Sunday’s NRL 2018 Round 22 match is between Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks. The opening kick is set to commence at 16:10 local time with the game to be played at AAMI Park, Melbourne. The home team Melbourne Storm are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks.
When: 16:10 | Sunday 12/08/2018
Where: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Preview:
This is a belter to round out the weekend of footy.
Two teams that genuinely dislike each other.
Both coming off losses and looking to cement their spot in the top 4.
I expect in true Melbourne fashion to respond the way we know and they’re not a team that loses back-to-back games.
However, that will all depend on Cameron Smith’s injury.
He’ll be given until kick-off to prove his fitness and rightly so.
If he doesn’t play, I can’t see them winning as he’s such an influential player in their side.
I’m expecting a big forward display form Melbourne who were well outplayed last week and the coach will have them raring to go this week which they will need coming up against the oldest most experienced pack in the league.
The battle of this will determine the outcome.
KEY BATTLE: Andrew Fifita v Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Look for Andrew Fifita to really rise and I hope Nelson Asofa-Solomona equally matches this.
This game will provide some excellent players from fullbacks to front-rowers.
The Verdict
The Sharks will be on a mission.
Assuming Smith plays, Melbourne will sneak home.
The Storm, who lead the Sharks 10-5 since 2010, have a 7-2 (77.8 percent) record in day matches at AAMI Park since 2015.
Unibet Odds:
Melbourne Storm at $1.50
Cronulla Sharks at $2.60
Odds:
Tip: Melbourne Storm at $1.46
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Josh Addo Carr at $9.00
More Info:
Teams:
Melbourne Storm:
1 Billy Slater, 2 Suliasi Vunivalu, 3 Will Chambers, 4 Curtis Scott, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Jahrome Hughes, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Cameron Smith (c), 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11 Felise Kaufusi, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14 Kenny Bromwich, 15 Tim Glasby, 16 Christian Welch, 17 Joe Stimson
Reserves: 18 Tui Kamikamica, 19 Brandon Smith, 20 Cheyse Blair, 21 Brodie Croft.
Cronulla Sharks: 
1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Josh Dugan, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Sione Katoa, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matt Prior, 11 Luke Lewis, 12 Wade Graham (c), 13 Paul Gallen (c)
Interchange: 14 Scott Sorensen, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Aaron Woods, 17 Jayson Bukuya
Reserves: 18 Joseph Paulo, 19 Ava Seumanufagai, 20 Sosaia Feki, 21 Kyle Flanagan.
NRL News:
Melbourne legend Billy Slater is set to announce his retirement from rugby league with the 2018 NRL season to be his last.
The 35-year-old fullback will hold a press conference in Melbourne at 1pm on Wednesday.
The Storm had hoped that Slater would continue for another season but the former Queensland and Australia star has decided to call time on his career.
Slater made his NRL debut with Melbourne in 2003 and has since played 313 games, overcoming two shoulder reconstructions that interrupted his career.
His bulging trophy cabinet contains two NRL premierships, two Clive Churchill Medals and a Dally M Medal.
Slater was also a key member of Queensland’s State of Origin dominance and was a part of eight series’ victories, playing 31 games.
He was awarded this year’s Wally Lewis Medal as player of the 2018 series despite missing the first game.
Slater was a member of the Storm’s “Big Four” – including Cooper Cronk, Greg Inglis and skipper Cameron Smith.