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The Sharks took an important win on Monday and one that shows their positive start to the season. They set it up with some bruising defence in the first half, not letting the Storm off the rack until they came away with points.
REPORT: SHARKS KNOCK STORM OFF THE TOP
They got the go ahead try to Chad Townsend straight out of the break, before adding two penalties for an 8 point lead.
The Storm were in unfamilliar territory chasing points and looked lost and exhausted after doing so much defending earlier in the game. Cooper Cronk went missing in the second half.
The Sharks did what they do best in hard hitting defence. What is so positive though is that their halves are combining nicely and creating plenty of chances. James Maloney set up Ben Barba while Townsend scored one and nearly put Valentine Holmes over twice. They could have won by more.
The Storm were so gassed they couldn’t get a counter attack going and will not be too worried about that defeat after starting the season with three wins.
Final score
Sharks 14
Storm 6
The Cronulla Sharks host the Melbourne Storm at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Monday night, to round out the long weekend of NRL action. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7pm (AEDT).
The Sharks looked good in their first two games, pushing the Cowboys all the way before pummeling the Dragons a week later. It was disappointing last week though as they went to a 1-2 record, unable to capitalise on plenty of first half territory and possession against a desperate Sea-Eagles.
For the Storm it has been business as usual, starting the season perfectly against the Dragons, Warriors and Titans. Even without Billy Slater they have an able replacement in Cameron Munster who has continued to do a fantastic job for them.
Both teams are unchanged from their last starts, Jack Bird recovering from a heavy knock last week to take his place in the Sharks side.
The Sharks looked a little lost last week after starting the season strongly, Andrew Fifita was the only one looking to go forward while the rest were guilty of playing too laterally and trying to go around the Sea-Eagles in greasy conditions.
The Storm left it late against the Warriors, clinical in kicking a field-goal to go ahead by a point and lucky to jag a try in the last minute of play. A Monday night in Cronulla is always a tough challenge but last year the Storm made easy work of the Sharks with a 30-2 victory.
The Sharks will need to focus on attitude and playing more direct with offloads coming off the back of that. They looked good against the Dragons with their heads up play. They will also need to bring back the defence of the first two weeks.
The Storm meanwhile will just try to grind out the Sharks as they do to every side. If they can frustrate them they will score points off the back of it and could go to 4-0 to start the season.
It is set to be a tight, low-scoring affair. The Storm have looked professional as they always do and have done just enough to win all their games so far, they will need a bit extra though against a Sharks outfit that doesn’t deserve a 1-3 record to start the season.
I’m tipping the Sharks in another thriller for the round.
Sharks by 2
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