In Sydney’s crazy 14-6 win over Melbourne, both Siosiua Taukeiaho and Nelson Asofa-Solomona were sent off just after kick-off, when punches were thrown in the game’s opening exchanges.

Wow factors and moments such as these changed the outcomes of the games, for better or for worse.

And they meant that we will now be seeing a Raiders vs Roosters Grand Final on Sunday evening.

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Here are five key factors and moments that will decide the outcome of the 2019 National Rugby League Grand Final.

1 The opening 15-25 minutes

This is arguably the most important period of the game. Both sides will be setting the tone for the entirety of the match right here. One early try to either side such as Jarrod Croker in the 14th minute or Boyd Cordner in the 15th minute will give them a massive leg up. Or if Canberra or Sydney can’t score after repeated sets inside the opposition’s 20-meter line, it’ll rattle them a fair bit mentally. Players that create offensive magic such as Croker (13 tries, six try assists) or make the hard-nosed defensive plays eg. Victory Radley (35.1 tackles per game) will be under enormous, early pressure to deliver for their teams.

2 The battle between the two ferocious forward-packs

Whitehead, Bateman and Tapine vs Aubusson, Cordner and Radley is one hell of a battle. These are two forward packs that are slightly underrated but will leave it all out on the field. They will give it everything they have. Those three for the Raiders’ last match made 101 combined tackles. For the Roosters it was 74. Both forward packs will be tasked with the massive and crucial responsibility of laying the foundations for their flashier, point-scoring players to get through. There’s not a whole heap of glamorous names in there, but how they perform will be crucial in delivering their side that Premiership.

3 Josh Hodgson’s sheer brilliance

Everyone saw it last Friday night, in front of a packed crowd at GIO Stadium, Hodgson in the second half made two game-changing strips. Those strips, including a one-on-one with Cody Walker, quite literally delivered his side a spot in the Grand Final. The Englishman has been one of the Raiders’ key performers this season. On the year he has 12 try assists, so as well as being brilliant defensively, he also gives Canberra another focal offensive threat. Last match vs South Sydney he made 48 tackles, the most of any Raiders player. He will be a key factor in deciding the outcome of the Grand Final.

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4 The Cooper Cronk factor

He has experience in bucket loads. A total of 374 NRL games and 61 combined representative games (AUS, QLD and All-Stars). He’s won two Dally M Player of the Year awards and is currently aiming for his third Premiership in a row and back-to-back cups with the Roosters. He will be going all out in his final and last game before he retires from the NRL for good. He will steer his side around the park and will deliver in the clutch moments. He, just like Hodgson, will be massive in deciding who takes the title out.

5; Calmness under pressure

Canberra have won nine games this season decided by eight points or less. In their opening finals game vs Melbourne, John Bateman scored the match-winner with just three minutes left on the clock. That same number for Sydney this campaign is seven. Going back earlier this season, a double to Daniel Tupou saw them beat the Raiders, 22-18. His final try helped turn what was a 12-6 deficit into a 22-12 lead. Both sides have shown consistently this year that when the game is on the line, they have what it takes to hold their nerve and claim a decisive and commanding victory.

This game will be tight. It will be fiery. And there will be moments within the match that we’ll be replaying for years and years to come. But one thing for certain is that Grand Finals never disappoint. So, bring it on!!!

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