Date: Saturday March 21 2015
Venue: AAMI Park
Kick-Off: 7:30pm (local)
Storm: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Young Tonumaipea, 3. William Chambers, 4. Kurt Mann, 5. Marika Koroibete, 6. Blake Green, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Jordan McLean 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Ryan Hinchcliffe, 15. Tim Glasby, 16. Dayne Weston, 17. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs
Sharks: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Gerard Beale 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Ben Barba 7. Jeff Robson 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Michael Ennis 10. Sam Tagataese 11. Jayson Bukuya 12.Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen (c). Interchange: 14. Matt Prior 15. Chris Heighington 16. Anthony Tupou 17. David Fifita 18. Luke Lewis 21. Tinirau Arona
Preview
Melbourne are back at home for the first time in 2015 and will be keen to put Cronulla to the sword.
Both sides were round two losers. Melbourne were unlucky with a few decisions against Manly at Brookvale last Saturday night. Not helped by Cam Smith’s missed conversion costing the Storm a chance of going to golden point. Cronulla on the other hand couldn’t crack the Brisbane outfit in a low standard game at Remondis Stadium last Friday. So it’s a contrast in form for these two sides going into this match.
The only change for Melbourne will be whether Dale Finucane will beat his dangerous tackle charge on Peta Hiku. Ryan Hinchcliffe may play at lock if he’s suspended. Young Tonumaipea looked in good form last week with one try and over two hundred metres gained. If the ball goes wide he could be in for a good night. Blake Green should also be on the improve as he forms a solid halves partnership with Cooper Cronk. It’s a good team despite the aging Slater, Cronk and Smith.
Cronulla are staring down the barrel of three straight losses to the NRL season which is a surprise considering they should have won at least one of their first two games at home. Ben Barba hasn’t looked at home in the number six jumper and they’re been solid speculation that he would be switched to fullback to allow Jack Bird to play in the halves. Luke Lewis is a chance of returning from a knee problem and has been named on the bench. The Sharks will look towards Valentine Holmes. Bursting onto the scene last year at nineteen years of age, Holmes scored three tries in his six appearances last year. For Holmes to be effective the Sharks will need to be more organised in attack. Jeff Robson will be under pressure to hold his spot if this isn’t sorted out.
The last time Cronulla won in Melbourne was seven years ago when Brett Kimmorley’s field goal was the difference between the two sides in winning 17-16.
Prediction a Melbourne win seems to be a safe bet this weekend and it could possibly be by 13+
