Once again the season has flashed by and we are at another NRL Grand Final. The fourth placed Melbourne Storm and in their fourth straight Grand Final while eighth placed Parramatta are in their first Grand Final for eight years.
The Eels have done it the hard way defeating the first, second and third placed sides on the way to the Grand Final. As for the Storm, they only had to defeat the fifth and sixth best teams. They also had the benefit of having a week off. Can they win to have their second title in four years?
The Eels are looking for their first title in 23 years. They last won in 1986 which signalled the end of their purple patch. They won three straight titles in 1981-83, lost in 1984 and then won in 1986. The team in those days consisted of the household names of Sterling, Kenny, Price, Grothe, Cronin and Ella. They were a star-studded side and the fans are happy to see that the side is back in the big time.
Of course they were the red-hot favourites in 2001 against the Newcastle Knights and were absolutely hammered. Nathan Hindmarsh, Nathan Cayless and Luke Burt are the only survivors from that side but it isn’t sure that Cayless will take his place due to a hamstring injury.
The bookmakers aren’t sure what to make of the game. The Storm are the favourite as far as NRL betting goes but the Eels are riding a huge crest and who knows how far it will take them? They have been written off in each of their three previous finals and dominated all three.
For the Eels, superstar and Dally M Player of the year, Jarryd Hayne is going to be the key. He is an excitement machine and is capable of doing anything. Of course the Storm boast several of those players. Billy Slater and Greg Inglis will keep the Eels hands filled and that may open things up for the others such as Cooper Cronk, Steve Turner and Brett Finch.
Ultimately the Storm’ s superior experience at this level and easier lead-up should see them take the title. They still have unfinished business from last year while with the Eels, there is a sense that coming this far is already a huge achievement. They may already have played their Grand Final.
After the conclusion of the NRL season, David Wiseman is looking forward to planning his Melbourne Cup betting.
