NRL grand final looms as State of Origin 4 due to heavy representation of NSW and Queensland players in opposing sides

IT’S state against state, but hardly mate against mate as the Sharks and Storm prepare for what shapes as the fourth instalment of this year’s Origin series.

IT’S state against state, but hardly mate against mate.

And Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has made a bold plea for the people of New South Wales to get behind the Sharks.

Sunday’s NRL grand final between Cronulla and Melbourne shapes as a State of Origin 4 clash against a Victorian-based Storm side riddled with Queensland representative players.

NSW captain Paul Gallen will go head to head with Queensland counterpart Cameron Smith.

NSW captain Paul Gallen and Maroons skipper Cameron Smith renew their rivalry in the NRL grand final.

Flanagan hopes rugby league fans in the premier state throw their support behind the Sharks in the same way they cheered home South Sydney to their first premiership in 43 years in 2014.

“I hope the whole state gets behind us,” Flanagan declared.

“A couple of years ago we all jumped on Souths and I did too. There was that feeling and emotion when Souths got there that everyone wanted them to win.”

“Hopefully it will be a similar situation this time. You’d like to think the state will be behind us.”

NSW's Paul Gallen and Queensland’s Cameron Smith come together during Origin. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Smith, Maroons skipper and public enemy No. 1 in NSW, captains a side featuring seven Queenslanders. Cooper Cronk and Will Chambers have both played Origin, Tim Glasby and fullback Cameron Munster were named in the Maroons’ emerging squad this year, while bench players Christian Welch and Ben Hampton have represented the Sunshine State at under-20s level.

In stark contrast, the Sharks will send out seven past and present NSW players — Gallen, Jack Bird, James Maloney, Andrew Fifita, Wade Graham, Michael Ennis and Luke Lewis. Cronulla doesn’t have a single Queensland rep player.

“The whole game should get behind the Sharks. You’ve got Melbourne-based team full of Queenslanders so why wouldn’t you support a NSW side full of NSW players,” said former Sharks champion Mitch Healey, who played 223 games for Cronulla.

Flanagan was hopeful that, come Sunday, state pride would win out over local rivalries.

NSW and Cronulla teammates Andrew Fifita, Jack Bird and Paul Gallen. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“The rivalry between rugby league clubs is great. Us and the Dragons, all those rivalries in Sydney, but when it comes to a grand final you have to pick a team and hopefully everyone picks our team,” he said.

“Having the support of NSW would be lovely.”

Even the Sharks coach felt the Origin vibe about the game.

“Especially Gal and Cameron, the NSW captain and Queensland captain,” he said.

Flanagan is ready for a disciplined and highly-effective Melbourne side.

Rugby league fans are braced for another instalment in the Cameron Smith v Paul Gallen rivalry. Picture Craig Greenhill

“Melbourne are a really well-drilled team with two superstars, Cooper Cronk and Cam Smith. They control what the Storm do,” Flanagan said.

“Melbourne don’t really change a lot from week-to-week but they have a lot of strings to their bow, especially when they get down to your end.

“Similar to the Cowboys, if you give them field position, as soon as they hit the 30-metre line, they start to shift into gear. That’s when they are at their best, when they are attacking your tryline, with all their little trick shots.

“They probably don’t have as many tricks as they did when Billy Slater was there but Cronk and Smith control things so well. They also have one of the best front-rowers in the game in Jesse Bromwich.”