The NRL grand final is finally here, with the big game set to kick off on Sunday at 5.15pm (EST).  The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will play the Melbourne Storm, with the odds very close indeed and only the brave picking a winner.  If the Bulldogs can win the premiership this year, it will be their first since 2004, with the Storm keen to redeem themselves from their stripped titles in 2007 and 2009. Both teams have had a good lead up to the Grand Final, with Bulldogs coach Des Hasler naming an unchanged line-up for a third week in a row.  Despite a good couple of weeks, the Melbourne Storm are not so settled however, with winger Sisa Waqa named with a lingering definite maybe status over his head.  There are also reports that centre Will Chambers tweaked a hamstring in training this week, although it looks like he will play.

The battle of the coaches is just as important as any on-field clash this weekend, with the fierce rivalry between Des Hasler and Craig Bellamy about to come to a head.  Of their 18 encounters, Hasler has won 10, with one grand final each making this one the tie breaker.  This rivalry makes the game that much more enticing, with a number of the on-field clashes just as mouth watering. The Bulldogs have won 15 of their past 16 matches, although the Storm have come back from a five game losing streak midway through the season with style.  If the Bulldogs do win in 2012, Des Hasler will become the first coach in the entire 104 year history of rugby league to win back-to-back premierships at different clubs.

While the Bulldogs were minor premiers this year, the outstanding finals form shown by the Storm has them going into the grand final as slight favourites.  The Bulldogs have a killer attack however, and Melbourne will have to defend hard if they want to end this game with a smile.  No matter who wins however, most people are expecting a nail biter and a nerve racking final 10 minutes.