Trindall tries the chip kick again. Papenhuyzen covers up. Storm are your Minor Premiers in 2021.
High kick is taken by Kennedy. Sharks will finish with the ball.
Sharks tried to get a bit expansive but Storm clean up. They should see this game out now.
Trindall pushes it right. Margin is 12.
Connor Tracey gets his side some consolation points which makes it tougher for the Titans! Quick hands left and Tracey just headed for the line.
Metcalf loses the ball. Atkinson on the charge!
Welcome to first grade Dan Atkinson. He loses it on his first touch.
Hynes from close range. Misses.
It's the Hughes and Papenhuyzen show! Hughes straightened the attack after a wayward pass. He kicks softly and Papenhuyzen is there to complete his hat-trick.
Rinse and repeat. Hughes tried to go himself, adjusted and forces another dropout.
Hughes kicks behind the Sharks defensive line. Hiroti has nothing he can do bar take it dead. Another dropout.
Lumelume can't handle the pass after some good build up. Sharks hold on again.
Sharks are just hanging on here. Storm went down the shortside on last and it is knocked down by Katoa.
Moylan kicks out on the full. Sharks losing their way now.
Tepai Moeroa knocks on in the chase of the kick. Sharks survive there.
Hynes chases his own kick and turns the screws. Dropout incoming.
Counter attack from Papenhuyzen. The kick from Moylan was tame and the fullback just turned on the afterburners.
PENALTY SHARKS! Here is their chance to get back in this!
Kennedy's kick almost went too long but it touched Seve before it hit the ground! Dropout.
Hynes loses it trying to go through the line.
Been all Storm since the break! Must've been some spray from Bellamy.
Hynes sends over another kick.
Storm have hit their top gear! Harry Grant just walked through the middle and found his fullback trailing inside.
Hynes raises the flags!
PENALTY STORM! Offside. Sharks were back tracking and looked shot to bits. They will take the two.
PENALTY STORM! It is falling apart quickly from the Sharks. Hit off the ball.
Hynes from mid range. Misses.
Storm just marched down the field in that set. It ended up with Marion Seve diving over.
Back for the second half! Both teams need to win so we're set for a contest! Melbourne Storm kick-off!
Last kick of the half will go to Braydon Trindall. He takes in the crowd and steadies, He kept it straight. Over. HALFTIME.
Sione Katoa is a magican part two! Quick hands on the right! The winger goes airborne and finishes it well. Might have to check the putdown. Nope. confirmed.
Chris Lewis knocks it down trying to save the day. Sharks scrum. CHALLENGE from the Storm! UNSUCCESSFUL! Sharks scrum still.
This looks more like the usual Papenhuyzen. He tries to charge through the gap but a strong tackle jars it loose. Sharks have the final say in the half.
Hynes with a mid range kick. He nails it.
This time Papenhuyzen has the four pointer! He takes the offload, steps inside and scores.
Kennedy forced to play at the ball after Hughes turned down the corridor and kicked low. Big chance for the Storm headed into half-time.
Olam creates some space before his flick to Ieremia is wayward.
Moylan having a shocker. His third error tonight. Sharks CHALLENGE. It is SUCCESSFUL! Ball always went backwards from the wayward pass. Sharks ball.
Storm try a counter attack from the kick return but Papenhuyzen leaves it behind.
Storm go for a charging Smith on last. He is clobbered and loses it.
Matt Moylan tries to take on the outside defenders and gets taken over the sideline.
Sharks point to the sticks. Trindall has the chance to level things up. He pushes it inside.
PENALTY SHARKS! Nikora is hit without the ball.
Storm get expansive! It was swing left to right like a pendulum before a tame kick on last is easily taken in goal. Sharks have a seven tackle set.
Not much adventure from the Sharks in that set. They tried to power through with Tieg Wilton who was well handled. Changeover.
Trindall with a more unorthodox kick but it gets the same result. It bounces twice and has to be slapped dead. Dropout again.
Another well timed kick from the Sharks. Trindall plants it behind Ieremia who slips and is driven in-goal. Dropout.
That was slick and simple! Tui Kamikamica went inches wide. Two passes left and Papenhuyzen slices through. It went upstairs. RED LIGHTS.. NO TRY! Obstruction. It only took one look. PENALTY SHARKS!
Moylan loses the ball in installments. Not what the Sharks needed as they were getting on top.
Trindall with a tough first kick of the night. Right touchline, he walks in and hits the post.
Sione Katoa can do magic! Jesse Ramien looked held, he flicks one in hope and Katao finishes it off.
Ieremia is pushed back in goal from a well timed kick. Sharks will get a repeat set.
Typical rampaging run from Olam but he forgot the ball! Sharks right on the attack!
Hynes converts.
Two crash plays and the Storm are over. Nelson Asofa-Solomona went close. Smith scoops and scores.
It had been an arm wrestle for the first few sets but Sharks blink first! Mawene Hiroti loses it in the tackle. Storm can set up here.
Good first set from both sides. Sharks are throwing it around! We're set up well for tonight.
KICK-OFF! Sharks kick it high into the Gold Coast sky and we're underway!
Healthy crowd in at Robina! It is a big contest for both sides. Storm are first onto the park in their purple garb looking to lift another Minor Premiership trophy and put last week behind them. Sharks are the nominal home side and emerge in their black, blue and white jersey with it all to play for!
Well this is it! Tonight determines where the Minor Premiership will go and possibly confirm the eighth spot in the finals equation. Melbourne come off a rare loss to the Eels at Suncorp which stopped their streak at 19 while the Sharks put away the Broncos to keep their hopes alive! Will the Storm rain on the Sharks parade? or will the Sharks take a bite out of their competition for eighth? Grab your drinks, snacks and get ready for a big night of league!
First things first - here are the finals equations for both clubs ahead of tonight's clash.
#NRLSharksStorm FINALS EQUATION
— LeagueUnlimited.com (@LeagueUnlimited) September 3, 2021
Melbourne are best placed to win the J.J. Giltinan Shield
WIN: Minor premiers
LOSS: Bite nails while watching #NRLEelsPanthers afterwards. Penrith win = Storm 2nd. Parra win = Minor Premiers pic.twitter.com/bzmFBrqwTG
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judges: David Munro, Chris Butler
Video Referee: Matt Noyen
CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (16)
Tries: Sione Katoa (2), Connor Tracey
Conversions: Braydon Trindall (1/3)
Penalty Goals: Braydon Trindall (1/1)
MELBOURNE STORM (28)
Tries: Brandon Smith, Ryan Papenhuyzen (3), Marion Seve
Conversions: Nicholas Hynes (3/5)
Penalty Goals: Nicholas Hynes (1/1)