Storm v Bulldogs: Hughes late scratching; Mann good to go
The Bulldogs are on the march and they have the injury-riddled Storm well and truly in their sights on Friday night.
Despite the stats showing that the Bulldogs have won only one of their last six games at AAMI Park, Cameron Ciraldo's men have found their groove in attack and have countless weapons to throw at a Storm side in unfamiliar territory in 12th place.
Apart from 2010 when they had their competition points stripped off them, the Storm have never finished lower than 10th since their inception in 1998.
With Harry Grant and Cameron Munster sidelined, it's over to chief playmaker Jahrome Hughes and livewire Sua Fa'alogo to set the standard for the Storm and spark a late charge after a season littered with obstacles.
Match: Storm v Bulldogs
Round 22 -
home Team
Storm
12th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
9th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Team News
Storm: Gun halfback Jahrome Hughes is a late withdrawal due to hamstring soreness in a big blow for the Storm. He is replaced by 19-year-old debutant Hayden Watson. In the hooking role, Trent Toelau has been promoted to start in place of Harry Grant (hamstring). Manaia Waitere comes in at centre for Jack Howarth, who suffered a shoulder injury at training. Josh King will captain Storm for the first time. The bench includes a potential first-grade debut for Queensland U19 hooker Jai Bowden.
Bulldogs: Sean O'Sullivan and Jonathan Sua are late inclusions on the bench. No changes to Cameron Ciraldo's starting side as they chase a fifth win in their past six games. Experienced utility Kurt Mann is back on the bench after missing two games due to a facial injury. Winger Jacob Kiraz has scored five tries in his last five games against the Storm.
Match: Storm v Bulldogs
Round 22 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Siulagi Tuimalatu-BrownWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Manaia WaitereCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Matt Burton
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick MeaneyCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Enari Tuala
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Moses LeoWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jethro Rinakama
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Tyran WishartFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Stephen Crichton
-
Halfback for Storm is number 14 Hayden WatsonHalfback 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 Trent ToelauHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Cooper Clarke2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Oryn Keeley2nd 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 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
-
Interchange for Storm is number 18 Joe ChanInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran
-
Interchange for Storm is number 19 Angus HincheyInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
-
Interchange for Storm is number 22 Jai Bowden
-
Reserve for Storm is number 16 Jack HetheringtonReserve for Bulldogs is number 17 Alekolasimi Jones
-
Reserve for Storm is number 17 Shawn BloreReserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Sean O'Sullivan
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Jonathan Sua
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won 10 of their last 12 games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their last six games at AAMI Park.
- The Storm have won five in a row at AAMI Park.
- Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz has scored five tries in his last five games against the Storm.
- Storm winger Moses Leo has scored six tries in his last seven games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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