As the final dance of the NRL season approaches, two thrilling match-ups are set to determine who will advance to the grand final. The Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters, both modern powerhouses, will battle it out for a spot in the decider, with the Storm looking to secure their fifth grand final appearance in nine years, while the Roosters aim to return after a four-year absence. Meanwhile, the Cronulla Sharks, fresh off breaking their finals drought, face the daunting task of toppling the reigning premiers, the Penrith Panthers, who are chasing a historic fourth consecutive title. With both games promising intense clashes, who will the predictions favour?
Melbourne Storm v Sydney Roosters
Two of the most successful teams in modern rugby league, the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters, face off in a highly anticipated match to decide who progresses to the grand final on October 6. For the Storm, it could mark their fifth grand final in nine years, while the Roosters aim to return to the decider for the first time since their consecutive titles in 2018-19. The teams met in last year's semi-final, with a late Will Warbrick try securing victory for the Storm. Both sides bring strong aerial threats, with the Roosters' Daniel Tupou, Dom Young, and Joey Manu challenging the Storm's backline. The Storm have dominated recent encounters, winning all three matches in 2023, and lead the overall head-to-head 31 to 19. Roosters' Victor Radley, recovering from a fractured shoulder, will aim to boost his team's physicality against the powerful Storm pack. It will be a close game, and I’m tipping the Roosters to win by 4 points.
Penrith Panthers v Cronulla Sharks
After breaking their finals curse by defeating the Cowboys, the Sharks now face the tough challenge of overcoming the defending premiers in their quest for a second premiership. Led by Braydon Trindall, who delivered a standout performance in their 26-18 win, the Sharks have reached their first preliminary final since 2018. Trindall and Nicho Hynes will need to rise to the occasion against the Panthers' formidable halves pairing of Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai. The Panthers, appearing in their fifth consecutive preliminary final, are motivated by the chance to win a fourth straight premiership, with key players Cleary and Scott Sorensen in good form. This will be just the second finals meeting between the two sides, with the Sharks previously winning 21-20 in 2018. However, history is unlikely to repeat itself. I’m tipping the Panthers by 8 points.
As the NRL finals reach their critical stages, the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters clash in what promises to be a nail-biting contest between two of the league's most successful teams. The Roosters will look to defy recent history and edge out a Storm side that has had the upper hand this season. On the other hand, the Cronulla Sharks face an uphill battle against the Penrith Panthers, who are on the brink of making history with a fourth consecutive premiership. Both matches will test the resolve and skill of all teams involved, but if predictions hold, we could see the Roosters winning by a narrow 4-point margin, while the Panthers secure their place in the grand final with an 8-point victory. As the season’s end draws closer, make sure you head into Jersey’s Megastore to get all your 2024 officially licensed supporter gear! Jerseys Megastore, for all things footy!
