Grand Final: Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles

[DIEHARD]

Grand Final: Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles

[DIEHARD]

Here we are. Probably the least interesting Grand Final in my memory. Roosters vs Dragons came close. But at least Wayne Bennett made that interesting. Also dour weather too.

My tip is Roosters. Proving that you can buy a Premiership.

[Toads]

Yup, nothing to get excited about with this Grand Final. Probably only going to watch it to see how much the Refs stuff it up with their calls.

Roosters to win, Manly to be robbed by couple of bad decisions.

[DIEHARD]

Got to say Manly are so successful especially when you consider the financial situation of the club, the infighting at board level and the change in player and coaching personnel.

[TITAN PETE]

Petero's predictions - 2013 NRL Grand Final
By Petero Civoniceva
NRL.com
10:00am Wed 02nd October, 2013



Can Manly's toughness give them the edge over the rock-solid Roosters?
If there is one thing I have learnt throughout this finals series, it is never to write the Manly Sea Eagles off.

You can't question the toughness of this Manly side. The past few weeks we've seen a lot of people – myself included – doubting their ability to come through what has been a very tough run to the grand final. They've had to do it the hard way but they have displayed an unbelievable resilience along the way. It's not just physical toughness, it's also mental toughness to be able to hang in those really hard games and pull through.

It has been outstanding the way Manly has battled to get themselves out of some tough situations. When everyone has been looking for fatigue to set in, they've done the opposite. And that's despite the fact that no one would have blamed them if they had fallen down. They've had a ready-made excuse because of what they have been through yet instead they hang in there and hang in there until the time is right to strike. They've certainly stamped themselves as a real force in this competition and deserve their chance to lift the NRL trophy.

Having said that, I'm still going to tip the Roosters to win the premiership on Sunday – not so much because of what Manly has been through but because they have just been so good in 2013.

There are a number of key factors to consider. First, the Roosters have had an opportunity to rest and the fact that Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has only recently come back means he will be fresh and feeling good heading into this game. That's a huge bonus for them given how important he is to their pack.

Secondly, the Roosters' defence has been the benchmark for all NRL teams this year. They have plenty of energy off the line, continue to work hard for each other and are just so difficult to break. It's going to take a very good attacking performance to get through this wall-like defence of the Roosters and so far in 2013 the Sea Eagles have struggled to break them down, having scored just 16 points against them in three games.

So for me it will be the Roosters in a tight one. I've spoken about Manly's fatigue factor but they keep proving me wrong so you would have to think they will last the full 80 minutes this week. They will get themselves up for it but the Roosters have been so good this year and it's hard to go past them.

If Manly is to spring the upset, their big match experience is going to be crucial. They've got so many players who have been there and done that in terms of playing finals football. They know how to win games no matter what the situation might be. That could be the difference at the end of the day. You look across the paddock and there is so much State of Origin experience and Test match experience. They've also got six players that have played in all four grand finals Manly has contested over the past seven years. That experience is invaluable in these games.

For me, the game will be won and lost in the halves. It's going to be a great match-up which I believe will determine who the dominant team is. Can Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney get on top of Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran? That will be a great battle as will the contest between the forward packs. Looking at the Roosters' pack, they're primed for a big, physical encounter. So we've got this huge battle in the middle and then it will come down to the direction provided by the halves.

And I've got one more tip for you ahead of the big game – Jake Friend will win the Clive Churchill medal! The Roosters hooker has been great this year and if he can work the middle of the ruck and work those big boys around in partnership with the halves he could be in for a big game.

Whichever way it goes, I'm anticipating one of the best grand finals in years. There is a great rivalry there between the two teams and the close game they had a few weeks ago was a great appetizer to what we're going to see on Sunday.

[TITAN PETE]

GF preview: Roosters v Sea Eagles
By Ben Blaschke
NRL.com
11:15am Wed 02nd October, 2013


Roosters v Sea Eagles
ANZ Stadium
Sunday 7:15pm

Here we go. After 29 weeks and exactly 200 games between the 16 NRL clubs, it all comes down to this Sunday as the Sydney Roosters look to win their first premiership in 11 years against the might of the Manly Sea Eagles.

