Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs Prediction – Round 25 2025

Commbank Stadium will have many stories for the ages, stories that will sound like myths, things that don’t sound true. Maybe like the story of the Harry Houdini Grant, who threw a dummy, faked out the defenders, and scored the game-winning try in golden point not once in his career, but twice.

The better story might be his acting, but that’s for the fans to decide. Melbourne returned home victorious after beating the Panthers in golden point, creating a comeback in the second half after being down in the first, and giving the fans a classic rise above all with a grand finale in golden point. 

The Bulldogs continue to lose against the top 8 teams. This time, losing to the Sydney Roosters in ugly fashion. When the captain of any team says there are players in the NSW Cup knocking on the door, that’s how you know you’ve played awful. 

Here’s how the Storm and Bulldogs line up for this clash, as well as some betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer, and over/under markets. This is our Storm vs Bulldogs prediction.

 

Storm vs Bulldogs Team Lists

 

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

14. Bronson Garlick

15. Alec MacDonald 

16. Tui Kamikamica 

17. Ativalu Lisati

 

Canterbury Bankstown 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. Villame Kikau

12. Jacob Preston

13. Jaeman Salmon 

14. Kurt Mann 

15. Harry Hayes 

16. Josh Curran

17. Reed Mahoney

 

Storm vs Bulldogs Prediction and Betting Tips

 

Head-to-Head Prediction

While the Bulldogs have done the impossible, beating Melbourne on their turf, the Storm have simply been too good when it comes to this matchup, and it is hard to go past the home side.

Melbourne has won four out of the last five meetings with the Bulldogs, and has won their last six at AAMI Park when playing with a rest advantage. 

The Storm are also on a huge run to the finals, winning ten of their last eleven games, only losing to Manly by two points.

Betting tip: Melbourne Storm

 

First Try Scorer Prediction

The Bulldogs were defensively ripped apart against the Roosters, thanks to the likes of Sam Walker; their right edge defence was very vulnerable the whole night. 

Melbourne’s attack has shifted to a very heavy left side centric approach, and the likes of Xavier Coates continue to show that he is a high flyer in the air, the best in the business.

While that would make the most sense for how the first try to be scored, both teams are known for their defence, and it’s expected not to be a ‘fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me’ defensive outing. 

The Bulldogs have an advantage of their own, with the right edge having a back rower in Jacob Preston, who will be facing Joe Chan, replacing Shawn Blore. 

Preston has scored the first try of the game two times this season and could be a huge play if Lachlan Galvin can find him on a short ball.

Betting tip: Jacob Preston first try scorer

 

Over/Under Prediction

Historically, this game at AAMI Park has been a low-scoring game.

Each of Canterbury’s last four night matches at this venue has gone under the total match points line. 

It is to be expected that this pattern continues to stick around.

Betting tip: Under total match points

 

 

Storm vs Bulldogs Match Details

 

Date: Friday, August 22

Kick-off: 8:00 pm AEST

Location: AAMI Park, Melbourne