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If their last meeting three weeks ago is anything to go by, tonight’s NRL Grand Final between the Sydney Roosters and Manly Sea Eagles promises to be one of the toughest and most absorbing Premiership deciders in recent memory. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.15pm AEST.
It is often said that defence wins premierships so it is little surprise that two of the NRL’s best defensive teams clash for the right to be crowned 2013 Premiers.
The Roosters and Sea Eagles have demonstrated a defensive resolve unmatched by any team this season.
With this in mind, tonight’s decider promises to be a low scoring contest between two sides that will not give an inch.
While Manly’s defence has been superb this season, the defence of their eastern suburbs rivals has been nothing short of exemplary in 2013.
The Sea Eagles of all teams should know the strength of a Sydney defence that they failed to crack three weeks ago.
Despite dominating possession and territory, Manly failed to crack the Roosters line and eventually succumbed to a 4-nil loss in arguably one of the toughest contests of the year.
The Roosters have already defeated Manly three times this season, with each victory proving that Sydney was the real deal this season.
Despite possessing a three match winning streak against the Sea Eagles, Sydney’s quest for a fourth-straight win will be their most difficult yet.
The Sea Eagles head into their fourth Grand Final in seven seasons courtesy of a superb performance against South Sydney last week.
Trailing 14-nil early in the contest, Manly managed to wrestle momentum away from the Rabbitohs en route to securing a comprehensive 30-20 victory.
When push turned to shove, the Sea Eagles reigned supreme over the Rabbitohs and will be very difficult to defeat tonight given their strong grand final record.
Manly has a wonderful opportunity to add another cap to a dynasty that has seen them secure premiership victories in 2008 and 2011.
A victory tonight will go a long way to establishing Manly as the NRL’s best team since the start of the new millennium.
Prediction
Both teams are very evenly matched across the park and it wouldn’t surprise to see this contest go beyond the 80 minutes.
Defensively, the Roosters and Sea Eagles have proved practically impossible to crack in big matches, and with so much on the line, expect another herculean defensive effort from both teams tonight.
The Roosters should target Manly’s right-edge defence.
In a formidable brick wall, it is the Sea Eagles’ weakest side with the Rabbitohs reaping early dividends when they attacked down that corridor last week.
David Williams does have a habit of rushing up quickly when faced with an overlap, and a few timed passes from the likes of Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney could see the Roosters exploit the defensive frailties that can plague Manly’s right edge defence.
The Sea Eagles meanwhile will look to get ahead on the scoreboard in a bid to unsettle the Roosters.
In each of Sydney’s victories over Manly this season, the Roosters have played from in front, and when they do, they have proved impossible to break down for many teams this season.
When they play from behind however, the Roosters can lose their way considerably as evidenced by their late season defeats to the Sharks and Titans.
If the Sea Eagles can score first and take a six point lead, it may go a long way to putting the Roosters off their game in a match they have had little success in recent seasons.
Sydney possesses a poor record in grand finals, losing in 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2010 to go along with just one victory in 2002.
A slow start tonight may very well see history repeat itself for the Roosters if they are not careful.
With so much class on show tonight however, season 2013 should conclude with a gladiatorial contest between two heavyweights that will not give an inch on the NRL’s biggest stage.
While the Roosters deserve plenty of admiration for the way they have performed under rookie coach Trent Robinson, Manly’s recent grand final record is formidable and such experience may prove decisive en route to a nail biting victory.
Sea Eagles by two.