Since winning the premiership in 2016 the Sharks have missed the finals just once but they have not been able to make it back to the big dance.
A grand final berth is now just one win away but blocking the path to Accor Stadium on October 5 are modern masters Melbourne, who have played in three more deciders since losing to the Sharks in 2016.
The Storm were victorious over the Cowboys in 2017 and the Panthers in 2020 before losing last year’s grand final to the Panthers so they know exactly what it takes to get there and how to handle the pressure of the occasion.
Having beaten the Storm 31-26 in Round 11 at Sharks Stadium, Craig Fitzgibbon’s men will have confidence in their ability to spring an upset.
If the Sharks are to salute they will need big a monster game from Addin Fonua-Blake, the man who was brought to the Shire to help them take the leap from perennial finalists to premiers.
Fonua-Blake carved out 156 run metres in the win over Canberra to take his season average to 161 metres per game and his battle with Stefano Utoikamanu and Josh King will be one of the highlights of the night.
Team News
Storm: Huge inclusions for the Storm with halfback Jahrome Hughes (fractured forearm), fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion) and back-rower Shawn Blore (fractured larynx) all back on deck for Friday’s game. Papenhuyzen’s return sees Nick Meaney revert to the centres and Grant Anderson goes to 18th man while fill-in halfback Jonah Pezet also makes way. Blore has been named on the bench with Ativalu Lisati moving into the starting side in place of Joe Chan, who drops to the reserves. No changes in Thursday’s 24-hour update.
Sharks: Just the one change for the Sharks with prop Oregon Kaufusi recalled to the side to fill in for the luckless Tom Hazelton (concussion). Kaufusi will come from the bench in his 22nd appearance of the season. Dan Atkinson is again listed as 18th man, a role he has filled on nine occasions this season. No changes in Thursday’s 24-hour update with Anderson and Hohepa Puru remaining in the squad.
Stat Attack
The Storm have won their last four finals at AAMI Park.
The Sharks have conceded only 14 points per game over the past three months.
Storm hooker Harry Grant has scored six tries in his last six games against the Sharks.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored eight tries in his last five games.
Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 41 tries in 38 games at AAMI Park.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.