Four teams remain and an exciting 2018 NRL Grand Final will be set up when two outstanding Preliminary Finals are contested this weekend.
The Melbourne Storm are on the verge of another Grand Final appearance but standing in their way on Friday night will be a battered and bruised Cronulla Sharks, who are sure to play with plenty of spirit regardless.
We’re set for a thrilling contest when the Roosters and Rabbitohs square off on Saturday night, in a game that looks like falling either way.
Friday night will see the first of two outstanding NRL Preliminary Finals take place in Melbourne, but betting suggests that it will be a pretty one-sided affair. The Storm will take their place in this game fresh after a week off, while the Sharks step in off the back of a single-point win over the Panthers.
Melbourne were not as potent through the regular season as they have been in previous campaigns, but they have ultimately accounted for the loss of Cooper Cronk well and they have timed their run of form to absolute perfection again. They will be buoyed on Friday by the return of Will Chambers from injury, while Brody Croft looks likely to retain his position at halfback after a starring performance against Souths. This will be the final game in Melbourne for both Billy Slater and Ryan Hoffman, and they are a club that always rises to the occasion.
Cronulla have not been as threatening since losing Wade Graham for the season a fortnight ago they really did sneak through last weekend’s semi with Penrith. To add further insult to injury, they could very well be without Paul Gallen for this game, who is racing against time to recover from a rotator cuff complaint. Luke Lewis and Josh Dugan are also both under injury clouds and the remaining contingent will really need to step up, if they are any chance of competing.
It’s tough seeing the Sharks replicating their earlier season heroics here but given what is on the line, I think they can finish within a try.
Saturday’s Preliminary Final between the Roosters and Rabbitohs is set to be an outstanding contest and ultimately, would have proven to be a worthy premiership decider. Both clubs have been terrific throughout the 2018 NRL season and will each be confident of gaining passage into next weekend’s decider.
The Roosters steadily built to the task through the early stages of the season, but have arguably been the league’s benchmark since Origin concluded and were fitting minor premiers. Cooper Cronk and James Tedesco have proven to be outstanding signings, while the emergence of players like Victor Radley have been the difference. They will be without Origin centre Latrell Mitchell who is serving a suspension for his crusher tackle on Josh Dugan two weeks ago and Mitch Aubusson looks likely to fill the void on the left side. Dylan Napa is also on the sidelines through suspension.
Despite all of the off-field dramas of the last seven days, the Rabbits mustered a typically tough performance to end the season of a spirited Dragons outfit and will take plenty of benefit into this clash. Greg Inglis was put on report for a crusher tackle but has escaped suspension and the remainder of their full-strength squad are all expected to take part, despite a few niggling injuries. Souths boast an outstanding team across the field and the key to their success this weekend lies with their big, mobile forward pack once more.
Given that the line is only set at 1.5 points, I’d prefer to back Souths to win at their current price ($2.15). This game could legitimately fall either way and I am happy to give Souths another run; I a confident they would be extremely competitive in a Grand Final.