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Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm Preview & Tips - Storm value to cover the line in NRL

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: 15 May 2025

Andrew Hendrie 15 May 2025

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Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm expert predictions for Saturday's NRL Round 11 game
Storm have won 7 of last 9 games vs Sharks, dominating with high scoring
Munster and Hughes expected to significantly impact the game

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Cameron Munster of the Storm (Getty Images)

Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm Preview

Melbourne have won seven of their last nine meetings with the Sharks, scoring 28+ points in the last five of those victories. They can cover the line and I'm taking either one of Cameron Munster or Jahrome Hughes to cross for a try.

Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm Preview
Head To Head
Cronulla Sharks Form
Cronulla Sharks Team News
Cronulla Sharks Team List
Melbourne Storm Form
Melbourne Storm Team News
Melbourne Storm Team List

Storm have won seven of the last nine meetings between the teams
Storm have scored 28+ points in their last five wins over Sharks
Storm have scored 30+ points in five of their six wins in 2025
Since leaving the Storm for the Sharks, Nicho Hynes has lost all three meetings with Melbourne by 13+ margins
Cameron Munster & Jahrome Hughes have combined for at least one try in their last four games starting together vs Sharks
Munster & Hughes each scored a try in the win last week vs Tigers

Head To Head

The Storm have won seven of their last nine games against the Sharks, although Cronulla managed to post a 25-18 win in Round 10 last year.

Melbourne returned serve with a 37-10 rout in the finals, where Munster scored the first try and Harry Grant crossed for a second-half hat-trick.

Cronulla Sharks Form

Solid without being spectacular. I think that pretty much describes the Sharks in 2025 and basically ever since Craig Fitzgibbon took charge of the club a few years ago.

Cronulla do a good job of beating those they are supposed to, but when it comes to the elite teams, they have a history of struggling, which makes this game against Melbourne so interesting.

There's no doubt the Sharks have an electric backline when firing on all cylinders - Will Kennedy is currently leading the Dally M leaderboard after 10 rounds, while KL Iro has been a revelation, scoring in all six games this season.

The Sharks come into this clash with four wins from their last five, including a comfortable 30-14 win over Manly at Brookie last week - but it must be said, they have been playing woefully out-of-form teams. This will be Cronulla's first game at Sharks Stadium since Round 4.

Cronulla Sharks Team News

Sifa Talakai has replaced Tom Hazelton in the Sharks side, who suffered a sternum injury last week. Oregon Kaufusi moves into the starting side, while Teig Wilton has been named in the reserves as he looks to return from a shoulder injury.

Cronulla Sharks Team List

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

Interchange

14. Daniel Atkinson

15. Jesse Colquhoun

16. Siosifa Talakai

17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves

18. Hohepa Puru

19. Tuku Hau Tapuha

20. Jayden Berrell

21. Teig Wilton

22. Chris Veaila

Melbourne Storm Form

The Storm reminded everyone why they're premiership favourites this season with an extraordinary 64-0 pummelling of the Tigers at AAMI Park last week.

Melbourne scored 11 tries, with Ryan Papenhuzen crossing for four of those - including completing his hat-trick within 17 minutes.

It was a much-needed performance from the Storm, who had let slip of a comfortable lead against the Raiders in Magic Round, while they also suffered another loss from a big winning position against the Dolphins recently.

I can only imagine the sprays Bellamy delivered after those defeats, so it's no surprise the Storm made an example of the Tigers last weekend.

Melbourne Storm Team News

Harry Grant is listed in the reserves and could be a late inclusion as he pushes for some game time before Origin.

Marquee forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona continues to be out-of-favour with Bellamy as Tui Kamikamica comes back to replace him on the bench.

Melbourne Storm Team List

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

Interchange

14. Tyran Wishart

15. Alec MacDonald

16. Tui Kamikamica

17. Joe Chan

Reserves

18. Ativalu Lisati

19. Lazarus Vaalepu

20. Kane Bradley

21. Harry Grant

22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Verdict

Cronulla Sharks v Melbourne Storm

The Sharks won't shake their reputation as flat-track bullies, with the Storm covering a small line and backing up their big win from last week.

Cameron Munster crossed for the first try in the most-recent clash between these teams - and together with Hughes, at least one of the halves have scored in their last four meetings with Cronulla.

Storm -3.5

Line

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Munster or Hughes

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Cameron Munster

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