<p>The 2024 NRL Finals are here! Only eight teams remain after one of the most thrilling, unpredictable and closely contested seasons in recent memory.</p> <p>It took all 27 rounds to finalise the top eight, with the final spot still up for grabs right up until the final game of the season.</p> <p>We got there in the end and now we stand on the precipice of the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/predictions/finals-week-1-2024-tips">first week of the finals.</a></p> <p>Less than 24 hours after the Panthers and Roosters meet, the Storm take on the Sharks in the second Qualifying Final to see who else will be going straight to the Prelims.</p> <p>Can the Sharks pull off another miracle in Melbourne like they did earlier this year? Or will the best team all year prove that cream rises to the top and lightning does in fact not strike twice?</p> <p>Remember, there’s no lightning without a storm. Raincoats on and umbrellas up, this one could get wild.</p> <p>For the latest news, analysis, players to watch, betting tips odds and more for this clash, check out our Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks predictions and preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Storm vs Sharks Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>There have been few teams who have been able to match it with the Melbourne Storm in season 2024.</p> <p>They only lost five times this season as they surged to the minor premiership. However, one of those losses was to none other than the Cronulla Sharks, at AAMI Park no less.</p> <p>There will no doubt be a real “if it bleeds, we can kill it” mentality emanating for the Cronulla camp. There’s no doubting the fortitude of this Sharks side either.</p> <p>They adopted a real “next man up” attitude this season as they were hit with a number of high-profile injuries throughout the year.</p> <p>The injuries to their halves in particular got so bad that hooker Blayke Brailey had to line up at no.7 for a few weeks there and they still managed to book wins during that time.</p> <p>With their halves crisis behind them and their best spine set to line up for this one, including former Melbourne product and Dally M winner Nicho Hynes, the Sharks will fancy their chances of causing another upset.</p> <p>Can they do it though? Let’s take a closer look at some of the key players who will help dictate the result of this one.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Players to Watch</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Jahrome Hughes</h3> <p>After Storm standoff Cameron Munster missed 10 weeks with a groin injury, Jahrome Hughes was the man to step up and lead the team around in his absence.</p> <p>Even after Munster’s Round 21 return, Hughes has remained Melbourne's point of difference and asserted himself as the most in-form halfback in the NRL at the moment.</p>

<h3>Nicho Hynes</h3> <p>The former Melbourne man missed a large chunk of this season due to injury, but when he’s fit and firing there is no doubt, he is one of the game’s best players.</p> <p>With questions constantly circling about his ability to get it done in the big games, Hynes will surely be desperate to put on a clinic against his former side. Look to him to have a blinder and silence the doubters.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Tyran Wishart</h3> <p>It may seem strange to include a bench player here, but Tyran Wishart has been Melbourne's unsung hero this season.</p> <p>He deputised admirably for Cameron Munster while he was sidelined with an injury and proved to be a key cog in the Melbourne machine with his safe hands and uncanny ability to sniff out a clutch meat pie.</p> <p>Just like Nicho before him, it’s unlikely he’ll get a permanent starting spot anytime, but he’s far too good to continue sitting on the bench. A big game on the finals stage will put him firmly in the shop window and could start one hell of a bidding war for his services from rival clubs.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Blayke Brailey</h3> <p>Cronulla’s Mr Fix It. Blayke Brailey has impressed wherever he’s played for Cronulla this season.</p> <p>Whether it be in his usual role of dummy half or filling in at No.7, his soft hands and quick thinking around the ruck have been key to the Sharks attacking output in season 2024.</p>

<h2>Storm vs Sharks Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>It’s a tale of two different finals records here. The Storm simply know how to get it done on this stage. Bellamy’s boys ooze confidence having been in this position countless times, knowing full well what it takes to successfully navigate a finals campaign.</p> <p>The Sharks on the other hand will have to deal with some serious psychological scars from seasons gone by. They’ve qualified for the finals the last two seasons in a row but have nary a victory to show for their efforts.</p> <p>The H2H market reflects this imbalance of fortunes and has Melbourne installed as comfortable favourites, despite Cronulla getting the better of them earlier in the year.</p> <p>We’ll be siding with the odds here but anticipate the Sharks to put up a decent fight, it’s hard to see this one getting outside the 1-12 threshold.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Melbourne Storm 1-12.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Try Scorer Prediction</h3> <p>Two barnstorming wingers lead our picks for first try scorer here. Both Will Warbrick and Ronaldo Mulitalo wouldn’t look out of place in the forward packs of some sides, such is their strength and power.</p> <p>Both also have the uncanny ability to find the line when it matters most and both enter this clash after scoring a total of five tries between them last week.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Will Warbrick or Ronaldo Mulitalo.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under Prediction</h3> <p>The over/under for this Storm vs Sharks finals match sits at 45.5 points. This total wasn’t surpassed in their previous meeting and that was a game that Cronulla won.</p> <p>Taking into account that Melbourne are the favourites and that finals matches are often far more cagey than regular season affairs, the under is definitely the more appealing of the two options.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Over total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Storm vs Sharks Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, September 14, 2024.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off:</strong> 4:05pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> AAMI Park, Melbourne.&nbsp;</p>