KEY POINTS:
My choice to stand triumphantly on the dais in tonight's NRL grand final is the Melbourne Storm for the mere fact that they have far and away been the most consistent team all season in all facets of play.
That is why they will win.
They exude confidence whenever they take the field, irrespective of who they are playing. There is not an ounce of arrogance in their nature and respect is always shown toward their opposition.
Balance and brilliance best sums up this team and I cannot find a fault in any aspect of their make-up.
Playmakers in young halfback Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith will dictate the fortunes of the Storm with kicking, passing, speed around the ruck area dominant of their respective roles. The duo has found out opposition teams who tire and lose concentration close to the ruck, with high metre gains or clean breaks leading directly to tries.
This pair is vital but if they are not as dominant as expected, the Storm has a default system to engage - and that is the unpredictability and excitement of Greg Inglis. He has been likened to a young Mal Meninga and I can see the similarities and more.
He has a grace about his game compared with the power of Meninga at the same age and should be feared whenever the ball is in hand. Combine him with Billy Slater or Israel Folau and you have 'X' factor in a team which no other can match.
The forward pack brings balance with no star, outside of Smith, in the reckoning for man of the match. Yet they are a pack that works overtime in gaining yardage in both tight and open situations.
Ben Cross, Brett White, Clint Newton, Ryan Hoffman and Dallas Johnson are names that most rugby league supporters in New Zealand wouldn't give a second thought to, but coaches would love such work ethic in every player in his team.
Finishing off movements is vital at top level because you require players to extract the last remaining touch to score a try and Matt King, Steve Turner and Anthony Quinn have such an ability.
There is no panic within this team in the tight games and they are not over-exuberant when the opposition fall apart. They maintain a composure that separates them from the rest, which also typifies their coach Craig Bellamy.
The Manly team love the ugly, combative game and Anthony Watmough will be a key figure in the fortunes of the Sea Eagles' bid.
This team grinds down an opposition and has enough flair and finish in Jamie Lyon, Brett Stewart and Chris Hicks to cause problems.
Yes, this is a good Manly team; their game will disrupt the Storm for only a period of time but not enough to prevent the title heading south of the border for the second time.
Enjoy the occasion as a great spectacle, but it will be defence-orientated with class finally winning through in the Melbourne Storm.
