2025 Storm Cup live stream: Hallam College v The Grange, grand final

Unbeaten and unrivalled. Hallam Secondary College are now back-to-back Storm Cup champions after triumphing in a massive grand final. Watch how it all unfolded.

Melbourne Storm have developed the long-term successor to Dally M halfback Jarome Hughes in Waka Hammond.

For the second-straight year the Hallam Secondary College playmaker inspired his school to a brilliant Storm Cup grand final triumph, beating arch-rivals The Grange 24-6 at Seabrook Reserve.

WATCH THE FULL STORM CUP GRAND FINAL REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

It took one moment, less than two minutes into the second half, for Hammond to stamp his authority on the decider and put the result emphatically beyond doubt.

Getting the ball at a standing start, and then running into a dead-end surrounded by Grange defenders, Hammond jinked, stepped and wheeled 180 degrees.

He spotted half a gap and attacked, beating a retreating defender to break into the backfield before taking on makeshift fullback Nathaniel Sialaoa one-on-one and beating him all ends up.

The solo four-pointer was an exclamation mark on what has been an impressive Storm Cup campaign for the Hallam side who finished the season undefeated and entirely unmatched.

But Hammond was far from alone in the demolition.

Micah Warena was the side’s best in the first half, and scored a double out of dummy half while Storm-contracted front rower Phoenix Woods left imprints of his palm on the chest of multiple defenders.

Hammond set up two tries either side of halftime to put the cherry on top of a sensational performance, that was only barely let down by shonky radar off the kicking tee.

It was a tough pill to swallow for The Grange who have now lost back-to-back Storm Cup titles to their rivals.

Storm-contracted fullback Matt Kereti showed his toughness and spirit by demanding he return to the field despite being put on reduced minutes by The Grange coaching staff.

Kereti was only meant to play the first half in what was his return game from a major hamstring injury which kept him out of the ASSRL National Championships, but with his side trailing by 20 points he forced his way back onto the field.

He helped inspire a short-lived dream of a comeback, playing a small role in Mack Savanila’s consolation four-pointer.

Hallam will now go on to clash with Hunter Sports High in the Peter Mulholland Cup finals play-in match next Thursday in Melbourne.

PREVIEW

Hallam Secondary College believes Thursday’s night Storm Cup grand final is an opportunity to leave a legacy.

For many of the year 12 students in the defending champions team, this will be their final game of school rugby league.

Standing in their way is The Grange Secondary College, who will be determined to cause an upset.

Hallam coach Janan Billings said there was an opportunity for his team to do “something to remember”.

Hallam College have been unstoppable in the Storm Cup this season. Picture: Facebook

“We’ve got eight boys who have played consistently in the Open team since Year 10 and we’ve got a few guys who have been there the last couple of years,” he said.

“Majority of this year’s team is in Year 12 and there would be no better way for them to do it.

“Being there and having experienced winning is a good thing, but we won’t be taking The Grange lightly.

“We’ll have a few who have never been here and it will be about guiding them to the finish line as well.”

Melbourne has experienced heavy rain in the lead-up to the game and Billings believes it could change how the game is played.

Hallam College teammates Waka Hammond (left) and Phoenix Woods in action for the Storm’s Harold Matthews Cup team earlier this year.

“It will probably come down to who can hold the ball for longer and complete their sets,” he said.

“Controlling the ball is going to be so important. They’ve (The Grange) have got a good forward pack and some real pace out wide so we will need to go away and do our homework.”

The Grange coach Shannon Love said matching it with Hallam’s “unbelievable forward pack” would be key for his side’s chances.

The Grange outside back Zephaniah Faumuina has come through the Storm’s junior pathways system.

“They’ve got a clinical back line who can really get on top if their forward pack is able to create momentum, which is hard to stop,” he said.

“The goal is to match them in that area from the start. Both sides have a lot of boys who are very good at the fundamentals so it’s going to come down to concentration on both sides of the ball.”

Hallam came out on top in the previous match-up between the two sides although The Grange were missing a few of their key players.

“It’s hard to get a gauge and understanding of how both teams compare given how we lined up,” Love said.

“Their forwards were able to get on top and we struggled with our short side defence.

“We’ve been building since that loss to give ourselves every chance.”

Check out some of the future stars on show in the Storm Cup grand final below.

Waka Hammond (Hallam)

The best halfback in the competition. Really smart footballer, possesses sharp ballplaying ability but also a good running game. Contracted to the Storm and is currently in their Jersey Flegg (U21s) side.

Texas Esera-Saluni (The Grange)

Speedy winger who knows how to find his way to the try line. Has been one of the breakout stars of the Storm Cup this season. If he spots half a gap, he will take the shot. He was the Melbourne Storm’s best back and players’ player in the Harold Matts (U17s) this year.

Phoenix Woods (Hallam)

Big, tough and doesn’t know how to go backwards. Everything you want in a front rower. He is an absolute man mountain in the middle of the park for Hallam and will lay the foundation for his side.

Zephaniah Faumuina (The Grange)

Light on his feet, but tough with his workrate, Faumuina is the perfect modern-day centre. He is contracted to the Storm in their pathways system and has had a taste of SG Ball this season.

Originally published as 2025 Storm Cup live stream: Hallam College v The Grange, grand final