For one Titans player Sunday's grand final is personal

FOR most people the NRL Grand Final is an annual clash between two powerhouse teams vying for premiership glory.

Mark Minichiello on the beach at North Kirra. . Picture: Blainey Woodham

FOR most people the NRL Grand Final is an annual clash between two powerhouse teams vying for premiership glory.

But for Gold Coast Titan's Mark Minichiello it's a little more personal.

His older brother Anthony Minichiello will captain the Sydney Roosters against the Manly Sea Eagles tomorrow and will be dodging the unwanted record of becoming the first NRL player to lose five Grand Finals.

The 31-year-old league veteran has high hopes for Sunday's match, which he says will be "one of the best grand finals that's ever going to be played".

"I think it's going to be a really good game. It's going to be high quality and physical," Minichiello said.

"You saw how they played in the first week of the semis, how physical and brutal the game was.

"I might be a little bit biased, with my brother being at the Roosters, but I think their defence throughout the season has been the best by far. I think they'll win in a really tight game."

When asked whether Anthony would be considering the painful consequences of another grand final loss Minichiello disagreed.

"I don't think so, knowing my brother he's a pretty positive guy and he'll be focusing on a win result," he said.

"I know he definitely wants to get another win under his belt and I think they've had a great season, they finished top of the ladder and it's probably fitting that they go out winners.

"I dare say that'll be his main focus."

Minichiello said he was proud of his brother's NRL success and constant contribution to the game.

"He's been around a long time and he's come back from some pretty major injuries. He's a real credit to the game and to himself," he said.

Originally published as For one Titans player Sunday's grand final is personal