Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks Preview & Prediction | NRL 2024 | Qualifying Final
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Minor premiers Melbourne Storm will hope to make home advantage count as they take on Cronulla Sharks in this second Qualifying Final as they bid to earn the week off.
START DATE/TIME: UK - Saturday 14th September, 2024 - 7:05am / AUS - 4:05pm / US EST - 2:05am / US PST - Friday 13th September, 2024 - 11:05pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Mix in the UK / This match will be broadcast live on Fox League in Australia / This match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports in the US
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL and Sky Go in the UK / This match will be streamed live on Kayo Sports in Australia / This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the US
MELBOURNE STORM FORM: STORM RUN RIOT
Melbourne hit 50 points on the road against Brisbane Broncos last week. That ensured they have won five of their last six and will be full of confidence having lost just two home games all season, although one of those did occur against the Sharks.
LAST FIVE: WWWLW
CRONULLA SHARKS FORM: CLASSY CRONULLA
In something of a statement performance, the Sharks were far too good for fellow top eight side Manly Sea Eagles as they ran in 40 points, also making it five victories from their last six to match the recent form of the Storm.
LAST FIVE: WWWLW
MELBOURNE STORM TEAM NEWS: TIMELY RETURN FOR PAPENHUYZEN
Stand-in fullback Sua Faalogo went down with a hamstring injury last week so first-choice Ryan Papenhuyzen overcoming an injury of his own is extremely welcome. Christian Welch is also back from illness.
Starting 13: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Joe Chan 22. Ativalu Lisati
CRONULLA SHARKS TEAM NEWS: KAUFUSI STRAIGHT BACK IN
Prop Oregon Kaufusi was afforded a rest last time out and comes straight back into the run-on side. His return sees Royce Hunt shift to the bench while Tom Hazelton is in doubt with a knee injury and will need to prove his fitness if he is to make the 17.
Starting 13: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes Bench: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jack Williams 16. Royce Hunt 17. Siosifa Talakai Reserves: 18. Braden Hamlin-Uele 19. Chris Veaila 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Thomas Hazelton
MELBOURNE STORM VS CRONULLA SHARKS PREDICTION
Melbourne Storm have been the best team in the NRL to date this season but they will not be content with finishing with just the minor Premiership. They take on Cronulla Sharks for the right to earn the week off with both teams believing they can win, especially after claiming impressive victories last time out. Both can prevail but the Storm are very tough to beat on home soil and with five wins in their last six against the Sharks at AAMI Park, the home side are given the nod.
MELBOURNE STORM VS CRONULLA SHARKS TIP: MELBOURNE STORM TO WIN
