Bulldogs Beat Storm 30-20 Before Tigers Vs Bulldogs Test
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ended a five-game losing streak with a 30-20 win over the Melbourne Storm on Friday, then moved straight into tigers vs bulldogs week with a short turnaround and more selection questions. They sit 13th with four wins and seven losses, and the next result will shape whether that win becomes a turn or just a break in the pressure.
Storm win resets Bulldogs
Friday’s result was the cleanest response the Bulldogs have produced in weeks. The Storm arrived depleted, and Canterbury-Bankstown still had to do the job, which they did by finishing with 30 points to 20 and stopping the slide at five straight losses.
That left Cameron Ciraldo with a first clear sign of life during a season that had already started to drift. The Bulldogs are in 13th, and the gap they have to close leaves little room for another soft stretch if they want to stay near the top end of the ladder.
Kiraz keeps the No. 1 jumper
Jacob Kiraz held onto the fullback jersey after a powerful return in the previous win, and that selection gives the Bulldogs some continuity at the back. In a week where lineups can swing around Origin absences and late changes, keeping one position settled is useful for a side that has not had much of that lately.
Josh Curran was pulled out of NSW Cup and joined the Bulldogs side, while Jack Underhill was given more minutes. Matt Burton will no doubt start after playing only a few minutes of State of Origin Game 1 on Wednesday night, which adds another familiar piece to a team still trying to build rhythm.
Tigers bring back three
The Wests Tigers are not arriving bare. Apisai Koroisau is back from suspension, Heamasi Makasini has returned from a foot injury, and Alex Twal is back from a knee injury, giving the opposition more options than the depleted Storm did on Friday.
Stephen Crichton was named on the extended bench, while Jacob Preston was ruled out with a fractured arm. Ciraldo now has to manage a side that has just broken its losing streak, but still needs a stronger run of results to make that win count for more than a single relief point.
