As it happened: Bulldogs topple Knights; Storm blitz Manly

Press conferences: Make sure you check out our live stream of the post-game press conferences to hear the latest on the Knights injured trio and what Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo made of a physical victory.

Full-time: The Bulldogs have started 5-0 for the fifth time in the club's proud history and the first since 1993 after grinding the Knights down in a physical contest at Accor Stadium. Three second half tries were the difference in the 20-0 victory, with Canterbury denying a late Newcastle comeback bid. 

The Knights were valiant, particularly after losing two players in the first two minutes and a third early in the second half but they were unable to break down the Bulldogs defensive line. Bulldogs 20 - Knights 0

71st minute: He had a try disallowed earlier in the game but milestone man Kurt Mann will not be denied this time, latching on to a Reed Mahony pass to crash over from short range. Newcastle have fought valiantly but that could be the straw that broke the camel's back at Accor Stadium. Bulldogs 20 - Knights 0

60th minute: The match has become an arm wrestle again, with the Knights fighting valiantly to stay in the contest. Canterbury had a Kurt Mann try denied due to a knock on and they were unable to add any more points while Crossland was off the field. 

Newcastle have been dealt another injury blow, with Jack Hetherington succumbing to a shoulder injury. The injury leaves the side with just one man on the bench. Despite the challenges, the Knights remain in it and a try would set up a fascinating finish. Bulldogs 14 - Knights 0

47th minute: It's starting to unravel a little bit for the Knights. Canterbury are rolling through the middle from the kickoff when Phoenix Crossland sticks a leg out to trip Toby Sexton. The Knights hooker was promptly sent to the sin bin and the Bulldogs immediately capitalised.

Reed Mahony scooted from dummy half before linking up with a charging Jack Todd who burst through for the first try of his NRL career, just seven days after making his debut. Coach Cameron Ciraldo called for his men to go through the Knights, rather than around them, and they've heeded that message during the opening seven minutes of this half. Bulldogs 14 - Knights 0

 

42nd minute: The Knights held firm throughout the first half, but it's taken less than two minutes for the Bulldogs to breakthrough in the second. Toby Sexton produced a pinpoint bomb for Jacob Kiraz, who tapped the ball back to Josh Curran to ground on the line. Stephen Crichton then nailed a crucial sideline conversion to push the lead beyond a converted try. 

Now they've got one, Canterbury are looking to go on with it, while Newcastle will need to regroup and claim the upper hand. Bulldogs 8 - Knights 0

Half-time: It's been a defensive grind throughout the opening 40 minutes, with Newcastle resolute as the Bulldogs attacked their line. Knights coach Adam O-Brien will be thrilled with the effort, particularly after they lost James Schiller and Jacob Saifiti inside the first 90 seconds. 

Canterbury have dominated the attacking stats, but they've lacked polish and have struggled to execute in the red zone. Newcastle will take plenty of confidence from the scoreline, however they've spent plenty of energy and the Bulldogs will hope the dam wall eventually bursts in the second half. Bulldogs 2 - Knights 0

33rd minute: Concern now for Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton who is receiving treatment for a shoulder injury. The centre is remaining on the field but will likely be monitored throughout the final seven minutes of the half. 

The Knights are defending valiantly but their attack is letting them down. Errors in good field position are letting their opponents off the hook and allowing Canterbury to continue building pressure. Bulldogs 2 - Knights 0

25th minute: Newcastle have been reduced to 15 men but they are not laying down and have defended desperately to hold the Bulldogs out. Canterbury have had multiple attacking sets of six but they haven't been able to find a way through. The tackled inside 20m stat reads 25-7 in the Bulldogs favour. 

