Preview: Sharks v Storm

VENUE & TIME: Toyota Stadium, Saturday March 13, 7.35pm (AEDT)
COVERAGE: FOX Sports
LAST TIME: Storm 30 - Sharks 10 at Olympic Park, Round 20, 2009
MATCH ODDS: Luxbet: Sharks $2.55, Storm $1.51

WALKING WOUNDED: Recruit Dean Collis (hamstring) will have to wait until at least Round 3 to make his debut for Cronulla, while Jason Bukuya (shoulder) is expected back in Round 10 and Stewart Mills (knee, ankle) will be sidelined for the rest of 2010.
While Melbourne goes in as favourite it will have to cope without several regulars including playmaker Cooper Cronk (groin/hip), prop Brett White (shoulder) and forward Sika Manu (broken leg) and Eels recruit Todd Lowrie (groin) is also a major doubt after injuring himself in the World Club Challenge clash with Leeds. Others on the injury list are Chase Stanley (shoulder), Atelea Vea (back) and Sione Kite (shoulder).

FORM: Sharks fans will be hoping that the club's fortunes from the pre-season trials are not an indication of what's to come following an 18-4 loss to the Sea Eagles and a 36-12 defeat against Wests Tigers, with even skipper Trent Barrett critical of the team's form so far in 2010.
Storm will be in a confident mood fresh from their World Club Challenge triumph over the Rhinos last week at Elland Road, the grinding 18-10 victory sure to have them buoyant ahead of their opening game of the season.

WHO'S HOT: Blake Ferguson has been in impressive touch during the pre-season and looked right at home in top company playing for the Indigenous All Stars last month at Skilled Park. Big things are expected of him with his move from the wing to centre. Albert Kelly is also highly rated after crossing from Parramatta.
Storm skipper Cam Smith, who is playing at halfback in the absence of Cronk, was in superb touch against the Rhinos, earning man of the match honours courtesy of his impressive display which included landing five-from-five with the boot including a sideline conversion that sealed the result. Smith's back-up last year off the bench, Ryan Hinchcliffe, is filling the hooking duties at present and hasn't looked out of place as starting No.9.

WE THINK: The Sharks have definitely got the Storm at the right time, at home first-up when they will be desperate to give their fans something to cheer about and with their opposition only back in the country 10 days following the trip to England when the game starts. But the visitors learnt some valuable lessons two years ago when they came back from the WCC and should make a much stronger start this time despite missing several of their stars. Storm by 12.