23. Jacob Kiraz
Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs prediction
The Storm enters the finals having lost their last two games to the Sydney Roosters 40-10 and Brisbane Broncos 30-14, with three wins from their last five matches. They have rested many players over this fortnight and are as close to full strength as they have been for almost a month.
The Bulldogs are also battling poor form, losing three of their last five, including a final-round 24-6 defeat to the Cronulla Sharks. With more players missing this week, it becomes a true test of the Bulldogs depth.
Key Stats:
- The Storm have dominated this rivalry, winning nine of the last ten meetings, including a 20-14 victory in Round 25 this season.
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their last five games at AAMI Park.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 41 tries in 37 games at his home venue, AAMI Park.
- The Bulldogs have not won a finals match since 2015.
- The Storm have won only three of their last eight finals matches.
The absence of Hughes and Papenhuyzen places the creative burden squarely on Cameron Munster. However, Canterbury's own late-season fade is a concern after their defence, which was a cornerstone of their success, has shown recent vulnerability. Despite their crippling injuries, Melbourne's finals experience and home-ground advantage are difficult to bet against.
We think the Storm can get the job done here, in what shapes as a defensive battle early on, potentially opening up in the second half with fatigue setting in.
Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs tip: First half total points under 18.5 & Melbourne Storm to win
