Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm Verdict
Cronulla rest a number of players ahead of the finals. That has result in a -8.5 line set for the Storm, who will be missing September. I'm backing Melbourne to cover and keep the absentee-hit Sharks under 21.5 points.
- Sharks have lost three of their last four games, including 20-point loss vs Eels last week
- Three of those four defeats for Sharks were vs teams outside the top eight
- Storm have won two of their last three games by 22+ points
- Sharks have gone Under 21.5 team points in three of their last four games
- Storm have won six straight games with Munster & Hughes in the halves, five by 13+
- Tyran Wishart has scored five tries in his last five games, will play his 100th game here
- Sione Katoa has scored 13 tries in his last 10 games
Sharks vs Storm Head To Head
Melbourne have won three of the last four meetings, but haven't tasted victory in the Shire since 2017. This will be their first encounter in 2026.
Cronulla Sharks Form
Cronulla were humming with nine wins from 10 games, but the wheels have fallen off and now the Sharks will be tasked with a do-or-die elimination final after missing out on the top four.
It all started with a shock loss to the bottom-placed Dragons and continued with defeats to Canberra and Parramatta.
Last week was a dismal performance as the Sharks went down 38-18 to the Eels. Cronulla leaked two tries in the opening six minutes and never recovered.
Melbourne Storm Form
Tough season for the Storm in more ways than one, but they've never thrown in the towel and have produced some pretty good footy over the last few weeks.
Melbourne crushed Manly 42-20 before playing Penrith close in a 22-14 defeat.
The Storm then went up to Suncorp and dismantled the Broncos, piling on the points in an emphatic 46-20 triumph. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown crossed for his first NRL hat-trick.
Sharks vs Storm Team News
Braden Uele, Hohepa Puru, Jayden Berrell, Michael Gabrael, Toby Rudolf and Tuku Hau Tapuha have all been called into the Sharks side.
Craig Bellamy has stuck solid with the same team that eased past Brisbane last week.