Bragging rights and sole possession of top spot on the ladder are up for grabs when the Sharks and Storm renew their rivalry at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
Both sides boast 7-1 records after nine rounds, establishing themselves as the benchmark by which all sides are measured.
The Sharks have the NRL's best defence, conceding a tick under 14ppg, with the Storm third best in that category with 17ppg given up across their opening eight games.
In 45 clashes between the sides since the Storm entered the competition in 1998 it's Melbourne holding a 29-16 advantage, although the Sharks took the one that mattered most with a 14-12 win over Craig Bellamy's men in 2016.
The loss of fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen to an ankle injury is a blow for the Storm but young gun Sua Fa'alogo is ready to fill the void and keep adding to his impressive highlight reel.
In contrast the Sharks have a relatively clean bill of health as they head into their toughest test since a Round 1 trip to Auckland where they showed plenty of grit to down the Warriors 16-12.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Storm v Sharks
Team News
Storm: A boost for the Storm an hour before kick-off with Tui Kamikamica moving from the reserves to the bench as he returns from a calf injury that has sidelined him since Round 6. Jack Howarth also joins the bench in jersey No.19 with Joe Chan making way. Kiwi Test playmaker Jahrome Hughes has been left after playing through a calf injury last week and is replaced at halfback by Tyran Wishart. Livewire youngster Sualauvi Fa’alogo gets his chance at fullback following another injury to the luckless Ryan Papenhuyzen, while Grant Anderson comes in on the wing.
Sharks: A blow for the Sharks just before kick-off with halfback Nicho Hynes a late withdrawal due to a calf injury. Blayke Brailey takes over at halfback, Cam McInnes goes to hooker and Jack Williams comes in at lock. Tuku Hau Tapuha joins the bench. Royce Hunt replaces Toby Rudolf (knee) on the bench while back-rower Teig Wilton is good to go after entering an early guilty plea to a careless high tackle charge mid-week and receiving a fine.
Match: Storm v Sharks
Round 10 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis SmithCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick MeaneyCentre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Grant AndersonWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Tyran WishartHalfback for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Forwards
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Prop for Storm is number 8 Christian WelchProp for Sharks is number 8 Thomas Hazelton
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Sharks is number 14 Jack Williams
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Royce Hunt
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Interchange for Storm is number 19 Jack HowarthInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
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Interchange for Storm is number 22 Tui KamikamicaInterchange for Sharks is number 18 Tuku Hau Tapuha
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 14 Bronson GarlickReplacement for Sharks is number 21 Kade Dykes
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won six of their past seven games against the Sharks.
- The Sharks have not won at AAMI Park since 2018.
- The Storm have won their last 14 games at AAMI Park.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored four tries in his past three games against the Storm.
- Storm hooker Harry Grant has scored four tries in five games against the Sharks.
Match: Storm v Sharks
Round 10 -
home Team
Storm
3rd Position
away Team
Sharks
1st Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
