Matchday Details
Friday 12 September – 7:50pm (AEST) – AAMI Park
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Adam Gee | Bunker: Ashley Klein
Storm
1. Nick Meaney, 2. William Warbrick, 3. Grant Anderson, 4. Joe Chan, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Tyran Wishart, 8. Stefano Utoikamanu, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Josh King, 11. Ativalu Lisati, 12. Eliesa Katoa, 13. Trent Loiero, 14. Jonah Pezet, 15. Alec MacDonald, 16. Tui Kamikamica, 17. Bronson Garlick, 18. Kane Bradley, 19. Marion Seve, 20. Jack Howarth, 21. Sualauvi Faalogo, 22. Lazarus Vaalepu
Bulldogs
1. Connor Tracey, 2. Jethro Rinakama, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Blake Wilson, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Lachlan Galvin, 8. Max King, 9. Bailey Hayward, 10. Samuel Hughes, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Jacob Preston, 13. Jaeman Salmon, 14. Kurt Mann, 15. Sitili Tupouniua, 16. Josh Curran, 17. Reed Mahoney, 19. Jake Turpin, 20. Kurtis Morrin, 21. Toby Sexton, 22. Harry Hayes, 23. Jacob Kiraz
Match Preview
The 2025 finals series kicks off on Friday night with a mouth-watering clash in Melbourne between the Storm and the Bulldogs. The Storm are coming off a 30-14 loss to the Broncos, while the Bulldogs also suffered a defeat at the hands of the Sharks (24-6). The recent head-to-head record is heavily in favour of the Storm – they’ve won nine of the past 10 match-ups between the sides, including a 20-14 win in round 25 this year, also at AAMI Park. When it comes to finals, these two sides last met in 2014 – the Bulldogs running out 28-4 winners.
For the Storm, Jahrome Hughes is out with a fractured arm, replaced in the halfback role by Tyran Wishart. Ryan Papenhuyzen will miss the game after suffering a concussion last week. He’s replaced at fullback by Nick Meaney, with Joe Chan moving into the centres. Harry Grant returns from suspension at hooker, which shifts Bronson Garlick back to the bench. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is out suspended. He’s replaced at prop by Stefano Utoikamanu who was rested last week. Tui Kamikamica moves back to the bench to facilitate his return.
The Storm have picked a bad time to hit poor form and rack up some key injuries. The last two weeks have been two of their worst losses of the season, which is not the way Craig Bellamy would want his side to prepare for finals footy. Add to that the loss of Hughes for the year, and all of a sudden, the Storm are fighting an uphill battle to stay afloat.
However, they get their captain Harry Grant back from suspension and it’s no secret they’ve struggled without him. Grant will be the key to unlocking their attack this week, particularly against a formidable Bulldogs defence. He creates many opportunities out of dummy-half and will allow Cameron Munster and Wishart the freedom to play their natural running games. Another thing the Storm have going for them is the form of Xavier Coates at AAMI Park – he’s scored 41 tries from 37 games there.
For the Bulldogs, Marcelo Montoya and Bronson Xerri are out with an ankle injury and a concussion respectively. Enari Tuala shifts to centre, with Jethro Rinakama and Blake Wilson taking the vacant wing spots. Jacob Kiraz is named on the extended bench and could be a late inclusion if he’s deemed to have overcome his ankle injury before kick-off.
The loss to the Storm in round 25 would still be fresh in the minds of the Bulldogs. That night they were competitive in the second half, coming back from 12-0 down to make the game a contest in the finals stages. They’ll need to be as close to flawless as possible if they’re serious about causing an upset this time, even with the wobbles the Storm have showed of late.
Cameron Ciraldo will be keen for his side to lock in and lean on the match-winning defence that’s got them a spot in the top four to begin with. History shows the best defensive sides are usually harder to beat come finals time, and the Bulldogs need to make that a reality again. As far as their attack, with Joe Chan lining up at right centre for the Storm, it presents an opportunity for the potent left attacking edge of Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau to find the chink in the Storm’s armour. They’ll have their work cut out for them though – they’ve only managed one win from their past five visits to AAMI Park.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Storm by 6.
See our full NRL Week 1 Finals Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL: Week 1 Finals Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
Related Links
- 2025 NRL Round 27 Injury List
- 2025 Ladder and Head-to-Head Stats
- Week 1 Finals Fixtures and Club-by-Club Finals Stats
