Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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Much to play for at AAMI Park on Friday as the Bulldogs look to get back on track after patchy form of late while the Storm chase a ninth home win of the season.
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Melbourne Storm team news
Cameron Munster has been listed at fullback; however, Ryan Papenhuyzen could be set to return from concussion and has been named on the extended bench. Joe Chan has been named in the back row with Shawn Blore sidelined due to an ankle injury. Tyran Wishart and Jonah Pezet have once again been named in the halves while BronsonGarlick has been named on the bench.
Squad: 1. Cameron Munster 2. Grant Anderson 3. Marion Seve 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Ativalu Lisati 18. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Ryan Papenhuyzen 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Canterbury Bulldogs team news
Back-rower Sitili Tupouniua (hamstring) and winger Marcelo Montoya (neck) have both been named on the extended bench. Both stars are eyeing returns from their respective injuries and Enari Tuala could be the man to drop out of the back line, allowing Montoya to return. It remains to be seen who could drop off the bench in the forwards to free up a spot for Tupouniua, but Head Coach Cameron Ciraldo hinted at changes earlier in the week.
Squad: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 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. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Reed Mahoney 19. Toby Sexton 20. Jake Turpin 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Marcelo Montoya 23. Sitili Tupouniua
Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs prediction
The Melbourne Storm (2nd) defeated the Penrith Panthers 22-18 in an extra time instant classic last Thursday. They have now won eight games on the road this season against three defeats. The only home loss in 2025 for the Storm came against Manly in Round 20 while the Panthers, Sharks and Broncos count among their victims at their AAMI Park fortress.
The Canterbury Bulldogs (3rd) are coming off a demoralising 32-12 loss to the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium. The Bulldogs need to get their mojo back if they hope to climb back into the top two and earn a home final in week one of the play-offs,
The Storm came up with another great escape to sneak past the Panthers and with Harry Grant and Cameron Munster in supreme form they are building nicely in their quest to avenge last year's grand final defeat.
While the Bulldogs are still comfortably entrenched in third spot and have a four-point buffer on the fourth-placed Warriors, a top four finish isn’t yet locked in, and their run home is difficult.
The Storm have won eight of their last nine games against the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs have won four of their last seven games at AAMI Park, one of the better records held by opposition travelling to Melbourne.
Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 11 tries in his last eight games at AAMI Park. On the opposite side, Bulldogs winger Enari Tuala has scored four tries in his last four games.
Despite a sound record in Melbourne the Bulldogs aren’t playing well enough to match it with the Storm machine that is fine tuning before another September finals tilt.
Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs tip: Melbourne Storm to win by 13+ points
