Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Preliminary Final
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AAMI Park hosts a Friday blockbuster as the Melbourne Storm, fresh off a week's rest, take on the in-form Cronulla Sharks for a place in the 2025 NRL Grand Final.
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
The Storm receives a massive boost with the return of their first-choice spine, as halfback Jahrome Hughes and fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen are back from injury. Their inclusion sees Nick Meaney move to the centres and Jonah Pezet drop out of the 17. Shawn Blore also returns to add some starch to their edge.
Squad: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King Ativalu Lisati 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Shawn Blore 16. Tui Kamikamica. 17. Alec McDonald 18th man: Bronson Garlick
Cronulla Sharks team news
The Sharks have named a largely unchanged side, with the only forced change seeing Oregon Kaufusi join the bench for Tom Hazelton, who is out under concussion protocols. Star back-rower Briton Nikora has again been named on the interchange, providing significant impact.
Squad: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3 Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Briton Nikora 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18th man: Daniel Atkinson
Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks prediction
The Melbourne Storm earned a week off after a 26-18 Qualifying Final win over the Canterbury Bulldogs, allowing key players to recover from injury just in time for their most important match of the year.
The Cronulla Sharks are battle-hardened, having beaten the Sydney Roosters 20-10 and the minor premier Canberra Raiders 32-12 on their way to the preliminary final. They are on a five-game winning streak, built on a formidable defence that has conceded just 14 points per game over the past three months.
Key Stats:
- The Storm have won their last four finals at AAMI Park.
- The Sharks have conceded only 14 points per game over the past three months.
- Storm hooker Harry Grant has scored six tries in his last six games against the Sharks.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored eight tries in his last five games.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 41 tries in 38 games at AAMI Park.
Head-to-Head:
The teams have split their two encounters in 2025, with the Sharks winning 31-26 in Round 11 and the Storm dominating 30-6 in Round 17. Melbourne holds the overall advantage 31-18 and has won 14 of 17 clashes against the Sharks at AAMI Park, a venue where they have won their last four finals matches.
This preliminary final shapes as a clash of contrasting styles: Melbourne, buoyed by the return of their star spine and the energy of their home crowd, will lean on their big-game experience with Hughes and Papenhuyzen central to reigniting their clinical attack. The Sharks, built on defensive steel through Brailey and a powerful forward pack, must withstand the early onslaught if they have a chance of getting through to the big dance.
Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks tip: Melbourne Storm to win & Xavier Coates to score a try
