Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan admits his players will attempt to ruffle the feathers of Melbourne on Friday night when one of the NRL’s fiercest modern-day rivalries resumes.
The Sharks’ battle with the Storm has also bubbled along since early 2008, before taking over as one of the code’s premier grudge matches both before and after the 2016 grand final.
Tensions first erupted between the two clubs in 2008, when both Ben Ross and Brett White were sent from the field in an early-season clash which descended into their infamous elbows-and-fists incident.
In more recent times, Luke Lewis and Paul Gallen have been vocal opponents of Melbourne’s ruck work, with Lewis labelling their wrestle “off the charts” in 2015.
Will Chambers returned serve for the Storm last year, reportedly calling Wade Graham and Gallen drug cheats in an early-season match.
Flanagan also had a crack back later in 2017, mocking “referee (Cameron) Smith” and Melbourne’s slow ruck speeds.
“I think always after grand finals there’s a bit of that rivalry that hangs around for a couple of years,” Flanagan said.
“I remember that game post the grand final at Brookvale when there was a big stink on the sideline – we won’t see that again – but the rivalry on the field is definitely there.
“I always look when I get the draw when we’re playing them and I look forward to it.”
In more recent years, Cronulla’s battles with Melbourne have been largely low-scoring forwards affairs.
The Sharks haven’t scored more than 18 points in a game against Melbourne in any of their past 19 clashes – the equal longest streak for any club against an opponent in 31 years according to Fox Sports Stats.
Cronulla have also made a point to get under Melbourne’s skin in that time, directing plenty of traffic at Cameron Smith on a regular basis to wear down the Kangaroos captain – a tactic Flanagan said succeeded in the 2016 grand final win.
“It worked that day, but we’ve tried to do it again since but it hasn’t worked,” Flanagan said.
“If we can do that tomorrow we will try and ruffle a couple of their best players’ feathers.
“But whether we can achieve that I’m not quite sure because quality players are used to players getting at them. And he’s used to that.”
Melbourne’s forwards will again become a target on Friday night at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
Flanagan sees similarities between new half Brodie Croft and Cooper Cronk, and wants his big men to ensure he’s not given any room to weave his magic.
“Their forwards will be trying to give him time to play off the front foot,” Flanagan said.
“We need to be really good on their forwards. It’s not what you do to Brodie Croft, it’s what you on tackle prior.
“We need to be coming to him and not him coming to us.”
