Storm and Dolphins clash in must-win NRL Round 9 as both teams battle losing streaks

Key facts

• Melbourne Storm have lost their last six matches, equalling the worst losing streak in club history.
• Dolphins have lost four consecutive games, including a 52-18 defeat to Manly in Round 5.
• Friday's match kicks off at 8pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium on May 1, 2026.
• Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth called the game 'massive' for both teams.
• Storm coach Craig Bellamy made one change to his starting side: Trent Loiero starts at lock for Alec MacDonald (hamstring).
• Dolphins' Jake Averillo is out with a hand injury; Jack Bostock returns from an ACL injury to start at centre.

Both teams desperate for a win

When the Melbourne Storm run onto Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, they will carry the weight of a six-match losing streak — the equal-worst in the club's history. Their opponents, the Dolphins, have lost four on the trot, but have shown signs of life in recent weeks. For the Storm, the nadir came on ANZAC Day, when South Sydney thrashed them 48-6 in Melbourne, the first time the Bunnies had won in that city. Coach Craig Bellamy, visibly shaken, said he was as 'embarrassed' as he had ever been by such a disastrous showing. The Dolphins, meanwhile, have been competitive despite their losses. After a 52-18 humiliation by Manly in Round 5, they pushed top-of-the-table Penrith to golden point in Darwin, losing by a field goal, and then fell by two points to the Warriors in Wellington on ANZAC Day.

Bellamy rings changes after ANZAC Day debacle

Bellamy, who had largely kept faith with the same side during the losing run, finally cracked. He has reshuffled his pack, moving Shawn Blore and Ativalu Lisati into the back row, with Joe Chan and Cooper Clarke dropping to the bench. In the halves, Jahrome Hughes is out with concussion, so Tyran Wishart takes over at halfback. Alec MacDonald is ruled out with a low-grade hamstring strain, shifting Trent Loiero to lock. Josiah Pahulu joins the bench, and Jack Hetherington is named 20th man. There could be debuts for winger Hugo Peel and interchange player Trent Toelau. The Storm still boast talent: fullback Sua Faalogo is equal-second on the try-scoring chart with 10, and hooker Harry Grant leads the league for dummy half runs with 54. But the team has been devoid of confidence, and their defence — once Bellamy's hallmark — has conceded 50 points to Penrith and 48 to Souths.

Dolphins welcome back Bostock, lose Averillo

The Dolphins have been dealt a blow with centre Jake Averillo sidelined by a hand injury. His place is likely taken by Jack Bostock, who returns from an ACL injury to start in the centres, having initially been named in the reserves. Trai Fuller shifts to the bench. Kurt Donoghoe (hamstring) is due back on the interchange, and Morgan Knowles returns from a calf injury to start at lock. The Dolphins' lineup also includes star England centre Herbie Farnworth, who said: 'Obviously we haven't won for a while now – both teams – and they're a great quality side. Got some very classy players there at Storm, so I'm sure they're going to come out firing, but we're going to come for those two points.' Forward Connelly Lemuelu admitted the recent run had been frustrating but said the squad had worked hard to maintain positivity. 'Definitely a bit frustrating, but at the same time, we've got to stay positive with these sort of things,' he said. 'They've been the top two teams this year and we've been going right to the end with them and holding our own.'

Numbers tell a tale of two slumps

The Storm's six-game losing streak equals the worst in club history. Their last win came in Round 2. The Dolphins have lost four in a row, but their defeats have been narrow: a one-point golden point loss to Penrith and a two-point loss to the Warriors. Melbourne have won three of their four head-to-head clashes against the Dolphins, including a 42-22 victory last season. However, the Storm's recent form suggests vulnerability. Both teams are desperate: the Dolphins sit with two wins and five losses, while the Storm are languishing near the bottom of the ladder. Friday's match is a must-win for both.

What comes next for the struggling sides

For the Storm, a loss would deepen the crisis and raise questions about Bellamy's future, especially after news emerged that he has a neuro-degenerative condition. The players will want to respond, but their confidence is fragile. The Dolphins, despite their losing run, have shown they can compete with the best. If they can finally close out a close game, they could turn their season around. Farnworth summed up the mood: 'We've got to start getting those two points now.' Prediction models favour the Dolphins by two points, but the Storm's history of bouncing back after heavy losses cannot be ignored. Friday night will reveal which team has the resilience to break their losing streak.

The bottom line

• Melbourne Storm's six-match losing streak equals the worst in club history, and they face a desperate Dolphins side.
• Craig Bellamy has made significant changes to the Storm lineup after the ANZAC Day thrashing by South Sydney.
• The Dolphins have lost four straight but have been competitive, pushing top teams to narrow margins.
• Key injuries: Storm's Jahrome Hughes (concussion) and Alec MacDonald (hamstring) out; Dolphins' Jake Averillo (hand) out, Jack Bostock returns from ACL.
• Kick-off is 8pm AEST Friday May 1 at Suncorp Stadium, with the match broadcast live on Channel 9 and Fox Sports.
• Both teams view this as a must-win game; the winner gains momentum, the loser faces deeper questions.