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Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm NRL Round 12 Tips - Not even Origin can save the Bulldogs

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Wed 20 May 2026 08:21

Jeremy Darke 20 May 2026

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Storm favored to win despite missing key players.
Bulldogs have lost 5 straight, struggling to score.
Faalogo tipped to score, Storm expected to hold Bulldogs under 24.5 points.
Kick off is at 8:00 PM (AEST) on Friday, 22nd May at Accor Stadium

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm NRL Round 12 Tips

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm, Round 12 2026 - Expert Prediction

There are key outs for the Storm, but that doesn’t make Canterbury more dangerous. Expect Melbourne to win this tussle and get an unexpected win during the Origin period.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm, Round 12 2026 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head
Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis
Melbourne Storm Form Analysis
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm Team List & Team News
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm NRL 2026 Round 12 FAQ’s

Backing the Storm here has more to do with Canterbury than it does Melbourne. To be honest, I still don’t think the Storm are back, but no Stephen Crichton for the Dogs only makes their attack weaker and it already was one of the worst in the competition.

Canterbury have had pressure but no creativity and they have not been able to cross the line no matter who they have faced over the last 5 rounds. Melbourne’s defence has improved over the last couple of weeks and should do enough to restrict the Bulldogs from putting up an unmatchable score.

No Harry Grant or Cameron Munster obviously affects Melburne’s ability to put up points, but with a healthy Jahrome Hughes and Sualauvi Faalogo lurking then scoring opportunities will arise for the Storm

So, I’m backing the lack of attack of Canterbury and Faalogo’s ability to break this game open.

The Storm have won 8 of the last 9 matches against the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have lost 5 straight matches scoring an average of 14 points per match.
The Bulldogs have scored just 13.55 points per game against Melbourne in their last 9 matches.
Sualauvi Faalogo has 4 tries in his last 5 matches.

Head to Head

Melbourne have won 8 of the last 9 matches against Canterbury since the 2019 season.

In each of the Storm’s victories they have held Canterbury to 18 points or less.

Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis

The Canterbury Bulldogs are in a downward spiral and everything they have built over the last few years is coming undone in one foul swoop.

Their success over the last couple of seasons has been built on defence, however, an average of 36 opposition points per game over their last 5, which have all been losses has experts scratching their heads. To make things worse, the moves they have made in attack have clearly not worked averaging just 14 points per game over their last 5 despite often having the better end of the pressure.

Lachie Galvin has actually been their strongest in attack, despite being under the most criticism, while Matt Burton has not been involved enough, running the ball less and failing to unleash his lethal kick throughout matches.

Melbourne Storm Form Analysis

Just as Melbourne have started to get their mojo back Origin comes to steal it away. After their record-breaking run of 7 straight losses, the Storm have put up two massive victories, 44-16 over Wests and 34-8 over Parramatta at Magic Round last week.

In all honesty, I am still not sold on Melbourne, even if they were to have their Origin players in this week. They have played two of the worst defences in the league at the moment and tore them apart. But the Eels and Tigers are one thing and most of the rest of the league is another.

The positive for the Storm is the form of their spine, with Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster combining for 6 tries over the previous two matches, along with 8 try assists and 8 line breaks.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm Team List & Team News

Team News and Lists are in our dedicated Round 12 Team List Article.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm NRL 2026 Round 12 FAQ’s

How to livestream Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm NRL 2026 Round 12?

You can livestream the Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm NRL 2026 Round 12 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm NRL 2026 Round 12?

To buy tickets to the Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm NRL 2026 Round 12 game check the NRL website or the official Canterbury Bulldogs site.

Verdict

Canterbury Bulldogs v Melbourne Storm

Faalogo to cross for Melbourne, who will go on to win the match, holding the Dogs under 24.5 points.

Melbourne Storm

Money Line

$2.20 - 3 Units

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