NRL Grand Final Preview Sydney vs Manly (Sunday, 4.15pm – ANZ Stadium, Sydney) Following a season of enthralling action the stage has been set for a stellar finish to the NRL season. In a perfect world the Grand Final should pit the two best teams in the competition against each other and although South Sydney and Melbourne were good for most of the year it is hard to argue that Sydney vs Manly is anything other than the best vs the best. After four grand finals including a lone premiership over a five year span from 2000 and 2004 it has been a rollercoaster ride for the Roosters in recent years, but they find themselves back at the top of the heap and again in the big dance. A dominant 2013 season culminated with a Round 26 victory over arch rivals South Sydney to claim a deserved Minor Premiership. The off season recruitment drive which netted superstar Sonny Bill Williams, Origin players James Maloney and Michael Jennings and possibly most importantly coach Trent Robinson has paid huge dividends. Standing against them is arguably the dominant team of the decade in Manly Warringah. The Sea Eagles have featured in the finals series every year since 2005 and will play their fourth Grand Final in the past seven years which includes two premierships that are already safely tucked away. Their only Grand Final loss came in 2007 against a Storm outfit that was subsequently stripped of the title for salary cap rorting. This Grand Final should be an absolute cracker, both teams are evenly matched with intimidating forward packs that ooze ball playing ability, excellent halves and potent backlines. Only three weeks ago the Roosters defeated Manly in an epic finals encounter finishing with a remarkable 4-0 score line. Despite the lack of points the quality of the match was incredible as the two evenly matched teams stood toe to toe and refused to yield. Sydney will take the confidence of a 3-0 head to head record against the Sea Eagles in 2013 following wins of 16-4 in Round 9, 18-12 in Round 16 and the narrow 4-0 Semi Final victory. All three games have been extremely tight but it has been the Roosters defence that Manly has repeatedly struggled to crack. It is not only Manly that have faltered against a hard working and mobile defensive unit as Sydney boast the games best defensive record but three tries in three matches against their opposition is certainly a big concern for the Sea Eagles ahead of a Grand Final. Since rookie coach Trent Robinson took the reins at the beginning of the season Sydney have prided themselves on their defence and the platform laid by their big and deep forward pack. In AFL the battle of the midfield often sets the foundations for a team’s victory. In the NRL the battle of the forward packs sets the same tone allowing the halves to control the flow of a game and unleash their explosive weapons out wide. It is here in the middle of the park where the Roosters will challenge the Sea Eagles. Strengthening an already outstanding pack they expect to welcome back State of Origin rep Boyd Cordner from injury as well as veteran Luke O’Donnell. And big man Jared Warea- Hargreaves who has been one of the most impressive front rowers in the competition will take on his old club after missing the finals match three weeks ago through suspension. Sydney may be set to try and pound Manly into submission but toughness and physicality is an area the Sea Eagles pride themselves on and they will not shirk the challenge of stopping the big Roosters pack. There is no doubt they have the talent to win the arm wrestle but do they have the depth? Manly lost another front rower last week after Richie Fa’aoso fractured his neck, which will see him sit in the grandstand alongside fellow front rowers Jason King and Joe Galuvao. The most significant factor in Manlys ability to reverse their 2013 record against their Grand Final rivals may well be the inclusion of star fullback Brett Stewart. When Stewart plays his teams winning percentage goes through the roof, his pace and vision increases the side’s potency enormously. The fact Stewart has missed two of the three matches against the Roosters this year cannot be over looked. The Roosters will start favourite on Sunday which is no surprise given their season to date. If they can replicate their previous defensive efforts it is hard to see them getting beaten. If Manly can get on the board early and prove to themselves they can score against Sydney their chances will greatly improve, a slow start and the Sea Eagles may easily overplay their hand in search of points. Both teams have plenty of big match experience but the winning culture built up over the last decade may just be enough to see the Sea Eagles spring an upset. Whichever team wins it is hard to see more than a handful of points separating them at fulltime. Clive Churchill Medal Sonny Bill Williams sits at the top of Man of the Match betting. In a market generally dominated by halves it is a testament to the impact the backrower is capable of having on a match. Manly shut Sonny Bill down last time around but the inclusion of Warea- Hargreaves will create more space for him making a definite player to watch. Daly Cherry-Evans narrowly missed out on the Dally M player of the year award and if Manly are to cause the upset he could well be lifting the Clive Churchill medal in its place. At only 24 years of age with a premiership and State of Origin already under his belt Cherry-Evans is on the cusp of breaking out as the best player in the game. Outside of the top couple there is plenty of value to be had. Jamie Lyon and Warea-Hargreaves at $13 are both players capable of influencing the result and nabbing the Churchill medal whilst Brett Stewart at $17 looks huge value. First Tryscorer Both Roosters wingers have been on fire recently and after the defensive efforts of both teams recently their prowess at getting onto the end of kicks sees them well in the hunt to score first. Centres Jennings and Kenny-Dowall are also deadly finishers or if you are looking for value Anthony Minichello at $17 in his farewell match looks a good option. For Manly Brett Stewart and Jamie Lyon at $11 are excellent chances. Justin Horo and Cherry-Evans have both found their way to the tryline this year and are good smokey options at $26. VERDICT: MANLY BY 2 POINTS .