Penrith punish rusty Roosters
16 hours ago | Aidan Edgecomb
An in-form Storm visit a struggling Sharks outfit to round out the Easter weekend.
Melbourne come into this contest the only unbeaten side in the competition, and although they have three wins to their name and have done more than enough in each of those matches to take home the choccies (what? It's Easter!), it's been a tough slog as well. They rallied late to get past the Dragons by two points in the opener, had a cruisy second half against the Titans and then had to rally late again to beat the unfancied Warriors last weekend. This match possibly represents their biggest challenge - the Sharks have the quality this season and at home will provide a formidable test for the competition's early favourites.
I'm prepared to throw last week's loss to Manly in the bin for the Sharks as one of those little anomalies that happens - a hoodoo I suppose, given the awful record the Shire boys have at Brookvale. Back home this Monday night, watch for a sharper, more switched on Cronulla outfit, particularly when they're up against the best half-hooker pairing in the game. In all, this shapes as a high-quality contest to wrap up Round 4.
Last meeting: Round 23 2015 - Sharks 2 Storm 30
The odds are against the home side when it comes to recent history - Cronulla have won just one of these contests since the 2008 Finals Series - that was a 12-10 victory mid-way through the 2012 season at home. Melbourne have won the last five clashes between these sides, scoring 30 points or more for the last four of those.
Who to watch: After courting plenty of controversy in 2015, Andrew Fifita has been a standout for the Sharkies up front. Carrying his team forward with inspired performances in the first two rounds, he was arguably Cronulla's best in last week's disappointment against Manly and will need to put on a big show again in this contest. A few more quality outings from the bustling prop will certainly have him back in the Origin selection frame, too.
Will Chambers has been a standout for Melbourne over the first three weekends, giving edge defenders hell with good distribution from the Storm halves. Which brings us to Blake Green who is blooming late as an outstanding five-eighth. I guess it helps having Cooper Cronk alongside you at halfback too!
The favourite: As is often the case in tight ones like this, the home side has the favourites tag, with Cronulla ahead on the bookies' list.
My tip: While a Cronulla win wouldn't surprise me, it's hard to look past the recent history between these sides and Melbourne's ability to craft a result even when they're not looking 100%. Look for Melbourne to lead the competition on their own by 9pm tonight. Storm by 8.
1. Ben Barba 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Jack Bird 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Valentine Holmes 6. James Maloney 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Michael Ennis 10. Sam Tagataese 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Jayson Bukuya
Interchange: 14. Gerard Beale 15. Chris Heighington 16. Matt Prior 17. Joseph Paulo
1. Cameron Munster 2. Young Tonumaipea 3. Will Chambers 19. Curtis Scott 5. Marika Koroibete 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Jordan McLean 4. Tohu Harris 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Christian Welch 15. Tim Glasby 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Ben Hampton
Referees: Matt Cecchin, Dave Munro; Sideline Officials: Ricky MacFarlane, Adam Reid; Video Referees: Ben Galea, Ashley Klein, Bernard Sutton;