The preliminary finals kick off on Friday night and the four remaining sides have named their teamlists, hoping to secure a position in the grand final.

Michael Maguire has gambled with a returning playmaker on the bench, while the Storm have welcomed back a host of stars.

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WEEK 3 – PRELIMINARY FINALS – SEPTEMBER 26-28

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 26

Second Preliminary Final:Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks at AMMI Park, 7.50pm AEST

Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen

2. William Warbrick

3. Jack Howarth

4. Nick Meaney

5. Xavier Coates

6. Cameron Munster

7. Jahrome Hughes

8. Stefano Utoikamanu

9. Harry Grant

10. Josh King

11. Ativalu Lisati

12. Eliesa Katoa

13. Trent Loiero

14. Tyran Wishart

15. Shawn Blore

16. Tui Kamikamica

17. Alec MacDonald

18. Bronson Garlick

19. Grant Anderson

20. Joe Chan

21. Jonah Pezet

22. Sualauvi Faalogo

Analysis: Jahrome Hughes (fractured forearm), Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion) and Shawn Blore (fractured larynx) have all been named in a huge boost for the Storm. Hughes’ return sees Jonah Pezet drop out of the 17, despite a mammoth performance in the first week of finals to down the Bulldogs. There’s no denying Hughes is one of the game’s best playmakers, but there is argument that Pezet deserved a spot on the bench after pulling the strings in his absence. The 22-year-old has been front and centre in the media, with his future up in the air after becoming a free agent when Hughes re-signed to remain at the Storm until the end of 2030 in July. It looks likely he will depart Melbourne in 2025, potentially on loan to a rival club, while Hughes and Munster remain the Storm’s first-string halves. However, Pezet has been utilised on the bench six times this season. Should Hughes re-injure his wrist or shoulder, Craig Bellamy could then call on him to slot straight into the halves. But instead, he’s picked Tyran Wishart as the bench utility, and he’s a tried and tested option and one of rugby league’s most versatile players. Wishart fully deserves his spot on the bench, but equally Pezet is now the first choice man to slot into the halves should one of the club’s veteran pairing go down. Elsewhere, Blore takes up a spot on the bench, with Ativalu Lisati named in the starting side while Joe Chan drops out of the 17. Meanwhile, Nick Meaney has shifted to the centres to accomodate Papenhuyzen’s return, with Grant Anderson the odd man out in a brutal selection call.

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy

2. Sione Katoa

3. Jesse Ramien

4. KL Iro

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

6. Braydon Trindall

7. Nicho Hynes

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

9. Blayke Brailey

10. Toby Rudolf

11. Billy Burns

12. Teig Wilton

13. Jesse Colquhoun

14. Briton Nikora

15. Siosifa Talakai

16. Oregon Kaufusi

17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

18. Daniel Atkinson

19. Mawene Hiroti

20. Jayden Berrell

21. Tuku Hau Tapuha

22. Hohepa Puru

Analysis: The Sharks have made only a single change, with Tom Hazelton sidelined due to a head knock. His omission sees Oregon Kaufusi return on the bench, with Daniel Atkinson remaining as 18th man. The biggest talking point surrounding the Sharks is in the back row, with Briton Nikora once again named on the pine. Nikora is one of the NRL’s most dangerous edge forwards, but the form of both Teig Wilton and Billy Burns can’t be ignored. Craig Fitzgibbon has previously explained that both those stars deserve their spots in the starting side, with Nikora resigned to a role in the middle of the park and a small stint on the edge. One injury and the Kiwi international slots in, but such is the strength of the Cronulla forward pack, he must sit and wait on the bench and do his role to close out the year.

‘He’s a freak’ Kenny to take on Haas | 00:51

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SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 28

First Preliminary Final: Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium at 4.05pm AEST

Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh

2. Josiah Karapani

3. Kotoni Staggs

4. Gehamat Shibasaki

5. Deine Mariner

6. Ben Hunt

7. Adam Reynolds

8. Corey Jensen

9. Cory Paix

10. Payne Haas

11. Brendan Piakura

12. Jordan Riki

13. Tyson Smoothy

14. Ezra Mam

15. Kobe Hetherington

16. Xavier Willison

17. Ben Talty

18. Jesse Arthars

19. Jack Gosiewski

20. Selwyn Cobbo

21. Jaiyden Hunt

22. Jock Madden

Analysis: Captain Adam Reynolds has been named at halfback after he was sidelined for five games due to a hamstring injury, and Ezra Mam has also been selected on the interchange as he comes back from a hamstring injury in a huge call from Michael Maguire. With Billy Walters sidelined with an ACL injury, Ben Hunt switches back to five-eighth after stints at hooker (between Round 19 and 23) and five appearances at halfback (between Round 24 and the first final). Hunt’s recent form, and his ability to unlock the talents of Reece Walsh, have seen him remain in the halves. The veteran playmaker has been able to get the best out of the Broncos superstar fullback, giving him early ball and allowing him to call the playmaking shots. It remains to be seen how a Hunt and Reynolds combination can do the same, with Walsh often getting the ball at first receiver and dominating one side of the field. Maguire will be hopeful the dual kicking threat of Hunt and Reynolds can pin the Panthers back three down their end of the park, and then in dangerous situations, Walsh can create his magic. As for where Mam fits into the equation, it remains to be seen. The obvious move is for Cory Paix to come off, which sees Hunt move to hooker and Mam slot into his natural five-eighth position. However, the talented playmaker could also come onto the field at dummy-half and wreak havoc, or playing a roving middle role similar to that of Kalyn Ponga at Origin level. The 22-year-old is also a proven performer against the Panthers, having scored a hattrick in the 2023 grand final in what was a display for the ages, albeit in a losing side. Elsewhere, Tyson Smoothy replaces Pat Carrigan at lock, with Carrigan suspended. Winger Selwyn Cobbo has been named in the extended squad after coming back from a hamstring injury in Queensland Cup last weekend.

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards

2. Paul Alamoti

3. Izack Tago

4. Casey McLean

5. Brian To’o

6. Blaize Talagi

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Moses Leota

9. Mitch Kenny

10. Lindsay Smith

11. Scott Sorensen

12. Liam Martin

13. Isaah Yeo

14. Brad Schneider

15. Liam Henry

16. Isaiah Papali’i

17. Luke Garner

18. Daine Laurie

19. Matt Eisenhuth

20. Thomas Jenkins

21. Mavrik Geyer

22. Luke Sommerton

Analysis: The Panthers are unchanged going into their blockbuster preliminary final against the Broncos, with Penrith now only 80 minutes away from their sixth straight grand final. Liam Martin (ribs) and Casey McLean (hip) have both been named and are right to play. Meanwhile hooker Mitch Kenny was on the field for 58 minutes in his return from a hamstring injury against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Sunday, which will be a huge confidence boost for him.

NRL GRAND FINAL 2025

Winner of First Preliminary Final vs Winner of Second Preliminary Final

Sunday October 5, 7:30pm at Accor Stadium

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