Rugby league purists everywhere will be glued to TV screens on Saturday night to watch Cameron Smith break new ground as the NRL's first 400-game player.
Most footy followers have an opinion on who the GOAT is, but it's the longevity factor that separates the mercurial Smith from the rest.
He still hasn't shown any real signs of age and remains peerless when it comes to game management and exploiting an opponent's weakness.
The Sharks will show Smith due respect pre-game and post-game, but he knows they'll be out to rain on his parade.
Match: Storm v Sharks
Round 17 -
home Team
Storm
1st Position
away Team
Sharks
9th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
The Rundown
Team news
Storm: The cavalry returns in the shape of Origin stars Will Chambers, Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster, Felise Kaufusi, Christian Welch and Dale Finucane so Sandor Earl, Billy Walters, Albert Vete and Tui Kamikamica make way and Joe Stimson and Brandon Smith move to the bench. Justin Olam was also named among the reserves on Tuesday but in a late change on Friday he came into the centres for Marion Seve. The last two men omitted an hour before kick-off were Tui Kamikamica and Sandor Earl.
Sharks: Matt Moylan's hamstring injury has ruled him out and his place at fullback is taken by Aaron Gray. In the back row, Luke Capewell comes in for Wade Graham, who injured his hamstring in Origin III. Andrew Fifita returns from suspension. Aaron Woods has been promoted to the starting side an hour before kick-off and Jack Williams drops to the bench. Paul Gallen is out injured, replaced at lock by Matt Prior. Veteran Josh Morris switches to the wing and Josh Dugan shifts to centre. Kyle Flanagan was omitted from the extended squad on Friday.
Match: Storm v Sharks
Round 17 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Jahrome HughesFullback for Sharks is number 20 Aaron Gray
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi VunivaluWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sosaia Feki
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Will ChambersCentre for Sharks is number 3 Bronson Xerri
-
Centre for Storm is number 18 Justin OlamCentre for Sharks is number 4 Josh Dugan
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Sharks is number 5 Josh Morris
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Shaun Johnson
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Brodie CroftHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Sharks is number 8 Andrew Fifita
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron SmithHooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden Brailey
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaProp for Sharks is number 16 Aaron Woods
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Sharks is number 14 Kurt Capewell
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Dale FinucaneLock for Sharks is number 10 Matt Prior
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Brandon SmithInterchange for Sharks is number 13 Jack Williams
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Christian WelchInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Jayson Bukuya
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Joe StimsonInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Ryan PapenhuyzenInterchange for Sharks is number 21 Blayke Brailey
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
A standout for the Storm this year, Brodie Croft will try to continue his big performances against the Sharks, meanwhile Chad Townsend will look to step up and guide the Sharks to an unlikely win against the competition leaders.
For the Storm to win
The Cam Smith 400th milestone looms as a potential distraction, but it's more likely that his teammates will be doing everything they can to ensure it's a triumphant occasion. Craig Bellamy will check on his Origin stars before settling on a 17-man team but the Storm are rolling and it's up to the Sharks to find a way to stop them.
For the Sharks to win
Worrying signs for John Morris with one win from their past four games, which includes costly back to back losses to Canterbury and Brisbane. Wade Graham's return from Origin will help but the problem lies in the spine, specifically with Matt Moylan and Shaun Johnson. If Moylan is out this week, Johnson and Chad Townsend need to click, while the Sharks also have to solve their goal-kicking woes.
Brett Kimmorley says
The Storm don’t lose too many milestone games. There doesn’t seem to be many records that Cameron Smith doesn’t have. The Storm have been flexing their muscles of late and are leading by a fair way. Cronulla have been extremely poor for three losses in a row now, this will be a game they will lift for. They love playing Melbourne and this would be the upset of the round if they’re able to do it. But I’ll sway just towards Melbourne here. Storm by 1
Stat Attack
He has missed two games but Sharks prop Andrew Fifita still leads the NRL in offloads (40), while teammate Josh Dugan has committed more errors (29) than any player in the competition. The Storm are the top team for tackle breaks (525), run metres (24,561) and kick return metres (3,262).
And another thing ...
These two teams have developed a spicy rivalry ever since the Sharks beat Melbourne 14-12 in the 2016 grand final. After splitting their two meetings in 2017, the Sharks prevailed in both clashes last season before the Storm had the final say of the year with a 22-6 victory in the preliminary final. Cronulla drew first blood this season with a 20-18 home win over the Storm in round eight. Interestingly, a field goal has been kicked in three of their past six meetings.
Be there to witness history as Cameron Smith plays his milestone match - Tickets available
