Round 8: Sharks v Storm preview
Acrimonious rivals resume hostilities
The word ‘hate' is largely overused when describing club rivalries, but if ever two teams were to come close to meeting that description in recent times, the Cronulla Sharks and the Melbourne Storm would make the strongest case.
Firing shots at one another on and off the field, epitomised by the bitter clash at Cronulla in arguably the worst spectacles of rugby league ever seen a year ago, the 2016 grand final foes will be out to add another spiteful chapter on Friday night in a clash set to test the credentials of both clubs.
Enduring a wretched run with injuries not seen since the ASADA dramas five years ago, the Cronulla Sharks will be out to continue a narrow advantage against the Melbourne Storm since 2016 having won five of the past eight clashes.
Coming off a comprehensive 29-6 defeat in Brisbane last Saturday, coach John Morris will field a squad with eight members boasting fewer than 15 appearances in the NRL as a result of injuries to Matt Moylan, Shaun Johnson, Wade Graham, Aaron Woods and Josh Dugan - a combined absence of 853 first grade, 65 international and 33 Origin appearances.
Sitting just outside the top eight as the sole team on six competition points, the Sharks will be aware of the importance of keeping distance from the seven teams below them, as they look to replicate their feats in 2018 and 2015 in order to secure a place in the finals after opening a season with three wins from seven matches.
Losing marquee signing Shaun Johnson with a hamstring strain, young gun Kyle Flanagan will start at five-eighth, while Sione Katoa comes onto the wing for last week's unexpected debutant Ronaldo Mulitalo. Named in jersey 21, Josh Dugan may be a late inclusion after suffering hamstring tightness in the warm up against Brisbane.
Out-enthused by the Warriors but rising to the occasions to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat on ANZAC Day, the Melbourne Storm will be fully aware of the need to step up on Friday night if they hope to remain among the competition front-runners.
Sitting alongside the Roosters and Rabbitohs with six wins following last Thursday's 13-12 win at home, coach Craig Bellamy will be banking on Melbourne's overall record in Cronulla coming to the fore having won eight of 15 matches at PointsBet Stadium over the past two decades.
Retaining the same squad, including Marion Seve ahead of Curtis Scott in the centres, second rower Joe Stimson may be in line to make his first appearances since the 2018 grand final after being selected on the extended bench. If successful in making the final 17 an hour before kick-off, expect to see Ryan Papenhuyzen drop out of the squad.
Last meeting: Finals Week 3 2018 - Storm 22 Sharks 6
Who to watch: Afforded the responsibility of replacing Shaun Johnson in the halves, 20-year-old playmaker Kyle Flanagan will be eager to assert his status as a player selected on merit - not nepotism. Handed his first grade debut late last year by his father, premiership winning coach Shane Flanagan, the former NSW Residents and Under-20s playmaker has demonstrated plenty of class in the lower grades to lead Newtown to the ISP decider last year, but will be out to forge his own reputation without the pressure of critics drawing sinister conclusions over his place in the Sharks top 17. Among the many Cronulla youngsters to make the step up to first grade following lower grade success, expect Flanagan to show plenty of confidence against one of the competition heavyweights.
Receiving a reception from Sharks fans that left no room for ambiguity when he last played at PointsBet Stadium, Melbourne captain Cameron Smith will looking to thrive in the hostile environment awaiting his side on Friday evening. Sensationally sent to the sin bin for the first time in his career when the two sides clashed on Good Friday last year, the prolific record breaker has shown no signs of slowing down in spite of his status as the second-oldest player in the league - behind Cronulla captain Paul Gallen - epitomised by his ability to maintain pressure on the Warriors by forcing multiple goal line drop outs. Accused of acting as ‘referee Smith' on the field, while firing back that Melbourne's stripped titles should be reinstated given Cronulla's own salary cap issues, Smith will be sure to let his actions do the talking in what shapes as a fiery affair.
The favourite: Winning twice as many games as their opponents over the opening seven rounds, the Melbourne Storm are fancied to continue their strong start to 2019.
My tip: While Cronulla will give a good account of themselves, the disparity in experience should see Melbourne prove too strong in the Shire. Storm by 14.
