The Bulldogs were able to arrest a slide down the ladder, posting a much-needed 30-20 win against the Storm.
Before the game kicked off, the home side had slipped seven places on the ladder on the back of five straight defeats, but took their golden opportunity to turn their fortunes around against a Storm side missing big guns Cameron Munster and Harry Grant.
The Origin period has always provided a tough test for Craig Bellamy's side, who are also missing hard-working back-rower Trent Loiero in Maroons camp and it proved so again. Despite getting out to an early lead, they fell apart with another poor second half performance to gift the Bulldogs opportunities which they took.
For Canterbury, the absence of skipper Stephen Crichton on Blues duty was offset by the return of flyer Jacob Kiraz from a knee injury, who despite a rusty start at fullback, starred in the second.
In the end, it was a notable win for the Bulldogs who had only won one of their past 11 games against the Storm prior to this match, a 26-12 victory in Round 2, 2023 - when Kiraz helped himself to two tries and 235 run metres.
Follow all the action from Round 12 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com's live blog.
Bulldogs v Storm at Accor Stadium
Match: Bulldogs v Storm
Round 12 -
home Team
Bulldogs
13th Position
away Team
Storm
15th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Press conferences
Storm
Storm: Round 12
Bulldogs
Bulldogs: Round 12
Full-time: The Bulldogs get their fourth win of the season with a strong second half showing to claim a 30-20 win. The home side had a number of strong performers, with Matt Burton (341 kick metres), Bronson Xerri (13 tackle breaks) and the returning Jacob Kiraz (283 run metres) impressing. For the Storm, they were their own worst enemy, with their habit of poor second half fadeouts returning to haunt them after they had an 18-6 lead at the break. Overall, they missed 61 tackles compared to 37 from the Bulldogs.
79th min: Another successful captain's challenge from the Bulldogs with a knock on call overturned.
78th min: The home side put it beyond doubt with Jacob Kiraz running through some tired defenders after a dropped high ball from the Storm. There was some conjecture in the commentary about the challenge for the ball in the play leading up to the try, but it was allowed to play on and the Bulldogs are happy with the result. Burton converts for a 30-20 lead.
77th min: Bulldogs put in a captain's challenge with Enari Tuala penalised for taking Warbrick out of the contest. The Bunker agrees there is no clear obstruction and Bulldogs are successful.
75th min - injury update: After scoring the try, Rinakama comes off with a cramp.
73rd min: A double to Jethro Rinakama who pounces on a Storm error, with Warbrick losing the ball when trying to get the ball out from their own 20. The Bulldogs pick up the ball and fling it left to the Fijian flyer to go in front. Burton's conversion attempt is unsuccessful and the score remains at 24-20.
66th min: Another debutant runs on for their first minutes - with Jed Reardon coming on for the Bulldogs.
66th min: Captain's challenge from the Bulldogs with Jack Underhill protesting against a knock on ruling. Bunker agrees for a successful challenge.
62nd min: The home side level the scores with Burton slotting a penalty goal awarded after the Storm were ruled offside. Scores are level at 20-20.
56th min: Bulldogs narrow the gap with Jethro Rinakama finishing off a good passage of play that had strong runs from Bronson Xerri and Matt Burton in the lead up. Burton's conversion attempt is successful and it's a close game at 20-18 to the Storm.
55th min: Another captain's challenge for the Storm with Hughes saying it was stripped by Burton. The Bunker agrees and Melbourne get the ball back.
51st min: Storm edge further in front with a penalty goal in front from Meaney after Burton is pinged for a late hit on Hughes. Score is 20-12.
50th min: Big defence from the Storm to keep Marcelo Montoya held up as he desperately tries to get the ball down over the line.
48th min: Josh King is pinged for a knock on into a defender, but decides to to request a captain's challenge. It is ruled inconclusive and they get to retain their challenge.
Injury update: Shawn Blore came off for an interchange to start the half - but was subsequently ruled out after failing a HIA.
Sitili Tupouniua Try
43rd min: The Bulldogs are the first on the board to start the second half, with Sitili Tupouniua crashing through a gap just to the right of the uprights. The home side have started the half with plenty of vigour and hard running, which has been rewarded with points. Burton converts and scores narrow to 18-12.
Second half injury update: Will Warbrick has come out for the second half, despite coming off early with a reported rib issue.
Just because big hit:
Underhill goes BOOM!
Half-time: The Storm head to the sheds with a handy 18-6 lead with Moses Leo scoring a double. The game has been entertaining enough considering the conditions, with rain starting to get heavier during the half. Injury concern for the Bulldogs, with second rower Jacob Preston coming off early in the half with a broken forearm.
33rd min: Youngster Gabriel Satrick from Yarrabah in Far North Queensland is on for his NRL debut for the Storm.
24th min: The Storm extend their lead with Josh King finding acres of space running onto a Hughes ball and charging in to score. Meaney slots it and it's 18-6.
21st min: Will Warbrick is off with an injury, bringing Joe Chan onto the field for Melbourne Storm.
Enari Tuala Try
19th min: The Bulldogs hit back through Enari Tuala who slides over in the wet after some repeat sets at Melbourne's line. A big defensive hit on Will Warbrick trying to come out of his own 20 metres is rewarded with the Bulldogs getting the ball back and they go out to the right to score. Matt Burton converts and it's 12-6 to the Storm.
13th min: Another try to Moses Leo. It comes after an unfortunate moment of play for Jacob Kiraz who is playing fullback tonight. In his attempt to prevent a 40-20 off the boot of Jahrome Hughes, he has flung the ball back into the field, only for Leo to be the only player in touching distance, scooping it up and running over to score. Meaney converts again and it's 12-0.
Moses Leo 2nd Try
12th min: Injury alert - Bulldogs backrower Jacob Preston is off with an injury, bringing Harry Hayes on early. Update: Preston has a broken forearm.
4th min: First points to the Storm, with something you don't see every day in the lead up. Moses Leo shows plenty of strength to somehow power through defenders to score in the left corner - but in the lead-up to the play, prop Stefano Utoikamanu put in a kick to help set up the play. Meaney slots the conversion and it's 6-0 to the Storm.
Kick off: First use of the ball to the Bulldogs, with Sua Fa'alogo kicking off.
Storm player insight:
Clarke: 'I'm a Blue through and through'
Bulldogs player insight:
King: 'We'll have our hands full tonight'
Late Mail
Bulldogs: Some late game-day changes, with Jonathan Su'a dropping out of the squad, with Marcelo Montoya to start on the wing. Kurt Mann has been named at hooker with Bailey Hayward moving back to the bench. In earlier news, 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. The Bulldogs will celebrate their 2000th game since joining the first-grade competition in 1935.
Storm: No late game-day changes. 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.
