It all comes down to this. Fox League’s BRETT FINCH analyses the grand finalists

THEY were the top two teams after the regular season so it’s only fitting the Roosters and Storm will meet in the grand final.

It’s a clash of the titans on the field with the Roosters’ James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell and Boyd Cordner going head-to-head with the Storm’s Billy Slater, Cameron Munster and Cameron Smith – and it will be a battle of the brains in the coaching boxes with two of the best in the business, Craig Bellamy and Trent Robinson, plotting each other’s demise.

WHERE IT’LL BE WON

Storm: Melbourne need to control the ball. The Storm have struggled at different times throughout the year with their completion rate. When they control the ball and get through their sets it allows Smith to build pressure through the middle third of the field, and that spells danger for opposing teams.

Roosters: The likely loss of Cooper Cronk will hurt the Roosters but it doesn’t rule them out of the game. The Roosters have one of the most dynamic left edges in the game with Luke Keary, Tedesco, Cordner

and Mitchell near unstoppable when on a roll. For the Roosters to create space for Keary, Tedesco, Boyd and Mitchell, they need their forward pack to hold their own. HOW THEY CAN BE BEATEN

Storm: Melbourne have shown throughout the year that they are beatable. If the Storm turn over cheap ball and don’t control possession, the Roosters have the ability to tackle all day and defend their rivals out of the game.

Roosters: The Roosters’ middle third needs to stand up. If Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Dylan Napa don’t lead from the front and allow the Storm forwards to get on top, it will cripple the time and space Keary and Tedesco need to do their work.

KEY MEN

Storm: Everything the Storm do well comes off Smith. The return of Will Chambers has also been great for the Storm. He’s one of the best defensive players in the comp but will need to be on his game to shut down Mitchell. Munster is the other key man. This year he’s stood up and owned the big moments.

Roosters: The return of Mitchell is crucial. He has the ability to break the game open from anywhere on the paddock. His goalkicking is also crucial. The Roosters let eight points slip against Souths last week through missed conversions. THE FINAL INSTRUCTIONS Craig Bellamy: The Storm’s coach is the master of keeping things

simple. He will stress the need to be disciplined, to control the football, complete their sets and be patient. Trent Robinson: Aggression is the key for the Roosters. Robinson will drill into his forwards the need to win the battle in the middle. He will stress the importance of putting pressure on Smith and Slater to suffocate them out the game. THE VERDICT

Although these two sides are two of the best defensive teams in the competition, I see this game being a high-scoring affair. Grand finals are about the big-game players winning the big moments and Melbourne have some of the best big-game players. I’m tipping Chambers for first try-scorer, the Storm to win by 10 and Cameron Smith to win the Clive Churchill medal.

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