Storm v Bulldogs: Grant, Howarth return; Sexton earns recall
The Storm limped into the finals on the back of losses to the Roosters and Broncos, losing Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen in the process in the final round.
The Bulldogs were blown away by the Sharks in their final game of the regular season and had winger Marcelo Montoya go down with an ankle injury.
Hardly the way either side wanted to arrive at a qualifying final but there's enough class in both teams to turn things around at AAMI Park.
Mercurial five-eighth Cameron Munster will look to step up for the home side while inspirational skipper Stephen Crichton is the man to spark the Bulldogs.
The last time the Storm and Bulldogs met in a final was the 2014 qualifying final when Canterbury prevailed 28-4 courtesy of a Tim Lafai hat-trick before going on to make the grand final.
Match: Storm v Bulldogs
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Storm
2nd Position
away Team
Bulldogs
3rd Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Team News
Storm: Centre Jack Howarth has been called into the starting side an hour before kick-off in his return from a groin injury so Joe Chan goes to the back row, Ativalu Lisati to the bench and Bronson Garlick to 18th man. Jonah Pezet starts at halfback and Tyran Wishart comes from the bench in another key late change. Nick Meaney is the new fullback with Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion) sitting out a week. Captain Harry Grant is back from suspension in a huge boost for Craig Bellamy's men.
Bulldogs: A big in an hour before kick-off with winger Jacob Kiraz back from an ankle injury and starting in No.23. Blake Wilson drops to 18th man. Prop Harry Hayes (hamstring) is also back on deck and will join the bench. Josh Curran is promoted to start at prop and Sam Hughes drops out. Toby Sexton is back for his first game since Round 19 at the expense of Reed Mahoney, who has played every game this season either at hooker or off the bench. Marcelo Montoya (ankle) and Bronson Xerri (concussion) are sidelined.
Match: Storm v Bulldogs
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick MeaneyFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jethro Rinakama
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Grant AndersonCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Enari Tuala
-
Centre for Storm is number 20 Jack HowarthCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Bulldogs is number 23 Jacob Kiraz
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
-
Halfback for Storm is number 14 Jonah PezetHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Bulldogs is number 16 Josh Curran
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 4 Joe Chan2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 7 Tyran WishartInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
-
Interchange for Storm is number 11 Ativalu LisatiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Bulldogs is number 21 Toby Sexton
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui KamikamicaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 22 Harry Hayes
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 17 Bronson GarlickReplacement for Bulldogs is number 5 Blake Wilson
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won nine of their last 10 games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their last five games at AAMI Park.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 41 tries in 37 games at AAMI Park.
- The Bulldogs have not won a finals match since 2015.
- The Storm have won only three of their last eight finals matches.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
