Sharks v Storm: Gabrael set for debut; Peel back for more
With finals fast approaching, the Sharks are desperately seeking form and will face a much-needed tough hit-out against the Storm.
While Melbourne will be missing finals for the first time in 16 years after enduring a particularly challenging year - they have shown plenty of fight and spirit throughout the season and will love nothing more than spoiling the party at Ocean Protect Stadium.
The Storm come into the game with a big win over Brisbane behind them, while the Sharks were shocked by the Eels last week - another team who won't be playing post-season football.
Coach Craig Fitzgibbon voiced his frustrations with the performance of his team in the 38-18 loss to Parramatta and will be keen to see his players respond against Melbourne.
Match: Sharks v Storm
Round 27 -
home Team
Sharks
5th Position
away Team
Storm
11th Position
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Sharks: Two new centres for the Sharks with Michael Gabrael set to make his NRL debut alongside Riley Jones with Mawene Hiroti nursing a rib injury and KL Iro being rested. Niwhai Puru moves to halfback and Riley Pollard debuts at five-eighth with Nicho Hynes being rested ahead of the finals. Hooker Blayke Brailey and back-rower Teig Wilson also get a rest with Hohepa Puru named in No.9 and Billy Burns in No.12. Braden Uele, Jayden Berrell and Tukupa-Ke Hau Tapuhu have been added to the interchange. Tom Hazelton is serving a one-game ban for a hip drop and will return for the elimination final.
Storm: Craig Bellamy goes with an unchanged starting side for the final game of the season. Tyran Wishart has been named to make his 100th Storm appearance in his final game for the club, lining up alongside fellow departee Nick Meaney in the centres. On the bench, Hugo Peel has been added in place of Marion Seve.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Storm is number 2 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Riley JonesCentre for Storm is number 3 Tyran Wishart
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Michael GabraelCentre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Storm is number 5 Moses Leo
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Riley PollardFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Niwhai PuruHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Hohepa PuruHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Jesse ColquhounProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Billy Burns2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Oryn Keeley
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa TalakaiInterchange for Storm is number 14 Trent Toelau
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Toby RudolfInterchange for Storm is number 15 Cooper Clarke
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Storm is number 16 Jack Hetherington
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden UeleInterchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Jayden BerrellInterchange for Storm is number 18 Angus Hinchey
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Tuku Hau TapuhaInterchange for Storm is number 19 Hugo Peel
Reserves
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Liam IsonReserve for Storm is number 20 Davvy Moale
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Samuel StonestreetReserve for Storm is number 21 Manaia Waitere
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 KL IroReserve for Storm is number 22 Hayden Watson
Sharks Ins
- Braden Uele
- Hohepa Puru
- Jayden Berrell
- Liam Ison
- Michael Gabrael
- Samuel Stonestreet
- Toby Rudolf
- Tuku Hau Tapuha
Storm Ins
- Davvy Moale
- Hayden Watson
- Hugo Peel
- Manaia Waitere
Sharks Outs
- Blayke Brailey
- Mawene Hiroti
- Nicho Hynes
- Teig Wilton
- Thomas Hazelton
Storm Ins
- Marion Seve
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won six of their last seven games at Ocean Protect Stadium.
- The Storm have not won at Ocean Protect Stadium since 2017.
- The Sharks have lost three of their last four games to teams sitting outside the top eight.
- Storm utility Tyran Wishart will play his 100th NRL game.
- Sharks winger Sione Katoa requires two tries for a century of NRL tries.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
