Cronulla claim they couldn't pick a better time to take on Melbourne, believing the reigning NRL premiers are at their most vulnerable heading into Saturday night's Toyota Stadium clash.

The taxing trip across the globe for the World Club Challenge and the unavailability of representative stars Cooper Cronk, Brett White and Sika Manu has the Sharks believing the champions could be a little underdone.

While the absence of Cronk is a positive for the home side, Cronulla believe they could receive a double benefit with Australian hooker Cameron Smith moving into the No.7 in his place.

It's not that the Sharks doubt Smith's ability to play at halfback, more that they believe the Storm will be less dangerous with the world's best rake standing at first receiver.

"It's better for us that he's at half than at hooker," Sharks halfback Scott Porter said.

"He's a world class No.9 and him not being there takes away from their ruck play a little bit.

"Ryan Hinchcliffe is a good player as well but ... it's a bonus for us that (Smith's) not at hooker.

"We're probably going to catch them at the best time I guess, they've just come back from the World Club Challenge and they haven't got all their players back."

Porter's debut season was one of few bright spots in an otherwise dismal year for the Sharks, who only avoided the wooden spoon on points differential.

The late-blooming 25-year-old made the most of his opportunity as he secured a new two-year-deal, with his prodigious boot playing an integral role in keeping the Sharks competitive most weeks.

Porter's kicking skills will be put to the test on Saturday night, however, with Storm fullback Billy Slater renowned for his positional play and strong returning ability.

"Billy Slater running the ball back at you, it's going to be hard with him at the back," Porter said.

"He's one of the best in the world at the moment - It'll be a tough job for me and Trent (five-eighth Trent Barrett) to find ground with him there."

Porter comes into the opening round with just 40 minutes of football under his belt after he was forced to sit out the club's opening two trials due to a niggling knee injury.

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