PREVIEW: 2016 Intrust Super Premiership Grand Final

Justin Davies takes a look at Sunday's NSWRL Intrust Super Premiership Grand Final between Mounties and Illawarra.

Mounties v Illawarra Cutters Sun September 25 2016, 4:15pm at Pirtek Stadium

The Intrust Super Premiership decider rounds off the NSWRL Grand Final day and possibly could be the tightest clash of the afternoon.

This year's final pits the league's best attack in Mounties (609 points scored) against the best defense in the league Cutters (445 points conceded) which makes for an intriguing contest to close down Parramatta Stadium.

Minor Premiers Mounties hold a slight advantage headed into the Grand Final as they triumphed in the two regular season clashes 50-16 and 22-10 respectively.

Mounties have swept all before them in the Intrust Super Premiership this season with only three losses throughout the season and a mammoth haul of 44 competition points. Sunday represents a wonderful moment for the south west club as they have all three grades into the big dance.

Who to watch - Mounties: They have a litany of NRL talent littered in the side highlighted by the presence of Shaun Fensom and Jeff Lima in the forward pack as they could be easily running out on AAMI Park Saturday night. In the halves, Sam Williams deputized for the Raiders side during the season and brings his experience to a young team.

Added to the grunt up front for Mounties is the electrifying talent in the backline - Brenko Lee featured for the Raiders at times this season and bagged four tries in a comeback victory against the Eels. Former Cowboys u20s fullback Zac Santo is safe at the back but can break off a big run at any time.

For Illawarra, making it to the Grand Final is the culmination of their hard work over the last season after missing the finals in 2015 which led to the appointment of Jason Demetriou who guided them to second place.

Who to watch - Cutters: Much like the Mounties, Illawarra are well stocked with NRL talent with nine players in their starting thirteen with experience in the top grade. The standout is Josh McCrone moved into the unfamiliar role of hooker and livewire winger Kalifa Fai Fai Loa with the most games in NRL.

Their experience is supplemented well with some exciting talent coming through the system - Levi Dodd from Canterbury and centre Taane Milne not to mention forwards Shannon Wakeman and Jacob Host show there is some reason for the Dragons fans to be excited for the future.

2016 meetings: Round 5 - Mounties 50 Cutters 16 at WIN Stadium; Round 11 - Mounties 22 Cutters 10 at Aubrey Keech Reserve

Road to the decider: Mounties - QF: def Newtown 30-12; PF: def Wests Tigers 24-18
Illawarra - QF: def Wests Tigers 32-22; PF: def Newtown 18-10

Where it will be won: The halves. Both teams can score points when required - highlighted by both teams' comeback victories at a rainy Leichhardt Oval last Sunday afternoon. It will be a hot afternoon which makes the kicking game vital if Shaun Nona and Drew Hutchinson can match it with their more experienced opponents, Cutters are in with a chance.

Nonetheless, we are in for a cracking finish to another exciting Intrust Super Premiership season and it feels right to finish off the season with first taking on second for the trophy.

My tip: Mounties by 6

Outcome: The Intrust Super Premiership winners take on the Intrust Super Cup (QLD) Grand Final winners in next weekend's NRL State Championship on NRL Grand Final Day at ANZ Stadium.

1. Zac Santo 2. Alofi Mataele 3. Brenko Lee 4. Brent Naden 5. Eddie Aiono 6. Maurice Kennedy 7. Sam Williams 8. Rhys Kennedy 9. Adam Clydsdale 10. Jeff Lima 11. Jarrad Kennedy 12. Scott Sorenson 13. Shaun Fensom
Interchange: 14. Willie Mataka 15. Glen Buttriss 16. Royce Hunt 17. Sam Duggan 18. Pat Mataele 20. Sonny Bristow

1. Adam Quinlan 2. Kurt Mann 3. Taane Milne 4. Levi Dodd 5. Kalifa Faifai Loa 6. Shaun Nona 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Shannon Wakeman 9. Josh McCrone 10. Damian Sironen 11. Tyrone McCarthy 12. Jacob Host 13. Siliva Havili
Interchange: 14. Sam Coster 15. Jay Gallagher 16. Jack Noble 19. Sam Clune 22. Chris Lewis

Referees: Jon Stone;Sideline Officials: Jimmy Oliveira, Jay Farlow;Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Ben Galea;