NRL Round 6 Preview and Prediction - Melbourne Storm v Cronulla Sharks @ AAMI Park

Melbourne Storm v Cronulla Sharks @ AAMI Park 

Preview - The much awaited Grand Final replay is upon us here as the Storm host the Sharks in what is sure to be a high octane game with plenty of feeling. Of course, the Sharks won the ultimate prize last year in an epic Grand Final where a late try to Andrew Fifita sealed a 14-12 victory and the Club’s first Premiership against a very brave Storm outfit. The Storm have once again started the season in stellar fashion with 5-straight victories, to remain the only side undefeated in the NRL after 5 rounds. Last week, they swatted aside a fellow Premiership contender in Penrith, with a commanding 28-6 victory in which their outstanding defence once again came to the fore. The Sharks’ form this season has been a lot more patchy and they had to rely on a 78th minute field goal from James Maloney to scratch out a 19-18 victory over the Knights, to record their first victory at Shark Park in 3 attempts this year. 

History - The Sharks won 2 of the 3 clashes between the two sides last year including that famous Grand Final victory. However, that's as far as the Sharks’ dominance against the Storm goes. They have won just 3 of their last 10 overall against the Storm and are on a 6-game losing streak at AAMI Park. 

Melbourne Storm Scouting Report - The Storm are missing Jesse Bromwich once again whilst Young Tonumaipea is preferred to Chase Blair in the centres. Jordan McLean will start in the front row in Jumper 21. Josh Addo Carr already looks like the finished product after he was more hit and miss at the Wests Tigers last season. Craig Bellamy knows how to turn a rough diamond into an outstanding footballer and Addo Carr is lighting up the NRL on the wing for Melbourne.

Cronulla Sharks’ Scouting Report - The Sharks are just about at full strength for this game having named an unchanged line up from the side that barely got the job done against Newcastle. That means no room for Sam Tagetese, or Joseph Paulo. The likes of Andrew Fifita, Luke Lewis and Matt Prior really got on top of the Storm pack in the Grand Final last year and they will be looking to create some offloads and ruck speed here once again. 

Verdict - Storm by 8-14

I like the Storm to get a small slice of revenge here. They are awfully hard to beat at home and I think they will have that extra bit of motivation here after the bitter Grand Final defeat last season. They proved last week in their emphatic 28-6 win over Penrith that they can lock down a side with pace and power and suffocate them into a Storm type of football game. Last year, the Sharks went to Melbourne and had plenty of chances, however ultimately could only grab one try. I think the Sharks might ambush Melbourne a little in this with their forwards, and given Melbourne have not lost a game yet they might be a bit vulnerable. However if both sides play near their best, I think the Storms’ defence will win out and they can get home by a try or two.