The Melbourne Storm sealed their place in the NRL Grand Final with a hard-fought 22-14 win over the Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park, as Jahrome Hughes returned from injury to inspire alongside Cameron Munster.
Hughes, targeted physically by the Sharks, responded with a dominant all-round performance, while Munster ran a team-high 195 metres. Ryan Papenhuyzen and Stefano Utoikamanu also starred, helping master coach Craig Bellamy reach his 11th grand final in 23 years.
Despite a spirited showing from Sione Katoa, who scored twice for the Sharks, crucial errors from Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall cost the visitors momentum late on, with Harry Grant and Xavier Coates delivering the decisive blows for Melbourne.