In pure footballing terms, it couldn’t have been scripted better. Minor premiers the Roosters have been the benchmark for most of the 2013 season – combining their scintillating brand of attack with some of the greatest defensive efforts ever seen in the modern era.

Thriving under the tutelage of rookie coach Trent Robinson – named the Dally M Coach of the Year last Tuesday night – they have benefited enormously from the brilliance of Sonny Bill Williams and fellow newcomers Michael Jennings, James Maloney and Luke O’Donnell.

But if there is one side that can throw a cat amongst the pigeons it is this experienced Manly outfit. The road to the decider certainly hasn’t been so smooth for the Sea Eagles. In fact, up until Round 25 when they sent a message of intent by belting Melbourne 28-8, Manly hadn’t beaten a fellow top-four side in 2013.

Their draw hasn’t been simple either. These two sides met just three weeks ago in the first week of the finals and played out a bruising encounter which saw the Roosters escape with a thrilling 4-0 win. But while the Roosters were rewarded with a week off (followed by a grand final qualifier against an over-matched Newcastle side), Manly had to back up against Cronulla, then face off against South Sydney for their spot in the decider.

Each week they’ve been widely written off with the sheer number of players carrying well-publicised injuries seemingly one bridge too many. Yet each week they’ve defied the critics. And the manner of their stunning victory over the Rabbitohs last week when they trailed 14-0 before fighting back to prevail 30-20, won’t have been lost on the minor premiers.

Clearly no amount of hurdles is going to stop this Sea Eagles outfit from doing what they do best.

Despite the lack of scoring in that Week 1 meeting earlier this month, there was no lack of excitement with breaks, half chances and desperately close calls the order of the day and if that’s what we can expect again this Sunday we could well be in for one of the great grand finals.

It’s hard to imagine a more acutely matched contest than this one. The battle of the forward packs promises to be brutal with SBW, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and the returning Boyd Cordner lining up against Sea Eagles veterans Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart and Brent Kite.

In the halves it is the NSW pairing of Mitchell Pearce and Maloney against Kiwi Test five-eighth Kieran Foran and Queensland Origin star Daly Cherry-Evans – arguably the form player of the finals so far.

And what about the strike out wide? Jennings, Tuivasa-Sheck, Kenny-Dowall and Minichiello v Lyon, Matai, Williams and Stewart.

It’s a contest worthy of a grand final and whichever side emerges victorious will certainly have earned the spoils.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has named the same 17 that belted Newcastle last weekend with both Boyd Cordner and Luke O’Donnell overlooked.

The Sea Eagles have named David Gower as the man to replace Richie Fa’aoso in the decider with the unlucky Fa’aoso having broken a vertebrae in his neck against Souths last week.

For the first time in Sea Eagles history, six players will have represented the club in four separate grand finals – Brent Kite, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Anthony Watmough and the Stewart brothers.

Manly have won 19 of 23 Sunday games in the past three years and nine of 12 games at ANZ in the past five. Geoff Toovey is poised to become just the second man after Bob Fulton to both captain and coach the club to premiership glory.

The Roosters will be looking to win the premiership double for the first time since 1975 although only once before have they defeated the same opponent twice in the same finals campaign – against Glebe way back in 2011!

Watch Out Roosters: There was a time not so long ago when every side in the NRL knew the greatest threat would always come from Manly’s right edge combination of Daly Cherry-Evans, Glenn Stewart, Jamie Lyon and David Williams. Not so in 2013 with the Sea Eagles’ left edge proving almost as lethal.

The left-side combo of Kieran Foran, Justin Horo, Steve Matai and Jorge Taufua have helped Manly to 42 tries on that side of the field – not too far off the 49 they have produced on the right. This means the Roosters won’t have it easy when trying to predict which way the Sea Eagles might swoop when an opportunity presents itself.

