Wendell Sailor’s bold predictions for the NRL finals series

A LOT of the talk has been about the impact the established names will have on the finals series. But we’re more excited about the new guys.

Ben Hunt scores. The Brisbane Broncos vs the Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Pic Peter Wallis

I’M EXCITED.

This is the best time of the year. This is when superstars are born.

A lot of the talk has been about how big an impact guys like Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis and Cam Smith will have on the finals series.

I’m much more excited about what the new guys will deliver.

The stage is set right now for Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Jake Granville or Anthony Milford to become the next big star of our game.

Anthony Milford is the man most likely.

It says everything that Broncos coach Wayne Bennett came out and said Milford can become one of the greats of the NRL.

When Wayne makes a statement like that, I stand up and take notice. Wayne doesn’t make those statements lightly because he never likes to put pressure on young kids. He believes Milford can handle that pressure.

He’s the man that can tear this finals series apart. Like all the greats, he always seems to have time on his side and I’m not just talking about his blinding pace.

He’s only a 21-year-old kid, but I really like what I’ve seen of him. He loves playing rugby league and he’s not in the game for the wrong reasons. He’s the real deal.

It’s one of the reasons I reckon Brisbane will go deep into the finals series. They are real contenders, but there’s massive hurdles for them to overcome.

Everyone knows I’ll be cheering for the Dragons and the Broncos, but here’s how I see the finals playing out:

NRL FINALS WEEK 1

Blake Ferguson’s Chooks are so hot right now.

(1) ROOSTERS V (4) STORM

Qualifying Final: Friday, September 11, 7.55pm, Allianz Stadium

TV: Live, Channel 9

TAB: This Roosters $1.36, Storm $3.25

DELL’S VERDICT: Roosters win. They deserve to be red hot favourites. There’s just no weakness there that Melbourne can exploit.

(5) BULLDOGS V (8) DRAGONS

Elimination Final: Saturday, September 12, 5.50pm, ANZ Stadium

TV: Live Channel 9

TAB: Bulldogs $1.26, Dragons $4

DELL’S VERDICT: Bulldogs win. The Dragons have limped into the finals. They just look like they haven’t got that next level in them. It will be a tight one, but the Dogs have a lot of upside if coach Des Hasler can get them switched on.

(2) BRONCOS V (3) COWBOYS

Qualifying Final: Saturday, September 12, 7.55pm, Suncorp Stadium

TV: Live Channel 9

TAB: Broncos $1.55, Cowboys $2.50

DELL’S VERDICT: Broncos win. The Cowboys’ slow starts are still a major concern for them, especially around the ruck. They won’t come back from three tries down against Brisbane. Ben Hunt is vital for the Broncos — if he’s out, the Cows will win.

(6) SHARKS V (7) RABBITOHS

Elimination Final: Sunday, September 13, 4.10pm, Allianz Stadium

TV: Live Channel 9

TAB: Sharks $1.90, Rabbitohs $1.90

DELL’S VERDICT: Sharks win. No disrespect to Greg Inglis, but Issac Luke is the most important player on the Bunnies’ team and without him they’ll really struggle. Mick Ennis is the key for the Sharks and he’ll make it very uncomfortable for the Bunnies.

WEEK 2

Jesse Bromwich has become top dog at the Storm.

STORM V BULLDOGS

DELL’S VERDICT: Storm win. The Bulldogs don’t mind travelling to Melbourne and they blitzed the Storm off the park in last year’s finals series, but this is a different Melbourne Storm team. Jesse Bromwich is the key because he can match the Dogs’ big men and keep Cooper Cronk and Cam Smith on the front foot.

COWBOYS V SHARKS

DELL’S VERDICT: Cowboys win. I reckon the Cowboys can do some real damage on the edges against the Sharks. Backrowers Gavin Cooper and Ethan Lowe haven’t got the praise they deserve this year and I reckon they’ll be too much for the Sharks to handle at home.

WEEK 3

Ben Hunt is vital for Brisbane’s finals hopes.

BRONCOS V STORM

DELL’S VERDICT: Broncos win. The Storm have a good record against the Broncos and Craig Bellamy has a knack for outcoaching Wayne Bennett. I really think the Broncos will lift for Justin Hodges and they’ll get home in a close one.

ROOSTERS V COWBOYS

DELL’S VERDICT: Roosters win. The Roosters are just too good as a team — with or without Mitchell Pearce and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. They’ve got all the momentum at the moment and the Cowboys just don’t have it. Trent Robinson is holding all the aces. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is a freak.

WEEK 4

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and his fancy feet could dance the Roosters to a premiership.

GRAND FINAL

ROOSTERS V BRONCOS

DELL’S VERDICT: Roosters win. Wayne Bennett knows how to win a grand final, but it would take something special for the Broncos to cause an upset over the Roosters. The Chooks have too much depth and they just seem to all be on the same page right now. Nobody seems to know how to beat them. Twelve straight wins is impossible to ignore.