Theexperts are torn, the odds are tight and both sets of form lines lookominous. It's certainly a tough one to predict, so to make it a littleeaiser for you, we've come up with 10 reasons why the Sydney Roosterswill win the 2010 Telstra Premiership.
Don't worry Dragons fans!Tomorrow we'll provide our 10 reasons why the St George IllawarraDragons will claim that elusive title.
So here they are...
10 Reasons Why The Roosters Will Win
1. Away They Go!
Impressively,the Roosters have won all around the country in 2010, so a quick tripout to Homebush on Sunday should hold no fears for Brian Smith’scharges. They won 10 games on the road for only the sixth time in clubhistory (better even than their seven wins at home). Significantly,every time they’ve achieved this mark they have wound up in the grandfinal – including back-to-back premierships in 1974-75 and also theirmost recent flag in 2002.
2. Better By Halves
SkipperBraith Anasta, reformed bad boy Todd Carney and rejuvenated youngsterMitchell Pearce have scored 23 tries between them when playing in thehalves this year. That’s the third-highest yield of four-pointers inRoosters history and the most since Brett Finch, Brad Fittler and CraigWing combined to reap a massive 28 back in 2003.
3. Hot Toddy
DallyM Medal winner Carney has been on fire all season and things shouldn’tbe any different come Sunday – regardless of the fact the award has beensomewhat of a ‘poisoned chalice’, with Matt Orford the only winner inthe past 25 years to collect both the award and a premiership in thesame year (in 2008). The game represents a wonderful opportunity forCarney to etch his name in the Roosters’ annals – he requires just onepoint to equal Mike Eden for the most points scored by a Rooster during aseason (256, achieved back in 1983).
4. Simply Braith-taking
Justone more try this weekend is all it will take to rocket back-rowerBraith Anasta to legend status. Last week he became only the fourthRooster to cross for a try in three consecutive finals matches; if hegoes over again and they’re successful he’ll join burly winger BillMullins (1974) as the only men to score in all finals games including apremiership victory.
5. Run It Again, Sam
The openingminutes in grand finals can set the tone for the encounter. Errors canbe crucial, inroads decisive. That’s why the efforts from the likes ofwinger Sam Perrett will come to the fore. The Roosters have averagedmore dummy-half runs than any other NRL side in 2010 (27.3 per game) andPerrett is undoubtedly the king. He leads the club in runs (443) andmetres for the fourth consecutive season – with 55 per cent of hisefforts coming from scoots out of the ruck.
6. Tenacious ‘D’
TheRoosters’ defence has undergone massive improvement at the business endof the season. From June they began conceding 42 per cent fewer points –to the point where they now boast the fourth-best defensive record inthe NRL (17.7 points per game). That includes no more than 15 points ineach of their past five games.
7. In For The Grind
TheDragons are confident in their ability to win the hard slog but if theywant to grind it out then the Roosters are more than capable of goingwith them. No team averaged more metres throughout the first three weeksof the finals (1520), including five players who averaged more than 100metres of territory. In defence they have made an incredible 87.6 percent of their tackle attempts. That’s superior to even that of theiropponents, who were the benchmark all year in the regular rounds.
8. Going The Distance
Shouldpoints be required in quick fashion, Roosters fans can be guaranteedtheir side won’t die wondering. The tri-colours lead the competition inline-breaks recorded from within their own half (35) and fall behindonly the Wests Tigers in terms of tries (20) and passes thrown (92 pergame) in their own zone.
9. Beware The Bopper
BigJason Ryles remains perilously close to the infamous ‘nudie’ run – butdon’t discount the big guy from crossing against his former side. Triesby props have been a feature of recent years (think Brent Kite in 2008,Fuifui Moimoi last year). Also, in a bit of an omen perhaps, the threetimes Ryles has scored in finals footy, the Dragons were defeated eachtime.
10. ‘Mini’ To The Max
The form of former GoldenBoot winner Anthony Minichiello throughout the Roosters’ Septembercharge has been truly fantastic – but then again it has also beenlargely expected. ‘Mini’ has racked up 20 finals appearances for theRoosters, second only to favourite son Brad Fitter (22). But no Roosterhas scored more tries (13) at this level. Meanwhile, in his 12appearances against the Dragons he has crossed the try line seven timeswhilst averaging 18 runs for a staggering 156 metres per match. Watchhim go!
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Replies
Gotta take the positives where you can...
pearce
carney
anasta
and if you wanna add players like minichiello, kenny dowell and perret that always put in 100%, you got an awesome team.