The Inside Goss - Coaches tips

National Rugby League coaches not involved in Sunday's grand final between the Roosters and the Bulldogs are split right down the middle on which way it will go.

The other 13 coaches were surveyed to get their tips for the grand final, finding an even split.

Five tipped the Roosters, five went with the Bulldogs and three thought it was too close to call and sat on the fence.

Most of the coaches who tipped the Roosters cited the team's desire to send out retiring skipper Brad Fittler on a high note as their main reason.

Wests Tigers assistant coach Royce Simmons - who captained Penrith in 1991 when Fittler won his first premiership - said the veteran will be fired up for a big one, which should be enough to get them home.

"I'm going the Roosters - defensively they have been the best all year and they are the second best attacking side," Simmons said.

"They'll be very evenly matched and both will play similar tactics.

"Probably a bit of sentiment leans me towards (the Roosters with) Brad Fittler in his last game and I'll be very surprised if he's not the best on the ground and if he is, that'll go a long way towards the Roosters (winning)."

Those who tipped the Bulldogs were mostly conditional on whether injured captain Steve Price played, but they also acknowledged that the blue-and-whites had superb depth.

"With the suspension of (Luke) Ricketson - and the possible omission of (Chris) Flannery with injury, I think the Roosters might do it tough," said Manly coach Des Hasler.

"Also, the Bulldogs bench is just lethal. If the Roosters can force mistakes, they're a chance - but the Bulldogs bench is deadly and that's where I think they'll get them."

Souths coach Arthur Kitinas, a former assistant coach at the Roosters, said his "heart will always say the Roosters because I know lot of people there".

He said the Roosters' narrow 19-16 win over North Queensland in last weekend's preliminary final would do them good.

"There's not too much between the teams but I think they needed that tough workout at the weekend," Kitinas said.

"The Fittler factor will be very important for them and I think Craig Wing will be important for them around the rucks."

And St George Illawarra assistant David Barnhill, who played at the Roosters, said Fittler and Adrian Morley up front would be the key players.

"I think the Roosters will get up only because of Freddie (Fittler) and Adrian Morley," Barnhill said.

"I think Moz (Morley) will keep it tight in the forwards, and the Freddie factor will get them home."

Newcastle coach Michael Hagan, who won a premiership with the Bulldogs in 1988, said his former club would win by four to six points.

"They've been very impressive last two weeks," Hagan said.

"They've got intelligent people in the halves and a great bench. It'll be a great game."

Warriors coach Tony Kemp predicted the kicking game of Dogs halfback Brent Sherwin would be key.

"I just think they've got a little bit more strike power across the field," Kemp said.

"Brent Sherwin's kicking game is outstanding and I think for Sydney the game against the Cowboys might have taken its toll."