One point separates the Cronulla Sharks and Melbourne Storm on the NRL points table, however the similarities do not stop there.
The Cronulla Sharks (39) are hot on the heels of the Storm (40) with one round remaining this season and Saturday’s clash is set to decide who will hoist the J. J. Giltinan Shield in 2016.
Both sides are evenly matched right across the park, with the official stats sheet mirroring their position on the NRL table.
The Sharks currently sit second (574) for points scored in 2016, behind only the Canberra Raiders (636), and will be confident of continuing their scoring ways when they step onto AAMI Park.
With the try scoring potency of Holmes (18), Barba (15) and Feki (13) to go up against that of Vunivalu (21) and Koroibete (12) of the Storm, this attacking contest is set to be a hot one.
Awaiting the Sharks in Melbourne though will be a stern test with the Melbourne defence giving up the least points in 2016 (296).
Nonetheless, this test will be just what Flanagan and his side will be after heading into the 2016 NRL Finals Series.
From here, there is very little that separate’s anything between the two Clubs.
Both sides love the ‘tough stuff’ in the middle of the field with each side even on hit-ups (178), closely aligned in tackles made (Sharks 301, Storm 341), and a whisker between the Sharks (1603) and the Storm’s (1602) metres gained.
In terms, of attacking potential both not only do the hard yards to get on the front foot however look to attack when given the chance.
The Sharks (13) edge out the Storm (10) for offloads however the teams can’t be separated when it comes to line breaks (5).
With stats so close, Saturday night is set to be one for the ages!
