The Storm are through to another grand final following a 48-18 win over the Roosters – but they risk losing Nelson Asofa-Solomona to suspension for a high shot.
The Cronulla halfback is a finals regular,having now played 10 per cent of his 100 career matches in September.
The six-again era has made fullbacks more dangerous and adaptable than ever before. And nowhere is that more evident than in Friday’s grand final qualifier.
Recent history says the Tricolours need to go after Melbourne behemoth Nelson Asofa-Solomona. And there’s only one man for the job.
From bush premierships as a teenager to NRL titles and a salary cap scandal,the Storm coach has experienced everything the greatest game of all has to offer.
The Roosters and Sharks have to throw convention out the door if they’re to trouble the two premiership heavyweights.
With contestants from Queensland and NSW,and the traditional AFL states all watching,this could be the most-watched grand final ever.
Their pay packets aren’t in the same ballpark as six of the highest-paid players in the game,but they’ve already had a taste of the NRL high life and the scrutiny that comes with it.
After the defeat to Penrith,Jared Waerea-Hargreaves decided enough was enough. As they ripped into each other on the training paddock,Roosters players thought,“What are we doing?”
Tyran Wishart is only two wins away from achieving the one missing piece from his father’s impressive playing resume:grand final glory.
The only way for the Sharks and their star player to prove the detractors wrong is to win a big game. But it doesn’t need to be a big fix for Hynes.