Consider for NRL grand final clash

Gallen is hardly a shrinking violet when it comes to trying to sway officials. 4. Who keeps their nerve? The Sharks aren’t exactly short of big-match experience. Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis and James Maloney are three that have stepped up in Origin for a start, while the latter has already won a grand final with the Roosters.

But few sides nail the coffin shut better than the Storm when there is a game to be won.

Joint Dally M winner Cooper Cronk, in partnership with Smith, would probably be the two first picked if you needed key men to get you over the line. Throw in forward leaders like Kiwi star Jesse Bromwich and they want for little in terms of calm heads.

Plus, their structures are so clinical that every play seems to be run almost on autopilot, especially when they raid the fringes of the ruck. Injured Storm fullback Billy Slater may be a touch biased but he thinks their experience in big games, as well as leading up to the match, will be the clincher. 5. Maloney v Cronk It’s probably not accurate to say Maloney has been a revelation at the Sharks, because that would suggest he hasn’t been a top-shelf performer elsewhere. But his ability to not only slot into the Sharks back line but take it to the next level has been a big part of their success in 2016.

‘‘It’s no secret that whatever club he’s gone to, he’s had success,’’ Brisbane, Queensland and Australia great Gene Miles said. ‘‘There’s a common denominator: he’s been at Cronulla for five minutes and they’re going to a grand final. He’s been a great fit.’’

6. Can the Sharks maintain the rage?

If North Queensland’s grand final came a week early against the Broncos, expectant Sharks fans will be hoping that’s not the case for the men tasked with bringing salvation to The Shire. Melbourne’s defence is the hardest to break down in the NRL.

Cronulla must ensure they have a plan B if their initial surge of energy – and it will come – isn’t enough to fracture Craig Bellamy’s ruthless southerners.