Storm set to face Cowboys in grand final

Preliminary Final 1: Storm v Broncos at AAMI Park, tonight 9.55 Melbourne have had the luxury of a week’s break after getting past Parramatta in week one of the finals while Brisbane have their tails up following last week’s win over Penrith, after losing to the Roosters in their qualifying final.

The Storm have a settled side with no changes to the outfit that beat the Eels, while Brisbane are boosted by the return of fullback and captain Darius Boyd and dynamic bench forward Tevita Pangai Junior from hamstring injuries.

Boyd’s comeback sees Kodi Nikorima move up into the No 7 role, with Benji Marshall shifting back to the interchange bench.

Broncos wing Corey Oates was yesterday cleared to play despite suffering a sickening head knock against the Panthers, with David Mead remaining on an extended bench as cover.

The Storm will ask more questions of the Broncos ruck defence through the middle and showed in their come from behind win over the Eels that they have the confidence and multi-faceted attack to break down any team.

The Broncos need to replicate the strong defensive performance that suffocated Penrith’s attack and with a mobile forward pack and speed and skill out wide, they have the ability to test the Storm’s mettle.

However, the visitors coughed up a whopping 15 errors against the Panthers and if they hand anywhere near that amount of ball over again, the Storm will make them pay. My Tip: Storm by 6 Preliminary Final 2: Roosters v Cowboys at Allianz Stadium, tomorrow, 9.40pm The pressure is on the Roosters to produce the goods against an injuryhit North Queensland side that has defied expectations.

The Cowboys possess the two best performers of the finals series in halfback Michael Morgan and powerhouse lock Jason Taumalolo, and have quality performers throughout the rest of their backline and forward pack.

The Roosters’ hopes will again hinge largely on halfback Mitchell Pearce and their ability to post early points, while Kiwis World Cup hopeful Jared Waerea-Hargreaves needs to make good on his intent to match Taumalolo’s impact.

The Roosters enjoyed a week’s rest after beating the Broncos in week one but had their preparation disrupted with five-eighth Luke Keary suffering a bout of food poisoning.

Bench forward Zane Tetevano returns after a one-game suspension.

The Cowboys have named an unchanged side, although wily coach Paul Green is keeping the Roosters guessing after naming co-captain Matt Scott on an extended bench.

The Kangaroos prop has not played since tearing his ACL in round two and although it seems unlikely that he will make the final 17, his potential inclusion would provide the Cowboys with a tremendous boost. My Tip: Cowboys by 8