Matt Burton has inspired inspired the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs to a 30-20 come-from-behind victory against the Melbourne Storm, snapping their five-game losing streak.
The Storm scored three first-half tries, two to Moses Leo and one to Josh King, and looked in complete control, deservedly leading 18-6 at the break.
However, the Melbourne side were a shadow of themselves after the break, coughing up another 12-point lead this season as the Bulldogs fought back brilliantly in soggy conditions at the Olympic stadium in Sydney.
Despite losing Jacob Preston in the opening stages to a broken arm, the Bulldogs still came out after half time a changed team, scoring four unanswered tries.
Sitili Tupouniua powered over off the back of a bullocking run, Jethro Rinakama scored a double and Jacob Kiraz sealed it at the death for the Bulldogs, who earned a fourth-win of a troubled season.
Burton was incredible for the Bulldogs, running the ball at every opportunity and making 239 metres with two line breaks and seven tackle breaks.
He had superb support from the returning Bronson Xerri though, who had 13 tackle breaks from 20 runs, with two line break assists and a try assist for 239 metres, dominating opposite number Nick Meaney.
Jacob Kiraz was also superb, scoring a deserved try and running for 283 metres from fullback.
The Storm however, were terrible in the second half.
After a competent first 40 minutes, the second period saw a return to the horror show that was the performance of Magic Round, the consecutive victories of the past fortnight a bandaid over a team with deep issues.
Errors pouring from the side, particularly the unfortunate Will Warbrick, who made three glaring mistakes that led to Bulldogs tries.
But the whole side were guilty, missing a whopping 61 tackles in the game, the majority in that second half, as the likelihood of last year’s finalists even making the top eight looking less and less likely.
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Fri 22 May 2026 at 8:01pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 8:01pm
Live updates: Bulldogs vs StormFri 22 May 2026 at 10:25pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 10:25pmFri 22 May 2026 at 10:25pm
We are waiting for the coaches press conferences
We will bring you those shortly.
Fri 22 May 2026 at 10:07pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 10:07pm
Brilliant game of footy
Wow, what a game! What do we take from that Simon – is Canterbury back? Melbourne gone? or just a close game that went the Bulldog’s way?
– Mike
It’s a great question, Mike.
That is without a doubt the best the Bulldogs have played since their victory over Penrith in round six.
Matt Burton was running the ball, making metres and linking up with the returning Bronson Xerri, who I thought was brilliant.
Jacob Kiraz played an absolute blinder at fullback.
All three of those players, by the way, ran for over 200 metres.
As for the Storm – they were good in the first half – very good.
But in the second they lacked control and made far too many errors – pretty much the story of their season to date.
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:55pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:55pm
FT: The Bulldogs snap their five-match losing streak
(Getty Images)
Four unanswered second-half tries and the Bulldogs have done superbly to overturn an 18-6 half time deficit to record a 30-20 victory.
Sitili Tupouniua, two Jethro Rinakama tries and a sealer from Jacob Kiraz helped the Dogs power over the top of a Storm side who looked a shadow of the team who controlled matters in the opening 40 minutes.
Moses Leo scored two tries and Josh King another for the Storm in that first half, with Enari Tuala’s score the only response from the Bulldogs.
But in the second half they were limited to one contentious penalty goal as the Bulldogs ran riot.
Great game of footy.
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:54pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:54pm
79′ Tempers boil over
Stefano Utoikamanu and Sitili Tupouniua square up to each other and start pushing.
“You’re both as bad as each other,” says referee Wyatt Raymond.
Play on.
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:49pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:49pm
78′ KIRAZ SEALS THE BULLDOGS WIN!
A Burton bomb is dropped by Fa’a’logo as he collides with Montoya.
Burton got the ball after the Bulldogs scooped it up but is tackled 10 metres out.
But after the tackle the ball finds its way to Jacob Kiraz who crashes over!
What a second half for the Bulldogs!
Kiraz has run for 247 metres off 27 runs, six tackle busts in there too.
Remarkable.
The kick is good and the Bulldogs are surely home and hosed, 30-20.
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:48pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:48pm
77′ Penalty Storm! But the Bulldogs challenge!
Enari Tuala has been judged to have blocked off Will Warbrick from challenging for a Hughes bomb.
The referee has called it but the Bulldogs challenge.
AND IT’S SUCCESSFUL!
The crowd roars!
