Sydney Roosters v Melbourne Storm @ Adelaide Oval

Sydney Roosters v Melbourne Storm @ Adelaide Oval

Preview - We get a Top of the Table blockbuster as the 2nd placed Roosters host the competition leading Storm at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. Both these sides are the 2 favourites to win the competition in 2017, after being highly impressive throughout the first 15 rounds. The Roosters swatted aside the Tigers at their last start, running out comfortable 40-18 victors despite resting Boyd Cordner and having Co-Captain Jake Friend knocked out in the first 5 minutes. The Storm showcased the young talent they have on display in a pulsating 23-22 victory over the Cowboys minus their Origin stars. Nineteen year old halfback Brodie Croft showed that he is a potential superstar of the future, kicking the winning field goal and having a hand in several tries, as fellow youngsters,  Curtis Scott and Ryley Jacks, also had strong games. 

History - Last season the Storm destroyed the Roosters on both occasions winning 46-0 in Sydney before grinding out a 26-10 victory at home later in the season. The Storm have won the past 3 and hold an 18-14 win record against the Roosters overall. 

Sydney Roosters' Scouting Report - The Roosters have named winger Daniel Tupou to return from a leg injury and Captain Jake Friend is fit to play despite being heavily concussed in the Roosters' last game against the Wests Tigers. However their captain Boyd Corder was injured in Origin 2 and will miss a 2nd straight game for the Roosters, with Aidan Guerra retaining his starting spot after his 2-try performance against the Tigers. Blake Ferguson, Mitchell Pearce and  Dylan Napa are all named and expected to back up for this showdown between the top two teams on the ladder. 

Melbourne Storm Scouting Report - With the Storm having the luxury of sitting a full 2 games clear on the top of the table the Club announced on Thursday that its 4 Origin stars in Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Will Chambers would be rested from this game.  Tim Glassby is the only player that played on Wednesday night that is expected to back up for the game. After being outstanding last week, some of the Storms' young guns get another chance to show potentially how good they could be with Curtis Scott named and Brodie Croft both expected to come into the starting side alongside Brandon Smith and Slade Griffin. 

Verdict - Roosters by 6-12

This game has lost some of its lustre given the amount of withdrawals, particularly on the Storm side, however I still expect a decent game. At the start of the year I tipped the Roosters as my Premiers and I have little reason to change my mind, based on the sheer talent in their roster and the way they are playing their football. However, they come up against the deserved Premiership favourites in the Storm here who they would not want to lose to given they are missing their 4 best players.  Both these sides will know in the back of their minds that they are likely to clash again in the finals this season, so will be keen to get a psychological advantage by notching a victory in Adelaide. I'll go for the Roosters in this game as I believe they have the sort of attack that can cause the Storm some problems without some of their superstars.