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Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks Tips & Preview - Storm weather the Sharks in Melbourne

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: 09 Jun 2023

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Ryan Tucker 09 Jun 2023

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Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks predictions for Sunday’s NRL game (16:05 AEST)
Melbourne have won 17 of their last 19 games played on a Sunday
Can Cronulla turn the tide against top 8 opponents?

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Melbourne Storm (Getty Images)

Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks Predictions

Cronulla make the trip to Melbourne for this Sunday afternoon thriller. This will be Melbourne’s first Sunday game of the year and the third for the Sharks.

Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks Predictions
Head to Head
Melbourne Storm Form
Melbourne Storm Team News
Melbourne Storm Team List
Cronulla Sharks Form
Cronulla Sharks Team News
Cronulla Sharks Team List

With both teams coming off a loss Coaches Bellamy and Fitzgibbon will be eager to get back to basics to ensure a win. I am predicting a close game with both teams scoring over 20, and for Melbourne to come out on top at home.

Cronulla have lost 5 of 5 games against current top 8 opponents this year.
The Storm are averaging 22 points scored in their last 5 games.
10 of the last 11 Storm games and 7 of the last 8 Sharks games played on a Sunday have gone OVER the points total
Cronulla have scored 52% of their tries in 2023 down the left hand edge.

Head to Head

Cronulla won the most recent match up with Melbourne, a 28-6 victory at Pointsbet Stadium in July 2022. Prior to that the Storm had won five games in a row with three of those games being played in Melbourne.

In only two of the last seven games has the winning margin been less than 12 points.

Melbourne Storm Form

Melbourne had their second bye two weeks ago and many wondered if they were still away against the Cowboys last week.

A 14-14 halftime score finished with the Cowboys running away to a 45-20 victory with the Cowboys wingers combining for five of the eight tries.

The Storm lacked go forward and in the relative small amount of time they had the ball it was working it out of their own end. The Storm missed 49 tackles in their loss.

Melbourne Storm Team News

Justin Olam is out with concussion following a big hit last weekend. Grant Anderson is his replacement.

Tariq Sims returns to the bench after spending a number of weeks out of the team.

Melbourne Storm Team List

1. Nick Meaney

2. Will Warbrick

3. Reimis Smith

4. Grant Anderson

5. Xavier Coates

6. Cameron Munster

7. Jahrome Hughes

8. Tui Kamikamica

9. Harry Grant

10. Christian Welch

11. Trent Loiero

12. Elisea Katoa

13. Josh King

Interchange

14. Bronson Garlick

15. Aaron Pene

16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

17. Tariq Sims

Reserves

18. Sualauvi Faalogo

19. Marion Seve

20. Kane Bradley

21. Tyran Wishart

22. Tom Eisenhuth

Cronulla Sharks Form

The Sharks also lost their last game coming off a bye 20-12 against the Broncos.

The Sharks dominated possession but were unable to break the staunch Brisbane defence. Two of the Brisbane tries came off long range efforts and without them the Sharks were very much in the game.

Cronulla Sharks Team News

Thomas Hazelton moves back to the reserves with Cam McInnes returning from injury.

Cronulla Sharks Team List

1. William Kennedy

2. Sione Katoa

3. Jesse Ramien

4. Siosifa Talakai

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

6. Matt Moylan

7. Nicho Hynes

8. Oregon Kaufusi

9. Blayke Brailey

10. Royce Hunt

11. Briton Nikora

12. Teig Wilton

13. Dale Finucane

Interchange

14. Cam McInnes

15. Wade Graham

16. Jack Williams

17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves

18. Braydon Trindall

19. Connor Tracey

20. Thomas Hazelton

21. Daniel Atkinson

22. Jesse Colquhoun

Verdict

Melbourne Storm v Cronulla Sharks

In 2023, just as they did in 2022, Cronulla have struggled against top 8 opponents. Melbourne are a great team at home and whilst I think this game will be close Melbourne should control from the outset.

Backing them to cover but keep it within two converted tries. Talakai is tough to stop close to the line and the value on offer is too good to pass up.

Either Team by 1-12

Winning Margin

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