NRL: Storm ready to blow away Bulldogs

A one-sided encounter might well be on the cards as the Melbourne Storm prepare to host the Canterbury Bulldogs on Friday night at AAMI Park.

The Storm have made a strong start to the NRL campaign, winning three of their first four games and sitting joint top of the ladder.

As for the Bulldogs, Canterbury have had a mixed season so far, with two wins from their first five outings leaving them down in 13th place.

A trip to AAMI Park represents a big challenge and the Bulldogs will have to put up a fight, otherwise they face a long night in Melbourne.

. What: Melbourne Storm v Canterbury Bulldogs
. Where: AAMI Park, Melbourne
. When: 18:00, Friday 12th April 2024
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel
. Odds: Melbourne Storm 1.11, Canterbury Bulldogs 6.50

Storm gaining momentum

Having beaten reigning champions Penrith Panthers 8-0 in their opening game, Melbourne went on to land a 30-26 win over the New Zealand Warriors, before a shock 14-12 to the Newcastle Knights.

Head coach Craig Bellamy saw his side get back in the saddle with a 34-32 comeback win over Brisbane Broncos and now the Storm have the Bulldogs firmly in their sights.

Tepai Moeroa joining the bench in place of Jack Howarth is the only change Bellamy has made to his 17-man squad to face Canterbury this week.

Winning seven of their last eight encounters with Canterbury, it’s little surprise to see Melbourne as the 1.11 favourites.

Looking to the Line market, the Storm are available at 1.87 with a -17.5 handicap here.

A good acid test for Bulldogs

After a mixed start to the campaign from a 25-6 defeat to the Cronulla Sharks, followed by a 32-0 win over the Gold Coast Titans, it’s hard to tell how good this Bulldogs side really is.

A 30-26 win over the Sydney Roosters last time out was certainly another tick in the positive column and Friday night’s trip to AAMI Park represents a good acid test to see how this Bulldogs’ side stand up.

Coach Cameron Ciraldo has already confirmed Max King will play no part in this one after picking a wrist injury in the win over the Roosters.

There are plenty of changes in the backline, with skipper Stephen Crichton moving fullback to replace Blake Taafe, who misses out due to concussion.

Josh Kiraz moves to centre, while the Bulldogs will be boosted by the return of winger Josh Addo-Carr after his own recent concussion.

Addo-Carr is available at 3.10 to score a try anytime on his return on Friday, while Melbourne’s Ryan Papenhuyzen is the shortest price in this market at 1.77.

The Bulldogs know they will need to produce their performance of the season so far to overcome the Storm on their own patch, with Canterbury at 6.50 to pull off a shock victory.