PLAYERS’ TIPS FOR THE NRL GRAND FINAL

Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys)

Melbourne. Their defence speaks for itself. Best in the competition. It’s hard to put points on a team like that. They always turn up for each other. (From experience) it’s hard to get the team going forward when you consistently have three or four guys hanging off you.

Sam Burgess (Rabbitohs)

Can’t pick a winner. It really depends on the start of the game. Melbourne are clinical. Cronulla, for many it’s their first time here but they’ve got so many experienced players. We played them both in the last five weeks of the year, one after the other, Melbourne beat us in golden point and we beat the Sharks by six. So, I can’t split them.

Corey Parker (Broncos)

If the Cronulla Sharks can emulate what they did last week against the Cowboys, I think they’ll win. If they play that exciting, expansive brand of football … they’ll really trouble Melbourne. I firmly believe the two best teams are in the grand final.

Ryan Hoffman (Warriors)

You’ve got to have a bit of sentiment at this time of year and I’m definitely on the Storm.

Josh Papalii (Raiders)

It would be nice see the Sharks make a bit of history, but I think the Storm. They’ve got a lot of experience in the team. It’ll go down to the wire.

Billy Slater (Storm)

Premierships are won on defence and the team that works the hardest and defends as a team will give themselves the best opportunity. Our set plays are an edge where we can get over the Sharks. But they were extremely dominant last week and are every chance as well. We’ve got some young guys who haven’t experienced it before but I’m sure they’ll be leaning on the likes of Cooper (Cronk) and Cam (Smith) to get them through the week.

Ash Taylor (Titans)

I’ve got to go Melbourne. There’s a lot of Queensland players in there, so they’re my pick.

James Gavet (Warriors)

It’d have to be Cronulla. They’ve got a bit of X-factor and are a bit more hungry – they haven’t been there.