Finals Week 1: Storm v Sharks preview
It's a Sharknado in Melbourne as finals season opens.
2024 NRL minor premiers Melbourne Storm will prepare a special welcome for the Cronulla Sharks as each team is poised to pen their own part of history into the finals series.
Both teams staunchly ended the regular season, with the Storm dispatching a hapless Brisbane Broncos 12-50 at Suncorp stadium. The Sharks showed no mercy in taking it to the Maly Sea Eagles 20-40 at 4 Pines Park.
The stars were out for the Storm last round, only minus Ryan Papenhuyzen, but it didn't matter as they grindded salt into the wounds of the Broncos at Suncorp. Coming off a loss from the round before, coach Craig Bellamy was keen to get his team running hot into the finals. Off the back of another stellar performance from Jahrome Hughes, the Storm clearly showed they are hitting their straps for their finals run. Ryan Papenhuyzen returns from injury, and Christian Welch is available after being ill last round. Sualauvi Faalogo has picked up a hamstring injury and is likely to be out for two weeks.
The Sharks showed they are genuine contenders, with a solid performance from the players all around. Coach Craig Fitzgibbons may have played his cards for a reason in a game that didn't demand a full team. With the Sharks bowing out without a win in their last two finals campaigns, it could be easy to write them off before any whistles blow. However, the performance against Manly shows that the team has earned the right to be where it is and demands respect. Oregon Kaufisi returns to prop for the Saturday clash with Royce Hunt on the bench. Shark fan favourite Tom Hazelton picked up a knee injury from the last round and is named in the extended lineup. Toby Rudolf will make his 100th NRL appearance for the game.
Last meeting: Round 10 2024 - Storm 18 Sharks 25
Who to watch: When we look at the spine of the Storm, Harry Grant, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen, we have to appreciate the depth of skill and raw ability that, if it lines up, will be perfect. With a hat trick, over 150 meters ran, and several line breaks, Hughes was the best on the field last round, but that's been the case for most of the year. With many of Hughes's partners in crime of the spine missing due to injury and Origin through the year, the Kiwi halfback didn't miss a beat and has been one of the best halfbacks of the season.
We had a taste of Xavier Coates last round, and the champion winger will be aiming to add to his tally of 29 tries in 25 games at AAMI Park, one of those tries in round 2 against the Warriors surely still in contention for try of the year. His athletic ability is balanced out on the other side of the field, as Will Warbrick has also been eating up tries. But the big winger's energy in running the ball back and following the breaks in play showcases his skills and gathers plenty of attention from the opposition.
The Storm's forward pack consists of workhorses like Joh King and Trent Loiero, as well as impact players like Eliesa Katoa, who will also play a significant role as they slot into the well-oiled machine of the Storm.
The Cronulla Sharks have been winning of a solid platform built by their forwards. Cam McInnes is a warrior, leader, and solid defender in the middle. His presence is a rally to the troops. And he may have been flying under the radar, but Kiwi international Briton Nikora is in top form and bagged two tries at the back end of last rounds game. And that is the thing with Nikora; his fitness and tenacity have helped the Sharks forward hold dominance in their wins this year.
Nicho Hynes has his doubters, but he gave a sound performance in the last round after returning from an injury. Respect for getting to the finals, his old club, and stamping himself as one of the better playmakers of the game will be what are driving Hynes to this finals game, no doubt.
The Sharks have good finishers in Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Mulitalo. Give them space, and they will give you a headache.
FAVOURITE: As it's finals and a top-four clash, deciding who would be the favourite is hard. But looking at the history, it's definitely in favour of the Storm, who won six of their last final games at AAMI Park. In contrast, the Sharks are trying to break their hoodoo of being a no-show in the finals. Unable to register a win in their last six appearances, the onus is on Cronulla to earn the respect of punters.
MY TIP: I give it to the Sharks; they have been a tough side all year and deserve their chance to make amends for the last few years. But taking on an across-the-board class act like the Storm, who are primed, I can't help but lean into the Storm as taking this one home. Storm by two tries.