More news has come to hand on Saifiti and Schiller, with Saifiti injuring his calf running on to the field and lasting just a minute before limping off. Schiller has failed his HIA and will not return. Bulldogs 2 - Knights 0

10th minute: The Knights have had to absorb a large amount of pressure early in this contest and the news is not improving, with Jacob Saifiti ruled out for the remainder of the match with a calf injury. Bulldogs 2 - Knights 0

2nd minute: It's a double blow for the Knights, with Jacob Saifiti also leaving the field inside the first two minutes with an apparent injury. Mat Croker has replaced him. Dane Gagai has shifted to the wing to replace Schiller. 

Newcastle are also facing an early deficit on the scoreboard, with Stephen Crichton kicking an early penalty goal. Bulldogs - Knights 0

Kickoff: The focus now shifts to Sydney Olympic Park where Multicultural Round will come to a close with the Bulldogs taking on the Knights in front of a big crowd at Accor Stadium. Around 30,000 fans are in attendance to watch Kurt Mann play his 200th game and Canterbury are out to continue their unbeaten start to the season. 

There's an early blow for the Knights, with James Schiller to leave the field for a HIA after a head clash in the opening set of the match. The winger was bleeding following the collision. 

Late mail: Jacob Kiraz has been cleared to make his return from a hip injury and will line up in his first game of the season. Blake Wilson makes way as a result. Blake Taaffe came on to the bench in Saturday's 24-hour update, with Kurtis Morrin dropping out. 

No changes for the Knights, who will line up 1-17.

Sea Eagles v Storm at 4 Pines Park

Press conferences: There is plenty to discuss from an entertaining contest at 4 Pines Park, so make sure to catch the live stream of the press conferences to hear what the coaches and captains made of Melbourne's win over the Sea Eagles. 

Full-time: Manly have finished with a late flurry, with winger Clayton Faulalo diving in the corner to give the home fans something to celebrate. It was too little too late, however, with Melbourne claiming a comprehensive victory courtesy of a second-half blitz. Concern for Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab, who limped from the field in the final minute. Sea Eagles 24 - Storm 48

73rd minute: Haumole Olakau'atu is at his best when he's in clear space and he made another powerful carry to break through the Storm defensive line before fending off Cameron Munster and linking up with Jason Saab for another try. Sea Eagles 18 - Storm 48

68th minute: Manly have one back, with Luke Brooks engaging the defence before laying it on for Tolu Koula, who crossed for his second. With the match safely in the bag, Xavier Coates and Ryan Papenhuyzen have left the field, leading to some players playing out of position and the Sea Eagles identified the weakness and attacked it successfully. Sea Eagles 14 - Storm 48

63rd minute: The onslaught continues. This time it's a set play from a midfield scrum, with youngster Jack Howarth producing some fancy feet to stand up Reuben Garrick and burst past the defender. Manly are in grave danger of conceding 50 points and we all know what that means for a team's premiership hopes. Sea Eagles 10 - Storm 48

58th minute: Melbourne are not letting up, with substitute Bronson Garlick getting into the action just moments after coming on to the field. Dummy half Harry Grant weighed up his options as he took the defensive line on, eventually putting a grubber in behind the Manly line and Garlick won the race to the ball. Sea Eagles 10 - Storm 42

55th minute: It was 1-2-3 for the Storm in the first half and it's 1-2-3 in the second half, with Grant Anderson crossing for the first hat-trick of his career. Jahrome Hughes was out of play after falling awkwardly in a tackle however Melbourne did not skip a beat, with Papenhuyzen stepping into the playmaker role and setting up his winger for his side's third try in the space of five minutes. Sea Eagles 10 - Storm 36

52nd minute: The second half is quickly becoming a near repeat of the first, with the Storm adding a second in quick succession. An attacking play from inside their own half saw Jahrome Hughes throw a dummy and slice through the defensive line, with Ryan Papenhuyzen eventually finishing off the long-range effort. Suddenly the crowd at 4 Pines Park is silent again and it's a long way back for Manly. Sea Eagles 10 - Storm 30

50th minute: The Storm were desperate to reassert their dominance early in the second half and they've managed to wear their opponents out. A Ben Trbojevic error provided the visitors with a chance to attack before Jahrome Hughes produced another perfect pass to Grant Anderson, who did the rest to find the line. Sea Eagles 10 - Storm 24

Half-time: Reuben Garrick has nailed a long-range penalty goal with the final play of the half to cut the margin to eight and set up a gripping second half at 4 Pines Park. 

