Finals Week 3: Storm v Roosters NRL Preliminary Final preview
A final of facts or fairytales
The Melbourne Storm will have history on their side when they host the Sydney Roosters for a place in the 2024 NRL Grand Final on Friday evening.
The two heavyweight sides have dominated September for more than two decades and faced off in the finals five times in the NRL era; the Storm triumphed in the most recent final last year - however the Roosters lead the overall leger, 3-2.
Hoping to become the first team through to the premiership decider by reaping the rewards of resting up last weekend, the Melbourne Storm will be aiming to extend a dominant record over the Roosters having won 10 of the 11 contests held this decade.
Retaining the same squad that overpowered the Sharks 37-10 a fortnight ago, coach Craig Bellamy has enjoyed tremendous success in Preliminary Finals with nine wins from 14 attempts throughout his career.
History shows that 66% of teams have progressed through to the Grand Final after having a week off over the past 25 seasons that the top eight finals system has been in place; that figure rises to 75% in the years since the finals system was revised in 2012.
Captain Harry Grant will make his 100th appearance in first grade on Friday evening; the 26-year-old Queenslander became the first hooker to score a hat-trick in finals football in his last appearance.
Reaching the final four for the first time in five years, the Sydney Roosters will be striving to ensure their departing stars have the chance to go out on their own terms on the first Sunday in October.
Leading from start to finish to overpower the Sea Eagles in a 40-16 Semi Final victory, coach Trent Robinson has named Victor Radley in the starting side after the skilful forward was a late addition to the side that prevailed at Allianz Stadium last Saturday.
The Roosters have struggled historically at AAMI Park with four wins from 13 visits, while coach Robinson holds a 50% record from six Preliminary Finals during his tenure at the club.
Friday night will hold additional significance for Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Luke Keary, Joseph Manu, Sitili Tupouniua and Joseph Sua'alii with the quintet potentially making their final appearances for the Roosters before departing at season's end.
Last meeting: Round 20 2024 - Storm 24 Roosters 8
Who to watch: Shining brightly as the latest in a long line of players to thrive in the Melbourne system, unsung prop Josh King will be out to upstage his more esteemed opponents. Running for the most metres of any front-rower in a finals match this season, the 28-year-old produced a season-best effort in the win over the Sharks with more than 200 running metres and a try-assist at a crucial point in the contest. Standing on the cusp of a feat that would have been unfathomable after waiting over a year to experience his first win in the NRL with Newcastle, look for King to stare down the Roosters pack and refuse to wilt.
Having produced arguably the greatest Clive Churchill Medal-winning performance against the Storm in his prime, Luke Keary will be looking for something similar to ensure his time in the red, white and blue concludes on the biggest stage. Finishing the year as one of only six players to register 20 try-assists in the league, the 32-year-old has kicked three of his six career field goals in matches against the Storm. Eyeing off one last NRL decider before seeing out his career with Catalans, Keary will need to conjure a stellar performance to ensure his time down under lasts one more week.
FAVOURITE: History is on the side of the Storm with the Minor Premiers progressing through to the Grand Final 18 times over the past 26 seasons.
MY TIP: Having been embarrassed in a Preliminary Final last season, the Storm will take that pain and turn it into a performance befitting of a place in the premiership decider. Storm by 16.
