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Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL Round 25 Tips - The Perfect Storm in Melbourne

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: Tue. 19 Aug. 2025 15:11

Ryan Tucker 19 Aug. 2025

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Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs expert predictions for Friday’s Round 25 NRL game
Kick off is at 8:00 PM (AEST) at AAMI Park
Melbourne Storm has a strong home record, set for a win against Canterbury Bulldogs.
Storm achieve consistent wins; Bulldogs struggle with team changes affecting performance.
Predicted low-scoring game with defensive emphasis; Storm favored to clinch victory.

Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL Round 25 Tips

Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs, Round 25 2025 - Expert Prediction

Melbourne will improve on their league best home record and put pressure on the Raiders at the top of the ladder with a grinding victory over Canterbury this Friday night.

Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs, Round 25 2025 - Expert Prediction
Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs Round 25 Cheat Sheet
Head to Head
Melbourne Storm Form Analysis
Melbourne Storm Team News
Melbourne Storm Team List
Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis
Canterbury Bulldogs Team News
Canterbury Bulldogs Team List
Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 25 FAQ’s

Another blockbuster battle awaits us on Friday night in what would and could be a first week finals matchup between the Storm and Bulldogs. Melbourne have won 4 in a row and 10 of their last 11 and despite us all thinking they are not convincing in their wins, they just keep on getting the points. Victories over Penrith, Brisbane and the Roosters over the past month testament to their structure and depth.

Canterbury are not a bad team, they have won 4 of their last 6 but they are still trying to figure things out and it is becoming apparent that this year is probably not their premiership window. Since picking up Lachlan Galvin the team that was once settled and structured has started to chop and change and it is translating to loose play on the field.

Their scoring is down, their cohesion over the past few weeks has been lacking and whether it is a training block that has changed or not, the results speak for themselves. Losses to the Tigers and Roosters have made them look vulnerable.

Defence will be paramount and it is highly likely this game remains low scoring for a large portion of the first half with both teams at an elite level in restricting opposition Run Metres.

Take Melbourne to win at home and cover the line, if you can find the market for Penalty Goal for first scoring play then take it, otherwise No Try before 8 min 30 sec. Xavier Coates will likely get a few shots at jumping over the top of the Dogs wingers, book him in for a try.

Melbourne have lost just 3 of their last 31 games at AAMI Park, the best current home field record in the NRL.
The Bulldogs are 1st and Melbourne 2nd in restricting opponent Run Metres pointing to less opportunity to build pressure in red zone.
Daniel Tupou scored 3 tries against the Bulldogs right edge defence last weekend.
Xavier Coates is leading the NRL in tries and has scored in 3 straight games.

Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs Round 25 Cheat Sheet

Storm vs Bulldogs Rd 25 Cheat Sheet

Head to Head

The Storm have won 6 of the last 7 meetings with the Bulldogs dating back to the start of the 2019 season. They won the only matchup last season 16-14 with the Dogs only win being at AAMI Park in 2023, 26-12.

The Under has hit in two straight games and in 4 of 7 while the winning margin has been 13+ in 5 of the last 7 games.

Melbourne Storm Form Analysis

The Storm escaped with a 22-18 Golden Point victory against the red hot Penrith Panthers last weekend after going into the half time break needing to turn the tides of history to win.

Melbourne now sit 2nd on the ladder, have won 4 in a row and 10 of their last 11 games. They have the equal best home record in the NRL, dropping just 1 game out of 9 played at AAMI park this season.

What has been interesting for Melbourne this season is how well their defence has played despite injuries affecting the team at various times and positions. They rank 2nd in Opposition Run Metres, 2nd in Opposition Linebreaks and have the number 1 ranking for points conceded at home, allowing just 13.2 to opposing teams in 2025.

Melbourne Storm Team News

Craig Bellamy is up to his usual tricks with Cam Munster being named at fullback after a late switch to the position last weekend. Ryan Papenhuyzen is in the reserves and will likely play if he makes it through concussion protocols.

Shawn Blore is out which gives Joe Chan an opportunity in the backrow. Bronson Garlick joins the bench.

Melbourne Storm Team List

1. Cameron Munster

2. Grant Anderson

3. Marion Seve

4. Nick Meaney

5. Xavier Coates

6. Jonah Pezet

7. Tyran Wishart

8. Stefano Utoikamanu

9. Harry Grant

10. Josh King

11. Joe Chan

12. Eli Katoa

13. Trent Loiero

Interchange

14. Bronson Garlick

15. Alec MacDonald

16. Tui Kamikamica

17. Ativalu Lisati

Reserves

18. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown

19. Lazarus Vaalepu

20. Kane Bradley

21. Ryan Papenhuyzen

22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis

The Dogs were simply outmuscled by the Roosters last weekend, losing 32-12 in their second loss in 3 weeks. The outside backs struggled to contain the Roosters attack in both the air and on the ground, the team missed a total of 44 tackles in the game.

Canterbury compounded their issues defensively with 9 penalties and a poor attacking display coughing up 11 errors. They had just 14 tackles all game in the Roosters 20m zone and while Matt Burton was his usual self with the boot, the team could not capitalise on the 710 kicking metres.

Since Lachlan Galvin arrived in rd 15 the Dogs are 6-4 (9-2 before) with an attacking average of 21 pts per game (25 pts before) but a slightly better defensive number 16.4 pts (18.3 pts before).

Canterbury Bulldogs Team News

No changes to the team that played last weekend with Connor Tracey a late inclusion prior to kickoff. Marcelo Montoya is closing in on a return and has been named in the reserves, Enari Tuala the man likely to make way if Montoya is included.

Canterbury Bulldogs Team List

1. Connor Tracey

2. Jacob Kiraz

3. Bronson Xerri

4. Stephen Crichton

5. Enari Tuala

6. Matt Burton

7. Lachlan Galvin

8. Max King

9. Bailey Hayward

10. Sam Hughes

11. Viliame Kikau

12. Jacob Preston

13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange

14. Kurt Mann

15. Harry Hayes

16. Josh Curran

17. Reed Mahoney

Reserves

19. Toby Sexton

20. Jake Turpin

21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

22. Marcelo Montoya

23. Sitili Tupouniua

Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 25 FAQ’s

How to watch Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 25?

You can watch the Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 25 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 Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 25?

To buy tickets to the Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 25 game check the NRL website or the official Melbourne Storm site.

Verdict

Melbourne Storm v Canterbury Bulldogs

Melbourne -5.5

Line

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