The 2025 NRL finals series kicks off in Melbourne with the Storm and Bulldogs battling it out for a ticket to a preliminary final and a giant step towards premiership glory.

Both sides have had their issues in recent weeks but their body of work throughout the season carried them to second and third on the ladder and a guaranteed double chance.

The Storm have won only three of their last eight finals matches, one of those losses being a heartbreaking defeat in last year’s grand final.

The Bulldogs, meanwhile, have won only one of their last five games at AAMI Park, that victory coming early in the 2023 season when Jacob Kiraz grabbed a double and Matt Burton captained the side.

Follow all the action from the Qualifying Final on NRL.com’s live blog.

Storm v Bulldogs at AAMI Park

25 min: Jonah Pezet launches a huge kick in search of a 40-20 but Connor Tracey gets across to keep the ball in play and deny the 40-20.

24 min: A high tackle penalty against Viliame Kikau hands Nick Meaney a shot at two points and he converts. Storm 8-6.

23 min: Jacob Kiraz makes an error coming out of his own end to put the Dogs under more heat.

22 min: Joe Chan leaves the field for a HIA after a head clash with Harry Hayes.

21 min: Toby Sexton grabs a try with his first touch after Viliame Kikau slipped an offload and it Sexton’s knee and bounced up for the recalled playmaker to score the Dogs’ first try. Matt Burton adds the extras. 6-6.

20 min: More drama for the Bulldogs with skipper Stephen Crichton going off with a foot injury.

18 min: Viliame Kikau returns to the field with swelling around his eye.


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Pezet saves a try

18 min: Jonah Pezet comes up with a trysaver on Matt Burton before the Bulldogs turn the ball over with a forward pass from Lachlan Galvin to Jaeman Salmon.

15 min: Another error from Will Warbrick on kick return hands the Bulldogs a golden opportunity inside the Red Zone.

13 min: An error by Jacob Kiraz puts the Bulldogs under pressure but their defence holds firm.

12 min: Matt Burton goes to the air but doesn’t get it sweetly and Will Warbrick makes the catch on his own 30m line.

8 min: An error by Will Warbrick coming out of his own end is followed by a penalty to the Bulldogs for a dangerous tackle by Stefano Utoikamanu but the visitors fail to make it count when Josh Curran makes an error.


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Eliesa Katoa Try

4 min: The Storm click into gear with Cameron Munster putting Joe Chan into space before Jonah Pezet goes to the right and picks up Eli Katoa with a superb pass and the back-rower crosses for his 13th try of the season. Nick Meaney converts. Storm 6-0.

1 min: Drama for the Bulldogs early as Viliame Kikau cops a stray elbow to the eye as he goes in to make a tackle on Will Warbrick. The Bulldogs back-rower leaves the field for a HIA and Harry Hayes enters the game. Kikau passes his HIA.

Late Mail

Storm: Centre Jack Howarth has been called into the starting side an hour before kick-off in his return from a groin injury so Joe Chan goes to the back row, Ativalu Lisati to the bench and Bronson Garlick to 18th man. Jonah Pezet starts at halfback and Tyran Wishart comes from the bench in another key late change.  Nick Meaney is the new fullback with Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion) sitting out a week. Captain Harry Grant is back from suspension in a huge boost for Craig Bellamy’s men. 

Bulldogs: A big in an hour before kick-off with winger Jacob Kiraz back from an ankle injury and starting in No.23. Blake Wilson drops to 18th man. Prop Harry Hayes (hamstring) is also back on deck and will join the bench. Josh Curran is promoted to start at prop and Sam Hughes drops out. Toby Sexton is back for his first game since Round 19 at the expense of Reed Mahoney, who has played every game this season either at hooker or off the bench. Marcelo Montoya (ankle) and Bronson Xerri (concussion) are sidelined.

Numbers Game

The Storm have won nine of their last 10 games against the Bulldogs.
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 AAMI Park.
The Bulldogs have not won a finals match since 2015.
The Storm have won only three of their last eight finals matches.

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