However you slice it, it’s inevitable which teams are going to make the grand final

Going into the first of the grand final qualifiers, I know which preparation I’d rather.

The Storm have the huge advantage being fresh after a week off, while the Roosters have a six-day turnaround. Don’t underestimate how important it is at this time of year.

They can say it might not be the case, but the Roosters’ abysmal record against the Storm in recent years – losing 10 of their past 11 – will be in their heads. It’s impossible to ignore.

But that’s not to say they aren’t a chance of causing an upset.

So how do they do it?

Firstly, they have to adopt a similar style to last week against the Sea Eagles, where the emphasis was on keeping the ball moving in attack. They need to be looking to break up Melbourne’s ruthless defence with as many offloads as possible.

There’s a risk associated with that. If you make mistakes, the Storm will just suffocate you. But the Roosters need to take a calculated gamble in moving Melbourne’s defence around.

James Tedesco and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves celebrate victory over the Sea Eagles.Credit: Getty

I think they’ve got an advantage in their back five bringing the ball out of their own end. When you’ve got huge outside backs in Dominic Young, Daniel Tupou, Joseph Manu and Joseph Suaalii, they have to lay the platform with their carries early in the sets. Kick reception is so important in big games.

But maybe the biggest threat comes from their bench. I like it. I think it looks superior to the Storm’s. It’s packed with power and lacks the versatile No.14 the Storm has in Tyran Wishart, but that’s fine.

When Trent Robinson pressed the button on his impact players in the opening week of the finals against Penrith, they turned the momentum. He’s going to need that – and more – to topple the Storm.

There won’t be as many points in this game as others throughout the finals series.

Craig Bellamy loves his sides using their big back-rowers to attack the opposition’s halves. Every team does it, but I don’t think anyone is as effective at isolating the little men as the Storm. That means Luke Keary and Sandon Smith will be in for a torrid night in defence.

I look at the final try the Roosters conceded last week to the Sea Eagles’ Ben Trbojevic – and I concede that the result was beyond doubt – but they won’t be able to get away with that against Melbourne.

It’s well known that the Storm have the most balanced and best spine in the competition with Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes, Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen, and when the game’s on the line, those guys will stand up.

I’m watching how closely they make Roosters hooker Connor Watson work in the middle of the park. His tackle count might be up over 60, and if that’s the case, it’s going to make his task of sparking the attack from dummy-half a little harder.

The battle between James Tedesco and Papenhuyzen is a big one, but I think I speak for everyone when I say I can’t wait to see Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Nelson Asofa-Solomona go at it. The foundations of AAMI Park might be shaking.

Joey’s tip: Storm by 8
First try-scorer: Will Warbrick
Man of the match: Cameron Munster

Shark alarm

All the pressure was on the Sharks last week; this week, there’s none. That’s a dangerous place to be when there is little to no expectation on them. All of the heat is on the Panthers, who are expected to qualify for a fifth straight grand final.

Cronulla’s win against the Cowboys last week featured very few penalties, which meant the ball was in play for long periods of times. That’s great to watch as a fan, but it’s taxing on the players. We’ve seen games this year when it can be eight or nine minutes before there’s a stoppage. That suits Penrith down to the ground.

Nicho Hynes and Toby Rudolf celebrate the Sharks’ finals win.Credit: Getty

The Sharks are going to have to find another couple of gears to trouble the Panthers.

If I’m Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon, I can’t emphasise enough to my players how important the first 10 minutes will be. They’ve got to start well. They need to take Penrith out of their rhythm. If that means kicking early in a tackle count, kicking for touch, popping a few offloads, just do anything to make the Panthers feel a little uncomfortable.

You think of this magical run the Panthers have been on for so long now, and I still struggle to remember a game when an opposition team has isolated their smaller wingers in Brian To’o and Sunia Turuva. Can the Sharks do it this week?

I would also be looking to target Izack Tago, who has misread a few defensive situations of late.

We can wax lyrical about how good Braydon Trindall was last week and how effective Blayke Brailey was running the ball, but the real test for Cronulla this week will be how their middle forwards handle James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Isaah Yeo.

If there’s an even share of possession, the Panthers win. It’s not even a debate.

Just watch hooker Mitch Kenny go about his business on Saturday night. He’s the unsung hero of this star-studded team, and all the little areas most people wouldn’t easily notice – like line speed, kick chase and finishing off tackles – are led by him. Trust me, his players would value those areas so highly.

Brad Schneider is still lurking there on the bench, which to me suggests there’s still a little doubt about how good Nathan Cleary’s shoulder is. It’s understandable.

I really hope Sharks fans get their passports stamped and head out west for this occasion. Their team really needs them.

Joey’s tip: Panthers by 20
First try-scorer: Liam Martin
Man of the match: Nathan Cleary

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