NRL Match Preview: Qualifying Final v Storm

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Fri 13 Sep 2024, 04:04 PM

While they'll be without Jesse Ramien, the Sharks are ready to replicate their earlier success in Melbourne when they face the Storm in a qualifying final on Saturday.

Ramien has been ruled out after suffering an ankle injury against Manly last week, with Siosifa Talakai promoted from the bench to start at centre. In positive news, prop Tom Hazelton has overcome a minor knee issue and will join the interchange.

Rounding out the 24-hour team update, Braden Hamlin-Uele and Sam Stonestreet have been omitted, while Chris Vea'ila is now the 18th man. Jayden Berrell also remains in the 19-player extended squad.

AAMI Park is regarded as a fortress for the Storm, but Cronulla upstaged the minor premiers on their home patch with a 25-18 victory in Round 10.

The performance was all the more meritorious given they did it without marquee halfback Nicho Hynes, though Melbourne were also missing their general Jahrome Hughes and fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen. All three stars are on deck this time.

"We obviously really enjoyed coming down here and playing well that night," Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon reflected.

The Coach's Mail - Qualifying Final

"But I think this will be a good challenge for us and a different set of circumstances. We're looking forward to that."

The Sharks can earn a week off and a place in a preliminary final by knocking off the Storm again, with the loser to tackle the Knights or Cowboys in a sudden-death fixture.

The clash is set to be the latest in a long line of famous battles between Cronulla and Melbourne including the historic 2016 decider won by the Sharks.

In finishing the regular season in fourth place, Fitzgibbon has become the first Sharks coach to qualify for the finals in each of his first three seasons. His side are now primed to open their playoffs account, having gone down in three previous attempts – twice by a heartbreaking field goal.

Cronulla won't be weighed down by recent history or external narratives, with Fitzgibbon encouraging his troops to embrace the excitement of the post-season.

"You remember the experiences and lessons that you get. They were painful at the time, but we've left all that stuff behind us now," Fitzgibbon said.

"I feel like we've got a different crew with a different energy this time."

Hynes added confidently: "We've matured more, we're a better team, we've been around each other longer, we're more connected, so I feel like we're in a better spot now than we ever have been."

Two games back from a seven-week ankle injury, the influential No.7 also declared: "I feel like I've been the most set up I ever have been right now for a finals series and I'll continue to learn and grow."

Interestingly, the Storm have lost four of their past five finals fixtures.

Hynes – along with playmaking bench utility Daniel Atkinson, the architect of the memorable Round 10 win – will put friendships aside to plot his ex-club's downfall.

"I dream of playing in the finals regardless of who you're playing against," Hynes said. "I've got some mates in the (Storm) team but they're not my mates this week and they're not my mates for the 80 minutes on the field."

Sharks prop Toby Rudolf will celebrate his 100th NRL match.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 4.05pm.

Catch the action live on Nine, Nine Now, Foxtel and Kayo.

See the 19-man team lists below.

Finals Week 1 - Finals Week 1 - Saturday 14 Sep

Full Time

Storm

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney

Centre for Sharks is number 17 Siosifa Talakai
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Christian Welch

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Royce Hunt
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald

Interchange for Sharks is number 22 Thomas Hazelton