The long-anticipated qualifying final between Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks held on September 14, 2024, at AAMI Park was really as hot as it fell on that night. Both teams were at their best as they vied for a place in the preliminary finals. Here’s a rundown of the brightest moments, strategies, and what this fantastic match tells us.
Match Overview
Melbourne Storm was a favorite going into the match, since they had played really well throughout the season and hadn’t lost any consecutive games. Cronulla Sharks, on the other hand, had a mixed sort of season but secured a qualifying position in the top four, giving them another opportunity to prove their worth.
Melbourne was leading from the opening bell, with Harry Grant taking the initiative in the effort. An aggressive play style and precision leave little room for responses from the Sharks. This is in contrast to the Sharks’ lack of ability to maintain momentum after opportunities of points.
Key Plays and Highlights
The Sharks had a tough kickoff with Will Kennedy fumbling the kick off before the Storm’s Cameron Munster went over to score the first try. Melbourne would then continue their onslaught of pressure throughout the game as the Sharks made a slight comeback with a touch down from Sione Katoa in the corner before half time.
Harry Grant was an outright standout for the game, scoring three tries while winger Will Warbrick added another two. The Storm’s forward pack led by Josh King and Trent Loiero not only made huge yardage but kept the Sharks on their backfoot.
Sharks’ Struggles
Cronulla Sharks are quite a resilient team, and so it was not easy for them to crack the defense of Storm. Half-back Nicho Hynes was under significant pressure that did not allow him to create scoring opportunities. Such sparks as Briton Nikora’s try at the end of the first half flashed only briefly into life, but the Sharks could not keep up with Melbourne’s speed and accuracy of the actions.
The other challenge the Cronulla faced was when winger Sione Katoa left just before halftime. Although he returned to complete the first half, the Sharks could not regain their flow, and the game slipped away from them.
The Storm looked to play a very fast game with quick ball, taking advantage of Cronulla’s defenses. The Cronulla Sharks managed to get in the way of some of the Storm’s offloads and slow the pace down in some instances. Melbourne’s use of their kicking game, particularly from Jahrome Hughes, further choked the Cronulla Sharks. A perfectly placed cross-field kick from Hughes allowed Warbrick to secure his second try and seal the match in favor of Melbourne; this was commentary.
Cronulla, at times, seemed reluctant, especially in making the last-tackle choice. The hesitancy allowed Melbourne to rob them of possession and maintain the pressure. Sharks did not seize that decisive moment that would have helped them seal the deal in this match.
The Outcome and What Lies Ahead
The Storm ensured Melbourne would go to the preliminary finals as it recorded a final score of 37-10. One step is nearer to the Melbourne Storm for what might prove to be a grand final appearance. Harry Grant played successfully in his 100th game for the club; the night was memorable for him and Storm supporters too.
But the loss added pressure to Sharks, as despite being top of four at the end of season, they needed a win over their arch-rivals to seal the elimination final game. Cronulla has always struggled in finals games since the previous season, and this loss did not ease the burden on their shoulders to shake off.
The Big Picture
This match highlights the importance of experience and composure in big games. The Sharks’ lapses in their focus were highlighted by the advantage gained when Melbourne allowed themselves to go a bit into a relaxed mode. Cronulla seems a mighty team on paper, but it lacks the fundamentals to hold on in big games. They got one more chance and need to get back in line quickly if they wish to stay in their season.
As the qualification match between Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks ends, the former, in this case, has done amazingly well as they depicted their skillful play, strategic moves, and experience in the game. Although the Sharks have the opportunity to prove themselves in the finals of elimination, the Storm is getting closer to the grand final of NRL in hopes of meeting the ultimate prize.