Storm v Bulldogs: Grant and Coates return; Averillo into centres
Two sides that lost in heart-breaking last-gasp circumstances last week will be out to make amends when they meet at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon.
While a Daly Cherry-Evans field goal sunk Canterbury at a sodden 4 Pines Park on Sunday night, the Storm dodged a similar fate when Mitch Moses's attempted one-pointer hit the post - only for forward Ray Stone to scoop up the loose ball and win the game with a try (sadly tearing an ACL in the process).
Melbourne's third home game in as many weeks - after none since las April presents a great opportunity to return to the winners' circle.
Trent Barrett's Bulldogs could easily be 3-0 had a few little things gone differently in rounds one and three but they can at least take heart from a far improved defensive performance in the early parts of 2022 compared to their past two seasons.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Storm v Bulldogs
The Rundown
Team news
Storm: A change 24 hours before kick-off with Dean Ieremia dropping out with a hamstring injury and Nick Meaney coming in on the wing.
On the other wing Xavier Coates is back from a hamstring injury while hooker Harry Grant (COVID-19) also returns, with Brandon Smith reverting to the bench.
Bulldogs: Aaron Schoupp came out of the side on Saturday and has been replaced in the centres by Jake Averillo.
The Dogs have lost Jack Hetherington to a shoulder injury, with Corey Waddell officially in the run-on side this week in the back row and Luke Thompson at prop. Ava Seumanufagai returns on the interchange and Max King has been named despite going off early last week to manage a niggle.
Match: Storm v Bulldogs
Round 4 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Matthew Dufty
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Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Braidon Burns
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis SmithCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Brent Naden
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Bulldogs is number 20 Jake Averillo
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Winger for Storm is number 19 Nick MeaneyWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Brandon Wakeham
Forwards
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Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Luke Thompson
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Paul Vaughan
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh KingLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh Jackson
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 14 Brandon SmithInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Biondi-Odo
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Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Chris Patolo
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Trent LoieroInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Max King
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Tepai MoeroaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 21 Joe Stimson
Reserves
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Replacement for Storm is number 23 Tyran WishartReplacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Reece Hoffman
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Nelson Asofa-Solomona v Tevita Pangai jnr: two aggressive props who sometimes find themselves on the wrong side of the 'controlled aggression' equation will meet in the middle on Sunday and frankly, who knows what's going to happen. The Storm big man is arguably lucky to be playing this while Pangai has also tested the referees' patience as early as the trial matches. Both are powerful runners and offloaders when channeling that aggression so we could just as easily get fireworks of the good or bad kind.
Stat attack
The current ladder may say the Bulldogs sit in 11th place but they have conceded the second-fewest points of any team, trailing only the Cowboys defensively.
