Dolphins vs Storm Prediction: No sign of crisis ending for beleaguered Bellamy

| Thursday 30th April 2026, 14:35

Thursday 30th April 2026, 14:35

Not since the salary cap scandal of 2010 has the moniker ‘crisis club’ even come close to being attributed to Melbourne Storm. But that’s true of Craig Bellamy’s side as they head to Suncorp Stadium on Friday to face the Dolphins in the NRL Premiership (20:00 local, 11:00 BST, Watch NRL).

Bellamy said he was “the most embarrassed I’ve ever been in my footy life” after last week’s 48-6 home defeat to the Rabbitohs, a sixth straight loss which dropped them to second-bottom on the ladder. Read on for my Dolphins vs Storm predictions, full team news and match odds from Betfred.

Dolphins vs Storm Betting Tips

Handicap 3-way: Dolphins -4 @ 1/1
Storm Under 22.5 Points @ 1/1

*odds correct at time of publishing

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Dolphins vs Storm Odds

I didn’t think I’d see the day when Melbourne would be 7/5 to win away to the Dolphins but that’s exactly where we are.

The Fins are 8/13 for the triumph in 80 minutes, while the draw is 16/1.

Team News

There are changes on both sides, with Jack Bostock coming in for his first appearance since ACL damage for the Dolphins. He starts at centre in place of Jake Averillo, who is out with a hand problem.

Morgan Knowles starts at loose forward after overcoming a calf issue, and Kurt Donoghue as back from hamstring trouble to take one of the six bench spots.

Rugby League Odds

Craig Bellamy promised changes immediately after the Anzac Round battering by the Rabbitohs, saying his team might have to “start again”.

One of the alterations the Storm boss has made is very much enforced, with Jahrome Hughes out due to concussion protocols. In comes Tyran Wishart at seven.

There are plenty of other switches, with Shawn Blore and Ativalu Lisati brought in for Joe Chan and Cooper Clarke in the pack, while Hugo Peel makes his NRL debut in the outside-backs and Trent Toelau is in line to do likewise from the bench.

Trent Loiero is added at loose forward, with Alec McDonald a late withdrawal on Thursday due to a hamstring injury.

Handicap 3-way: Dolphins -4 @ 1/1

Never before have I seen Bellamy look as beaten as he did in the post-match press conference last weekend. And while there has to be a turn in the tide soon, I doubt that can happen overnight.

The Dolphins will smell blood here. While Kristian Woolf’s side have lost their last four, they’ve been in all of those aside from the hammering by a rejuvenated Manly.

And the Storm are just so out of sorts that you have to back the home side. For it’s not just that Melbourne are on a six-game skid, it is that they have lost those matches at an average score of 35-15.

As such, I’m on the Dolphins for the win and like the look of the -4 handicap which boosts their price to 1/1.

Dolphins vs Storm - Handicap 3-Way

Dolphins -4

1/1

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

Storm Under 22.5 Points @ 1/1

The 48-6 reverse to the Rabbitohs. That 50-10 hammering by Penrith. The 38-14 loss against the Warriors. The Storm’s recent results have not just been a reflection of their poor defence but also their sudden inability to put opposition defences under pressure.

Only against the Cowboys – when they lost 28-24 – have they breached 22.5 points over the last month-and-a-half, and I think that trend continues on Friday.

Dolphins vs Storm - Storm Total Points 22.5-25.5

Under 22.5

1/1

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

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