The Bulldogs continue to show signs of improvement in 2024 and will get a good gauge of how far they have come when they travel to Melbourne.
The Storm have overcome injuries and suspensions to star players to sit third on the ladder after five rounds and are looking ominous after continuing their dominance over the Broncos.
Coach Craig Bellamy won’t be happy with the 32 points conceded against last year’s grand finalists but his team’s fight back from eight points down early in the second half was a huge positive to come out of the game.
Both sides boast plenty of strike on the edges with Eli Katoa and Viiiame Kikau among the standout players in Round 5, while the battle of the No.6s Cameron Munster and Matt Burton should be a beauty.
The Storm are 3-0 at home this season and with Munster and Jahrome Hughes back together they will look to make hay during the next month against the Bulldogs, Roosters, Rabbitohs and Titans before they lose some key men to Origin duty.
Team News
Storm: The only change to the 17 that downed the Broncos in Round 5 is Tepai Moeroa joining the bench in place of Jack Howarth, who goes to the reserves. Nelson Asofa-Solomona dropped out of the extended squad when it was trimmed on Thursday and looks set to again line up in NSW Cup for North Sydney. Marion Seve and Jonah Pezet were also omitted 24 hours before kick-off. Joe Chan (hand) is a chance to be a late inclusion as he works his way back into first-grade contention. 
Bulldogs: Poasa Faamausili will start in the front row after Max King was ruled out due to the wrist injury he suffered against the Roosters. Liam Knight has been added to the bench. Skipper Stephen Crichton shifts to fullback to replace Blake Taaffe (concussion) so Jacob Kiraz goes to centre and Josh Addo-Carr (concussion) returns on the wing. Lock Kurt Mann is out with a hand injury so Jaeman Salmon moves to No.13 and Josh Curran comes into the second row. Debutant Bailey Hayward will come from the bench.
Leave a Reply