FIVE REASONS WHY THE SYDNEY ROOSTERS WILL WIN THE NRL GRAND FINAL
* THEIR DEFENCE
Defence wins premierships and the Sydney Roosters boast the best in the NRL. Headed into this Sunday’s decider, the Tri-colours have conceded the least points, tries, linebreaks and missed tackles of any team in the competition. They also have the best red-zone defence in the competition, conceding a try just one in every 16.6 play-the-balls inside their own 20-metre zone. Sunday’s game is going to be a grind, and the Roosters might just be better at it.
* COOPER CRONK’S KICKING
If Cronk overcomes a “severe” shoulder injury to play in Sunday’s decider, it’s vital his kicking game can be put to use. Cronk has kicked the Roosters out of trouble numerous times in 2018, and that’ll be crucial given his forwards will have their work cut out in the territorial battle against the best defensive middle of the competition. The Roosters have also scored the most tries from kicks this year, and they’ll need both Cronk and Luke Keary firing.
* LATRELL MITCHELL’S BACK
Latrell Mitchell has got the best of opposite number Will Chambers in the two biggest games of his career so far, and the Roosters will need a repeat of State of Origin I and II if they are to win on Sunday. Mitchell busted through 18 tackles and scored two tries in the opening two Origins this year, while Will Chambers missed 11 tackles to Mitchell’s none. The centre scored 16 tries, made 18 linebreaks and busted 101 tackles for the Roosters this year before he was suspended last week – a large reason why 46 per cent of their tries come down that left edge.
* THEY FINISH STRONG
Sunday’s game is almost guaranteed to be close and the Roosters have turned up when it’s mattered most this season. The Roosters have held their opponents scoreless in the last 20 minutes of their past four matches, and have conceded just 12 second-half points in that time. Their last try conceded in the final quarter of a match is even longer ago, coming way back in round 20 against St George Illawarra.
* THEY LIKE ANZ STADIUM
The Roosters may call Allianz Stadium home but it’s no secret they enjoy playing at ANZ. Since the start of 2015, they have won eight of 11 matches at the ground – the best strike rate of any team to have played more than five games there. Melbourne have played there only three times in that time period, losing twice. Meanwhile the Roosters also haven’t had to leave Sydney since round 23, and have left the NSW only five times this year.
*Stats: Fox Sports Stats
