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Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm NRL Tips - Storm backed to cover against unconvincing Sharks side

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu 15 May 2025 12:02

Andrew Hendrie 15 May 2025

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Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm expert predictions for Saturday's NRL Round 11 game
Kick off is at 7.35pm AEST at Sharks Stadium
Storm tipped to continue recent good record vs Sharks & score 25+ points
Cameron Munster & Jahrome Hughes have torn apart Cronulla in recent meetings - we're on either half to cross for a meat pie
Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bets

Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm NRL Tips

Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm, NRL Round 11 - Expert Prediction

The Sharks face a significant step up in class from their previous month of football as Melbourne look to back up their demolition of the Tigers last week.

Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm, NRL Round 11 - Expert Prediction
Head To Head
Cronulla Sharks Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
2025 Betting Trends
Cronulla Sharks Team News
Cronulla Sharks Team List
Melbourne Storm Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
2025 Betting Trends
Melbourne Storm Team News
Melbourne Storm Team List

Cronulla have developed a reputation of being flat-track bullies over the last few years and I don't think they have it in them to beat the Storm if Craig Bellamy's side deliver another focused, 80-minute performance. While the Sharks have won four of their last five games, those victories have come against the Sea Eagles (twice), Knights and Eels.

They were also defeated by the Tigers in that period. When Cronulla beat the Cowboys earlier in the year, they were winless and struggling. The point here is that the Sharks haven't really beaten a top, in-form side all year and it doesn't get more 'in-form' than a Storm team coming off a 64-point crushing of the Tigers last week.

Melbourne have won seven of their last nine meetings with the Sharks, scoring 28+ points in the last five of those victories. After some inconsistent performances this season, Bellamy will demand his side maintain the sort of level they produced against the Tigers, which saw Ryan Papenhuyzen score a record 36 individual points for the club. I'm going to steer clear of Pap this week and instead go for a left-field option with the Anytime Tryscorer, taking either one of Cameron Munster or Jahrome Hughes to cross for a meat pie, with the halves possessing a great recent record against the Sharks.

Storm have won seven of the last nine meetings between the teams
Storm have scored 28+ points in their last five wins over Sharks
Storm have scored 30+ points in five of their six wins in 2025
Since leaving the Storm for the Sharks, Nicho Hynes has lost all three meetings with Melbourne by 13+ margins
Cameron Munster & Jahrome Hughes have combined for at least one try in their last four games starting together vs Sharks
Munster & Hughes each scored a try in the win last week vs Tigers

Head To Head

As mentioned, the Storm have won seven of their last nine games against the Sharks, although Cronulla managed to post a 25-18 win in Round 10 last year before Melbourne returned serve with a 37-10 rout in the finals, where Munster scored the first try and Harry Grant crossed for a second-half hat-trick.

Cronulla Sharks Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
4-1	4-1	2-3

Solid without being spectacular. I think that pretty much describes the Sharks in 2025 and basically ever since Craig Fitzgibbon took charge of the club a few years ago.

Cronulla do a good job of beating those they are supposed to, but when it comes to the elite teams, they have a history of struggling, which makes this game against Melbourne so interesting.

There's no doubt the Sharks have an electric backline when firing on all cylinders - Will Kennedy is currently leading the Dally M leaderboard after 10 rounds, while KL Iro has been a revelation, scoring in all six games this season.

The Sharks come into this clash with four wins from their last five, including a comfortable 30-14 win over Manly at Brookie last week - but it must be said, they have been playing woefully out-of-form teams. This will be Cronulla's first game at Sharks Stadium since Round 4.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-12	13+
5-5	3-7	2-3	4-1

Cronulla Sharks Team News

Sifa Talakai has replaced Tom Hazelton in the Sharks side, who suffered a sternum injury last week. Oregon Kaufusi moves into the starting side, while Teig Wilton has been named in the reserves as he looks to return from a shoulder injury.

Cronulla Sharks Team List

1. William Kennedy

2. Samuel Stonestreet

3. Jesse Ramien

4. KL Iro

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

6. Braydon Trindall

7. Nicho Hynes

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

9. Blayke Brailey

10. Oregon Kaufusi

11. Briton Nikora

12. Billy Burns

13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange

14. Daniel Atkinson

15. Jesse Colquhoun

16. Siosifa Talakai

17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves

18. Hohepa Puru

19. Tuku Hau Tapuha

20. Jayden Berrell

21. Teig Wilton

22. Chris Veaila

Melbourne Storm Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
3-2	2-3	3-2

The Storm reminded everyone why they're premiership favourites this season with an extraordinary 64-0 pummelling of the Tigers at AAMI Park last week.

Melbourne scored 11 tries, with Ryan Papenhuzen crossing for four of those - including completing his hat-trick within 17 minutes.

It was a much-needed performance from the Storm, who had let slip of a comfortable lead against the Raiders in Magic Round, while they also suffered another loss from a big winning position against the Dolphins recently.

I can only imagine the sprays Bellamy delivered after those defeats, so it's no surprise the Storm made an example of the Tigers last weekend.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-12	13+
4-5	6-3	2-2	4-1

Melbourne Storm Team News

Harry Grant is listed in the reserves and could be a late inclusion as he pushes for some game time before Origin.

Marquee forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona continues to be out-of-favour with Bellamy as Tui Kamikamica comes back to replace him on the bench.

Melbourne Storm Team List

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen

2. Sualauvi Faalogo

3. Grant Anderson

4. Nick Meaney

5. Xavier Coates

6. Cameron Munster

7. Jahrome Hughes

8. Stefano Utoikamanu

9. Bronson Garlick

10. Josh King

11. Shawn Blore

12. Eliesa Katoa

13. Trent Loiero

Interchange

14. Tyran Wishart

15. Alec MacDonald

16. Tui Kamikamica

17. Joe Chan

Reserves

18. Ativalu Lisati

19. Lazarus Vaalepu

20. Kane Bradley

21. Harry Grant

22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Verdict

Cronulla Sharks v Melbourne Storm

The Sharks won't shake their reputation as flat-track bullies, with the Storm covering a small line and backing up their big win from last week.

Cameron Munster crossed for the first try in the most-recent clash between these teams - and together with Hughes, at least one of the halves have scored in their last four meetings with Cronulla.

Storm -3.5

Line

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