<p>The 2025 NRL Finals will open with a rematch of only three weeks ago when the Melbourne Storm host the Canterbury Bulldogs at AAMI Park on Friday night.</p> <p>The Storm led nearly all the way that night, securing a top two spot, but they have since suffered consecutive defeats for the first time since March 2023.</p> <p>The Bulldogs are sporting three losses from their past four, with the sole win coming against a second-string Panthers outfit in Round 26.</p> <p>Jacob Kiraz – who was injured during that game – has been named as a reserve as he looks to force his way back into a Canterbury side that has lost Marcelo Montoya and Bronson Xerri.</p> <p>Enari Tuala moves into the centres with Jethro Rinakama and Blake Wilson the new wingers. Melbourne’s Harry Grant makes a timely return from suspension with Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes to miss.</p> <p>Nick Meaney will start at fullback and Tyran Wishart at halfback while Stefano Utoikamanu returns at prop.</p> <p>Check out our Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs match preview for plenty of betting tips and predictions across a host of markets. From H2H to anytime try scorer and everything in between.&nbsp;</p> <p>Looking for all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of this Qualifying Final? Check out our Storm vs Bulldogs prediction below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Storm vs Bulldogs Prediction and Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The 2025 NRL Finals series gets underway on Friday night when the Melbourne Storm welcome the Canterbury Bulldogs to AAMI Park in the first Qualifying Final.</p> <p>The winner here will win straight through to a Grand Final qualifier, meaning they also get next week off.</p> <p>There is no doubt about it, the Storm are September specialists and thrive at this time of year. However, over the last fortnight, the wheels have been slowly coming off Craig Bellamy’s normally well-oiled machine.</p> <p>Horrific losses to the Roosters and Broncos to finish the season have been compounded by the loss of superstars Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen.</p> <p>Hughes has played for the last time in 2025 after fracturing his forearm against Brisbane, while Papenhuyzen will have to sit this one out under the NRL’s concussion protocols after failing a HIA last start.</p> <p>The Dogs are far from full strength themselves, with Bronson Xerri and Marcelo Montoya set to miss this one.</p> <p>While it’s clear the Storms stocks are plummeting, should we commence a fire sale? Or hold strong?</p> <p>We’re going to ride it out for one more week, this is largely due to the location of this Qualifying Final. Melbourne’s record at AAMI Park speaks for itself. It doesn’t seem to matter who the opposition is or whether it’s finals time or the regular season.</p> <p>The Dogs have only won once here in their last five attempts and that was well over three years ago. We’re backing the home team, but don’t be surprised if a golden point is required to settle this one.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/melbourne-storm-v-canterbury-bulldogs-9586530">Melbourne Storm.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Tryscorer Prediction</h3> <p>It’s not often you pick a forward for this market, but when one of the big men are as prolific as Eli Katoa, exceptions have to be made.</p> <p>Katoa has scored a try in six of his last seven home appearances against opponents from New South Wales and is our pick for first try scorer here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/melbourne-storm-v-canterbury-bulldogs-9586530">Elisea Katoa.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under Prediction</h3> <p>Seven of the last eight matches between Melbourne and Canterbury at AAMI Park have gone under the total match points line.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/melbourne-storm-v-canterbury-bulldogs-9586530">Under total match points (38.5).</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Line Prediction</h3> <p>Canterbury has failed to cover the line in each of their last six away matches.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/melbourne-storm-v-canterbury-bulldogs-9586530">Melbourne Storm (-5.5).</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Storm vs Bulldogs Anytime Tryscorer Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Viliame Kikau</h3> <p>Viliame Kikau has scored a try in each of his last four appearances with Canterbury as an underdog.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Xavier Coates</h3> <p>Xavier Coates has scored at least one try in four of his last five appearances.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Enari Tuala</h3> <p>Enari Tuala has scored at least one try in four of his last five appearances.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Joe Chan</h3> <p>In three of Melbourne's last four matches, its starting left centre has scored a try.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Storm vs Bulldogs Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Melbourne Storm Team List</h3> <p>1. Nick Meaney</p> <p>2. Will Warbrick</p> <p>3. Grant Anderson</p> <p>4. Joe Chan</p> <p>5. Xavier Coates</p> <p>6. Cameron Munster</p> <p>7. Tyran Wishart</p> <p>8. Stefano Utoikamanu</p> <p>9. Harry Grant</p> <p>10. Josh King&nbsp;</p> <p>11. Ativalu Lisati</p> <p>12. Eli Katoa</p> <p>13. Trent Loiero</p> <p>14. Jonah Pezet</p> <p>15. Alec MacDonald</p> <p>16. Tui Kamakimica</p> <p>17. Bronson Garlick</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Canterbury Bulldogs Team List</h3> <p>1. Connor Tracey</p> <p>2. Jethro Rinakama</p> <p>3. Enari Tuala&nbsp;</p> <p>4. Stephen Crichton</p> <p>5. Blake Wilson</p> <p>6. Matt Burton</p> <p>7. Lachlan Galvin</p> <p>8. Max King</p> <p>9. Bailey Hayward</p> <p>10. Samuel Hughes</p> <p>11. Viliame Kikau</p> <p>12. Jacob Preston</p> <p>13. Jaeman Salmon</p> <p>14. Kurt Mann</p> <p>15. Sitili Tupouniua</p> <p>16. Josh Curran</p> <p>17. Reed Mahoney</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Storm vs Bulldogs Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Friday, September 12, 2025.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off:</strong> 7:50pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>AAMI Park, Melbourne.&nbsp;</p>