Oliver’s 2019 NRL Grand Final Predictions

The NRL Grand Final is two days away and the excitement is building, so it’s time for Serious About Rugby League’s NRL columnist to give his Grand Final predictions.

Grand Final Winner: The Sydney Roosters by 14

Whilst a lot of people are hopping on the Raiders bandwagon, its important to look at the facts, and the facts are that the Raiders on paper are the least likely team to win the premiership since the Bulldogs in 1995.

The Raiders have one player in their side to have played in an NRL Grand Final with a handful of tier one representative players, whilst the majority of the Roosters’ line-up were in last year’s Grand Final winning side, many of whom play for a tier one representative team.

Let’s not forget that the Roosters have already beaten the Raiders twice this year.

Clive Churchill Medalist: Siosuia Taukeiaho

Most people are picking James Tedesco, Luke Keary or Cooper Cronk to win the honour, however recent years will show us that the is always at least one forward that has an amazing game and in 2019, that will be Taukeiaho.

The Raiders will be heavily planning for Jared Warea-Hargreaves, however fail to see the impact Taukeiaho will have.

The forward will have an impact off of the bench and will bully the fatigued Raiders forward pack.