Live: Storm make late change as captain returns, Sharks equal NRLW record

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G’day KB.

It does look like a great day for footy.

That gives me the chance to tell you the weather in Newcastle looks pretty good.

The sun is out. The temperature is in the mid-teens, but according to BOM it feels like 13C.

It could be a little windy at Hunter Stadium this afternoon.

G’day Old Timer.

Thanks for joining Mick and Nick on the live blog.

I am not saying this is a prediction … but I fancy the Dragons this afternoon.

All indications suggest the Roosters probably should win this game. But if the Red V get some momentum, they are hard to stop — just ask Brisbane and Melbourne.

Don’t forget that, along with the live blog, you can listen to the live call of every match online, via the ABC Listen App, or on the radio (depending on where you are in the country).

The Sharks led the Dolphins 14-0 before two late tries gave the Redcliffe side a sniff.

But Nicho Hynes scored a match-winning try to save the Sharks’ faltering NRL season with a 24-12 victory.

Catch up on all the action in the link below.

The day’s action has started with a serious bang down in Canberra where Cronulla have run out 56-6 winners over the Raiders in their NRLW clash.

On the back of a four-try haul from Emma Verran, the Sharks have equalled their own record for biggest ever NRLW win as they ran in ten tries against the hapless Green Machine.

It’s a major statement of intent by the Sharks after last week’s loss to Parramatta and a hammer blow for Canberra’s chances of making their first finals series – there’s still ten weeks until the playoffs, but conceding 94 points in their first two matches is, as they say in the classics, not the best start.

As mentioned before, the Storm are missing some key players.

Cameron Munster will not be backing up from State of Origin. However, his omission from today likely has nothing to do with footy. Munster’s father, Steven, passed away last weekend, and it is most likely that the Melbourne five-eighth is taking some time to be with his family.

Winger Xavier Coates is also not backing up from Origin, while fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is out due to tightness in his calf.

With Harry Grant playing for Melbourne, Bronson Garlick has been pushed to 18th man.

For Newcastle, Fletcher Hunt plays fullback in place of the injured Kalyn Ponga.

Greg Marzhew and Leo Thompson also return to the side since their last outing.

There is a late inclusion for the Melbourne Storm, for their match in Newcastle against the Knights.

Captain Harry Grant will play, after starring for the Queensland Maroons in State of Origin on Wednesday night.

Trent Loiero and Stefano Utoikamanu will also back up for the Storm, while Cameron Munster and Xavier Coates are not playing today.

Here are the three matches that will be on today:

• 3pm: Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm
• 5:30pm: St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters
• 7:35pm: North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs

Good afternoon to you, footy fan.

Welcome back to ABC Sport’s live digital coverage of the 2025 NRL premiership season.

Today, there are three matches to enjoy, along with two bloggers.

I am Michael Doyle, and Nick Campton is alongside me for what we anticipate will be a terrific day of rugby league.

Join the conversation and let us know your thoughts on all things footy in the comment section.