Stars tip Roosters to go back-to-back

THE past two premiershipwinning captains have predicted Sydney Roosters to do what they couldn’t: become the first team in 21 years to defend the NRL title.

Not since Brisbane went back-to-back in 1997-98 has a side lifted the trophy in consecutive years, however the first was during the Super League war. In a unified league, the Broncos are still the last team to go back-to-back, having done so in 1992-93 in the NSWRL competition.

The Roosters now get their chance when they face Canberra, playing in its first grand final in 25 years, at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

Melbourne captain Cameron Smith fell agonisingly shy of achieving the feat last year when the Storm was stunned by the Roosters in a dramatic decider. And, after Storm’s title run was ended by the them in Saturday’s 14-6 preliminary final loss, arguably the game’s greatest player backed the Roosters to end the drought.

“I think it’s going to be a great game. Both sides play totally different styles of footy,” Smith said of the anticipated contest.

“But if the Roosters come out and play the way they did tonight, particularly defend the way they did, I think they may go back-to-back.”

Newly-retired Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen is also well-acquainted with the difficult challenge of defending their crown. Having famously led the Sharks to their maiden premiership in 2016, Gallen’s side couldn’t even get to the big dance the following year.

Missing the top four with a fifth-placed finish, Cronulla was knocked out in a weekone elimination final by eventual grand finalist North Queensland. But Gallen also thinks the Roosters are poised to claim the title again, saying they simply have a better roster than the Raiders.

“They’ve just got so many