Sharks to test out Storm rookie Croft

Cronulla are planning to make life difficult for Melbourne’s rookie halfback Brodie Croft when he lines up for the biggest game of his career in Friday night’s NRL preliminary final.

Croft made his NRL finals debut in this month’s qualifying final and has been in and out of the Storm No.7 jersey during his 15-game career as the team searched for a permanent replacement for Cooper Cronk.

Five-eighth Moylan, who has played for NSW and Australia, says he was impressed by Croft’s contribution in their week one finals win over South Sydney.

But that’s not to say the Sharks wouldn’t test out the 21-year-old in the AAMI Park clash.

“With the way he played against Souths in that first final, he is not overawed by the situation,” Moylan said.

“I think he is playing some good footy.

“In saying that, it is a big game, and hopefully we can make his job tough.”

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said Croft had the right temperament to handle the pressure of the occasion.

“It’s the biggest game he’s ever played in but he’s a level-headed kid and he’s a tough kid,” Bellamy said.

“It doesn’t matter how old they are or what they’ve done, they’ve got a job to do and we expect him to go out and do it.”

Cronulla posted a 10-point win over the Storm in their round four win while they edged them 17-14 in round 22 at AAMI Park.

Moylan said the Sharks needed to starve Melbourne of quality ball to limit their scoring chances again in the grand final qualifier.

“We did a really good job at limiting their opportunities but in saying that, we are going to have to do the same again and make sure we are not coughing up ball that we did last week against Penrith,” he said.

“Especially in that second half we gave them a lot of opportunities and I think with Melbourne, if you give them too many opportunities on your line, they will make you pay.

“That’s one thing we are going to have to clean up.”

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