WHEN you are having a long winning run confidence is generally sky high. Every now and then, however, it's only natural that you turn up to a game thinking, "Is this the day we might lose?"
The way Melbourne played yesterday suggested to me they were more than anxious about their clash with Cronulla. They never looked comfortable at any stage, and even though they only lost by one point, they never really looked like winning.
This Storm team is very structured and methodical in its approach to the game. Like computer software, their response to every question is pre-programmed; push a button and they have an inbuilt reaction ready to go. They know where every tackle in every set of six is headed. Each set always contains the important elements of go-forward, direction and delivery.
They know when to cut their losses, and rely on the long kick and chase to turn teams around and make them start again. Like a computer, they appear emotionless, impervious to outside influences. These systems their coaching staff use assist their players and their team to stand up under pressure. It is their relentless personality that generally wears down the weaker teams.
However, to the well-prepared opponent it is this methodical and structured approach by the Storm that can also make then very predictable. The first thing you need to do is to learn their game.
The Sharks certainly did their homework in preparation for the Storm clash yesterday. But knowledge is just the start. It is not enough unless you have the toughness, patience and resolve to see it through. The Sharks also showed they are made of the right stuff.
They flew out of the blocks with three brilliant tries in the opening 11 minutes courtesy of a new attacking style and some well-planned plays. They didn't score another try for the rest of the game but the damage was done on the scoreboard, and they then fell back on their ability to defend these points.
They sucked all the football out of the rest of the contest and made it a physical fight to the death. For the Sharks, this kind of game is right up their alley. Whereas the Storm attack resembles a cobra striking, the Sharks are more like a giant python; they sneak up on you from behind and wrap themselves around you, and before you know it they are squeezing the life out of you.
The Sharks defence really troubles the Storm - they don't like the fact that the Sharks sprint up quickly around the rucks and put pressure on their big ball carriers before they gain momentum. The Storm looked wide in an attempt to break free of the stranglehold, but the Sharks' outside defenders were ready and waiting. Time and time again they herded the Storm outside backs towards the sideline and nullified their play.
In the second half, the Sharks showed no sign of the flamboyant attacking style with which they began this game. Gone were the long-ball movements and spiral passes, replaced with a nervous just-hold-on-to-the-ball type mentality. They were protecting a lead and, in trying to play safe, kept turning the ball over with simple errors, offering opportunities for the Storm to get out of jail. But it wasn't to be the Storm's day - it just didn't gel together like it usually does. Full credit to the Sharks for applying the relentless pressure with their never-say-die attitude.
For the Sharks, their back-rowers Paul Gallen, Greg Bird and Reece Williams were outstanding. Special mention must go to their centres Ben Pomeroy and David Simmons, who consistently rose to the occasion to contain their dangerous opponents.
The Sharks were prepared and knew their opposition well. They played on the Storm's methodical structure to lure them into a trap. From there they squeezed the life out of them until they finally submitted. The Sharks didn't care about the Storm's reputation or the tipsters' predictions. The style of football they played in the second half won't bring the crowds back to rugby league but I suggest the Sharks don't give a hiss about that either.
