Overview

• The preliminary final at AAMI Park will decide the first 2025 NRL grand finalist, with kickoff scheduled for 7.50pm.
• Jahrome Hughes starts at halfback just three weeks after surgery on a broken left arm and will wear a protective guard.
• Ryan Papenhuyzen returns from concussion and Shawn Blore is back after a fractured larynx, completing Melbourne’s triple inclusion.
• Craig Bellamy kept the named 17 and slightly reshuffled his starting 13, while Cronulla confirmed the same 1-17 listed on Tuesday.
• Some coverage notes Tom Hazelton being replaced by Oregon Kaufusi following a concussion, though other outlets list the Sharks unchanged.