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Melbourne Storm v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Saturday 7:35pm at AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri

First plays second - but are they contenders or pretenders?

A top of the table showdown will close out a trio of matches on Saturday when the Melbourne Storm host the Cronulla Sharks in a highly anticipated contest at AAMI Park.

Sitting in second position on the ladder with seven wins from eight matches to begin the year, the Melbourne Storm will be aiming to flex their premiership muscles with yet another victory on home soil.

Holding on to record a 22-20 victory over the Titans on the Gold Coast last Saturday, coach Craig Bellamy has been forced into changes with Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes sidelined through injury.

Exciting young gun Sualauvi Fa'alogo will get his first chance in the number one jersey with Grant Anderson coming onto the wing, while Tyran Wishart will start in the halves alongside first-time halfback Cameron Munster.

Winning their past 14 consecutive matches at AAMI Park, averaging 30.6 points in attack and conceding 14 in return, the Storm hold a strong recent record over the Sharks with eight wins from 13 matches in the years since the 2016 Grand Final

The Cronulla Sharks will be looking to justify their position as competition leaders by claiming the scalp of an undisputed premiership heavyweight. 

Coming into the round in first position for three consecutive weeks - their longest stretch atop the ladder since their premiership winning season in 2016 - the Sharks will be looking to arrest a poor record against top eight teams during Craig Fitzgibbon's tenure which has yielded four wins from nine matches in 2022 and three from ten in 2023.

Clawing back a halftime deficit to defeat the Dragons 20-10 last Sunday, Royce Hunt will come onto the bench in place of Toby Rudolf in the only change from the team that prevailed in the wet.

The Sharks have struggled historically at AAMI Park with a mere two wins from 14 visits; Jesse Ramien is the only player remaining from the side that last triumphed at the rectangular stadium in 2018.

Last meeting: Round 15 2023 - Storm 54 Sharks 10

Who to watch: The Storm's backline stocks have taken a hit, but, as history has shown, young guns like Sualauvi Fa'alogo are ready to step up when called upon. Starting at fullback for the first time after playing on the wing last week, the 21-year-old has been touted as a star of the future following an exhilarating entrance to the NRL in the final round of 2023. Showing his wares as an attacking threat with Samoa on the international stage at the end of last season, look for Fa'alogo to cause plenty of chaos from the back.

The first grade career of Daniel Atkinson lasted just seven minutes for Melbourne against Cronulla in 2021. On Saturday evening, the 23-year-old will be aiming to turn the tables in 80 minutes of action. Coming into the halves in place of Braydon Trindall a fortnight ago, Atkinson will be looking to back up his performance in the win over the Dragons where he produced a linebreak to go with more than 100 running metres. 

Favourite: Despite being without their first-choice fullback and halfback, the experience of the Storm is expected to come to the fore on Saturday night.

My tip:  The Sharks, sitting atop the competition ladder following five straight wins, will never get a better chance to prove their credentials against a Storm side missing two key spine players. If they can't get it done with the cards they've been dealt, they will remain a non-serious team. Sharks by 2.

1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Grant Anderson 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Cameron Munster 8. Christian Welch 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Alec MacDonald 19. Jack Howarth 22. Tui Kamikamica 14. Bronson Garlick

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 9. Blayke Brailey 8. Thomas Hazelton 13. Cameron McInnes 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 14. Jack Williams 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Royce Hunt 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 21. Kade Dykes

Referees: Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: Phil Henderson, Nick Pelgrave; Video Referees: Adam Gee;

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