Melbourne captain Cameron Smith is pleased long-time nemesis and rival skipper Paul Gallen will get a shot at an elusive premiership for Cronulla in the NRL grand final.

The State of Origin skippers will renew hostilities for the sixth time this year after the Storm booked their spot in Sunday’s decider with a tense preliminary final win over Canberra.

Smith has claimed victory in three of the five meetings between the pair this year, two of them with Queensland in the Maroons’ triumph, and the third in a round 26 wipeout in Melbourne.

He also has a supreme advantage in grand finals, featuring in five for three wins, while Gallen will be making his first appearance on the first Sunday in October.

Smith couldn’t be any happier for his interstate counterpart.

“I always enjoy playing against Gal. I see him a bit because we play in the middle,” he said.

“”I’m pleased for Gal. He has waited a long time for this. He works hard every time he pulls on the jersey. He has given a lot to the Cronulla club over many years.”

Smith wasn’t as effusive in his appraisal of Gallen and the NSW team after game three, when the Maroons star was left unimpressed with the Blues snubbing his victory speech in Sydney.

The Sharks captain later defended his snub by explaining that he was farewelling Blues fans.

“It’s something our team wouldn’t do,” Smith said at the time.

“We didn’t walk away (when the Blues won in 2014). We made a point of staying there for Paul’s speech and him lifting the shield and congratulating their victory.”

Smith has won 27 of the 40 games played against Gallen at either Origin or club level, however hasn’t lost to the back-rower in a Sharks jumper in nine games, dating back to 2008.

This year’s Storm better than 2012: Cronk

Meanwhile, Melbourne star Cooper Cronk has likened this year’s Storm team to their triumphant 2012 NRL outfit – maybe even a little bit better.

Five players remain from that Melbourne squad, not including injured star Billy Slater, however the 32-year-old Cronk believes this year’s version isn’t too different.

If anything, the Storm halfback reckons they’re a more balanced outfit this time around.

“It’s pretty similar in terms of its playing roster, but we’re also rock solid through our middle defence, we’ve also got some athleticism on the edges,” he said.

“It’s pretty similar to the Cronulla team, to be honest.”

Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Will Chambers, Kevin Proctor and Smith have formed the nucleus of the Storm side for the best part of half a decade.

However the insertion of Cameron Munster, Suliasi Vunivalu and Marika Koroibete have provided plenty of x-factor, while Blake Green has proved a steady foil for Cronk in the halves.

Jordan McLean, Tohu Harris and Dale Finucane have also enjoyed successful, healthy seasons.

It was less than a month ago when the Storm claimed the minor premiership with a round 26 shellacking of Cronulla, however Cronk denied it would be a mental advantage on Sunday.

The Sharks upset Melbourne in round four, kickstarting a record 15-game winning streak.

“They got us early on in the year so it’s 1-1 in that regard,” Cronk said.

“When it comes down to grand finals, it’s whoever handles the occasion the best, goes out and executes their game plan to the best. They’re normally the ones that come out on top.”

While the Sharks will be playing their first decider in a united competition in almost 40 years, they boast just as much grand final experience as their counterparts.

Ben Barba, James Maloney, Michael Ennis, Matt Prior, Luke Lewis and Chris Heighington have all been a part of grand final teams.