Cameron Ciraldo\u2019s side overcame a 18-6 halftime deficit to down the Origin-ravaged Storm 30-20 at Accor Stadium, marking their biggest comeback win against Melbourne.<\/p>\n
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For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n It was far from a clinical win in wet conditions, but the Bulldogs showed the kind of fight and heart that had been missing in recent week as they rallied for a much-needed two points.<\/p>\n In a week which saw his name in the headlines<\/a> after Phil Gould admitted Lachlan Galvin is not the club\u2019s long-term halfback<\/a>, Matt Burton responded with his best game of the year.<\/p>\n The Bulldogs five-eighth ran all over the Storm, finishing with 194 metres and nine tackle busts to go with a pair of linebreaks. <\/p>\n Canterbury\u2019s new-look backline, which included Jethro Rinakama and Marcelo Montoya on the wings, combined for over 900 run metres with Jacob Kiraz starring at fullback for the injured Connor Tracey.<\/p>\n Kiraz, who was considered an Origin bolter earlier in the year, rumbled his way to 245 metres and six tackle busts along with the decisive try in the 77th minute. <\/p>\n Bronson Xerri also proved hard to stop in the centres, running for a career-high 226 metres and breaking 13 tackles.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Max King led the way up front with 140 metres and Jack Underhill enjoyed what was called a \u201cbreakout\u201d performance in commentary as he added 82 metres off the bench and came up with a crucial chargedown.<\/p>\n It was a frustrating night for the Storm, who had a comfortable halftime lead but completed just 50 per cent of their sets in the second half.<\/p>\n ‘Galvin’s Best position is five-eighth’ | 01:07<\/p>\n BIG GUNS STEP UP FOR BULLDOGS<\/p>\n The Bulldogs looked like a completely different side after the break with Bronson Xerri and Matt Burton unstoppable with the ball.<\/p>\n Xerri had his best game in first grade with 226 metres and 13 tackles busts, while Burton ran for 198 metres and had nine tackle busts as they destroyed the Storm\u2019s right-edge defence.<\/p>\n Lachlan Galvin, meanwhile, showed he can be the club\u2019s long-term halfback with a couple of lovely passes to set up tries.<\/p>\n POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO DOGS\u2019 INJURY BLOWS<\/p>\n The win came at a huge cost with Jacob Preston suffering a broken forearm just 12 minutes into Friday\u2019s showdown.<\/p>\n Preston was forced from the field early in the first half after making a tackle on Warbrick and is expected to miss several weeks in yet another blow for Canterbury who are already without Viliame Kikau (torn pec) and will need to find another edge forward to help them during the Origin period.<\/p>\n Fullback Connor Tracey was a late scratching and is expected to miss several weeks with a hamstring injury, but there was a silver lining with Jacob Kiraz returning and barging over to clinch the two points with a powerful try at the death.<\/p>\n It was a good moment for Kiraz who conceded a try earlier in the night after he desperately tried to prevent a Jahrome Hughes 40\/20, only for him to bat the ball back inside for Moses Leo to score.<\/p>\n Rookie Underhill could earn some more minutes with Preston sidelined, with the cult hero smashing Alec MacDonald and then coming up with a crucial charge down and recovery with the game on the line.<\/p>\n Jacob Kiraz celebrates. (Photo by Darrian Traynor\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n WHY BELLAMY WOULD BE \u2018FILTHY\u2019 WITH STORM LOSS <\/p>\n Melbourne\u2019s inability to close out contests came back to haunt them as they squandered a 12-point half-time lead to undo their recent good work.<\/p>\n Players will be having nightmares of last year\u2019s grand final when they blew a double-digit lead against the Broncos, with the Storm again unable to finish things off when they looked set to make it three wins on the trot.<\/p>\n Melbourne completed just 50 per cent of their sets in the second half, with two of the errors leading directly to Canterbury tries.<\/p>\n \u201cCraig Bellamy would be filthy. You don\u2019t need to be an Origin player to hold the ball. You don\u2019t need to be an Origin player to make tackles,\u201d former Storm champion halfback Cooper Cronk said on Fox League.<\/p>\n They started the night so well with Leo bagging a first-half double, but they desperately missed Origin stars Cameron Munster and Harry Grant who would have provided an attacking spark.<\/p>\n The loss leaves their finals hopes hanging by a thread, with the Storm set to be without Shawn Blore next week after he failed a head injury assessment at half-time.<\/p>\n Where to next for the Storm? (Photo by Darrian Traynor\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n JUDICIARY WATCH<\/p>\n Sitili Tupouniua was placed on report for a high tackle in the first half. He has one unrelated charge in the past 12 months.<\/p>\n Max King was placed on report mid way through the second half for a high tackle. He has one unrelated crushed tackle charge in the past 12 months. <\/p>\n STAT ATTACK (via Fox Lab)<\/p>\n Bulldogs snap their five game losing streak – Just the second time they have scored 30 this season.<\/p>\n Storm eighth loss this season – already as many as last year. <\/p>\n Storm led 12-0 after 15 minutes, and 18-6 at half time. Eighth time since the start of last season Melbourne has bombed a double figure lead – twice as many as the next worst teams (Dragons and Dolphins). <\/p>\n Bulldogs\u2019 biggest comeback against Storm – Just their third double figure comeback against them and first since 2014. <\/p>\n Just the Bulldogs second win from past 12 games against Storm – their highest score against them since 2014. <\/p>\n Bulldogs finished the match with 55 percent possession (62 percent second half) made 9 linebreaks to 3, had 26 tackles to 9 in the opposition 20 and ran for over 400 metres more than Storm. <\/p>\n Bronson Xerri ran for a career high 226 metres (was 208) and busted a career high 13 tackles (Was 9). Only second time running for 200 metres. <\/p>\n The Red Bull high flyer rankings for the game.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n Jethro Rinakama scored his first career double in his seventh match – first game this season<\/p>\n Moses Leo scored the first double in his nine game career. <\/p>\n Fox Lab POTM – Matt Burton inspired the Bulldogs second half comeback with a dominant performance. He made two linebreaks, cracked 200 run metres for just the second time in his career and busted nine tackles.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779017096_680_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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