The Bulldogs continue to show signs of improvement in 2024 and will get a good gauge of how far they have come when they travel to Melbourne.
The Storm have overcome injuries and suspensions to star players to sit third on the ladder after five rounds and are looking ominous after continuing their dominance over the Broncos.
Coach Craig Bellamy won't be happy with the 32 points conceded against last year's grand finalists but his team's fight back from eight points down early in the second half was a huge positive to come out of the game.
Both sides boast plenty of strike on the edges with Eli Katoa and Viiiame Kikau among the standout players in Round 5, while the battle of the No.6s Cameron Munster and Matt Burton should be a beauty.
The Storm are 3-0 at home this season and with Munster and Jahrome Hughes back together they will look to make hay during the next month against the Bulldogs, Roosters, Rabbitohs and Titans before they lose some key men to Origin duty.
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Team News
Storm: Craig Bellamy's side remain 1-17 with the only change to the 17 that downed the Broncos in Round 5 is Tepai Moeroa joining the bench in place of Jack Howarth, who goes to the reserves. Nelson Asofa-Solomona dropped out of the extended squad when it was trimmed on Thursday and looks set to again line up in NSW Cup for North Sydney. Marion Seve and Jonah Pezet were also omitted 24 hours before kick-off.
Bulldogs: Mass changes for the visitors on game day. Josh Curran will start in the front row after Max King was ruled out due to the wrist injury he suffered against the Roosters. Jaeman Salmon joins the backrow, while Jake Turpin will start at lock after Kurt Mann was ruled out with a hand injury. Poasa Faamausili has shifted back to bench while Liam Knight has dropped out, despite joining the bench on Friday. Skipper Stephen Crichton shifts to fullback to replace Blake Taaffe (concussion) so Jacob Kiraz goes to centre and Josh Addo-Carr (concussion) returns on the wing. Debutant Bailey Hayward will come from the bench.
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Stat Attack
- The Storm have won seven of their past eight games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their past 10 away games.
- The Storm have won their past 12 games at AAMI Park.
- Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored seven tries in his past nine games at AAMI Park.
- Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has scored 48 points in his past two games against the Bulldogs.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.