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Storm back star to deliver with grand final on offer
Melissa Woods, AAP • September 25th, 2025 3:03 pm
Jahrome Hughes is ready to tackle Cronulla despite suffering a fractured forearm earlier this month | Photo: James Ross/AAP
With Jahrome Hughes appearing unhindered at Melbourne's final training run, coach Craig Bellamy said something would have to go "drastically wrong" for his halfback not to play in the NRL preliminary final.
Hughes underwent surgery on his fractured forearm earlier this month, prompting questions about whether his inclusion in the line-up to face Cronulla on Friday night was a smokescreen.
The 2024 Dally M medallist has only played once in the past two months, with the arm injury coming in his return from a shoulder dislocation.
But with Hughes passing freely with his bandaged arm in their AAMI Park run, Bellamy said he is convinced the 30-year-old is up to the challenge of piloting the Storm into their second straight grand final.
"We'll see how he gets through today but from what he's done the last couple of weeks, he'll be playing for sure," Bellamy said.
"For him to come back in, that's a big boost.
"We're confident in what he's been doing and what he has to do ... something will have to go drastically wrong today (for him not to play)."
Injured star Jahrome Hughes has convinced Storm medicos and Craig Bellamy that he is ready to play | James Ross/AAP
Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon said his team didn't have any particular plans to target Hughes, after calls for their hit-man Addin Fonua Blake to run at the Kiwi Test No.7.
"I don't think they'd be putting Jahrome out there if he wasn't capable," Fitzgibbon said.
"We don't want to give up on what Addin does in the middle, but if he gets out there on the edge and gets an opportunity, he's obviously hard to tackle.
"We can't spend the whole game with Addin waiting out there to get the ball."
Storm coach Craig Bellamy is bracing for a tough clash with the Sharks | Photo: James Ross/AAP
The Storm crushed Cronulla 37-10 in last year's qualifying final at AAMI Park, where skipper Harry Grant bagged a hat-trick.
The current Sharks outfit is demanding more respect after eliminating the Sydney Roosters and minor premiers Canberra en route to the final four.
Bellamy said he was always aware they were a premiership threat.
"They've been in great form so I don't know who wrote them off - they finished fifth, that's a pretty good effort and beating the Raiders down in Canberra, they're in good form."
The Sharks are full of belief after their semi-final win over the Raiders | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Fitzgibbon said his team had been "hardened by their heartache" after a lean record in finals prior to this year, and their recent performances had bolstered belief.
"It's really nice to have two really strong opponents in the Roosters and Canberra, to take that on and give even more belief to the boys but we're also under no illusions as to the Storm," he said.
"We're on a six-day turnaround, interstate trip, so we've got a challenge on our hands but we're excited.
"And the boys do believe that we are in a better position than we have been in semis past."
Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes were all smiles on the eve of the high-stakes final | Photo: James Ross/AAP
The Sharks had a slow start against Canberra and the Roosters, coincidentally in both matches winger Ronaldo Mulitalo opened their account with a 34th minute try.
In more daunting statistics, Melbourne boast 28 wins from 28 finals when leading at halftime while that figure is 40 from 41 when looking at all games at home.
Fitzgibbon said while his team wanted to build scoreboard pressure early, they could at least take confidence that they've still been able to find a way to win.
"It's nice to know when we haven't that we've been able to hold in there long enough to get opportunities and get back in the game," he said.
"Our intention would be to start fast as well but whether that's allowed or whether we can get away with that, that's up to us to try and work that."
Tune into Sport Nation for SEN's live commentary of the Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm NRL Preliminary Final - coverage starts 8pm NZ time, kick-off 9.50pm - available on the SN app and all NZ frequencies.
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