Watch Out Sea Eagles: How do you break down this incredible Roosters defence? That’s the big question for Manly coach Geoff Toovey who saw his side kept to nil three weeks ago when these two sides last met. In fact, in their three meetings so far in 2013 Manly have scored a total of just 16 points. It’s not a problem restricted only to the Sea Eagles, however – the Roosters have kept sides to zero on six separate occasions this season in what must surely be one of the greatest defensive performances of all time. Manly will either need their rivals to have an off day or figure out a new way to break down the wall if they are to prevail on Sunday.

Plays To Watch: SBW’s passing game. One of the game’s top offloaders, Williams is always a handful to wrap up and will look to create some second-phase play at every opportunity. However, he can also pass before the line and has shown a love of the cut-out pass to winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on the right edge.

Watch too for the Pearce-Maloney “one-two”. On multiple occasions this year Maloney has broken through after receiving a second-man ball from Pearce and accelerating onto the pass rather than promoting it to his wide runners.

Manly’s left edge plays a more structured game than the right with Kieran Foran running a series of plays utilising Justin Horo and Brett Stewart. The common theme is for Stewart to wrap around the back and receive the ball as the second man however when the opportunity presents Foran will throw a short ball to Horo as the lead runner instead. On the right, the running games of Daly Cherry-Evans and Jamie Lyon are the danger. Watch for Manly to get some early ball to Lyon who can leave his opposite number stranded if given room to move.

Key Match-Up: Mitchell Pearce v Daly Cherry-Evans. The individual battle that could make or break the grand final. These two met on the State of Origin stage this season and it proved an unhappy outing for Pearce, however it has been a very different story at club level where he has enjoyed his finest year to date. He was exceptional in the Roosters’ 40-14 win over Newcastle last week and will be looking to control the game again this weekend.

On the other side of the field, Cherry-Evans has been in sublime form over the past two months and is arguable the No.1 reason they have managed to make it through to a fourth grand final in seven seasons. With so much on the line it will be interesting to see who best handles the pressure of rugby league’s biggest day.

Where It Will Be Won: The big men will have the greatest say here with two of the most battle-hardened packs in the NRL going toe to toe. There will be plenty of big hits and watch for offloads galore – particularly on the edge of the ruck where the likes of Sonny Bill Williams and Glenn Stewart will look to get over the top of one another. Which side will get on top?

The History: Played 123; Sea Eagles 79, Roosters 42, drawn 2. The Roosters have never defeated the same opponent four times in a single season before. Manly have won five of seven finals games against the Roosters.

Match Officials: Referees – Ben Cummins & Shayne Hayne; Sideline Officials – Steve Carrall & Russell Turner; Video Referees – Ashley Klein & Luke Patten.


Televised: Channel 9 – Live 7:15pm.

The Way We See It: This looms as one of the great grand finals with barely a struck match between the sides. Although the Roosters deserve their favouritism, Manly have proved that they can never be written off and they have the great advantage of having won two premierships and played in three grand finals in the previous six seasons. That experience could prove invaluable, but given the Roosters are not only minor premiers but have also beaten Manly three times this season, it would be folly to tip against them. Roosters by two points!

[TITAN PETE]

SBW out for Dally M revenge
By Ben Horne
AAP
4:35pm Wed 02nd October, 2013


Manly have been warned to brace themselves for a fired-up Sonny Bill Williams in the grand final, after the Sydney Roosters star was surprisingly snubbed at the Dally M awards.

Despite his enormous impact on the Roosters' grand final run this season, Williams didn't feature in the top 10 on the leaderboard for the overall prize and was beaten to the second rower of the year gong by clubmate Boyd Cordner.

Roosters' great Luke Ricketson says even after just one year at Bondi Junction, Williams had proven himself as the club's greatest signing since Brad Fittler and Phil Gould arrived as a player/coach combination in the mid-1990s.

Ricketson said he was shocked Williams was overlooked at the awards ceremony on Wednesday, but hopes it will serve as a blessing in disguise for the Roosters against the Sea Eagles.

"He could have definitely won a few awards and hopefully it spurs him on for Sunday," Ricketson said.

"He's been tremendous for the game and his impact on the Roosters has been massive every game.

"He's been one of our top two or three players every game and he didn't get the recognition."

Ricketson said he can't go past Fittler and Gould as the two recruits who have had the most influence on the Roosters in the past quarter century.

