Despite battling a crippling injury toll the Sharks head to Melbourne intent on again producing maximum effort as they bid to cause an upset against one of the competition favourites in the Melbourne Storm.
Against all odds the Sharks pushed the Warriors all the way in going down by just four points last Sunday and with skipper Paul Gallen set to return after missing the New Zealand game due to illness, the squad travels south confident of another bold showing.
Sharks coach James Shepherd, struck down with a severe flu virus on his return from Auckland like many of his team, has pieced together a 17-man squad, one which will be without the suspended Sam Tagataese and the injured Andrew Fifita.
Gallen returns to fill one vacancy in the pack, with Tim Robinson and Matt Prior chosen to start the match in the front row.
Blake Ayshford has been added to the interchange bench, with the experienced centre likely to get some game time on Saturday in the Sharks forward pack.
The match in Melbourne is scheduled for a 5.30pm kick off at AAMI Park on Saturday.
NRL Team List – Round 23
Sharks v Storm
Saturday, August 16
AAMI Park
Kick-off – 5.30pm
1 Michael Gordon
2 Sosaia Feki
3 Jonathan Wright
4 Ricky Leutele
5 Valentine Holmes
6 Fa’amanu Brown
7 Jeff Robson
8 Tim Robinson
9 Michael Lichaa
10 Matt Prior
11 Chris Heighington
12 Tupou Sopoaga
13 Paul Gallen (c)
INTERCHANGE
14 Pat Politoni
15 Junior Roqica
16 Tinirau Arona
17 Blake Ayshford
