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Sharks v Storm: Talakai returns; Grant to start
Cronulla have their sights on a winning return home as they prepare to host Melbourne in the first game at Sharks Stadium since Round 4.
Craig Fitzgibbon's side won four from six during a lengthy stint on the road that took them as far afield as Perth, Brisbane and Canberra.
Confidence is high as they return to the friendly confines of the Shire, with Will Kennedy continuing to lead the Dally M standings and halves Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall developing into one of the NRL's elite halves pairings.
Saturday night's clash will mark a true test of their premiership ambitions as the Storm travel to Sydney on the back of a dominant 64-0 victory over the Wests Tigers in Round 10.
Ryan Papenhuyzen scored a record-breaking 36 points in the win over the Wests Tigers and his showdown with Kennedy will make for one of the games of the year.
The match will also pit two former Dally M Medallists against each other, with 2022-winner Hynes to take on reigning champion Jahrome Hughes in a key positional battle.
Match: Sharks v Storm
Round 11 -
home Team
Sharks
5th Position
away Team
Storm
3rd Position
Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Sharks: The Sharks will line up as per program with Hohepa Puru the 18th man. Sifa Talakai will make his return from a concussion, but back-rower Teig Wilton won't return from a shoulder injury after dropping out of the squad on Friday. Tom Hazelton will also miss the game after injuring his sternum against the Sea Eagles. Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 37 tries in 35 games at Sharks Stadium.
Storm: In a late game-day change, Harry Grant has been named to start at hooker after getting through all the steps to return from his hamstring injury. Alec MacDonald sustained a quad injury in the warm-up, ruling him out. Joe Chan comes into the side, with Bronson Garlick the new 18th player. Earlier, Nelson Asofa-Solomona was added to the bench 24 hours before kick-off, with Tui Kamikamica coming back in after missing Round 10.
Match: Sharks v Storm
Round 11 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel StonestreetWinger for Storm is number 2 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Storm is number 3 Grant Anderson
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL IroCentre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Storm is number 21 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon KaufusiProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Billy Burns2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel AtkinsonInterchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jesse ColquhounInterchange for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Siosifa TalakaiInterchange for Storm is number 17 Joe Chan
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-UeleInterchange for Storm is number 22 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa PuruReplacement for Storm is number 9 Bronson Garlick
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won their past three games against the Storm at Sharks Stadium.
- The Storm have won seven of their past nine games against the Sharks.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 37 tries in 35 games at Sharks Stadium.
- Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has scored seven tries in his past four games.
- Sharks centre KL Iro has scored seven tries in his last six games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
