Cronulla are hoping it will be a case of third time lucky against Canterbury Bankstown after successive late-game defeats to the Roosters and Knights.
The Sharks coughed up the lead in those matches with eight and three minutes left, respectively, and have tumbled out of the top eight as a result.
The clash with Canterbury presents the Sharks with a great opportunity to change their season s narrative and news that play-maker Shaun Johnson could be making his return adds to the positive vibes.
The Bulldogs have finally got their attack working after going scoreless in three consecutive matches but back-to-back three-try efforts haven t been enough to compensate for a leaky defence.
With the new rules speeding up play in 2021, coaches have responded by making their first few interchanges earlier than they did last year.
After six rounds of the 2021 season, an NRL.com Stats analysis shows there are 11 clubs making their first interchange earlier in games on average, some by a significant margin, while five clubs are making their first change fractionally later.
There is an even bigger disparity in the third interchange, with four clubs in 2020 regularly holding the third change back until the second halves of games but every club this year has used their third change on average before half-time.
Dylan Edwards (hand) and
Api Koroisau (wrist) will return against the Knights but the pair won t be risked if they aren t ready.
Edwards slotting in at fullback would solve a headache for Cleary, who could then move
Stephen Crichton back to the centres to replace
Paul Momirovski after he was suspended by the judiciary on Tuesday night.
Titans winger
Phil Sami (concussion) has been named on an extended bench to face the Rabbitohs and is a chance of playing.
Former Storm star
Will Chambers has been brought straight onto Cronulla s extended bench for the clash with the Bulldogs but the veteran outside back could have a run for feeder team Newtown to improve his match fitness.
Rugby League by Andrew McMurtry 18th Apr 2021 5:28 AM The Melbourne Storm have admitted there was nothing wrong with Cameron Munster after a sin bin drama in Friday night s clash with the Sydney Roosters. It was early in the match when Roosters lock Victor Radley was given 10 minutes in the sin bin after he hit Munster with a high shot.
Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand with No Ad-Breaks During Play. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >Radley was off balance and appeared to carelessly hang his arm out, catching Munster around the neck, as he fell to the ground heavily.
Rugby League by Andrew McMurtry 18th Apr 2021 5:28 AM The Melbourne Storm have admitted there was nothing wrong with Cameron Munster after a sin bin drama in Friday night s clash with the Sydney Roosters. It was early in the match when Roosters lock Victor Radley was given 10 minutes in the sin bin after he hit Munster with a high shot.
Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand with No Ad-Breaks During Play. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >Radley was off balance and appeared to carelessly hang his arm out, catching Munster around the neck, as he fell to the ground heavily.