NRL Match Preview: Round 11 v Storm

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Fri 16 May 2025, 07:34 PM

The in-form Sharks are hunting a happy homecoming when they host the high-flying Storm after six weeks on the road tomorrow night.

Cronulla are back at Sharks Stadium for the first time since Round 4 after a tricky period which included trips to Canberra, Perth, Newcastle and Brisbane.

The club will mark the return to the Sutherland Shire by celebrating its second annual Mental Fitness Round, this time in collaboration with Find Ya Feet.

Having won their past two games against the Eels and Sea Eagles, the Sharks have the chance to secure three consecutive victories for the first time in 2025.

Standing in their way is a red-hot Melbourne side which dismantled the Wests Tigers 64-0 last week – the equal-biggest winning margin in the Storm's history.

There's a rich rivalry between Cronulla and Melbourne, with the 2016 grand final – famously won 14-12 by the Sharks – one of many classic encounters.

While the Storm beat Cronulla 37-10 in last year's qualifying final, they've walked away emptyhanded from their past three visits to the Shire dating back to 2018.

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The Coach's Mail - Round 11

The Sharks are ready to test themselves against Craig Bellamy's men.

"They're always a great team and they always like to put pressure on defensively with their fast-moving line," Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes said ahead of the clash with his former team, having won a premiership at the Storm in 2020.

"When they get their defence right, their attack just flows.

"They're always a tough team to come up against."

Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo added: "You respect your opponent. They've been awesome for a long time now. A strong opponent this week, but it's no different for us: we want to get better every week.

"For us, it's about going about our business and trusting our coaches that they've got a game plan for us. They got us in Melbourne, but this will be a good game.

"Really looking forward to the challenge of it all."

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Round 11 Media: Ronaldo Mulitalo

Cronulla-Melbourne contests are often miserly affairs – the Storm haven't produced more than 18 points in their past five outings at Sharks Stadium.

The beginning to the game will be crucial. The Sharks are masters at converting a half-time lead into victory, doing so on all six occasions this season.

Melbourne are also renowned for fast starts. They haven't trailed at the break this season, winning five of eight games when leading and once when level.

Continuing a 'one in, one out' theme for the Sharks, Siosifa Talakai's return from a head knock has been offset by the loss of prop Tom Hazelton (shoulder/sternum).

Second-rower Teig Wilton's comeback from a shoulder injury will be delayed by at least another week after being cut from the updated 19-man squad.

Storm captain Harry Grant is a chance to return from a hamstring issue on the eve of State of Origin selection, the hooker being named on Melbourne's extended bench.

The Sharks will need to shut down flying Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who collected a career-high 36 points last week including four tries.

Papenhuyzen is the league's top try-scorer (12) and point-scorer (120).

Cronulla boast a No.1 talisman of their own in the form of Will Kennedy, the 28-year-old remaining the sole leader of the Dally M Medal count after polling another two votes with a solid display in the Round 10 win over Manly.

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Sharks v Storm: Round 11

Up front, Sharks bruise brothers Addin Fonua-Blake and Oregon Kaufusi will lock horns with NSW State of Origin hopefuls Stefano Otoikamanu and Josh King.

In the halves, two Dally M-winning generals will seek to outfox each other with Hynes set to duel with his former teammate Jahrome Hughes.

Hynes has produced the most try assists in the competition with 12, one more than mercurial Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster. Hughes (eighth) ranks eighth, while Sharks pivot Braydon Trindall (7) comes in equal 10th.

Melbourne displayed their strike power with 11 tries against the Tigers last round, but the Sharks are no slouches in attack either. Centre KL Iro has scored in all six of his appearances this year – the longest streak by a current player.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 7.35pm AEST. A Harrigan Cup match between De La Salle and Western Suburbs Devils will take place before the main event.

Home support is crucial – CLICK HERE to secure your tickets to cheer on the Sharks! If you can't make it to the game, catch the action on Foxtel and Kayo.

See the updated teams below.

Round 11 - Saturday 17th May

Full Time

Sharks

Storm

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel Stonestreet

Winger for Storm is number 2 Sualauvi Faalogo
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Storm is number 3 Grant Anderson
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro

Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Storm is number 21 Harry Grant
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi

Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Billy Burns

2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jesse Colquhoun

Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Storm is number 17 Joe Chan
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Interchange for Storm is number 22 Nelson Asofa-Solomona