Sharks chasing a Storm win at AAMI on Sunday

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Sat 10 Jun 2023, 03:58 PM

In a game matching a fourth placed Cronulla team against a Melbourne outfit sitting just one rung below them on the NRL ladder, the Sharks will be chasing a crucial win over the Storm in the round 15 clash at AAMI Park tomorrow.

In a rivalry which has ramped up in intensity since the teams met in the 2016 Grand Final, both clubs come into the contest looking to make amends after suffering disappointing losses in their most recent outings.

While Melbourne went down by 25 points last week to the Cowboys, their biggest loss since Round 11 last season, the Sharks were also less than impressed in their performance when beaten by the Broncos at home, with former Storm player and current Cronulla captain Dale Finucane expressing how both teams will be determined to return to the winner’s circle on Sunday.

“Knowing from playing a long time play in Melbourne, they have a mentality of not losing back-to-back games. But so do we so it should be a good contest,” Finucane said.

Not disgraced but far from their best, the Sharks conceded 20 points to the Broncos in last week’s loss at PointsBet Stadium, with hooker Blayke Brailey explaining an improved defensive performance will be the key to success in Melbourne.

“You can’t leak 20 points, especially against a good side like Brisbane, they are going to make you pay and that has been our focus (at training this week),” Brailey said. “Against another quality side like Melbourne it’s going to be another tough defensive challenge.”

As for the embarrassing loss suffered by the Storm in Townsville at their last start, Brailey is firm in the belief that will make the Sharks task on Sunday that little bit tougher.

“I think that scoreline (against North Queensland) will mean they come out firing, wanting to defend their home,” he added.

The match also doubles as a State of Origin audition for Sharks half Nicho Hynes, with the Blues in search of a replacement for the injured Nathan Clearly.

Coming up against his old club and the Queensland five eighth Cameron Munster, a Sharks win and a strong 80-minutes from Hynes would go a long way towards securing that NSW number seven jersey.

Although the Sharks may have won arguably the most important game back in 2016 at the premiership decider, in the 44 matches played between the two clubs, the Storm hold the advantage, having won 28 games, as opposed to 16 from the Sharks.

While the Sharks were successful last time the two teams met, winning 28-6 in round 17 of the 2022 season, Melbourne has won five of the past six, four by double digits, with Cronulla’s last win in Victoria coming back in 2018.

In all, the Storm have won 17 of the 23 in matches against the Sharks played in the state of Victoria, 13 of those 17 wins by double digit margins.

However, in giving the Sharks some encouragement their record away from PointsBet Stadium is a good one, with five wins from seven starts in 2023, while dating back to last season, they have 13 victories from 17 matches played.

In delving deeper in the statistics of the respective teams, Melbourne has the second-best completion rate in the NRL this season, the Sharks the second worst, Cronulla are scoring the most points and have the most line breaks, while they are also second in run metres and tackle busts.

The Sharks are also making the equal most errors per game at just under 12, alongside the Roosters, however they’ll be aiming to start fast once again, having scored the most points in the opening 20 minutes of matches this year.

In player stats and milestones, the Storm’s Nick Meaney will play his 100th NRL game, Sharks number one Will Kennedy has 12 tries in 12 games this season, just two behind his best of 14 in 2021, with Xavier Coates a try scoring specialist at AAMI Park with 16 four pointers in 14 games.

The 22 line break assists from Sharks halfback Hynes from only nine matches played is second only to Cody Walker of the Rabbitohs.

In team news, the Sharks have no injury issues and in trimming down their squad from 22 to 19 have retained the 17 as selected, with Tom Hazelton and Daniel Atkinson travelling to Melbourne as members of a 19-man squad.

The Sharks v Storm match is scheduled for a 4.05pm kick off at AAMI Park on Sunday.

See below the two 19-man squad lists.

Round 15 - Round 15 - Sunday 11 Jun

Full Time

Storm

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Storm is number 19 Marion Seve

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Royce Hunt
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch

Prop for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh King

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Interchange for Sharks is number 8 Oregon Kaufusi
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Tariq Sims

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Cameron McInnes
Interchange for Storm is number 21 Tyran Wishart

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Wade Graham
Interchange for Storm is number 22 Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jack Williams