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NRL preliminary final Storm vs Sharks live: Injured playmaker targeted by Cronulla
The Storm’s star halfback copped plenty of treatment, but he and his teamates had the last laugh in a preliminary final slugfest in Melbourne.
James Dampney
less than 2 min read
September 26, 2025 – 10:00PM
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Sep 26, 2025
Hughes cops even more punishment
‘Insane’ effort so far from Hughes
Fired-up Hynes desperate for respect
All eyes on key Storm playmaker
Welcome to news.com.au’s live coverage of the Melbourne Storm’s preliminary final against Cronulla from AAMI Park.
The Storm are short-priced favourites to reach yet another grand final, but the Sharks have caught fire at just the right time and a number of pundits are leaning towards them causing a Friday night boilover.
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Melbourne’s 26-18 victory over the Bulldogs to open this year’s finals series gave them a week off and a home prelim.
Craig Bellamy is rolling the dice on star halfback Jahrome Hughes, who is returning after breaking his forearm just three weeks ago.
Cronulla knocked out the Roosters and then stunned minor premiers Canberra in a 32-12 road belting last weekend to charge into the final four.
A spot in the grand final against either Penrith or the Broncos is on the line and we’ll have all the big moments of a huge night of footy for you right here.
45 minutes ago
HIGHLIGHT
Hughes cops even more punishment
James Dampney
Jahrome Hughes is having one hell of a tough run.
After shoulder and forearm injuries in recent weeks, he just got wiped out in a huge tackle from Braydon Trindall.
But the nuggety halfback shook it off, despite blood flowing from his mouth after a heavy head clash.
“There is high contact, which is a penalty,” the Bunker said in review, taking no further action.
3 minutes ago
Storm’s huge ‘advantage’ ahead of GF
James Dampney
One thing is for sure, by the time the grand final rolls around, the Melbourne Storm will be well rested.
After getting a week off after their qualifying final win over Canterbury, they now get an extra two days off waiting for Brisbane and Penrith to fight it out for the other spot in the decider.
Since their last premiership in 2020, the Storm have crashed out in the finals the last four seasons, capped by last year’s grand final defeat to the Panthers.
Cooper Cronk said his old club was in a perfect position ahead of the decider.
18 minutes ago
The Storm have done it again
James Dampney
That’s it, the fulltime whistle has blown and the Storm are into their 11th grand final from the past 20 seasons, continuing Craig Bellamy’s ridiculous record.
Cronulla was far from outclassed and will rue this one as the Sharks lost the sixth preliminary final from their past seven attempts.
24 minutes ago
Is that the Sharks’ death knell?
James Dampney
After such an arm wrestle, the Storm have finally broken the game open with a last tackle play with five minutes remaining.
Harry Grant got it started with a quick scoot from dummy half and the ball eventually found Xavier Coates on the left wing and he made no mistake, leaping into the air in trademark style to touch down.
It will take a miracle from here for the brave Sharkies.
33 minutes ago
Old fashioned contest breaks out
James Dampney
The 1990s have called, they want their footy back.
This has been an old fashioned tussle for large parts of the second half.
There have been some errors on both in the high-stakes clash, and an emphasis on defence, with one penalty goal apiece all we’ve got after halftime with 10 minutes remaining.
54 minutes ago
Absolutely critical part of the game
James Dampney
The next try here is going to be massive.
Both sides have had their chances, but the 16-8 scoreline remains unchanged almost 15 minutes into the second half.
Sep 26, 2025
HIGHLIGHT
‘Insane’ effort so far from Hughes
James Dampney
Jahrome Hughes is rightly earning plenty of praise around the footy world as the second half gets underway.
He had surgery on that arm just over three weeks ago, but has shown few signs, capped by his solo run and try in the 15th minute.
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“Hughes fending off like that with a still fractured forearm – insane. So good to watch,” the NRL Physio account tweeted.
Another footy fan declared on X: “Jahrome Hughes is just cut from a different cloth.”
Sep 26, 2025
Outstanding half of footy
James Dampney
We haven’t had a lot of drama so far, but we’ve had some sensational footy as the Storm take a 16-8 lead into the break.
Cam Munster has been involved in just about everything, with key teammates Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant and Ryan Papenhuyzen also making their mark.
“In a prelim final you want your best players playing well,” Cooper Cronk said on Fox League.
“Jahrome Hughes was the man under the most pressure for the Melbourne Storm, but he’s been great tonight.”
Sep 26, 2025
HIA adds to Sharks’ woes
James Dampney
Toby Rudolf is getting a head injury assessment after a heavy knock as the Sharks try to hold off Melbourne’s early onslaught.
The Storm have settled quickly, with starting Cronulla prop Rudolf spending a long time in the sheds after his big hit.
Toby Rudolf heads off for an assessment.
Eloise Sohier just gave Sharks fans some good news, with Rudolf passing his HIA and preparing to return to the fray.
And Sione Katoa has a double, brushing off a Xavier Coates tackle to just scramble over the line in the 29th minute.
Sep 26, 2025
Storm halfback tests out that arm
James Dampney
The signs are pretty good so far for Jahrome Hughes, who came in under a huge cloud after his broken forearm.
Hughes pulled off a big step off his right and beat the cover defence to score Melbourne’s second try.
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He used his left arm to cushion his fall and appeared fine as he got back up to celebrate.
“Broken wrist and all, Jahrome Hughes is such a good tryscorer, he’s such a good big-game player,” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.
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