NRL: Sharks head to eye of the Storm

Preparing for their first finals meeting since 2018, the Cronulla Sharks face the daunting challenge of taking on the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park on Saturday.

The Sharks will be up against it this weekend, having lost six of their last eight encounters with the Storm.

However, this has been a positive season for Cronulla and they will head to AAMI Park hoping to cause a major upset against the 2.50 title favourites Melbourne.

. What: Melbourne Storm v Cronulla Sharks
. Where: AAMI Park, Melbourne
. When: 16:05 (AEST), Saturday 14th September
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 9
. Odds: Melbourne Storm 1.31, Cronulla Sharks 3.50

Papenhuyzen returns for the Storm

Melbourne can welcome fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen back to the starting lineup for Saturday’s showdown with the Sharks.

Papenhuyzen missed last week’s game due to a leg injury but has recovered in time for this weekend’s clash with Cronulla.

The Storm are also boosted by the return of experienced prop Christian Welch who has shrugged off illness to be named in the starting lineup.

While Saturday’s game is not all or nothing for these teams, with the loser set to face either the North Queensland Cowboys or the Newcastle Knights, the winner will be within one game of a grand final appearance.

Melbourne are the 1.31 favourites on home soil to claim the win on Saturday, while the hosts are 1.87 with -9.5 in the line market.

Looking to the anytime tryscorer market, Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 29 tries in his last 25 games at AAMI Park.

Coates is available at 1.83 in the anytime tryscorer market, while the Storm star is currently 7.00 to bag the opening try of the game.

Kaufusi to lead Sharks charge

The return of Prop Oregon Kaufusi is a significant boost for the Sharks ahead of their trip to AAMI Park this weekend.

Kaufusi was rested for the game against the Manly Sea Eagles and will be raring to go for this one, as Royce Hunt drops down to the bench.

Tom Hazelton has been included in the extended squad for the weekend but will be monitored as he manages a knee injury he sustained last week against Manly.

As mentioned, the Sharks have struggled against the Storm over recent years, while the finals have not been kind to Cronulla either.

The Sharks have lost all of their last six finals games, which makes it understandable why they are the 3.50 underdogs to cause a major shock against the Storm in Victoria this weekend.

In the anytime tryscorer market, Ronaldo Mulitalo is the shortest price of any Sharks player to go over, at 2.30.

Mulitalo is also 10.00 to give the Sharks a strong start and score the opening try of the game at AAMI Park.