Can the Bulldogs arrest a five-game losing streak or will the understrength Storm pile more misery on Cameron Ciraldo’s men?

With their inspirational captain Stephen Crichton away on Blues Origin duty the Bulldogs will turn to the likes of Matt Burton, Jacob Preston and Leo Thompson to help end their worst losing streak since the middle of the 2022 season.

Having turned their own fortunes around with consecutive wins over Wests Tigers and the Eels, Melbourne must navigate the Origin period without superstar spine members Harry Grant and Cameron Munster and hard-working back-rower Trent Loiero.

With Jahrome Hughes on hand to steer the ship and Stefano Utoikamanu, Cooper Clarke and Ativalu Lisati showing the way in the middle, the Storm will fancy their chances of making it three straight before heading into a monster clash with the Roosters in Round 13.

The Bulldogs have averaged just 14 points per game across the past five matches and need to find their mojo in attack if they hope to trouble an improving Storm defence that has conceded just 24 points in the past fortnight.

Team News

Bulldogs: Jacob Kiraz returns on the wing after four games out with a knee injury so Enari Tuala pushes into the centre to cover for Blues Origin rep Stephen Crichton. Winger Marcelo Montoya has been added to the interchange after three weeks on the outer while back-rower Josh Curran (ribs) is listed among the reserves.

Storm: With Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Trent Loiero on Origin duty the Storm have called in Keagan Russell-Smith at five-eighth for the second NRL game of his career while Trent Toelau starts at hooker and Cooper Clarke at lock. Alec MacDonald is back from a hamstring injury on the bench while back-up hooker Gabriel Satrick makes his NRL debut after two games in the Pre-Season Challenge and eight games in NSW Cup. Moses Leo has been named on the wing despite coming off early at Magic Round with a knee injury.

Stat Attack

The Bulldogs have won only one of their last 11 games against the Storm.
The Storm play their first game at Accor Stadium since the 2025 grand final.
The Bulldogs have lost three of their four games at Accor Stadium this season.
Storm winger Will Warbrick has scored four tries in five games at Accor.
The Bulldogs will play their 2,000th premiership game.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.