The 2025 finals series begins with a bang as the 2nd-placed Melbourne Storm play host to the 3rd-placed Bulldogs.

Melbourne hold the mental edge over the Bulldogs, given it was only three weeks ago the Storm ran out 20-14 winners over Canterbury.

This week, most of the discussion around this game has been related to the Bulldogs’ shock call to drop Reed Mahoney in order to bring Toby Sexton onto the bench.

Sexton hasn’t been sighted in first grade since he was axed after a Round 19 win against the Cowboys. Both he and Mahoney have been forced out of the club and will join other clubs from 2026.

In a huge late boost for the Bulldogs, star winger Jacob Kiraz is back from an ankle injury.

Melbourne will be without a couple of key spine members in half Jahrome Hughes and fullback Ryan Pap

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