Melbourne Storm lock Trent Loiero has been cleared to play Sunday's NRL grand final against the Brisbane Broncos after a shoulder charge citation threatened to sideline him on the eve of decider week.
Coach Craig Bellamy named an unchanged 17 from the preliminary final win over Cronulla, with Loiero at loose forward and Joe Chan as 18th man. The NRL judiciary issued Loiero a grade-one charge midweek; Bellamy's successful argument that contact was accidental avoided a suspension but left a fitness cloud until Saturday's captain's run.
Match stakes
Brisbane enters as slight favourite after Reece Walsh's finals form, but Storm teams under Bellamy have a history of grand-final upsets. Accor Stadium expects more than 80,000 fans for the 6:30pm kickoff, with extra trains running from Central and Olympic Park.
Injury watch
Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds trained lightly after a calf strain but is named to start; medical staff will make a game-day call. Storm hooker Harry Grant carries a rib complaint yet completed contact drills.
Match officials will apply new head-injury assessment protocols after independent doctors flagged a slow exit in last year's decider. Any failed HIA removes players from the match regardless of bench depth.
Fan movement
Victoria Police urged Storm supporters flying into Sydney to secure accommodation early; hotel occupancy is near sell-out. Brisbane's fan march will start at Haymarket at 3pm, mirroring the Broncos' 2006 premiership route.
Television coverage remains on Nine and Kayo, with pre-game entertainment scheduled from 4pm. For Loiero, a win would cap his 100th NRL appearance with the game's biggest prize; a loss would reignite debate on grading dangerous contact in finals.
Tactical matchup
Brisbane's edge in halves health could matter if Reynolds limits kicking early, forcing Walsh to marshal more play. Storm centre Justin Olam's outside speed tests Broncos wing defence that struggled against Penrith's edges in August.
Weather forecasts show light rain possible; Accor Stadium's cover keeps most fans dry but may slick the ball for handling errors. Ground staff prepared hybrid grass surfaces after concert wear earlier in the month.
Grand final week also hosts the NRLW decider on Saturday afternoon, sharing Olympic Park precinct security with men's fans. Transport NSW added late-night services for Storm supporters returning to Central after full time.
History and records
Bellamy will coach his eleventh grand final, breaking the record he shared with Wayne Bennett. Brisbane seeks its first title since 2006, when these clubs last met on the biggest stage.
Ticket resale platforms face ACCC scrutiny after prices spiked; the NRL urged fans to use official exchange partners only.