The 2025 finals series begins with a bang as the 2nd-placed Melbourne Storm play host to the 3rd-placed Bulldogs.
Melbourne hold the mental edge over the Bulldogs, given it was only three weeks ago the Storm ran out 20-14 winners over Canterbury.
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MATCH CENTRE: Bulldogs v Storm score, stats, live blog
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This week, most of the discussion around this game has been related to the Bulldogs’ shock call to drop Reed Mahoney in order to bring Toby Sexton onto the bench.
Sexton hasn’t been sighted in first grade since he was axed after a Round 19 win against the Cowboys.
Both he and Mahoney have been forced out of the club and will join other clubs from 2026.
In a huge late boost for the Bulldogs, star winger Jacob Kiraz is back from an ankle injury.
Melbourne will be without a couple of key spine members in half Jahrome Hughes and fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen while hooker Harry Grant returns from a two-game suspension.
While Tyran Wishart was initially named at halfback, Jonah Pezet has slotted in alongside Cameron Munster in the halves in a late switch.
Storm team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Will Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 20. Jack Howarth 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 14. Jonah Pezet 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 4. Joe Chan 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 7. Tyran Wishart 11. Ativalu Lisati 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 18th man: 17. Bronson Garlick
Late Mail: Jonah Pezet will start at halfback, which drops Tyran Wishart to the bench. Another late move made by Craig Bellamy is Jack Howarth into the starting line up. Howarth’s addition pushes Joe Chan into the back row which in turn forces Ativalu Lisati to the pine.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jethro Rinakama 3. Enari Tuala 4. Stephen Crichton 23. Jacob Kiraz 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 16. Josh Curran 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 21. Toby Sexton 22. Harry Hayes 18th man: Blake Wilson
Late Mail: Samuel Hughes has been dropped, with Josh Curran to start at prop in jersey No. 16. As expected, winger Jacob Kiraz returns from an ankle injury which means Blake Wilson drops out of the side, although Wilson is the Bulldogs’ 18th man.
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