KEY POINTS:
Only the Storm can beat the Storm. That's my assessment of the NRL grand final tomorrow where a talent-laden Melbourne side face the less flashy and more disciplined Manly.
The Storm might choke and not use those flashy skills. They could think too hard about losing two grand finals in a row, try too hard and drop the ball.
They might be sucked into a grinding forward battle in the middle of the field ending in cross-kick attacks on the goal-line - in the air from Matt Orford and along the ground by Michael Monaghan.
If the Storm play their own game they should win simply because they can score more points.
In their last seven games Melbourne have rattled up 168 points at an average 33 a game while Manly have 118 at an average of 23. The Storm have conceded just 32, Manly 96.
Both sides reported all players still in consideration yesterday and both still have doubtful starters, wing Chris Hicks for Manly and prop Ben Cross for the Storm.
In Sydney, there seems a half-hearted backing of the only city team in the game, perhaps because it's Manly and perhaps because there is no real belief they can win it, bar with the club diehards on the Northern Beaches.
The late sparring ahead of the game at Stadium Australia continued to focus on Melbourne's wrestling tactics in the tackle, with various critics from other clubs wading into the controversy that has bubbled all season. It was revealed this week that the Storm had employed a martial arts expert and former cage wrestler John Donohue to coach players in tactics to slow the play-the-ball.
The danger for the Storm is from Monaghan out of dummy-half in the middle of the field, and their wings and fullback Brett Stewart from the play-the-ball on the flanks and when close to the line.
Former Storm halfback Orford will know where to plug the ball to break up Melbourne's defensive line. But his opposite Cameron Smith is the best hooker in the game this year and that's where their win should start.
If the Storm forwards hold their nerves and hold the ball, denting Manly's line, then Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis should gain the upper hand in the game-running department and from there on it would all be flash from Israel Folau, Matt King and Billy Slater.
Inglis appears a key. If he gets lots of ball and any space the Eagles are in trouble.
Storm captain Smith admitted his team was still haunted by the 15-8 loss to the Broncos in the title game last year but at the grand final breakfast on Thursday the players looked relaxed, nothing like the 2001 Eels who were also minor premiers then choked to drop 24-0 by halftime.
Whatever the outcome, the 2007 season is a big win for Manly part-owner Max Delmege, the local property dealer who bailed the club out of debt in 2002. He put in A$1.5million ($1.8 million) to take control of the club and A$2.6m over three years as sponsorship.
Shares were sold in 2004, Delmege remaining a 50 per cent owner and still sponsoring the club, which is expected to break even this year.
The season's success should encourage an upgrade to Brookvale Oval, more fans and sponsors and a better bottom line.
More team colours were appearing on houses and cars in the Northern Beaches yesterday as the club again wound up the hype, schools encouraging kids to wear team jerseys.
But on The Footy Show at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Thursday night it was clear the Eagles still are just about everyone's favourite team to hate. The MC called for a verbal backing of clubs - Manly were just shaded by the Bulldogs in the booing from others. The Eagles will have plenty of local support but it'll be interesting to see who the wider crowd supports.
The Manly Council finally settled its parade plans only to find all Eagles flags and banners had sold out. They were having their own made yesterday in anticipation of victory.
Sportsbet in Australia had the Storm at $1.46 yesterday, Manly at $2.80, while on the TAB the Storm were $1.47 and Manly $2.65. One punter in Sydney has great faith in the Eagles, lobbing A$200,000 to win $570,000.
The winning team tomorrow takes A$400,000, the loser A$200,000. Manly will give half to the players if they win. Split according to games played, that's an incentive averaging around $11,700 each for the Eagles.
Pre-game entertainment for the 82,500 fans includes the trophy being delivered by Blackhawk helicopter and a Red Berets parachute jump. The band Hoodoo Gurus "bury" their NRL anthem That's My Team, playing it for the last time live. And there's the usual parade of players leaving the game.
One who won't be in the parade is game great Andrew Johns, still feeling the public disgrace of his drug-taking. Johns declined the NRL's invitation to take part but will be in the legends lounge. A beautiful day is predicted with game-time temperature still around 18C so there should be a hard and fast track and no dew.
Perfect conditions for the game that, given the consistent performances of these two teams throughout the year, is the perfect end to the season.
Storm
Billy Slater
Steve Turner
Matt King
Israel Folau
Anthony Quinn
Greg Inglis
Cooper Cronk
Ben Cross
Cameron Smith (c)
Brett White
Clint Newton
Ryan Hoffman
Dallas Johnson
Sea Eagles
Brett Stewart
M Robertson
Steve Bell
Steve Matai
Chris Hicks
Jamie Lyon
Matt Orford (c)
Jason King
M Monaghan
Brent Kite
A Watmough
Glenn Stewart
Luke Williamson
Storm: Jeremy Smith, Matt Geyer, Michael Crocker, Jeff Lima, James Aubusson, Garrett Crossman, Adam Blair, Sika Manu.
Sea Eagles: Travis Burns, Glenn Hall, Mark Bryant, Steve Menzies, Matt Ballin, Jack Afamasaga, Adam Cuthbertson.
