Storm v Sharks betting tips & predictions | NRL Finals 2024

Storm v Sharks top betting picks

Storm v Sharks qualifying final preview

The Melbourne Storm will be looking to secure a home prelim when they host the Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park this Saturday in the first week of the 2024 NRL finals.

The minor premiers are short-priced favourites at $1.30 with top online bookmakers, leaving the visitors at long odds of $3.60 for the win. The line is set at 10.5 points, so the bookies aren’t expecting a close game.

The Storm come into this match having brought all their stars back in round 27 to belt the Broncos in Brisbane by a whopping 38 points. They’ve won four of their last five matches, and that loss came against the Cowboys with their top players all rested.

The Sharks have also won four of their last five clashes, with the loss coming a fortnight ago as the New Zealand Warriors sent retiring halfback Shaun Johnson out on a high with a two-point win. Cronulla decimated the Sea Eagles last weekend, so they head to Melbourne in good nick.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has made one change, with the rested Oregon Kaufusi returning to the starting side. Royce Hunt returns to the bench, forcing cult hero Thomas Hazelton back to the reserves.

Star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen returns from a corked leg for the Storm, directly replacing the hamstrung Sualauvi Faalago. Christian Welch was out ill last week but comes back via the bench, replacing Lazarus Vaalepu.

Storm v Sharks NRL FW1 team lists

Melbourne Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. Will Warbrick
3. Jack Howarth
4. Nick Meaney
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
9. Harry Grant
10. Josh King
11. Shawn Blore
12. Eliesa Katoa
13. Trent Loiero
14. Tyran Wishart
15. Christian Welch
16. Tui Kamikamica
17. Alec MacDonald

Cronulla Sharks

1. William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Kayal Iro
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Toby Rudolf
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Oregon Kaufusi
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Cameron McInnes
14. Daniel Atkinson
15. Jack Williams
16. Royce Hunt
17. Siosifa Talakai

Storm v Sharks betting strategy

When these teams met at AAMI Park in round 10, the Sharks saluted thanks to the goalkicking heroics of Daniel Atkinson. Still, the Storm have won three of the last five meetings, with two of those victories coming at this ground. Given Cronulla have lost each of their last six finals matches, load up on Melbourne to win at $1.30 with top NRL bookmakers.

Papenhuyzen has enjoyed far more playing time this season than in his last two combined. Fitness will be no issue as he looks to continue his six-match tryscoring streak when the Storm are favourites. Although he has not scored in recent weeks, $1.94 is a great price for Papenhuyzen to cross over.

Melbourne have emerged as an offensive juggernaut this season, and they’ve scored 30 points or more in each of their last three games. The last five clashes between these two clubs at this ground have all gone over 44.5 total points ($1.90), and there is a very good chance this one follows suit.

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