ODDS VERY MUCH IN FAVOUR OF STORM
The odds are very much in favour of Melbourne Storm going into the NRL grand final against the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night.
Everything is pointing towards the Storm becoming the first club since the Brisbane Broncos in 1992-93 to win back-to-back premierships now that fullback Billy Slater has been cleared by the Judiciary.
The 35-year-old Slater, who will be playing for the last time, is one of the game’s immortals.
He is the second leading try scorer in NRL history and displayed in last week’s preliminary final that he is as effective as ever, by scoring two tries and setting up another.
Slater can be expected to carry that form into the NRL decider despite going through the trauma of the shoulder charge hearing earlier in the week.
Captain Cameron Smith, in the No.9 jumper, is also one of the league’s iconic players and will relish the pressure as will Storm’s No.6 Cameron Munster, who is evolving into an exceptional player.
On the other hand the Roosters will be entering the match with an enormous question mark over half-back Cooper Crook, who suffered a severe left rotator cuff injury in the preliminary final against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Cronk, who ironically played in last year’s Melbourne premiership winning team, has been named on an extended bench in the No.23 jersey.
He appears to be in a lose-lose position if he is put into the match.
For Cronk could suffer further damage to his shoulder, which may become permanent, or he could be well below his best.
Indications are that the Roosters are playing mind games by naming Mitchell Aubusson in the No.7 jumper, usually worn by Cronk.
In a further part of the mind games Sean O’Sullivan, who is a potential replacement for Cronk, has also been named on the bench while another option Ryan Matterson is No.17.
The wash-up of all this will be very interesting but if Cronk does play it will be up to Aubusson and centre Joseph Manu to shield him, which will not be an easy assignment.
Melbourne by 22 points