Live: Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs
35′ TRY: Storm score after Pezet 40/20
1m agoFri 12 Sep 2025 at 10:34am
33′ Joe Chan fails HIA
Melbourne’s Joe Chan will not return tonight.
He has failed his Head Injury Assessment.
Chan left the field after a head clash with Canterbury’s Harry Hayes.
30′ TRY: Kiraz scores for the Bulldogs
Jacob Kiraz, on his return, has scored in the right corner.
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Excellent play from the Dogs, after a dropped bomb from Melbourne’s fullback Nick Meaney gave Canterbury a scrum 10 metres out.
The Bulldogs threatened several times. Toby Sexton was instrumental in guiding the attack.
“As soon as he’s been on, the Bulldogs have been a completely different outfit,” says ABC Sport’s Luke Lewis.
Eventually, the Dogs find space on the right.
Fullback Connor Tracey throws a brilliant cut-out pass to Kiraz on the wing.
Great sideline conversion from Matt Burton.
Bulldogs have a four-point lead.
Canterbury 12
Melbourne 8
7m agoFri 12 Sep 2025 at 10:29am
29′ Stephen Crichton returns to the sideline
Broadcast footage shows Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton on an exercise bike on the sideline.
He was looked over for a leg injury in the dressing sheds earlier.
13m agoFri 12 Sep 2025 at 10:23am
24′ PENALTY GOAL: Melbourne kicks for a two point lead
Melbourne fullback Nick Meaney has kicked a penalty goal from 10 metres out, right in front.
The Bulldogs were penalised after Viliame Kikau landed a high tackle on Storm prop Josh King.
It was not malicious, but it was a lazy arm that rose up to the head.
Melbourne 8
Canterbury 6
16m agoFri 12 Sep 2025 at 10:20am
22′ Storm player Joe Chan is off for a HIA
Joe Chan is coming off the field.
His lip has been split open, and there is blood coming from his mouth.
He was attempting to tackle Bulldogs interchange Harry Hayes, and the pair clashed heads.
Melbourne 6
Canterbury 6
21′ TRY: Toby Sexton scores for the Bulldogs
Toby Sexton has scored for the Bulldogs.
He has just come onto the field.
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Viliame Kikau, who is back on as well, gives an offload to Sexton, which comes off his knee.
The ball bounces forward and pops up into his arms.
TRY.
It’s a bit of luck for the Bulldogs, but they will take it.
Melbourne 6
Canterbury 6
20′ Stephen Crichton limps off the field
Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton has limped off the field.
He appeared to have injured his ankle while making a tackle.
He has been limping on the field for about five minutes, and now he is off.
Toby Sexton has come onto the field.
Melbourne 6
Canterbury 0
21m agoFri 12 Sep 2025 at 10:15am
17′ Storm replacement halfback pulls off try-saving tackle
The Bulldogs have missed another big opportunity.
For the second time in the opening 15 minutes, Storm winger Will Warbrick dropped the ball deep in Storm territory.
It gives the Bulldogs a full set within 30 metres of the Storm’s goal line.
The first set was well defended by Melbourne, but the Storm dropped a grubber and the Bulldogs have another set at the goal line.
Melbourne concedes two set restarts, and they are under pressure.
Matt Burton is on the left edge. He could pass, but he dummies, steps, and he is wrapped up in a try-saving tackle from Jonah Pezet.
Should Burton have passed to the wing? It looked like their was space.
Lachie Galvin passes forward on the next play to end the attacking raid.
Melbourne 6
Canterbury 0
27m agoFri 12 Sep 2025 at 10:09am
13′ Viliame Kikau passes his HIA
It’s terrific news.
Viliame Kikau has passed his Head Injury Assessment and he will be able to return to the match.
Melbourne 6
Canterbury 0
30m agoFri 12 Sep 2025 at 10:06am
9′ Bulldogs miss first opportunity
The Bulldogs have had their first chance at the Melbourne goal line.
Melbourne turned the ball over with an unforced error.
Will Warbrick dropped the ball while trying to catch a pass from dummy half.
The Bulldogs were awarded a penalty as Storm prop Stefano Utoikamanu tackled high.
The Bulldogs tapped and had a couple of tackles before being awarded a set restart.
But the Dogs never really threatened, then Josh Curran dropped an attempted inside ball from Lachie Galvin.
Melbourne 6
Canterbury 0
34m agoFri 12 Sep 2025 at 10:01am
5′ Viliame Kikau graded a category two for his HIA
Viliame Kikau is going through a Head Injury Assessment.
He has been graded as a category two, which means he still has a chance to return to the field.
Melbourne 6
Canterbury 0
4′ TRY: Melbourne score the first try
Melbourne second-rower Eliesa Katoa has the first try of the night.
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It started with a six-again restart on the halfway.
Cam Munster threw a terrific pass to Joe Chan, who made a big linebreak.
Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey brought Chan down, but the Dogs are on the backfoot.
Munster gets the ball, passes to halfback Jonah Pezet, and Pezet throws a great cut-out ball to Katoa who charges through a tackle to score.
40m agoFri 12 Sep 2025 at 9:56am
2′ Harry Hayes replaces Viliame Kikau
1′ Viliame Kikau is down
There is concern for the Bulldogs.
Viliame Kikau has gone to ground after trying to make a tackle.
Kikau was hit by an accidental elbow from Melbourne winger Will Warbrick.
The second-rower appeared to go limp. He is coming off the field.
This could be the end of his night.
KICK-OFF: Storm vs Bulldogs
Referee Adam Gee blows his whistle, and the 2025 NRL finals series begins.
Melbourne kicks the ball and Canterbury will have the first use of the ball. The Bulldogs will be running to the right of your screen.
Prop Max King takes the first hit-up.
Canterbury shows some intent by spreading the ball on the second play, and Matt Burton kicks clear on tackle four.
45m agoFri 12 Sep 2025 at 9:51am
Storm and Bulldogs on the field
We are moments away from kick-off in Melbourne.
51m agoFri 12 Sep 2025 at 9:45am
Match officials for tonight’s NRL finals match
Here are the match officials for the Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Listen to the live call, and join the conversation on the blog
Glad to be joining you tonight Michael. Without Hughes the Storm will need to work hard but I’m still going for them and hope that there are no more injuries. Get those typing fingers warmed up mate.
– KB
G’day KB.
Thanks for joining me on the live blog.
You can let us know your thoughts on the footy, like KB, in the comment section.
You can also listen to the live call of every match in the NRL finals with the ABC Sport live call.
dan