Machibet777 LiveNRL 2025, Melbourne Storm, Cronulla Sharks, preliminary final, live blog, match highlights, late mail, injuries, coaches media conferences

Author: Martin Lenehan NRL Lead Journalist
Timestamp: Fri 26 Sep 2025, 06:52 PM

Can the Storm march into their fourth grand final in 10 years or will Fitzy's Sharks go back to the big dance for the first time since 2016?

That historic premiership success for Cronulla in 2016 came at the expense of the Storm, who made amends the following season by downing the Cowboys in the decider and claimed another title in 2020.

The last two finals meetings between the sides have resulted in big wins for the Storm - 37-10 in last year's qualifying and 22-6 in the preliminary final in 2018.

In two clashes this season the honours were shared, with both sides getting the job done on home soil - the Sharks by five points in Round 11 and the Storm by 24 points in Round 17 in Melbourne.

With a grand final spot on the line expect a fierce battle in the early exchanges as both packs look to establish supremacy.

Follow all the Preliminary Finals action on 820517.com's live blog.

Storm v Sharks at AAMI Park

Finals Week 3 - Finals Week 3 - Friday 26 Sep

9:50 am

Storm

Sharks

Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne

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Late Mail

Storm: A late swap in the back row with Shawn Blore to start the game in his return from a fractured larynx and Ativalu Lisati going to the bench. Halfback Jahrome Hughes returns just three weeks after fracturing his forearm against the Broncos while fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion) is also back on deck. Young gun Jonah Pezet makes way after playing a blinder in the qualifying final filling in for Hughes while Nick Meaney moves to the centres and Grant Anderson drops out. Joe Chan is 18th man.

Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Oregon Kaufusi has been recalled to the side to fill in for the luckless Tom Hazelton (concussion). Kaufusi will come from the bench in his 22nd appearance of the season. Dan Atkinson is again listed as 18th man. Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored eight tries in his last five games.

Numbers Game

The Storm have won their last four finals at AAMI Park.
The Sharks have conceded only 14 points per game over the past three months.
Storm hooker Harry Grant has scored six tries in his last six games against the Sharks.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored eight tries in his last five games.
Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 41 tries in 38 games at AAMI Park.