Lightning will strike twice for the Sea Eagles

A 2008 season filled with player departures, sex scandals, whinging and its fair element of terrific football has made the NRL’s centenary year one that will not be easily forgotten.

Manly and Melbourne are the two sides left standing as they once again seek to fill another chapter in their battle for supremacy.

Both teams will draw curtains on what has been one of the most memorable (otherwise forgettable) seasons on record.

Whether it was the Storm’s merciless home ground advantage or the Sea Eagles constant pressure in both attack and defence, opposing teams could ultimately do little to deny a repeat of last season’s NRL decider.

Although 2007 was practically all Melbourne, the Sea Eagles have taken a fair chunk out of the dominant Storm pie this season.

Manly finished on equal competition points with Melbourne this year, sharing 36 each.

Indeed, the Minor Premiership was decided on Sunday evening when the Storm defeated the Rabbitohs by more than 26 points to crown themselves Minor Premiers for the third year running.

Although the seasons experienced by both Manly and Melbourne have been identical in many ways, the Storm still hold the psychological barrier over the Sea Eagles.

Manly have lost their past three matches against the Storm, including the round 22 blockbuster at Brookvale, 16-10.

That loss in particular clipped the Sea Eagles hard. Melbourne managed to beat the home side at fortress Brookvale in front of a capacity local crowd.

Although they will play their chances down against Melbourne, deep down the men from the Peninsula know this is their best chance for Premiership glory.

The Storm are still without their captain and the NRL’s best hooker Cameron Smith.

Although the Sharks failed to capitalise on his loss, the Sea Eagles are a better team than Cronulla and should make the Storm suffer up the middle of the park.

This is where Manly forwards Anthony Watmough and Glenn Stewart have to dominate.

Watmough in particular has established himself as the most damaging forward in the NRL this season, making 115 tackle busts. The best among the big men.

If Manly can dominate the battle of the big men, fullback Brett Stewart will have his opportunity to atone for the knockout blow he suffered at the hands of Michael Crocker in last years decider.

Although Stewart could not remember much from the incident, at least he hasn’t forgotten his way to the tryline, scoring 22 four pointers this season.

The most out of any player in the NRL in 2008.

Of course, if Stewart is to dominate, his forwards have to contain the menacing threat that is Storm fullback Billy Slater.

If it was not for a few feisty cuffs on Dragons winger Jason Nightingale, Slater would be the game’s premier player this season.

He has dominated in all the areas that make a good fullback so dangerous. Slater has made the most line breaks (24) and tackle busts (124) in the NRL this season, making him the go to man in the potent Storm backline.

If Orford’s kicking game is off, Slater will make the majority of ANZ stadium suffer big time.

The crystal ball prediction

No doubt the Storm will turn up with their best football against Manly. The pressure is on the Sea Eagles to perform now after experiencing a below par loss to Melbourne last year.

If Manly play their best, they will emerge as champions. But will we see it?

The Sea Eagles by 1.

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