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
10th Position
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Sharks: Toby Rudolf will start the game and Jesse Colquhoun goes to the bench in a late switch. KL Iro came on to the bench in place of Tukupa-Ke Hau Tapuha on Friday. Earlier, spine stars Nicho Hynes and Blayke Brailey get a pre-finals freshen up so Niwhai Puru moves to halfback, Riley Pollard debuts at five-eighth and Hohepa Puru is the No.9. Michael Gabrael makes his NRL debut in the centres alongside Riley Jones. Back-rower Teig Wilson also gets a rest so Billy Burns starts. Prop Tom Hazelton is serving a one-game ban for a hip drop and will return for the elimination final.
Storm: The Storm are 1-19 with no late changes. Craig Bellamy goes with an unchanged starting side for the final game of the season. Perth-bound duo Tyran Wishart and Nick Meaney line up in the centres with Wishart making his 100th appearance for the Storm in his last game for the club. The last time the Storm won at Ocean Protect Stadium was 2017, the year they went on to win the premiership.
Match: Sharks v Storm
Round 27 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Storm
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 15 Toby RudolfProp 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 10 Jesse ColquhounInterchange for Storm is number 14 Trent Toelau
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa TalakaiInterchange 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
-
Replacement for Storm is number 18 Angus Hinchey
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Samuel StonestreetReserve for Storm is number 19 Hugo Peel
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 KL Iro
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.
