Round 6 Team News: Foxx Returns While Young Pups Stand Up Against Storm

A formidable opponent, the Melbourne Storm have a strong winning record at home, however, the Bulldogs last beat the side at AAMI Park in Round 2 of the 2023 Premiership season.

With several players unavailable due to injury and concussion protocol for this weekend's clash, some young pups have been called upon to stand up and face the Storm.

Last week's debutants Kitione Kautoga and Bronson Xerri will mark their second NRL match in the blue and white, while young gun Bailey Hayward will begin his NRL campaign from the interchange bench. The 23-year-old hails from Canterbury's local junior league (St George Dragons) and offers great utility value for the side.

Viliame Kikau will look to continue his formidable striking power on the edge, while winger Josh Addo-Carr returns. The former Storm player turned Bulldog favourite boasts seven tries from his past nine games in Melbourne and will no doubt be looking to make a statement following a few weeks on the sideline.

Captain Stephen Crichton has been named at fullback as cover for Blake Taaffe, who was forced from the field for a HIA during the brutal Round 5 clash with the Roosters. Kurt Mann was also injured during the match (hand) and joins Jacob Preston (jaw), Kurtis Morrin (suspension), Harry Edwards (neck), Ryan Sutton (knee), Blake Wilson (unwell) and Daniel Suluka-Fifita (ACL) in a growing list of unavailable players. Josh Curran joins the starting line-up.

Toby Sexton has been named at 18th man while NRL-experienced Liam Knight, Jake Turpin and Jeral Skelton join yet another ambitious young pup in Harry Hayes on the extended reserves list.