Another week, another massive game in the context of the 2026 season and the Bulldogs' finals hopes.
A trip down to Melbourne is never easy, but off the back of three consecutive victories, can Cameron Ciraldo's side continue their hot streak as they look to break into the top eight with just seven rounds remaining?
Download Your 2026 NRL Team Poster here!
Match: Storm v Bulldogs
Round 22 -
home Team
Storm
12th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
9th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 22 Match Preview.
- Teamlists and Team News
- History vs Storm and Last Time Out
- Key Match Up
- What They Said
- Stat Attack
- Where to Watch
Teamlists and Team News
It's the same starting thirteen that was so impressive against the Warriors last week. Veteran Kurt Mann is back on the bench after missing two games due to a facial injury while rookie Alekolasimi Jones also joins the bench.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
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Winger for Storm is number 2 Siulagi Tuimalatu-BrownWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Manaia WaitereCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Matt Burton
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick MeaneyCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Enari Tuala
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Winger for Storm is number 5 Moses LeoWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jethro Rinakama
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Tyran WishartFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Stephen Crichton
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
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Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Trent ToelauHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Cooper Clarke2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Oryn Keeley2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 14 Hayden WatsonInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
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Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Shawn BloreInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Alekolasimi Jones
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Interchange for Storm is number 18 Joe ChanInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Jed Reardon
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Interchange for Storm is number 19 Angus HincheyInterchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Sean O'Sullivan
Reserves
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Reserve for Storm is number 20 Davvy MoaleReserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Lipoi Hopoi
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Reserve for Storm is number 21 Stanley HuenReserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Jake Turpin
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Reserve for Storm is number 22 Jai BowdenReserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Jonathan Sua
Storm Ins
- Davvy Moale
- Hayden Watson
- Jai Bowden
- Joe Chan
- Shawn Blore
Bulldogs Ins
- Alekolasimi Jones
- Jake Turpin
- Jonathan Sua
- Kurt Mann
Storm Outs
- Harry Grant
- Jack Howarth
Bulldogs Ins
- Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
The hamstring injury to skipper Harry Grant sees Trent Toelau take over at hooker and Hayden Watson join the bench on NRL debut. Manaia Waitere comes in at centre for Jack Howarth, who suffered a shoulder injury at training. Experienced duo Shawn Blore and Joe Chan have been added to the six-man bench.
History vs Storm and Last Time Out: Round 12, 2026
The Bulldogs and Storm will meet for the 50th time in the NRL, separated by just three wins, 23-26.
With both teams solidifying themselves as powerhouses of the competition at various stages since 1998, it's fair to say that these matches - especially in recent times - have been colossal battles of attrition.
NRL Match Highlights: Bulldogs v Storm - Round 12, 2026
Last time out was a season-defining match at Accor Stadium back in Round 12, which spearheaded the Cameron Ciraldo's men to position themselves on a run home to September.
Not only did the Bulldogs snap a five-match streak of defeats, but they celebrated the Club's 2000th first-grade victory in a dramatic 30-20 victory. Topping it off, Jed Reardon - son of former player Steve - made his NRL debut.
Jacob Kiraz - deputising at fullback - and Matt Burton had memorable games, and will be looking to emulate their form that sunk the Storm ten weeks ago.
Key Match Up: The Men in the No.7
Big matches call for big-game players, and the men in the no.7 jerseys will be tasked with rising above in the pressure cooker to seal victory.
Despite linking up with multiple teammates in the halves this season, Lachlan Galvin has been a constant point of difference in his second season at the Club.
The 21-year-old has scored six tries, set up a further ten, created 15 line break assists and forced a whopping 20 drop outs while averaging an impressive 118 metres with the ball in hand.
Galvin Goes Himself!
Melbourne - who are without Cameron Munster and captain Harry Grant - will rely heavily on talisman Jahrome Hughes to steer them to victory. The Kiwi competitor has had a solid season by the numbers - despite being disrupted by injury.
Hughes has averaged 89 metres per game, scoring three tries, however it's his abilities to put his teammates in prime position that has seen him set up 21 line breaks and 22 try assists that will have the Bulldogs on their heels.
What They Said: Connor Tracey & Leo Thompson
Connor Tracey Round 22 Media
Leo Thompson Round 22 Media
Stat Attack via NRL.com
- Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz has scored five tries in his last five games against the Storm.
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their last six games at AAMI Park.
- The Storm have won five in a row at AAMI Park.
- Storm winger Moses Leo has scored six tries in his last seven games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Where to Watch
Bulldogs Members and supporters will be available to watch the match on Channel 9 and FoxSports, or stream via Kayo.
