Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 11 clash between the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Melbourne Storm.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Vs Melbourne Storm
Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Date: Saturday 17 May, 7:35pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Teig Wilton 22. Chris Veaila
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Joe Chan 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Harry Grant 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Referee: Adam Gee
Bunker: Chris Butler
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
It will be a big weekend in the Shire, with the black, white, and blue army preparing for an epic showdown between their fifth-place Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the third-place Melbourne Storm at Sharks Stadium on Saturday night.
The Sharks have won their past three games against the Storm at Sharks Stadium. With six wins and four losses this season, the Sharks seem motivated to achieve a win at home and get the job done against the Storm.
The encounter against the Sea Eagles was a fantastic victory for them last weekend, with the Sea Eagles unable to keep the pace: even Cherry-Evans looked misguided. It has been a less than perfect season for them: even the return of Turbo Tom Trbojevic could not help them.
The Sharks coasted to victory with speed, precision, and athleticism. Dominating possession and field position, brilliant line breaks, 30 tackle breaks, quick play-the-balls, and strong kick bombs. Nothing could stop their perfect strategy and execution, defeating the Sea Eagles 30-14.
Nicho Hynes really stepped up against the Sea Eagles, and all eyes will be on him and his halves partner Braydon Trindall to provide another strong effort against the Storm. Hynes managed the flow of play, assisting to set up a magnificent set of tries, helping steer the Sharks home for a win.
Other players who will be on the Storm’s radar are winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, who had an impressive game last weekend, scoring important tries. He has scored 37 tries in 35 games at Shark Stadium, a player with undeniable talent and speed, while KL Iro provides pace to the centre and has scored seven tries in his previous six games.
This combination of proficient players, together with Kennedy and his sharp eyes, skilful footwork, and ball-handling abilities, might give players like Ryan Papenhuyzen a run for his money.
The Sharks will make minor changes to their line-up against the Storm, with the return of Oregon Kaufusi and Sifa Talakai to the starting line-up and Teig Wilton in reserves.
The last time these two teams met was in the first week of the 2024 finals; the Storm almost eliminated the Sharks off the board, defeating them 37-10 at AAMI Park.
The Storm’s match against the Wests Tigers last weekend appeared to be a walk in the park, considering their remarkable qualities as a team, sweeping the field clean for a 64-0 win.
They have won seven of their past nine games against the Sharks and will be looking to upset them with a victory in front of the Sharks’ home crowd this weekend.
Papenhuyzen, who may well be a contender for a spot in the New South Wales Origin side, put in an incredible effort against the Tigers, scoring the most points in an NRL game with 36 points and four tries. He has scored seven tries in his past four games and is an unstoppable force who might pose a direct threat to the Sharks if they put a foot wrong.
The combination of Munster, Hughes, Coates, and Papenhuyzen was effective against the Tigers, bulldozing their way through, setting up plays, dominating field position with good kicking game, and displaying powerful line-breaking ability.
This group of players will put the Sharks’ defensive line to the test, as they will need to be on their game and alert against a powerful, often unstoppable Melbourne Storm team, who are gaining strength and leaving no room for error.
Coach Craig Bellamy remains confident sticking with the same 17 that shattered the Tigers, with captain Harry Grant and Nelson Asofa-Solomona listed in reserves and Tui Kamikamica on the bench.
It will be an intense, fierce battle for dominance in a who dares wins type of competition between two teams who are confident in their abilities and both deserving of another premiership.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Sharks by 6 points.
Check out our round 11 predictions here.
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