The NRL Grand Final is finally here! The team here at The Roar have put our heads together and come up with some predictions for the big day.
Let us know what you think of our predictions and tell us what yours are in the comments below.
Robert Burgin
Winner: Melbourne.
Margin: 16-10.
First try: Will Chambers.
Clive Churchill medal: Cooper Cronk.
Definitely will happen: Jason Taumololo to run most metres on a losing side.
Definitely won’t happen: Macklemore to welcome special guest Tony Abbott on stage.
Matt Cleary
Winner: Cowboys.
Margin: 1.
First try: Josh Addo-Carr.
Clive Churchill medal: Lachlan Coote.
Definitely will happen: Wrestlemania near one’s line.
Definitely won’t happen: A send-off.
Dane Eldridge
Winner: Melbourne. I’ve got a feeling about the Cowboys, but can’t be sure if it’s confidence or the kung pao.
Margin: Probably lots.
First try: Josh Addo-Carr.
Clive Churchill medal: Jesse Bromwich.
Definitely will happen: Craig Bellamy blows a pooper valve in the 78th minute after a knock-on, despite leading by 30.
Definitely won’t happen: With two Extra Drys in hand, a jubilant Tim Glasby recreates the famous Chris Heighington interview from 2005.
Daniel Jeffrey
Winner: Heart says Cowboys, everything else in the world says Storm. Melbourne it is.
Margin: 12 points.
First try: Suliasi Vunivalu.
Clive Churchill medal: Cam Munster. I’m expecting Origin 3-like things from the younger of Melbourne’s Camerons.
Definitely will happen: Michael Morgan and Jason Taumalolo putting in immense performances in a losing side.
Definitely won’t happen: Anyone from Sydney supporting the Storm.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Winner: North Queensland Cowboys.
Margin: 2.
First try: Billy Slater.
Clive Churchill medal: Jason Taumololo.
Definitely will happen: Jason Taumololo will make over 200 metres.
Definitely won’t happen: The Melbourne Storm win by more than 20 points.
Ryan O’Connell
Winner: Melbourne Storm.
Margin: 18.
First try: Billy Slater.
Clive Churchill medal: Cameron Smith.
Definitely will happen: The Daily Telegraph will pretend it’s a big deal that a Sydney team didn’t win the Grand Final.
Definitely won’t happen: Some narrow-minded bigots will boo Macklemore singing ‘Same Love’.
Stuart Thomas
Winner: Melbourne Storm.
Margin: 11 points.
First try: Dale Finucane.
Clive Churchill medal: Cameron Smith (already decided).
Definitely will happen: Smith will throw an inside ball to Billy Slater and a lazy inside defender will be caught out.
Definitely won’t happen: North Queensland shedding tears at games end, they have truly embraced the run and exceeded expectations.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
John Coomer
Winner: Melbourne.
Margin: 7 points.
First try: Cameron Munster.
Clive Churchill medal: Cooper Cronk.
Definitely will happen: The Cowboys putting in another gutsy performance.
Definitely won’t happen: Craig Bellamy remaining calm in the coach’s box throughout the game.
Nick Kelland
Winner: Melbourne Storm.
Margin: 13+
First try: Will Chambers.
Clive Churchill Medal: Cooper Cronk.
Definitely will happen: Cameron Smith to play puppeteer with the referees.
Definitely won’t happen: Cowboys to put the Storm under considerable scoreboard pressure!
Alan Nicolea
Winner: Melbourne.
Margin: 13 points.
First try: Slater.
Clive Churchill: Slater.
Definitely will happen: Justin O’Neill to score a try.
Definitely won’t happen: Slater retiring from the game.
Scott Pryde
Winner: Storm.
Margin: 10.
First try: Curtis Scott.
Clive Churchill medal: Billy Slater .
Definitely will happen: A long tribute to Cooper Cronk before kick-off.
Definitely won’t happen: A blowout – the Cowboys will be right in it with 20 to go.
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