It looked clear, Tuala was just running towards the ball and looking at it, Warbrick just ran into his shoulder as he went past and tried to sell it to the ref.
He bought it too, but the bunker did not.
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:46pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:46pm
Never pop champagne early
Does anyone here know how to put the cork back into a bottle of champagne?
– Mike
LoadingFri 22 May 2026 at 9:40pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:40pm
73′ THE BULLDOGS HIT THE FRONT!
HORROR MOMENT FOR THE STORM!
Will Warbrick drops the ball as he looks to carry it out of his own 10.
It’s scooped up by Jaeman Salmon, who passes wide to Xerri and then Rinakama, who scores in the corner!
The Storm have lost a double-digit lead AGAIN in this 2026 season.
The kick from Burton is on the sideline … and it’s slipped across the front of the posts.
Rinakama was getting treatment for cramp but is limping off – he can’t continue.
The score is 24-20 to the Bulldogs with five minutes or so to go.
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:37pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:37pm
69′ Sitili Tupouniua drops the ball!
The Storm are under the cosh here.
The Bulldogs kick the ball but regather it – and get a six again call.
The Bulldogs are challenging by Sitili Tupouniua drops it within sight of the line!
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:35pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:35pm
68′ Bulldogs force a goal-line drop out
Brilliant pick up from Will Warbrick, with Sua Fa’alogo sliding in front of him.
It’s a goal line drop out that the Storm don’t go short with but don’t go deep with either.
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:34pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:34pm
67′ BULLDOGS CHARGE DOWN!
UNDERHILL CHARGES DOWN HUGHES!
AND HE WINS THE BALL!
ATONEMENT FOR UNDERHILL!
BUT HAS HE KNOCKED ON IN THE RECOVERY!?
The Bulldogs challenge this.
HE HELD ONTO IT!
The Bulldogs have the ball on the 30!
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:32pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:32pm
66′ The Bulldogs lose the ball!
Jack Underhill loses the ball!
Big moment for the Storm.
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:31pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:31pm
65′ THE STORM LOSE THE BALL!
Monstrous defence from the Bulldogs!
Sua Fa’alogo caught a towering, swirling kick from Burton, only to be belted by Montoya.
The Storm try to move it out but are hammered backwards into their own 10! Brilliant pressure from the Bulldogs.
Then Will Warbrick loses it in a tackle on his own 10!
Bulldogs ball on the 20!
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:28pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:28pm
60′ The Bulldogs level!
BURTON BREAKS THROUGH!
(Getty Images)
Superb break from Burton! He races around the outside and makes metres down the left.
The Storm manage to haul him down again, Fa’alogo again.
The Bulldogs make a real hash out of the last tackle though, with the ball in the hands of Max King!
He kicks across to the outside!
It’s a good kick!
Leo gathers it – but the Storm are offside!
The Bulldogs are going to kick the points.
It’s 20-20!
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:20pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:20pm
56′ The Bulldogs are back within two!
Brilliant from Bronson Xerri!
He made the break down the left side and passed inside the Matt Burton who raced towards the posts.
He’s hauled down by Sua Fa’alogo but plays the ball almost immediately.
Lachlan Galvin gets the ball wide to Salmon, who passes to Jethro Rinakama who dives over in the corner!
The crowd braving the elements at the Olympic stadium roars in approval!
What a game!
The sideline conversion from Burton is GOOD!
The score is 20-18!
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:20pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:20pm
55′ The Storm knock on now!
This time the Storm do knock on and the Bulldogs are going to come back the other way!
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:19pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:19pm
55′ Storm knock on, but successfully challenge
The Storm have lost the ball, it’s Jahrome Hughes after a tackle by Matt Burton but Hughes challenged immediately.
And it’s a good challenge.
Burton stripped it one-on-one, but knocked on has he did so.
The Bulldogs hate the decision but I think it’s right.
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:18pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:18pm
54′ Max King on report
Didn’t see what for, haven’t been told, but as they pack the scrum the Bulldogs prop is told he’s in trouble with the authorities.
Suspected a high tackle in an earlier set.
Yes, he clipped Davvy Moale on the chops.
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:17pm
Fri 22 May 2026 at 9:17pm
54′ The Bulldogs drop the ball
The Bulldogs do really well there, moving down the left side and really making great inroads.
However, the final pass goes astray and Jethro Rinakama drops it.
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