Saturday third NRL Round 4 match is between Canterbury Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm with the opening kick to commence at 19:30. The game is to be played at NIB Stadium (Perth) which see’s away team Melbourne Storm hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Canterbury Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm.

WHERE AND WHEN: 19:30 | Saturday 29/03/2014 @ NIB Stadium (Perth)

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Odds Comparison:

Canterbury Bulldogs	2.70	2.55	2.60	2.55	2.70	2.65
Melbourne Storm	1.48	1.53	1.51	1.53	1.48	1.50

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Preview:

The Bulldogs take this home game to Western Australia, a good move given their opponents the Storm, are on the quick back-up from Monday night.

$250 Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm FREE BET

Canterbury, coming off a comprehensive win over a depleted Sharks outfit in round 2 (42 – 6) – started outsiders as they ventured to Penrith’s Centrebet Stadium last week.

Behind early 10 – 0, the Bulldogs clawed their way back into the lead late in the game off two sensational pieces of play from five-eighth Josh Reynolds that results in a try firstly to Corey Thompson and the second to Drury Low, that had the Dogs in front 16 – 12 with only ten minutes to go.

In the final minute of the game though the Dogs were left shattered as Kevin Naiqama crossed in the corner and fullback Matthe Moylan, slotted the goal from the side-line to secure an 18 – 16 win for the home-side.

The Dogs met the Storm twice last year, once in round three that resulted in a 4 point loss (18 – 22) and the other in round 18, at the tail end of the State Of Origin period from which the Storm were heavily effected, where the Bulldogs recorded a flattering 39 – 0 victory.

The Storm remains undefeated this season after accounting for a committed Newcastle Knights at AAMI Park on Monday night 28 – 20.

The Storm had the better of every aspect and although behind during the middle of the first half, always appeared to be in control of the game.

They ended the game with the better of almost every stat including plenty of possession (55%) and receiving fifteen penalties. That much ball resulted in the Knights having to do plenty of work defensively and making almost 60 more tackles than the home-side.

Such stats for the Storm would normally result in a bigger winning margin and following their 1 point victories in rounds 1 and 2, against Manly and Penrith respectively, the Storm have had to work hard in each of their games thus far and grind out a win – but win they have.

Things will be no different for them against the Bulldogs this week who enjoy the type of arm-wrestle that the Storm have been involved in over the past few weeks, more than any other side on in the competition. Can the Storm produce another effort of the quick back-up?

Chase Stanley comes onto the wing for the Bulldogs to replace Drury Low whilst the Storm’s side from last week was announced as the same line-up.

This should be a close game, one decided by less than the current betting would suggest and the Dogs 1 – 12 or with the start, should be worth some serious consideration.

Teams:

Canterbury Bulldogs:
Sam Perrett, Chase Stanley, Josh Morris, Timoteo Lafai, Corey Thompson, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis, James Graham, Frank Pritchard, Tony Williams, Dale Finucane. Interchange: Josh Jackson, Pat O’Hanlon, Tim Browne, David Klemmer, Moses Mbye, Drury Low
Ins: Chase Stanley, Moses Mbye
Outs: None
Other unavailables: Mitch Brown (ankle, round five)

Melbourne Storm:
Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Will Chambers, Mahe Fonua, Young Tonumaipea, Ben Hampton, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Kenny Bromwich, Tohu Harris, Jordan McLean, George Rose
Ins: None
Outs: None
Other unavailables: Matt Duffie (ACL, season)

News:

The Canterbury Bulldogs haven’t hit desperation stakes just yet, but coach Des Hasler admits his team need to get a move on if they are to reach their potential this NRL season.

The Bulldogs are a shaky 1-2 following last week’s 18-16 loss to Penrith. That result places further pressure on the team heading into Saturday night’s clash with the Melbourne Storm in Perth.

In 2013, the Bulldogs were 1-5 before clawing their way into the finals.

Hasler is confident his talented list will come good in 2014, but concedes last-gasp losses such as last week’s could become costly.

“It’s early in the piece, but in saying that you don’t want those games to come back and bite you,” Hasler said in Perth on Friday.

“It makes tomorrow all the more important that we get that win.

“It’s not desperation stakes, but you want to get some of these early wins.”

The Storm have been in the headlines all week after three of their players were involved in the tackle that left Knights back-rower Alex McKinnon with a serious spinal injury.

Prop Jordan McLean will front an NRL judiciary next week on a dangerous throw charge, but he has been cleared to play against the Bulldogs.

Bulldogs co-captain Frank Pritchard said the incident had shaken up everyone in rugby league.

“It could happen in any situation.” Pritchard said. “It could be from running the ball and you trip over and hurt your neck.

“It’s in the back of the mind of my wife and kids and all my family.

“You don’t want to see your loved one get hurt.

“It’s a tough game we play. I wish (Alex) all the best.”

The Storm, who beat Newcastle 28-20 on Monday, will enter the 2012 grand final rematch after a five-day break.

Even though the Bulldogs have had two more days to prepare, Hasler isn’t a fan of moving one of their home games to Perth.

But the veteran coach is optimistic Perth will soon have an NRL team of its own.

“They’ve got the infrastructure and … with all the mining money over here, they’d be a force – not the Western Force,” Hasler said.