Melbourne's future looks bright with or without their big stars if their 23-12 NRL win over Canterbury at AAMI Park on Sunday is anything to go by.

An under-strength Storm easily overwhelmed the hapless Bulldogs to leave them flailing near the bottom of the competition ladder with only three wins from 11 games.

The Storm headed into the clash minus injured Origin stars Billy Slater (back), Greg Inglis (hamstring) and Brett White (foot) and were also without missing skipper and Test hooker Cameron Smith (elbow).

But their replacements proved more than worthy as they raced to a 23-0 half-time lead.

While the visitors turned in a much-improved second half, the lead was too formidable to peg back, leaving the Bulldogs winless in Melbourne since 2005.

Likely to lose a few big names after the exposure of the club's salary cap cheating as they attempt to get under the cap by next year, the side that ran out gave a possible glimpse into the future.

Stand-in coach Stephen Kearney, who took over in the absence of NSW Origin mentor Craig Bellamy, was delighted with the young team's showing.

"It was very pleasing, the effort and the way the guys applied themselves particularly in the first half," he said.

"The outside backs did a wonderful job for us and the younger guys, Gareth Widdop, certainly didn't look out of place at all and he's only played one other first grade game this year.

"The young guys in the group, their efforts were fantastic."

England-born Widdop was called in at fullback following the late withdrawal of Slater with back soreness and impressed with a try and three conversions.

Former Dragon Chase Stanley, who replaced Inglis in his Storm debut, also scored as Bulldogs centre Josh Morris fell off the tackle but left the field with a knee injury which could keep him sidelined for a fortnight.

Canterbury's NSW Origin contingent, of Brett Kimmorley, Jamal Idris and Michael Ennis backed up but the trio had another miserable outing following Wednesday night's loss to Queensland.

The visitors had a day when little went right from the bounce of the ball to decisions by video referee Chris Ward.

Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore said the match would have been more of a contest if Ward had given an effort by Yileen Gordon in the 52nd minute the benefit of the doubt.

"We made it incredibly difficult for ourselves with our performance in the first half," he said.?

"The opposition are finding a way to make the bounce of the ball go their way and we're not doing that.

"Sometimes because they're over-trying they're just making poor decisions at the wrong time."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP