Melbourne vs Cronulla NRL Preliminary final LIVE: Coaches stick with 17 as Sharks and Storm go head-to-head for a spot in the grand final

1 week ago 9

Key posts

1 of 1

Have your say: who is headed to the grand final?

7.28pm

Our experts pick the preliminary winners

7.23pm

27 years of scorn: Melbourne and Cronulla’s own ‘Book of Feuds’

Melbourne Storm and Cronulla share a rivalry that sprang to life long before their 2016 grand final meeting and has persisted since.

While thanks to Russell Crowe, South Sydney has its own “Book of Feuds”, these two teams, separated by some 870km, have been in opposition for every year of Melbourne’s existence.

Paul Gallen hoists the Provan-Summons trophy aloft to end five decades of heartbreak for Sharks fans in 2016.

Since they first crossed paths at Shark Park on March 28, 1998, there has been no love lost.

The Storm have won the lion’s share of their 49 encounters, holding a 31-18 advantage. But the Sharks secured eternal bragging rights with their 14-12 triumph in the 2016 premiership decider.

Read the full story here.

7.16pm

They don’t have a Cleary, Munster or Walsh. But here’s where the Sharks reign supreme

7.13pm

How we got here

7.10pm

Wind and rain at AAMI Park tonight

Melbourne’s weather is always a heartbeat from changing, and this evening’s conditions could become challenging at AAMI Park.

Strong winds have hit various parts of the city today along with rain showers of varying strengths, if those winds fire up, then it could prove a big challenge for kickers on both teams tonight.

The BOM also has forecast the possibility of thunderstorms up until late tonight which could also bring a little rain with them. Now we have posted this forecast, odds are we will have lovely calm conditions that are perfect for rugby league. Prepare for anything.

7.03pm

Sharks team list: no changes for Cronulla

Craig Fitzgibbon’s team is 1-17 as named on Tuesday. Here’s how they look tonight.

1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. KL Iro, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Blayke Brailey (c), 10. Toby Rudolf, 11. Billy Burns, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Jesse Colquhoun

Interchange: 14. Briton Nikora, 15. Siosifa Talakai, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

6.59pm

Storm team list: Blore into starting 13

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has kept the 17 he named on Tuesday, but has shuffled his starting 13 around slightly. Here’s how they line up tonight.

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Will Warbrick, 3. Jack Howarth, 4. Nick Meaney, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Stefano Utoikamanu, 9. Harry Grant (c), 10. Josh King, 12. Eli Katoa, 15. Shawn Blore, 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 11. Ativalu Lisati, 14. Tyran Wishart, 16. Tui Kamikamica, 17. Alec MacDonald

6.50pm

Have your say: who is headed to the grand final?

6.40pm

Welcome

Good evening footy fans and welcome to our live NRL coverage.

Tonight, it’s the Melbourne Storm hosting the Cronulla Sharks for a spot in next week’s grand final. Bring it on.

Billie Eder here to take you through tonight’s action, along with reporters Christian Nicolussi and Roy Ward on the ground at AAMI Park to bring us insights from the ground and any breaking news.

Kick-off is 7.50pm – we’ll bring you team lists and news before then.