Storm vs Sharks Prediction

Game 1 of Finals week 3 of the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership on September 26 features the Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park on Friday night. Get the latest NRL betting tips, predictions, and analysis right here, and catch the game live on Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 9, & 9NOW. 🏉🔥

Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks Predictions

Friday, September 26, 2025

7:50pm @ AAMI Park, Melbourne

Final Score Prediction

Storm

27 : 24

Sharks

Friday night football delivers a heavyweight preliminary final clash as Melbourne’s championship pedigree faces Cronulla’s relentless determination at AAMI Park.

The Storm’s fortress advantage meets a Sharks outfit that thrives as underdogs in September.

Our analytics suggest a nail-biting three-point thriller that could swing either way in the dying stages.

Win Percentages

Storm
55.65%

Sharks
44.35%

The Preliminary Final Puzzle

Melbourne’s overwhelming favouritism in the market doesn’t tell the complete story of this intriguing matchup.

The Storm’s home dominance confronts a Sharks side that has defied expectations throughout their finals campaign.

Our data reveals this contest is significantly tighter than the bookmakers suggest.

Storm

Sharks

The AAMI Park Ambush

Melbourne’s structured excellence faces Cronulla’s opportunistic brilliance in a fascinating tactical battle.

The Storm’s systematic approach confronts the Sharks’ ability to create chaos and capitalise on broken play.

Our modelling identifies value where the market sees certainty.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Finals intensity with upset potential brewing:

Power Ranking: Storm 1 vs Sharks 11
Attack: Melbourne’s precision vs Cronulla’s unpredictability
Defence: Storm’s structure against Sharks’ desperation
Form Guide: Storm peaking vs Sharks surging
Clutch Factor: Championship DNA vs underdog mentality

Game Style Prediction: High Scoring Balanced Game

Expected Total: 51 points – Finals football at its finest

Our Betting Strategy

Best Bet: Storm 1-12

@ $2.85

Outstanding value for Melbourne to grind out a tight victory in typical finals fashion.

Value Play: Sharks +7.5

@ $1.95

Our three-point margin projection makes this line coverage look secure. Cronulla keeps it close.

Over 40.5 Total Points

@ $1.88

Our 51-point projection confidently surpasses this mark. Expect both teams to throw everything at this.

The Preliminary Final Theatre

AAMI Park’s electric atmosphere sets the stage for a classic preliminary final encounter.

Melbourne’s methodical mastery meets Cronulla’s never-say-die attitude in a contest that could define legacies.

Key Battle: The middle-third arm wrestle shapes everything. Melbourne’s forward rotation depth versus Cronulla’s tireless engine room will determine field position and momentum. Whichever pack establishes dominance through the middle corridor will provide their playmakers the platform needed to execute under finals pressure.