The Storm are into a ninth preliminary final in 10 years after thrashing the Sharks 37-10 in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.
Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes showed why he’s the Dally M Medal favourite while Harry Grant scored the first hat-trick of his decorated career.
They look primed to play in their first grand final since 2020, while Cronulla are now desperately trying to avoid another straight sets exit.
Nicho Hynes had a game to forget but his halves partner Braydon Trindall produced a flick past try assist that would have made Benji Marshall proud.
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Here are the player ratings from both teams in the qualifying final between the Storm and Sharks.
Sharks errors ‘feeding’ tries to Storm | 00:45
STORM
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen – 7.5
Did his job without any of the highlight reel plays we’ve come to expect. Booted a 35-metre field goal at the death to rub salt into the wound.
2. William Warbrick – 9
One of the best players on the field. Bagged a double, looked dangerous every time he went near the ball and set up a try with a nice bat back.
3. Jack Howarth – 7.5
Got through his work and finished with 116 run metres from 14 carries that produced eight tackle busts.
4. Nick Meaney – 8
A nice flick pass to Will Warbrick set up the Storm’s second try as he played with poise all afternoon.
5. Xavier Coates – 8
Looked strong in just his second game back after a three-month layoff and ran for 160 metres from 16 carries.
6. Cameron Munster – 8.5
Was in a mood from the get-go and scored after just 75 seconds with a nice show-and-go out of dummyhalf. Looks set for a big finals series.
7. Jahrome Hughes – 9
Continued his stellar season with another controlled performance as he kicked the Sharks off the park. Set up three tries and was involved in another two.
8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona – 6.5
Found himself in the middle of a melee with Toby Rudolf late in the clash which was probably the busiest he looked all night.
9. Harry Grant – 9
Hat-trick Harry! Scored a sublime trifecta of tries in the second half to ensure his side are once again just one win away from the grand final. Grant’s only blemish was giving away a penalty on the stroke of halftime that saw the Sharks score against the run of play.
Controversial Storm try ‘Flat at best’ | 00:44
10. Josh King – 8.5
A big shift from the front-rower. Ran for 168 metres from 19 carries and threw a great offload to put Grant over for his hat-trick.
11. Shawn Blore – 7
Got absolutely creased by Siosifa Talakai in the first half but dusted himself off to make 26 tackles while missing just one.
12. Eliesa Katoa – 7.5
Ran hard all night and hauled in a bomb in the second half before spinning out of contact and putting Grant over to score.
13. Trent Loiero – 8
Stayed busy all afternoon and finished with 137 run metres from 16 carries, while also making 24 tackles and missing just one.
14. Tyran Wishart – 7
The best bench playmaker in the NRL only got 17 minutes but did his job.
15. Christian Welch – 6.5
Not the force he once was but did enough in his 21 minutes off the pine.
16. Tui Kamikamica – 7
Ran with vigour in a strong cameo off the bench and set up a try in the second half.
17. Alec MacDonald – 7
Played 39 minutes and worked hard making 17 tackles without missing one, while also running for 64 metres from eight carries.
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Bellamy details why Grant is the captain | 12:46
SHARKS
1. William Kennedy – 5
Dropped the kick-off which led to the opening try. Defused a sharp grubber in the second half but struggled to get into the game in attack and only ran for 58 metres.
2. Sione Katoa – 6
Scored the Sharks first try and later ankle tapped Xavier Coates on the break. But put down a kick in the second half in one of three errors.
17. Siosifa Talakai – 7.5
Set up the first try and laid out Shaun Blore in the first half with a monster hit. Ran for 146 metres from 16 carries but dropped one 10 metres from the line in the second half.
4. Kayal Iro – 7.5
Earned the praise of Matty Johns as one of Cronulla’s best in the first 55 minutes. “He’s working his backside off in yardage,” Johns said on the Fox League commentary.
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo – 7
Toiled hard in just his fourth game in two months to finish with 138 run metres from 17 carries.
6. Braydon Trindall – 8
Benji Marshall eat your heart out! Trindall threw a stunning behind-the-back flick pass to put Briton Nikora over on the stroke of halftime. Made a try-saving tackle on Eli Katoa with the game in the balance in the second half. Cronulla’s best player.
7. Nicho Hynes – 4.5
Yeesh. Hynes helped set up the Sharks’ first try but it was an afternoon to forget from there. He got caught with the ball on the fifth tackle not once but twice, including on his own 40-metre line. Failed to find touch on a penalty with a shanked kick that led to points and he took a quick tap on the Sharks’ next penalty. Also dropped a kick that he tried to chase down in the second half.
Fitzy admits Sharks must earn ‘respect’ | 05:23
8. Toby Rudolf – 5.5
Broke into space and tried to get a grubber away but missed the ball early in the game. Conceded two penalties and found himself in a scuffle with Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
9. Blayke Brailey – 7
A typical performance from the Sharks hooker in defence as he topped the tackle count with 50, but couldn’t get into the game in attack.
10. Oregon Kaufusi – 6
Struggled to stamp his mark on the game in attack but still made 25 tackles while only missing one.
11. Briton Nikora – 6.5
Scored on the stroke of halftime after he was Johnny-on-the-spot to take Trindall’s sensational flick pass. Kept busy but has had better games recently.
12. Teig Wilton – 7
Worked hard in defence to make 37 tackles without missing one.
13. Cameron McInnes – 6.5
After the game the Sharks skipper once again looked like he’d been in a war zone. Made 45 tackles but also finished with two errors and only had seven carries.
14. Daniel Atkinson – 6
The exciting young gun only got 13 minutes off the bench which wasn’t enough to leave any real mark on the game.
15. Jack Williams – 6
Knocked on trying to reel in a ball in the second half that led to the Storm’s fourth try but stayed busy in defence to make 23 tackles in his 38 minutes.
16. Royce Hunt – 5
Gave away a high shot penalty out of frustration late in the game which led to point and summed up the Sharks’ afternoon.
22. Thomas Hazelton – 6
The cult hero had the occasional strong run but never really got going.
Source Agencies
