NRL Match Preview: Round 27 v Storm

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Fri 4 Sep 2026, 10:26 AM

On old boys’ day, with around 180 Great White Sharks in attendance, including the majority of the 2016 Premiership winning squad, the Sharks play the Storm at Ocean Protect Stadium on Saturday night.

Currently fifth, despite winning just one of their past four games, the Sharks will host a Storm side which has found form of late but sit in 11th position with no chance of taking part in the NRL Finals for just the fourth time in Club history.

However, while entrenched in the top eight and set to host a finals match next week, coach Craig Fitzgibbon was hoping to see his team gain some confidence against a difficult opponent, while building momentum for the games to come.

“It’s been an up and down period over the last month, but we’re playing Melbourne who are playing really well and we are excited about this opportunity.

“It’s been a real challenge for us to not think ahead and about playing finals and we’ve taken some lessons from the last few weeks, but we want to play like Sharks, not play not to lose.

“It’s old boys day, the 10-year reunion, we’ve got three debutants, so there’s plenty of excitement around the group.”

With their position in the top eight assured, Fitzgibbon has decided to rest a handful of regulars, while giving Michael Gabrael, Riley Jones and Riley Pollard, the opportunity to show what they can produce at the elite level.

“They’ve all been close (to playing NRL) and now all three get a chance at the one time,” Fitzgibbon said.

Half back Pollard, at 21 years of age and while still Jersey Flegg eligible, has impressed playing for the Jets in the NSW Cup, centre Michael Gabrael has genuine speed and an ability to find the try line, while utility Riley Jones, with one NRL game to his name at the Knights as a hooker, has made a success of a permanent move into the backline while playing for Newtown in 2026.

In looking into the history of games played between the two teams, on the 50 occasions they have met, the Sharks have won 18 and the Storm 32, including the two most recent matches and three of the past four games.

At Ocean Protect Stadium the record favours the Sharks, with 10 wins from 18 games against Melbourne, including the last four. The Cronulla team also have a 7-2 record at their home ground this season.

The Sharks and Storm haven’t played in 2026, their last meeting coming in the 2025 Preliminary Final, with Melbourne progressing to play the Broncos in the Grand Final following a 22-14 victory at AAMI Park.

Obviously the most memorable clash between the two took place in 2016 in the competition decider, a match which saw the Sharks claim their maiden premiership title with a 14-12 victory.

In diving deeper into the stats, the Sharks are scoring the second most points per game (28.3) of any team in the NRL this year, trailing only the Warriors (30.3). They have never finished a season with a higher average.

The Sharks have won 12 of the 13 games when leading at halftime, only two of 10 when trailing at the break, and 11 of 14 games when scoring the first try, but just three of nine when conceding the first try.

With the best win percentage (62.5%) of any Cronulla coach, Fitzgibbon will become the first to lead the Sharks to five straight Finals series

In relation to their opponents, the 2026 season will be just the fourth time the Storm have failed to make the Finals, and the first time under Craig Bellamy (excluding 2010 when they were punished for salary cap breaches).

Melbourne has won four of 12 away from home in 2026, with two of these coming in their most recent away games, against Manly in Perth and the Broncos in Brisbane.

The round 27 Sharks v Storm match kicks off at 7.35pm at Ocean Protect Stadium. See the following two 24-hour team lists.

Round 27 - Round 27 - Saturday 5 Sep

9:35 am

Sharks

Storm

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Storm is number 2 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Riley Jones

Centre for Storm is number 3 Tyran Wishart
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Michael Gabrael

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

Winger for Storm is number 5 Moses Leo
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Riley Pollard

Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Niwhai Puru

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 Hohepa Puru

Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Jesse Colquhoun

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 Oryn Keeley
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Trent Toelau
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Toby Rudolf

Interchange for Storm is number 15 Cooper Clarke
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi

Interchange for Storm is number 16 Jack Hetherington
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Uele

Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Jayden Berrell

Interchange for Storm is number 18 Angus Hinchey
Interchange for Sharks is number 22 KL Iro

Interchange for Storm is number 19 Hugo Peel