However, he said if Williams decides against a move back to rugby union and re-signs with the Roosters, there's no reason why he can't make a similar mark.

Ricketson said Williams' professionalism had made a vital impression on young Polynesian players at the club - a crucial ingredient in their push for a first title since 2002.

"Sonny has been huge, especially in this era where it's all about professionalism," said the retired 300-game lock.

"A lot of Polynesian kids look up to Sonny and he's taught them some amazing things and they'll keep that throughout their careers.

"He's good on and off the field. He's been a marketer's dream.

"I just hope we can hang onto him for the next couple of years."

Another Roosters legend, Russell Fairfax, also expressed surprise at Williams' missing out on Dally M recognition, but said it showed the former Bulldog had developed into a true team player.

"It's not about him, it's about doing stuff for the other guys," Fairfax said.

[TITAN PETE]

Cordner, O'Donnell likely for Roosters
By By Ben Horne
AAP
3:38pm Wed 02nd October, 2013



Club great Luke Ricketson has urged the Sydney Roosters to start Boyd Cordner and Luke O'Donnell in Sunday's NRL grand final despite the injury cloud hanging over the pair.

The star forwards both trained with the team on Wednesday at Moore Park, making it increasingly likely they'll overcome their respective fitness concerns and be late inclusions to face Manly in the decider.

Cordner is aiming to return after seven weeks on the sidelines with a broken ankle, while O'Donnell missed last week's preliminary final with a hamstring strain.

Roosters' premiership winner Ricketson fought through serious injury to play in both the 2000 and 2002 grand finals, and has already spoken to Cordner and O'Donnell about their preparations.

Ricketson is confident both will play and said coach Trent Robinson should go one step further and inject them immediately into the starting side.

The 40-year-old said their impact in the early exchanges could be telling and the Roosters' couldn't afford to risk their bodies cooling down after the warm-up.

"I've seen a lot over the years with injuries that you're better off getting him out there instead of sitting him on the sideline and cooling down after a warm-up or worrying about the injury," Ricketson said.

"Get (Cordner) through the warm-up and get him out there for the first 20 minutes and if he's playing well and sticking to his job you keep him out there.

"The Manly pack will come out and challenge the Roosters ... and that will really spur (O'Donnell) on. He's an intimidating player and I think he's got to be in there in the first 10 minutes."

Neither Cordner or O'Donnell was named in the Roosters' 17-man grand final team, but after both running on Friday they appear set to be called up - probably at the expense of young forwards Dylan Napa and Isaac Liu.

Superstar Sonny Bill Williams was a spectator at training on Wednesday, wearing a compression sock and tape on his left leg.

Williams played through calf soreness leading into the finals and also battled food poisoning last week, however the dual international would appear to be a certain starter in what could be his last game of rugby league.

Ricketson was little better than a 50/50 proposition when plagued by hamstring injuries ahead of the '00 and '02 grand finals.

However, from personal experience he's been able to advise young gun Cordner and experienced journeyman O'Donnell, that they can't afford to miss such an opportunity if they're anywhere close to full fitness.

"You've just got to get yourself there for grand final day," he said.

"I remember in 2002 I was never playing all week and two days out coaching staff gave me until game day to make a decision. Looking back now if I watched them do the victory lap (without me) I would have been devastated."

Ricketson admits that for the injured player there's an element of worry that you could let the team down, but he believes there's far less risk of that in the modern game.

"In the old days there was a mentality of making your own mind up a little bit. But the medical staff are a lot more scientific and technical than that," he said.

"I think a clearance from the club will give you the confidence you're going to be OK on the day.

"Boyd has been out for a while but he's young enough and good enough to push through it.

"He thought he could have played last weekend ... Luke had a twinge last week but with treatment this week I think he'll be fine."

[shamus]

Here we are. Probably the least interesting Grand Final in my memory. Roosters vs Dragons came close. But at least Wayne Bennett made that interesting. Also dour weather too.

My tip is Roosters. Proving that you can buy a Premiership.

2006 beat that by a country mile. 2 teams I can't stand.

