Bulldogs v Storm: Kiraz back on deck; Russell-Smith steps up
Can the Bulldogs arrest a five-game losing streak or will the understrength Storm pile more misery on Cameron Ciraldo's men?
With their inspirational captain Stephen Crichton away on Blues Origin duty the Bulldogs will turn to the likes of Matt Burton, Jacob Preston and Leo Thompson to help end their worst losing streak since the middle of the 2022 season.
Having turned their own fortunes around with consecutive wins over Wests Tigers and the Eels, Melbourne must navigate the Origin period without superstar spine members Harry Grant and Cameron Munster and hard-working back-rower Trent Loiero.
With Jahrome Hughes on hand to steer the ship and Stefano Utoikamanu, Cooper Clarke and Ativalu Lisati showing the way in the middle, the Storm will fancy their chances of making it three straight before heading into a monster clash with the Roosters in Round 13.
The Bulldogs have averaged just 14 points per game across the past five matches and need to find their mojo in attack if they hope to trouble an improving Storm defence that has conceded just 24 points in the past fortnight.
Match: Bulldogs v Storm
Round 12 -
home Team
Bulldogs
13th Position
away Team
Storm
15th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Bulldogs: Jacob Kiraz will make his return from a knee injury at fullback after Connor Tracey was ruled out with a hamstring injury in Thursday's 24-hour update. Jethro Rinakama comes into the wing and Sean O'Sullivan is the new face on the six-man bench. Enari Tuala pushes into the centre to cover for Blues Origin rep Stephen Crichton. Back-rower Jack Underhill keeps his spot on the interchange bench after a solid 30-minute contribution on NRL debut last weekend and is joined by fellow rookie Alekolasimi Jones. Winger Marcelo Montoya has been added to the interchange after three weeks on the outer. The Bulldogs will celebrate their 2000th game since joining the first-grade competition in 1935.
Storm: With Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Trent Loiero on Origin duty the Storm have called in Keagan Russell-Smith at five-eighth for the second NRL game of his career while Trent Toelau starts at hooker and Cooper Clarke at lock. Alec MacDonald is back from a hamstring injury on the bench while back-up hooker Gabriel Satrick makes his NRL debut after two Pre-Season Challenge appearances and eight games in NSW Cup. No changes in the 24-hour update, Josiah Pahulu remains in the extended squad.
Match: Bulldogs v Storm
Round 12 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob KirazFullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 19 Jethro RinakamaWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson XerriCentre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Enari TualaCentre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 20 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Storm is number 5 Moses Leo
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Keagan Russell-Smith
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan GalvinHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt MannHooker for Storm is number 9 Trent Toelau
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Sitili Tupouniua2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Ativalu Lisati
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman SalmonLock for Storm is number 13 Cooper Clarke
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey HaywardInterchange for Storm is number 14 Gabriel Satrick
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Harry HayesInterchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Jack UnderhillInterchange for Storm is number 16 Davvy Moale
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Jed ReardonInterchange for Storm is number 18 Joe Chan
Reserves
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 17 Alekolasimi JonesReserve for Storm is number 17 Stanley Huen
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Sean O'SullivanReserve for Storm is number 19 Manaia Waitere
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their last 11 games against the Storm.
- The Storm play their first game at Accor Stadium since the 2025 grand final.
- The Bulldogs have lost three of their four games at Accor Stadium this season.
- Storm winger Will Warbrick has scored four tries in five games at Accor.
- The Bulldogs will play their 2,000th premiership game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