Manly had all the running throughout the final 10 minutes of the half and looked like breaking through on multiple ocasins. Haumole Olakau'atu has looked dangerous every time he's had his hands on the ball, laying on multiple breaks with spectacular offloads. The finish to the half got the crowd back into it and they've been making plenty of noise for the Sea Eagles' comeback bid. 

The Storm have scrambled superbly to hold on to an eight-point lead at the break and they'll look to reclaim control of the match when the second half begins. Melbourne were flawless through a five minute period, with Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster orchestrating three tries in quick succession. Sea Eagles 10 - Storm 18

31st minute: This time Koula makes no mistake and the Sea Eagles are back in this. The try came after a handful of dangerous attacking plays, with Manly keeping the ball alive with multiple offloads. The Melbourne defence scrambled desperately however the pressure was eventually too much and Koula was able to capitalise on a disjointed defensive line.

Now the Storm have put the kick off out on the full and Manly have a chance to add a second. Sea Eagles 8 - Storm 18

27th minute: Manly haven't gone into their shell and they continue to pose plenty of questions with ball in hand. The Storm scramble defence has so far been up to the task, with the Sea Eagles lamenting a handful of missed opportunities. 

The latest came as Tolu Koula charged before the line, only to drop the ball as he attempted to ground it after a desperate try-saving tackle. Sea Eagles 2 - Storm 18

17th minute: It's a Melbourne ambush at Fortress Brookvale, the Storm running in their third try in five minutes. A risky pass deep inside their own half saw Grant Anderson streak down the field, putting the visitors back on the attack. 

The winger finished it off a few plays later, latching on to a superb Jahrome Hughes pass to cross in the corner. Sea Eagles 2 - Storm 18

15th minute: Munster has showed up ready to play and he's currently winning the one on one battle with Manly edge forward Haumole Olakau'atu. Reuben Garrick put the kick off out on the full and the Storm were thrilled to receive another attacking opportunity. Munster threw a dummy and stepped past Olakau'atu before beating a desperate Jake Trbojevic to make it 12-2. Sea Eagles 2 - Storm 12.

12th minute: It's been an entertaining start to the match, with more than six minutes of continuous ball in play time and the Storm have eventually ground the Sea Eagles down. Both teams have been willing to throw the ball around, but a poor Manly fifth tackle option provided Melbourne with good field position.

The hosts defended valiantly but eventually Cam Munster spotted a game and put Stefano Utoikamanu through a hole for the first try of the game. Sea Eagles 2 - Storm 6

Kickoff: It's a full house at 4 Pines Park as Ryan Papenhuyzen gets us underway for the latest edition of this fierce rivalry. Melbourne are determined to bounce back after last week's shock loss to the Dragons and Jahrome Hughes' return should ensure their attack is on point today. Sea Eagles fans will get another glimpse of the future, with Lehi Hopoate starting at fullback in place of the injured Tom Trbojevic. 

There are some early cheers from the Manly faithful, with the home side receiving a penalty in the opening set of six and they're straight on to the attack. Papenhuyzen was not able to cleanly pick up a grubber at the end of the set, with Hughes touching it from an offside position and the home side have the first points of the game. Sea Eagles 2 - Storm 0

Late mail: Jahrome Hughes' shock return from a fractured hand has been locked in, with the Dally M Medal winner to take the field just two weeks after suffering the injury. Former New Zealand sevens star Moses Leo will also make his NRL debut, having been added to the starting side in Sunday's final team update. Leo will line up at centre, with Tyran Wishart shifting to the bench. 

As for Manly, just one late change, with Toafofoa Sipley moving to the starting side and Nathan Brown reverting to the interchange.