![Rivals: Melbourne captain Cameron Smith [right] and halfback Cooper Cronk [left] surround Cronulla hooker Michael Ennis. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/EQCJBsSg4ZXprzwAMpLHiQ/9f0e614f-1606-46d1-962c-1dab679f7623.jpg/r103_48_2007_1198_w576_h298_fmax.webp "Rivals: Melbourne captain Cameron Smith [right] and halfback Cooper Cronk [left] surround Cronulla hooker Michael Ennis. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images")
Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith doesn’t care if his team spoils Cronulla’s party on Sunday.
The Storm will go in search for their third premiership at ANZ Stadium amid years of consistency and success, while the Sharks will look to break their famous premiership duck.
And while much of the good will in the rugby league community is behind the team from the shire, Smith is in no mood to be charitable.
“Our approach is not about being the party poopers. It’s about playing against a very good football side and us preparing well and trying to play the best footy we can on Sunday,” he said.
“It all comes down to who has the best game of footy on Sunday. We understand the situation of the Cronulla Sharks and their club. They’ve been waiting a long time to win a premiership. But for us we don’t take that into account. Our focus is purely on ourselves and our preparation.
“We’ve probably felt like [we’ve had good momentum over] the last six weeks even though we’ve had a couple of losses in that time.
“I believe we’ve got a really strong game plan. Everyone’s heading in the right direction and pulling in the same direction. I think it’s fairly well documented, especially over the last two weeks, it’s not a flashy style of football.
“It’s a basic game plan that is effective. And we’re not going to be changing too much.”
Smith, the Australian and Queensland captain, paid tribute to Cronulla, who challenged the Storm for the minor premiership into the final regular season round.
Cronulla’s 14-6 victory at Southern Cross Group Stadium in round four, and their spirited 26-6 defeat in round 26, have Smith wary of the threat Cronulla will pose on Sunday.
“I just think they’re got a quality outfit across the board. Obviously led by some great leaders at their club,” he said.
“I think they’ve been working really hard for each other throughout season. I think just the way they play their football they’ve got a good mix of aggression through their forward pack and some flair out wide too.
“They’ve got some great finishers. But in saying that those guys that finish well for them do a lot of hard work coming out of their own end as well.
“I just think they’ve got a really good balance across their squad.”
