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.
Bulldogs fullback Blake Taaffe is set to miss the match after failing his HIA on Friday night while teammates Kurt Mann (hand), Connor Tracey (calf) and Chris Patolo (shoulder) are also in doubt.
Match: Storm v Bulldogs
Round 6 -
home Team
Storm
3rd Position
away Team
Bulldogs
13th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won seven of their past eight games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their past 10 away games.
- The Storm have won their past 12 games at AAMI Park.
- Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored seven tries in his past nine games at AAMI Park.
- Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has scored 48 points in his past two games against the Bulldogs.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .
