The first time Jayden Brailey got to share the same field with Cameron Smith he couldn’t quite believe it was happening. That day, when Cronulla won their round six clash 11-2 against Melbourne, was the day Brailey received a 21st birthday present that will be hard to beat. A win over one of his idols. The Sharks host Melbourne on Thursday night with plenty of motivation. A third win in a row against the Storm, following their victory earlier this season and last year’s unforgettable grand final, would see Cronulla replace Melbourne at the top of the table. It will be the second time Brailey has had the chance to come up against Smith, one of the finest hookers to ever lace a boot. The Aquinas Colts junior told the Leader in April how that first time at AAMI Park was a surreal experience. Every week Brailey watches video of the Storm legend to help improve his own game, focusing particularly on defence and Smith’s ability to wrestle opponents. Even as a kid, Smith was a player Brailey watched and looked up to. He is clearly a decent judge, choosing to study a player who, at a couple of weeks shy of his 34th birthday, has played 50 Tests for Australia, 40 Origins for Queensland and won a premiership along with his 347 games for the Storm in a career befitting arguably the greatest hooker to play the game. “It’s always something I looked forward to, coming up against him. Hopefully I can get over him again,” Brailey told the Leader.  “I feel like I definitely belong here now. I feel a bit more comfortable around my role in the team. But I’m still buzzed just as much and I’m still pretty nervous coming into games. But I’ve got more of a clear head now with what I need to do. “I’m in such a good team and I’m so lucky to be playing behind that forward pack. That’s made the transition a lot better for me. If I was coming into a side that was struggling I might not be playing the football I’m playing at the moment.”  Brailey, the Dally M Holden Cup player of the year last season and a former Junior Kangaroo, has only 12 NRL appearances to his name so far. But if the 21-year-old’s form is anything to go by, they will be the first of many. The Sharks come into the clash fresh after their first bye. The week off allowed Cronulla to put their feet up after another strong performance in their 9-8 win over Canterbury without their four State of Origin stars.  It was a win Brailey said had helped with the side’s momentum and confidence. “It was massive, especially with those boys out, because we got to rest the body as well,” he said.  “Storm had to play against [Newcastle]… we got to rest the body and get those [Origin] boys back ready to put in a big game. “I think we completed a lot better [against Canterbury] compared to the last couple of weeks but we probably didn’t take as many chances as we’d like. We just played tough. To win a tight game like that without four Origin players is pretty important.”
