Melbourne Storm

The clash of the co-competition leaders had been billed as the match of the season but Melbourne lost Kiwis halfback Jahrome Hughes before kick off with a calf injury.

With star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and strike centre Reimis Smith already out their attack was stifled.

Rookies Cooper Johns and Tyran Wishart were called up to replace Hughes and Papenhuyzen, but the sons of former Kangaroos, Matt Johns and Rod Wishart, had a tough night as Penrith roared to their ninth win of the season.

With both sides boasting 8-1 records and sitting first and second on the ladder the hype will build throughout the week before the last two premiers square off on Saturday night.

For 2020 champions Melbourne, the injuries to star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and centre Reimis Smith leaves a couple of big holes to fill but such is their depth that few expect them to miss a beat.

The Dragons did well to absorb some pressure early but weren't given many opportunities to attack the Storm's line with Cameron Munster and Harry Grant putting on a show at AAMI Park. 

The Storm lost Papenhuyzen to a left hamstring injury after he had his right knee assessed at half-time after copping a knock from Blake Lawrie in a tackle.

Papenhuyzen crossed for two tries to continuing his try-scoring run before leaving the field. He joined Smith, who has a suspected torn pectoral muscle.

Melbourne backed up their record-breaking performance when they pummelled the Warriors at the venue on ANZAC day with another crushing effort against the Knights.

The Dragons, however, will go into the game with plenty of confidence after a string of wins against Newcastle, the Roosters and Wests Tigers.

St George Illawarra's biggest strength has been getting the opposition into an arm wrestle before winning the key moments in recent weeks. If they're to do similiar against the Storm then they'll give themselves every chance of causing an upset.

The Storm picked up where they left off in last week's 70-10 win over the Warriors to run in five unanswered tries in the first half for a 26-0 lead against a lacklustre Knights outfit who produced another poor showing on home turf. 

Storm stars Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes were at their creative best to terrorise the Knights' right edge who had no answers as they slumped to the bottom of the Telstra Premiership ladder.

Coates was being interviewed on the field by Melbourne’s media manager following the club’s thumping Anzac Day win over the Warriors.

Smith walked up to Coates and said “let’s go” followed by what was reportedly a pidgin English word, which triggered a chuckle from Coates.

The usually-proud Hunter faithful were left reeling after the Knights produced their poorest performance of the year to go down 39-2 to the Eels.

Their attack has been an issue for the better part of 18 months but none more so than against an Eels outfit who in return strolled over the line last week in a defensive display that left Adam O'Brien apologising after the siren.

The Storm, well, the complete opposite for them. Their 70-point showing against the Warriors was fascinating to watch with 56 of those points coming in one half of football for an NRL record.

Nine News reporter Danny Weidler revealed Sims has signed a contract to join the Storm in 2023, but the two clubs are currently hashing out a deal to make the move happen as early as this week.

"Melbourne want Tariq Sims to be playing for them now," Weidler said.

"They want him to boost their team now, and I think that could actually happen.

With Ryan Papenhuyzen, Justin Olam and Nelson Asofa-Solomona also playing starring roles the Storm looked every bit a premiership contender while the Sharks could also take plenty of positives out of the game.

After Nicho Hynes had opened the scoring with a penalty goal it was Olam posting the first try of the night in the 21st minute after Munster had created space on the left with a superb cut-out pass to Nick Meaney who found his centre back on the inside.

Expects Cronulla's ex-Storm stars Dale Finucane and Nicho Hynes to be well and truly up for this one against their former teammates, with each enjoying terrific starts to the year in terms of their personal and team form. 

The Storm have won their past two matches by a combined 74-16 since their golden point loss to the Eels in round three.

Meanwhile the Sharks, since a last-gasp loss to the Raiders in round one followed by stealing a late win against the Eels in round two, haven't looked like losing since.