Papenhuyzen inspired Storm crowned Minor Premiers against shaky Sharks

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Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Melbourne Storm

Ryan Papenhuyzen sounded an alarm just before the finals with a hat-trick in a 28-16 success for Melbourne Storm tonight against top eight hopefuls Cronulla Sharks tonight at Robina. 

Melbourne Storm were crowned Minor Premiers for the fourth time in six years in a solid display which was highlighted by the work from two of their main stars Jerome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen which has put a huge dent in the Sharks top eight hopes. 

The equation was simple for both sides tonight, victory ensured they reached their goal for the season. Sharks needed to win to confirm a top eight spot while the Storm success meant another trophy added to their burgeoning cabinet. A slip up by either allowed Warriors or Panthers to sneak up on them. 

Sharks gave the Storm a fright in the first half with some expressive football. The shire side were giving the ball air and went into the break at 12-all due to a pair of fantastic finishes from winger Sione Katoa. He has become the premier finisher in the NRL and might qualify for the next Olympics with his acrobatics tonight. 

Melbourne were first on the scoresheet though charismatic hooker Brandon Smith. The man who has been kicked out of the front rowers union has become an explosive option for the Storm in attack and finishes the regular season with 12 tries for the year. 

There was a big, big sound (not that one) at half-time which spurred on the Storm. Right after the break Storm ran in back-to-back tries from Marion Seve and Papenhuyzen picked up his second with a superb support role on the inside to stretch the advantage to 12. 

It has been a rough year for Papenhuyzen but the superstar fullback was back at his best tonight. He scored a hat-trick of tries and was electric in all his runs against a desperate opposition. His combination with halfback Jerome Hughes - who had the ball on a string with his kicking game - sent a loud message to the rest of the competition headed into September. 

Once the Storm clicked into gear, Sharks couldn't go with them. Matt Moylan didn't have his best night with several errors in attack and their attack was clunky in the second half with their only four-pointer coming in late. Swiss knife back Connor Tracey pinned his ears back to get the margin back within a dozen. 

That leaves the Sharks on a knifes edge for the top eight. If Gold Coast Titans win by 12 or more, they will leapfrog the Sharks into 8th spot. Whatever happens, 2021 has been a successful season for the Sharks despite the mid-season coaching change. There is a new sheriff coming in 2022 alongside Nicho Hynes and their young talent which has flourished this season.