I know Brad that you are fond of Storm but most super league teams I am not fond of. It actually made for a good final 4 this season. Without checking maybe the first time since NRL started?

But that's me...just biased.

[TITAN PETE]

2006 beat that by a country mile. 2 teams I can't stand.

I know Brad that you are fond of Storm but most super league teams I am not fond of. It actually made for a good final 4 this season. Without checking maybe the first time since NRL started?

But that's me...just biased.

+ 1

Storm v Broncos was the most boring GF in my time

[C-Whiz]

This may well be the only time I will ever cheer for Manly in a GF.

While I would love to see the Count get another premiership and avoid the unwanted and undeserved "most lost GF's" tag, I just can't imagine how long and loud Gus and his cronies at Channel 9 will be forcing their opinions that $BW was the reason the Roosters got there, the reason they won, and the reason RL is so great.

I'm prepared to barrack for Manly just to avoid that scenario.

Then all we will have to put up with was how much $BW deserved to win etc etc....

[TITAN PETE]

Minichiello unfazed by grand final record
By Ian McCullough
AAP
5:09am Thu 03rd October, 2013


Sydney Roosters skipper Anthony Minichiello claims the prospect of potentially becoming the first player to play in five losing NRL grand finals hasn't crossed his mind.

Minichiello has enjoyed a fine first season as captain and will lead out the club he made his debut for in 2000 at ANZ Stadium against Manly on Sunday.

The Roosters made the grand final that year going down 14-6 to Brisbane - the first of four deciders in five years.

Minichiello did taste success in 2002 when his side beat the Warriors but was on the wrong side of defeats to Penrith a year later, Canterbury in 2004 and St George Illawarra in 2010.

"In my first one I was a kid, I'd just turned 20," Minichiello said.

"You don't remember anything about the week, you just get out there and play. As I have got older I have savoured them more and more, enjoy it and take it all in.

"I can't say I have enjoyed too much success in grand finals, but not many people can say they've played in six and it's something I am very proud of.

"As for the record, I can honestly say I haven't thought about it. I guess it's not one I want, but I certainly won't be worrying about it during the game."

Regarded as one of the nicest guys in the game, Trent Robinson's decision to appoint the 33-year-old as his skipper led some to question whether he was too laid back to be captaincy material.

The Roosters coach admitted earlier this year he was unsure at first, but said Minichiello grew into the role as the season progressed and the decision has been vindicated.

"Braith Anasta had left to join the Wests Tigers and we didn't have a captain for the off-season or the pre-season," Robinson told Fox Sports' NRL 360 show.

"Throughout that period before Christmas it was clear Mini was going to be our captain.

"He doesn't say a lot, but he does when he has to and leads by example but not just on the paddock but away from it as well."

In addition to having the talent that won him the Golden Boot in 2005, Minichiello has won a host of admirers for the way he fought back a serious back injury that threatened to end his career.

One of those admirers is Manly winger David Williams who has also fought back from a litany of serious injuries to play a major role in the Sea Eagles' run to the grand final.

"I love stories where you prove people wrong, it's an absolute credit to him," Williams said.

"To come back from the injuries he's been through and not only still be playing rugby league but at the high standards he's always had is fantastic.

"He's been on fire."

[DIEHARD]

Whiz you make an excellent point about the $BW / NINE element. Would be nice to teach them a lesson and show the Roosters that you can't buy a title.

But Manly have made 4 Grand Final appearances in 7 years. Hard to believe that they were so very very close to death a decade ago.

[TITAN FAN]

Cant stand either of them

Was at the Roosters game when we beat them in Sydney we only a handful of Tians supporters amongst the thousands of screaming chooks

They were all leaving the ground looking like they had there necks rung
We left waving the Titans flag in there faces what a good feeling that day

SBW did nothing and they never stopped wrapping the bloke

Manly are a bunch of grubs and dirty players

[C-Whiz]

I had to put some bets on just to make it interesting.

Last scoring play, penalty try! Please, someone, slide in with the boots!
Or an old fashioned swinging arm on the line. Anything for an 8 pointer.

At least I have a reason to watch until the end now.