Match Centre

Finals Week 3: Storm v Sharks preview

Bitter foes face off for a place in the premiership decider

Well-rested following a narrow victory over South Sydney a fortnight ago, the Melbourne Storm will be looking to secure their third consecutive grand final appearance with a win over the Cronulla Sharks - the team that proved too strong for them in the 2016 decider. Facing off against the Sharks in the play-offs for the third time following the 14-12 grand final defeat two years ago and an emphatic 28-0 victory back in 2008, the rivalry between the two teams should produce another enthralling clash following two acrimonious tussles falling in Cronulla's favour during the regular season. Failing to score a try against the Sharks in the worst spectacle of rugby league seen in recent memory on Good Friday, while similarly coming up short at home a month ago, Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy will be hoping ‘third time's a charm' on Friday night as the Storm look to uphold a dominant run in grand final qualifiers that has produced eight wins from ten fixtures over the past two decades. Regaining the services of international duo Will Chambers and Nelson Asofa-Solomona from suspension and injury respectively, Brodie Croft has been retained at halfback following an impressive showing against the Rabbitohs, while having been left out in favour of Brandon Smith a fortnight ago, Ryan Hoffman will come off the bench to join Billy Slater in farewelling AAMI Park after 16 seasons in first grade.

Staving off a fast-finishing Panthers side last Friday courtesy of a Chad Townsend field goal, the Cronulla Sharks will be hoping to continue their winning streak over Melbourne having triumphed in five of the past seven meetings. Coming into the preliminary final off the back of a hard-fought 21-20 victory at Allianz Stadium, the Sharks should have little fear in venturing to the Victorian capital having upended a run of seven straight losses at AAMI Park by claiming back-to-back wins in trying conditions over the past 18 months. Likely to have the services of inspirational captain Paul Gallen despite concerns over a rotator cuff injury sustained early in the second half last Friday, the 37-year-old will have added incentive to take the field with a win drawing him level alongside Andrew Ettingshausen as the Sharks' most-capped player in next Sunday's decider. Unchanged from the squad that downed Penrith last week, marquee signing Josh Dugan may be a late inclusion at the expense of Jesse Ramien, Edrick Lee or Sosaia Feki, while should Gallen fail to overcome his shoulder concern, expect to see departing forward Joseph Paulo come onto the bench for his maiden finals appearance.

Last meeting: Round 22 2018 - Storm 14 Sharks 17

Last Finals Meeting: Grand Final, 2016 - Melbourne Storm 12 Cronulla Sharks 14

Who to watch: Scoring the first of many tries on debut against the Sharks 15 years ago, Billy Slater will be looking to farewell AAMI Park in style on Friday evening to secure his seventh grand final appearance. Absent from the Melbourne team beaten by Cronulla in the premiership decider two years ago, the 35-year-old will relish his personal duel opposite Valentine Holmes in order to prove that despite the decline of his body, he remains the premier fullback of the NRL era, if not the greatest number one of all time. Producing a highlights reel to rival any player in the history of rugby league, the opportunity to produce a final moment of magic at home should see Slater make the most of the reverent occasion.

Losing on debut against the Storm just days after turning 18 back in 2001, Luke Lewis will be hoping his career avoids perfect symmetry by claiming a win on Friday night to set up a grand final farewell. A far cry from the skinny winger who called Penrith home at the start of the new millennium, the 35-year-old has thrived wherever fielded during 18 seasons in the NRL, especially as part of the Sharks potent second row in recent years. Claiming man of the match honours in the most famous meeting between the two sides, Lewis will have his sights set on one final match after Friday night, but should his career finish the way it began, few would have the temerity to deny his claims as one of the most accomplished representatives of rugby league throughout the professional era.

The favourite: Having the benefit of a week off in addition to an 80% record in grand final qualifiers, Melbourne is expected to prove too strong for Cronulla.

My tip: Boosted by the inclusions of Will Chambers and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, the Storm should prevail in a contest likely to be decided by the barest of margins. Storm by 4.

Outcome: The winner of the First Preliminary Final will face the winner of Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs next Sunday evening at ANZ Stadium in the Grand Final.