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Roosters v Storm preview
Sydney Roosters v Melbourne Storm
Allianz Stadium - Friday 7:55pm 
Tantalizing clash between two in form sides promises fireworks.
Sydney town is our destination for this clash between the Minor Premiers the Sydney Roosters and the Melbourne Storm. This match will be full of quality as both these sides are wonderfully gifted all over the park with talented players, however it may come down to defence in who advances to a Preliminary Finals berth and who has to suit up next week in a do or die elimination final.
The Roosters have been the best side in the NRL for the entire season. A mini skid where they lost 4 games in a row in the early part of the season was a worry however the Roosters have well and truly put any doubters to bed with a 12 match winning streak that is currently still alive. Their attack on the back of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Maloney, Michael Jennings and Jake Friend is a joy to watch. The attack is so fluid and has even the most anti Roosters fans starting to applaud when they play. Even without Mitchell Pearce and big bopper Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, the Roosters haven't missed a beat with young half Jackson Hastings showing maturity beyond his years in playing a very composed Half back role in the last few weeks. This clash against the Storm will be a real test as the Storm also have a very capable roster and have a lot of experience in Finals football. The Roosters will need to be on top of their game early as I predict the Storm to throw everything at them in the first 20 minutes to try and catch them off guard and give themsleves a leg up early on in this one.
The Roosters are as per program from Tuesday although rumors are running rife that Mitchell Pearce could be a late inclusion at Half back which would see Hastings move back to the bench and Matagi drop out.
The Storm have had an up and down season which finally looks like it's on the rise. The loss of Billy Slater in the early part of the season really affected the way the Storm played (particularly their attacking structures and those standard block plays that Slater is involved in on the Storm's left hand edge). However as the weeks progressed we have seen how valuable and what a star player Cameron Munster has become. He is a lot more comfortable at the back for the Storm as is chiming in with tries and try assists for fun. They have found a more than capable back up in Munster and will be hoping he can help them on their quest for another Grand Final appearance. Keep any eye on the Storm's defence in this one. They were impenetrable against the Broncos last week and everything the Brisbane side threw at them didn't work. They will employ similar tactics against the Tri Colours on Friday Night and it will be interesting to see if they can hold out the NRL's best attacking team.
The Storm are as per program as named on Tuesday afternoon.
Last meeting: Round 12 2015 - Sydney Roosters 24 Melbourne Storm 2
Roosters got the lollies in the last clash where they out muscled the Storm and defended them out of the game. They have also won 3 of the past 4 games against the Storm. At Allianz Stadium Melbourne have won just 8 games out of 22.
In the only previous Finals match between these two clubs, the Storm won 26-12 at Olympic Park in week 1 of the 1998 Finals Series.
Who to watch: For the Tri Colours, Sam Moa has been integral in picking up the loss of JWH from the forward pack. Moa has had an up and down year with frustrating injuries limiting his season to just 19 games, a lot coming from the bench. His powerful running style and strength in attracting 2-3 defenders is a trademark of his game, add to his his average of 23 tackles a go to go with an average of 89 metres a game and you have a very solid replacement. Moa will need to stand up from the front and take it to the Storm forward pack who have a lot of hard workers and won't be intimidated in this big game.
For the Storm, hooker and captain Cameron Smith is integral to the Storm if they want to win this game. Smith hands down is the best hooker in the game by a long stretch. His passing game out of dummy half is second to none and gets his forward over the advnatge line and sets up good field position for the likes of Cronk, Munster and Koroibete to work their magic inside the opponents red zone. His kicking game in this clash will be very important, especially if they want to take out the massive kick return metres that Roosters Fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Sheck averages 229 metres a game to go along with 12 try assists and 15 line breaks, so look for Smith to kick to the corners and attempt to take Sheck out of the game.
Smith loves these big game, so look for him to have a huge influence.
The favourite: 11 wins on the trot and home field advantage sees the Roosters firm as strong favourites in this hige clash.
My tip: Everything points to a Roosters win in this game: 11 wins in a row, home field advantage, Minor Premiers and dismantling every team that has come before them. However! I can feel a Melbourne win in my waters folks! Call me crazy, neurotic or whatever! The Storm have the experience of Finals footy and think they can topple and surprise the Roosters in this clash. Look for Smith and Cronk to have huge games.
This will be a brilliant game! Storm by 1.
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. James Maloney 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Sam Moa 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Siosiua Taukeiaho
Interchange: 14. Mitchell Aubusson 15. Isaac Liu 16. Kane Evans 17. Suaia Matagi 18. Matt McIlwrick
1. Cameron Munster 2. Marika Koroibete 3. Will Chambers 4. Kurt Mann 5. Matt Duffie 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Tim Glasby 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tohu Harris 13. Ryan Hinchcliffe
Interchange: 14. Kenneath Bromwich 15. Christian Welch 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Jordan McLean
Referees: Ben Cummins, Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Jason Walsh, Nick Beashel; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Ben Galea;