Bragging rights and sole possession of top spot on the ladder are up for grabs when the Sharks and Storm renew their rivalry at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
Both sides boast 7-1 records after nine rounds, establishing themselves as the benchmark by which all sides are measured.
The Sharks have the NRL's best defence, conceding a tick under 14ppg, with the Storm third best in that category with 17ppg given up across their opening eight games.
In 45 clashes between the sides since the Storm entered the competition in 1998 it's Melbourne holding a 29-16 advantage, although the Sharks took the one that mattered most with a 14-12 win over Craig Bellamy's men in 2016.
The loss of fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen to an ankle injury is a blow for the Storm but young gun Sua Fa'alogo is ready to fill the void and keep adding to his impressive highlight reel.
In contrast the Sharks have a relatively clean bill of health as they head into their toughest test since a Round 1 trip to Auckland where they showed plenty of grit to down the Warriors 16-12.
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Team News
Storm: A boost for the Storm an hour before kick-off with Tui Kamikamica moving from the reserves to the bench as he returns from a calf injury that has sidelined him since Round 6. Jack Howarth also joins the bench in jersey No.19 with Joe Chan making way. Kiwi Test playmaker Jahrome Hughes has been left after playing through a calf injury last week and is replaced at halfback by Tyran Wishart. Livewire youngster Sualauvi Fa’alogo gets his chance at fullback following another injury to the luckless Ryan Papenhuyzen, while Grant Anderson comes in on the wing.
Sharks: A blow for the Sharks just before kick-off with halfback Nicho Hynes a late withdrawal due to a calf injury. Blayke Brailey takes over at halfback, Cam McInnes goes to hooker and Jack Williams comes in at lock. Tuku Hau Tapuha joins the bench. Royce Hunt replaces Toby Rudolf (knee) on the bench while back-rower Teig Wilton is good to go after entering an early guilty plea to a careless high tackle charge mid-week and receiving a fine.
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Stat Attack
- The Storm have won six of their past seven games against the Sharks.
- The Sharks have not won at AAMI Park since 2018.
- The Storm have won their last 14 games at AAMI Park.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored four tries in his past three games against the Storm.
- Storm hooker Harry Grant has scored four tries in five games against the Sharks.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .