NRL Round 14 Preview and Prediction - Cronulla Sharks v Melbourne Storm @ Shark Park

Cronulla Sharks v Melbourne Storm @ Shark Park
 
Preview – It’s the Thursday night blockbuster here and we get a Grand Final replay at the home of the Premiers as the Storm look to break their runs of outs against the Sharks. Not only is this the battle of last year’s best two teams, it’s the battle between 1st and 2nd on the ladder this year with both these heavyweights continuing on similar paths towards another potential decider in the first week of October this year. The Sharks are fresh off a bye having ground out another thrilling come from behind 9-8 victory against the Bulldogs in their last start. A hallmark of the Sharks’ victories this year has been their resilience and ability to win close games, whilst being well below their best. The Storm, despite resting Cameron Smith, had no such trouble dispatching the bottom placed Knights last week, running riot in a convincing 42-12 home victory. This retained the Storm's one game lead over the Sharks in the battle for the Minor Premiership.
 
History - Earlier this season these two mighty teams played out an 11-2 slug fest in atrocious conditions in Melbourne, with the Sharks making it 3 wins from their past 4 against the Storm. The Sharks, of course, also triumphed twice in 2016 with that famous 14-12 Grand Final win on top of a dominant 14-6 win at Shark Park earlier in the season. Outside of that late dominance, the Storm have won 7 from the past 11 since 2011 and hold an overall 21 to 12 win advantage in the head to head stakes. 
 
Cronulla Sharks’ Scouting Report - The Sharks have named one of their strongest sides this year with their 4 Origin players all back in, as well as James Segeyaro being named on an extended bench. Andrew Fifita is currently in the form of his life and he will be looking to terrorise the Storm once more after he scored the winning try in the Grand Final last year. 
 
Melbourne Storm Scouting Report - The Storm have suffered a huge blow on the eve of this clash with halfback Cooper Cronk rested by Craig Bellamy. They do, however, welcome back their talismanic Captain Cameron Smith after Head Coach Craig Bellamy decided to rest him against the lowly lights last week. Fullback Billy Slater made the Queensland selectors look silly last week against the Knights with a masterclass from the back, and can surely regain the fullback jersey for the Maroons with a strong display against the reigning Premiers. 
 
Verdict - Sharks 1-6 in a low scoring game
 
I thought the Storm could finally get one back on the Sharks here, however the resting of Cronk tips the scales back in favour of the Sharks at home. I still think the Storm will have been really stung by their loss earlier this season at home to the Sharks, off the back of their heartbreak Grand Final loss last year, and will make this a very close game despite the absence of Cronk. With Cameron Smith rested last week and Billy Slater on a mission, I think the Storm are primed to put in one of their best performances of the season and let it be known the Sharks don't have all the answers against them. The Sharks will head into this game confident they know how to beat the Storm and knowing they are capable of grinding out wins whilst playing well below their best. I think this game will be an absolute belter with plenty of niggle and physicality. As always, when these sides clash, points will be at a premium, and I expect this to be another tough low scoring affair where 18 points is enough for either side to claim a victory.