Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Grand Final

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

The 2025 NRL Premiership culminates in a heavyweight Grand Final on Sunday at Sydney's Accor Stadium, as the Melbourne Storm take on the Brisbane Broncos.

Start date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms

Melbourne Storm team news

Coach Craig Bellamy heads into a record-breaking 11th grand final with the same 17 that downed the Cronulla Sharks in the preliminary final. GrantAnderson has been listed as 18th man, a role that was filled last week by Joe Chan. Playmaker Jonah Pezet and speedster Sua Fa'aalogo are listed among the reserves. 

Squad: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Ativalu Lisati 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Grant Anderson 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Joe Chan 21. Jonah Pezet 22. Sualauvi Faalogo

Brisbane Broncos team news

Just the one change for Michael Maguire with skipper Pat Carrigan's return from suspension at lock pushing Tyson Smoothy to the interchange. Ben Talty is the unlucky man to drop out of the side that downed the Panthers in the preliminary final. Selwyn Cobbo is again listed among the reserves while Jesse Arthars has again been named as 18th man, as he was in the club's two finals matches against the Raiders and Panthers.

Squad: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ezra Mam 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Tyson Smoothy 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Jack Gosiewski 20. Ben Talty 21. Selwyn Cobbo 22. Jock Madden

Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos prediction

The Melbourne Storm enters the Grand Final on the back of a clinical finals campaign, securing their spot with a disciplined 22-14 victory over the Cronulla Sharks in the preliminary final. Their path also included a tough 26-18 qualifying final win against the Canterbury Bulldogs, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. 

The Brisbane Broncos have reached the decider with a flair for the dramatic, riding a five-game winning streak. Their finals run has been defined by extraordinary comebacks, including a 29-28 golden point win over the Canberra Raiders and a stunning 16-14 preliminary final victory against the four-time reigning premiers Penrith Panthers, after trailing 14-0 at halftime. Remarkably, the Panthers had been undefeated in 98 straight contests when leading by more than 12 points.

Key Players and Stats:

Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster has been the creative force for his side, leading the team with 23 try assists this season.

Broncos middle forward Payne Haas has been a dominant force, leading the Broncos in both post-contact metres (1,562) and offloads (70).

• The Storm have won 17 of their last 19 games against the Broncos.
• Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has scored 12 tries in 13 games against the Broncos.
• Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has scored eight tries in his last eight games.
• Storm coach Craig Bellamy has won 14 of 16 games against Michael Maguire-coached teams.
• The Broncos have scored 197 points in their last six games.
• Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy will break Wayne Bennett’s record of 10 grand finals as coach.
• The Broncos have won only three of their last 11 games at Accor Stadium.
• The Storm have 15 players who have played a total of 21 grand finals.
• The Broncos have 12 players who have played a total of 14 grand finals.

Head-to-Head:

The teams met twice during the 2025 season, with each winning on their home ground. The Storm claimed a 22-2 victory in Round 23, before the Broncos answered with a 30-14 win in Round 27, ambeit with Melbourne resting multiple players. Historically, Melbourne holds a significant advantage, having won 43 of the 59 encounters and 6 out of 9 finals (since 1998). However, Brisbane won the only previous Grand Final meeting back in 2006 (15-8)

This Grand Final presents a classic clash of styles: the Storm's relentless structure and defensive grit against the Broncos' high-energy, resilient attack. The battle of the forward packs and the influence of the star-studded spines will be decisive.

While Brisbane's comeback heroics have been compelling, Melbourne's big-game experience and defensive prowess may give them the edge in a tightly contested affair.

Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos tip: Melbourne Storm to win & Cameron Munster to win the Clive Churchill Medal