The 2019 season comes to a conclusion with last year's premiers taking on a team which hasn't featured on the big day since 1994. The Sydney Roosters, the most successful team this decade, are up against the Canberra Raiders who have struggled to reach their potential during that time. Can Raiders coach Ricky Stuart pull one more rabbit out of the hat?
Good luck with your final tip of the year.
Sunday, October 6
Canberra Raiders vs. Sydney Roosters, ANZ Stadium, 7:30pm (AEST)
Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (C), 10. Sia Soliola, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Reserves: 14. Bailey Simonsson, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Dunamis Lui, 18. Sam Williams, 19. Ryan Sutton, 20. Siliva Havili, 21. Sebastian Kris.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Brett Morris, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Isaac Liu, 11. Boyd Cordner (C), 12. Mitchell Aubusson, 13. Victor Radley. Reserves: 14. Angus Crichton, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 18. Lindsay Collins, 19. Drew Hutchison, 20. Jake Friend (C), 21. Ryan Hall.
Referees: Ben Cummins and Gerard Sutton
Touch Judges: Chris Butler and Nick Beashel
Review Officials: Jared Maxwell and Ben Galea
Verdict: When considering whether the Roosters could win rare back-to-back premierships, it was important to look at their line-up for the 2019 season. With the inclusion of Angus Crichton and Brett Morris it could be argued that the Roosters strengthened their title-winning team. They have missed injured hooker Jake Friend for a large part of the year, but have managed to fill that hole through Sam Verrills and at times Victor Radley. With another year together the combinations between Cooper Cronk, Luke Keary and James Tedesco have developed to a silky smoothness that is hard to contain. If Latrell Mitchell is the best centre in the world than Joseph Manu is a very close second best. With Jared Waerea-Hargreaves returning from suspension there are very few chinks in their forward pack. There are reasons across the field for them being favourites going into this grand final.
In saying all that, they will still have to beat this Raiders team. The core of English forwards proudly wearing lime green carry with them the big game experience needed to calm the others facing this intensity for the first time. In the halves Jack Wighton has Origin experience to take him into the biggest game of his life, as does prop Josh Papalii. But, grand finals are different. There are plenty of examples of why the "you have to lose one to win one" truism has found its way into grand final discussions over the years. There is always the danger of being caught up in the occasion and missing out on the basics. Coach Ricky Stuart has plenty of grand final experience behind him and will have a plan in place to see his team through. If the Roosters get on top early, their class across the field could send the Raiders back to Canberra empty handed to plan for next year.
Tip: Roosters
TAB odds: Canberra Raiders $3.00 (+7.5 $1.90) Sydney Roosters $1.40 (-7.5 $1.90)