Emerging star Tom Dearden will be pitted against his idol Cooper Cronk when Brisbane meets Sydney at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
“It will be surreal playing against Cooper,” says the 18-year-old Dearden.
“As I was growing up I idolised Jonathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk and I’ve tried to model my game on them.
“The thing I like about Cooper Cronk is how composed he is.
“He always looks relaxed and confident of what he is doing and I will just have to do the best I can against him.”
Cronk, who transferred from Melbourne to the Roosters last year, became the most experienced half-back in N.R.L. history last weekend when he played his 355th game to beat Darren Lockyer’s previous record.
However, the match of the round will be between Melbourne against West Tigers at AAMI Park on Friday night.
The Storm players pleased coach Craig Bellamy with their thrashing of Parramatta last Saturday and they should win again.
Last Week: 6
2019 Total: 46
Melbourne Storm by 10pts
Penrith Panthers by 24pts
Sydney Roosters by 12pts
Gold Coast Titans by 10pts
North Queensland Cowboys by 8pts
Canberra Raiders by 6pts
St George-Illawarra Dragons by 16pts
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks by 10pts