NRL LIVE updates: Storm, Bulldogs level at half-time after Hayward sin-binned

Dominic BrockUpdated July 31, 2026 — 8:52pm,first published 7:30pmKey PostsYour say: Storm or Bulldogs?By Latest Posts8.52pmHayward sin-binned, Leo scores again to level scores at the breakBy There’s late drama in the first half as Trent Toelau kicks ahead for himself, is bumped on the chase by Bailey Hayward, and Lachie Galvin sends the ball over the dead-ball line.The bunker takes a lot of looks at replays before ruling Hayward committed a professional foul for interfering with Toelau, and Hayward is off to the sin bin.The Storm cash in immediately, Sua Fa’alago drifting left, cutting inside the rushing Jacob Kiraz, then passing to Moses Leo who scores his second try of the night.Great effort from the under-strength Storm to still be in this one, and it’s all square at the break after Nick Meaney leaves the sideline conversion just short.Storm 16, Bulldogs 16 at half-time8.45pmFa’alogo denies Kiraz then has injury scareBy It’s end-to-end stuff now, and more Sua Fa’alogo heroics, as the Bulldogs attack down the right through Enari Tuala who then sends Jacob Kiraz bursting towards the corner. But Fa’alogo does well to bump Kiraz towards the sideline, with the winger planting a foot into touch before planting the ball down to score. The touch judge spots it and puts up his flag – no try.Then there’s a injury scare for Fa’alogo after Connor Tracey falls on him awkwardly in a tackle, the Storm fullback grimacing and clutching his leg before playing the ball. He’s playing on for now.Bulldogs 16, Storm 12 after 38 minutes8.41pmSuper Fa’alogo run gives Storm a chanceBy A spectacular kick return from Sua Fa’alogo – arguably the most exciting player in the league when he gets some room to move – suddenly puts Melbourne on the attack, and Trent Toelau goes close to having his third try assist from a kick when a well weighted grubber is almost chased down by Nick Meaney, before Matt Burton kicks the ball over the dead-ball line.But the referee rules Meaney got a hand to the ball, so the Bulldogs escape with a 20-metre tap.Bulldogs 16, Storm 12 after 34 minutes8.39pmTRY: Salmon crashes over for his secondBy An error and a six-again gives the Bulldogs nine straight tackles near the Melbourne line, and the pressure is really starting to stack up for a Storm side missing their leaders Harry Grant, Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes. Eventually they break – Jaeman Salmon throwing a dummy then forcing his way over the top of a couple of defenders to score between the posts.It’s Salmon’s second try of the night and the Dogs have the lead again.Bulldogs 16, Storm 12 after 31 minutes8.32pmTRY: Crichton sends Rinakama over after shoulder scareBy Possible dramas for the Bulldogs here, with Stephen Crighton staying down after being hit a little late after getting a pass away. It’s a penalty at close range for Canterbury and Crichton is playing on after getting a quick check from the Bulldogs trainer.The Dogs are camped in Melbourne territory and they go left with Viliame Kikau almost crashing through himself. Then Crichton throws a long ball to winger Jethro Rinakama – the pass is almost intercepted by Storm winger Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown, but he can only get a touch to the ball – and Rinakama does well to catch it and score in the corner.Crichton’s sideline conversion attempt goes wide.Storm 12, Bulldogs 10 after 27 minutes8.26pmTRY: Toelau sets up Fa’alogo as Storm lead againBy Just as the Bulldogs start looking likely, Melbourne go on the attack and regain the lead. Trent Toelau is taking on a lot of the short kicking and his jabs in a nice grubber kick with Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey up in the defensive line, and Storm No.1 Sua Fa’alogo is quicker than everyone to the ball and scores his 15th try of the season.Storm 12, Bulldogs 6 after 23 minutes8.20pmTRY: Kikau busts open Melbourne defence to set up SalmonBy The Bulldogs have plenty of weapons in this side and one of them breaks the Storm defence open now – Viliame Kikau, from inside his own half, bumps off one defender, shoves away another and offloads to Stephen Crichton, who pops the final pass to Jaeman Salmon who streaks away to score.It’s a very nice try to open the account for the Dogs tonight, and Crichton adds the extras.Storm 6, Bulldogs 6 after 17 minutes8.16pmChan held up as Storm continue to dominateBy The Storm are dominating territory now, forcing a dropout, earning a penalty, and almost scoring again when Joe Chan is held up over the line.But the Bulldogs survive thanks to an obstruction call.On paper this Bulldogs team is a class above the injury-hit Storm, but Melbourne are giving them a real challenge so far.Storm 6, Bulldogs 0 after 13 minutes8.09pmTRY: Leo opens scoring for injury-hit StormBy A couple of good, long kicks early from debutant Storm halfback Hayden Watson, a fomer Australian schoolboys captain who was born in Geelong and raised in Queensland.The Bulldogs give away a couple of penalties – Bailey Hayward for an illegal strip then Max King for a high shot.Melbourne go on the attack, hooker Trent Toelau puts up a bomb, and Moses Leo outjumped Jacob Kiraz and does very well to bring the ball down to score the opening try of the game. Nick Meaney converts.Storm 6, Bulldogs 0 after eight minutes8.02pmKick-off timeBy The Bulldogs take the field first in Melbourne, then the Storm run onto AAMI Park. They’ve had a good run at home, winning their last five games at the ground, but the Storm aren’t what they used to be and are effectively out of the finals race already. They’re looking to the future tonight with 19-year-old Hayden Watson making his debut at halfback.The Storm kick this one off and Canterbury have first use of the ball, getting to their 40-metre line on the last tackle before Lachie Galvin’s clearing kick.Storm 0, Bulldogs 0 after one minute1 of 2