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Sport Nation
Why Brandy is all-in on a Melbourne Storm Grand Final berth
Charles Goodsir • September 24th, 2025 12:42 pm
SEN’s Greg Alexander believes it will take a miracle for the Melbourne Storm to not make the 2025 NRL Grand Final.
After downing the Bulldogs in the qualifying final, the Storm have had a week off and are set to welcome back plenty of stars including reigning Dally M medallist Jahrome Hughes and 2020 Clive Churchill medallist Ryan Papenhuyzen.
Alexander believes that despite the injury cloud to star players and a lacklustre run of form, Melbourne will be far too strong for the Cronulla Sharks.
“I’m not surprised that the price of the Sharks has drifted,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Hughes is coming back from two serious injuries in the space of two months.
“It’s as good a Melbourne side as it’s been all year and they’ve been the Premiership favourites all year.
“They have been inconsistent at times throughout the year but they won enough games to finish in the top four.
“They are also playing at home so I’m red hot on the Storm to win.”
Since the 2016 Grand Final against the Sharks, Melbourne have qualified for eight preliminary finals in nine seasons and have gone on to play in the Grand Final on four occasions.
The Sharks enter the clash on the back of nine wins from their last 10 matches. Alexander is adamant that even if Cronulla play at their absolute best, it may not be enough to overcome the Storm.
“In terms of winning a Premiership, you need a bit of luck and timing is everything,” Alexander continued.
“The Sharks’ timing could not be better. The round before the finals started, they played their best game of the year.
“Strong defence, intensity, halves playing well and big men in the middle playin well.
“They got it happening against the Bulldogs in Round 27, the Roosters the next week and it was their best against the Canberra Raiders.
“If they repeat that and the Storm are off their game, the Sharks could win the game.
“The Storm will also need to play their best to beat the Sharks.”
The Storm host the first Preliminary Final at AAMI Park on Friday.
