AAMI Park was the scene of a thrilling night for rugby league on Friday, 12 September 2025, when the Melbourne Storm hosted the Canterbury Bulldogs in a Qualifying Final. Both could advance to a preliminary final, but there's only one winner, and whoever lost would instead be heading to play an elimination sudden-death semifinal, against either the New Zealand Warriors or Penrith Panthers. Here, we'll discuss how the match went down, the major moments, the impact for each team, and the historical ramifications of the match.
Match Overview
Date & Venue: 12 September 2025, AAMI Park, Melbourne.
Significance:
- Winner hosts a preliminary final in two weeks
- Loser must play a sudden-death semifinal vs either the New Zealand Warriors or Penrith Panthers.
Score at Key Moments:.
- Half-time: Storm 14-12 Bulldogs
- Second half: Bulldogs 18-14 leading through Matt Burton
- Final quarter: Tyran Wishart scored in the 66th minute to give Storm the match-winning 20-18 lead.
Key Moments
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Stats and Head-to-Head
Recent Form
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Match Numbers
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Standout Performances
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Tyran Wishart (Storm):Scored the winning try and added composure.
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Jonah Pezet (Storm):Smart kicking including a 40/20, and the important kick from the sideline.
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Matt Burton (Bulldogs):Handled the pressure to score an important try.
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Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs):Came back from injury to score, as well as walking away with good metres gained.
Injury Concerns
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Bulldogs: Stephen Crichton (ankle), Enari Tuala (calf).
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Storm: Joe Chan (failed HIA), Nick Meaney (head knock).
THE STORM ARE THROUGH TO THE PRELIMS 😮
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) September 12, 2025
The Dogs, meanwhile, have been left in disarray...
MATCH WRAP 👉 https://t.co/e21qGOquRm pic.twitter.com/vINu1CcgZb
Conclusion
This match had it all. Everything from momentum swings, injuries, quality tries, and a nail-biter finish. The Melbourne Storm showed once again why they are perennial contenders, not only handling the pressure but also executing pressure moments exceptionally well. The Bulldogs showed fight, but were left at AAMI Park with injuries and questions to answer before their next knockout game.
The 2025 Qualifying Final will be remembered for its intensity, its fine margins, and both sides playing with great heart.
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