NRL Grand Final Tips & Preview - Verdict on Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos showdown
The 2025 NRL Grand Final features a high-stakes showdown between Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos. Melbourne are favorites, boasting a dominant 12-2 record against Brisbane since 2019 and an intact, in-form spine. Jahrome Hughes, prolific against the Broncos, is tipped to score, while the Storm’s attack is expected to exceed 21.5 points. Brisbane come in with momentum, having ended Penrith’s dynasty after a gutsy comeback, but will need to handle Melbourne’s clinical approach and star power. Key team news includes unchanged lineups and a spotlight on game-changers like Hughes and Walsh.
- Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos expert predictions for Sunday’s 2025 NRL Grand Final
- Storm have a 12-2 record vs Broncos since 2019
- Storm expected to win and surpass 21.5 points
- Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos Preview
- Head to Head
- Melbourne Storm Form
- Melbourne Storm Team News
- Melbourne Storm Team List
- Brisbane Broncos Form
- Brisbane Broncos Team News
- Brisbane Broncos Team List
Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos Preview
Melbourne Storm are favourites to win the 2025 NRL Grand Final and make amends for defeat in last year's premiership decider. The Storm have a 12-2 record against Brisbane since the 2019 season and can enhance that by winning the big one.
Take the Storm to win and score over their 21.5-point team total with key man Jahrome Hughes to get a try.
- Melbourne have won 12 of the last 14 matches against Brisbane since 2019
- Melbourne have scored 22 points or more in all 12 of their victories over Brisbane since 2019.
- Melbourne averaged 32.27 points in games that Jahrome Hughes played and finished in 2025.
- Jahrome Hughes has scored 12 tries in 13 games against Brisbane in his career.
Head to Head
The Storm have a dominant record heading into this battle against Brisbane winning 12 of the last 14 games.
Brisbane did win the latest contest 30-14 in the final round of the home and away season, the match where Jahrome Hughes lasted 25 minutes after breaking his wrist. Reece Walsh ran wild with 2 tries and a try assist.
Melbourne Storm Form
Melbourne are dangerous when their spine is intact and it was Jahrome Hughes, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Ryan Papenhuyzen who did a lot of the damage that saw them control the contest in their 22-14 victory over the Sharks on Friday night.
While giving credit for the victory over the Sharks, Stefano Utoikamanu has to get a huge mention here as well with the prop changing the game physically and putting it into the Storm’s favour with 127 run metres from 15 hitups and 24 bone-crunching tackles.
Munster and Hughes running the ball is the scariest sight for any opposition and the Sharks had no answer for it. With Harry Grant getting quick ball out of dummy half the Cronulla line was under fire all night and struggled to get set.
The Storm were clinical, completing well and played for a full 80mins which is something that Craig Bellamy has been asking from his men all season. Good for them they found it one week out from the Grand Final.
Melbourne Storm Team News
Melbourne have named an unchanged side to that that took down the Cronulla Sharks in the Preliminary Final.
Jahrome Hughes looked untroubled from his broken wrist with Ryan Papenhuyzen also coming out of the match against Cronulla unscathed after returning from concussion protocols.
Melbourne Storm Team List
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. Will Warbrick
3. Jack Howarth
4. Nick Meaney
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Harry Grant
10. Josh King
11. Shawn Blore
12. Eli Katoa
13. Trent Loiero
Interchange
14. Tyran Wishart
15. Ativalu Lisati
16. Tui Kamakimica
17. Alec MacDonald
Reserves
18. Grant Anderson
19. Bronson Garlick
20. Joe Chan
21. Jonah Pezet
22. Sua Faalogo
19. Bronson Garlick
20. Joe Chan
21. Jonah Pezet
22. Sua Faalogo
Brisbane Broncos Form
Brisbane did the impossible and ended the Premiership dynasty of the Penrith Panthers on Sunday coming back from 14 points down at the half to get the win 16-14.
The most impressive part of the Broncos victory was their goal line defence coming under constant barrage from the Panthers who had 44 tackles inside the Brisbane 20m, keeping them scoreless in the second half with 24 tackles inside 20m in the second half.
Brisbane were put heavily on the back foot in the first half with just 43% possession and 36% of the territory but when things evened out they took their chances with Staggs, Willison and Mariner scoring tries.
The return of Adam Reynolds was a success and as the game moved along the influence of Reece Walsh (1 linebreak, 1 linebreak assist, 1 try assist, 154 run metres) became more prevalent, with the Broncos fullback creating the game winning try for his winger.
Brisbane Broncos Team News
Patrick Carrigan will take his place at lock moving Tyson Smoothy to the bench with the unlucky exclusion of Ben Talty from the starting 17.
Maguire will start start Ezra Mam in the 14 jersey with the combination of Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt in the halves being a success in the Prelim.
Brisbane Broncos Team List
1. Reece Walsh
2. Josiah Karapani
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Gehamat Shibasaki
5. Deine Mariner
6. Ben Hunt
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Corey Jensen
9. Cory Paix
10. Payne Haas
11. Brendan Piakura
12. Jordan Riki
13. Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
14. Ezra Mam
15. Kobe Hetherington
16. Xavier Willison
17. Tyson Smoothy
Reserves
18. Jesse Arthars
19. Jack Gosiewski
20. Ben Talty
21. Selwyn Cobbo
22. Jock Madden
19. Jack Gosiewski
20. Ben Talty
21. Selwyn Cobbo
22. Jock Madden
Verdict
Jahrome Hughes is tipped to score a try for Storm, who can exceed 21.5 points and win the NRL Grand Final.
Melbourne Storm
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Melbourne Over 21.5
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Jahrome Hughes
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Jahrome Hughes
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