Bulldogs Move Into Top Eight After Putting On a Show In Melbourne

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have defeated the Melbourne Storm 36-22 in chilly conditions at AAMI Park. The result marks a third-straight win, six wins from the side’s last seven games - and a move into the Top 8.

It was a fast start from the Storm as they got on the board first through Moses Leo, who won the contest in the air before grounding the ball. However, as Nick Meaney converted to take his side to an early 6-0 lead, Leo was taken from the field for a HIA.

The Bulldogs hit back with Jaeman Salmon starting and finishing an exciting passage of play. Salmon found Kikau on his outside and the barnstorming back-rower palmed off two Storm defenders before finding Stephen Crichton then Salmon in support with the latter scoring his second try of the season. Crichton added the extras to lock scores up 6-all.

Melbourne responded five minutes later with Trent Toelau putting in a grubber for zippy fullback Sua Faalogo. Meaney converted to extent the home side’s lead to 12-6.

Bulldogs fans held their breath for a moment during the first 40 when Crichton went to the ground after being hit late by Oryn Keely but thankfully the skipper was able to get back to his feet and play on.

The Dogs then pounced next with back-to-back tries to snatch a 16-12 lead. It started with Bailey Hayward producing some trickery out of dummy-half before the ball was sent to the left for Jethro Rinakama to score in the corner.

Salmon then bagged his second of the night after fooling Storm defenders with a show-and-go to score under the posts.

The Storm came rampaging at the Dogs but were stopped in their tracks with Connor Tracey putting his body on the line to take down Faalogo before Viliame Kikau also came up with a try-saver on debutant Hayden Watson.  

But Melbourne eventually locked up scores 16-all on the stroke of half time after Leo – who passed his HIA – crossed in the corner for his second of the night. It came off the back of Bailey Hayward was sin-binned for a professional foul. While the Dogs fought hard, the Storm ultimately capitalised on their one-man advantage.

With Hayward still in the bin the Storm struck again. Tyran Wishart darted out of dummy-half before finding rookie forward and try-scorer Angus Hinchey in support.

And then as soon as the Bulldogs returned to 13 men they clicked into gear with Matt Burton cleaning up a wayward pass by punting it for himself to score. Crichton’s conversion attempt was waved away, leaving the score 22-20 with the Storm’s nose just in front.

Cameron Ciraldo’s men then took the lead after Burton was on the spot to catch a rebounding ball following Rinakama’s contest in the air with Suilagi Tuimalatau-Brown. Burton found a roaming Josh Curran on his outside and the supersub crossed for his fifth try in as many games. Crichton slotted the sideline conversion to take the score too 26-22.

A Melbourne knock-on while attempting to get the ball back in the field of play handed the Bulldogs a golden opportunity – and they made the most of it. After attacking down both edges, Kikau looked to be wrapped up only for him to get away a sneaky offload to Crichton, who dived over the line.

The skipper then put the icing on the cake with another try in the 77th minute, which he also converted, to seal the result.