NRL Preliminary Final Preview and Prediction - Sydney Roosters v North Queensland Cowboys @ Allianz Stadium

Sydney Roosters v North Queensland Cowboys @ Allianz Stadium
 
Preview - The Roosters and Cowboys collide in an unexpected Preliminary Final with a place in the Grand Final at stake on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium. The Roosters are back on the Preliminary Final stage after finishing 15th in 2016, after making three straight Preliminary Finals between 2013 and 2015. The Roosters are fresh from a week off, having escaped with a 24-22 victory over the Broncos in an eventful Week 1 finals’ clash at Allianz Stadium. The Roosters dominated the game from the outset and, having led 14-0, looked to be on course for an easy victory. However, like so many games this season, the Roosters invited their opponents back into the games through a lack of discipline and execution and eventually had to rely on a late try to Latrell Mitchell to get them home. The Cowboys will play in their 3rd straight Preliminary Final after causing another huge boilover last week in beating the Eels 24-16 at ANZ Stadium. The Cowboys seemingly limped into the finals in 8th spot, having won just one of their final 6 regular season games. However they have shown everyone just how tough and resilient a side this is under Paul Green over the past two weeks. 
 
History - These sides met just once this season in Round 21 when the Roosters came from behind to win 22-16 at Allianz Stadium. The Cowboys had come into the game as heavy underdogs, but built a 16-6 lead before a late Roosters’ rally saw them steal the points. These sides met last in the second week of the Finals in 2014, when a remarkable game saw the Roosters shoot out to a 30-0 lead before the Cowboys made a huge comeback and managed to level the scores at 30 all. Eventually the Roosters won 31-30, with the Cowboys narrowly missing the biggest come-from-behind win in the 109 year history of the game. 
 
Sydney Roosters’ Scouting Report - The Roosters come into this game in good health with veteran winger Daniel Tupou being cleared of any serious damage to his groin to take his place in the team. Luke Keary suffered an illness early in the week but will be fit to play, with Zane Tetavano returning from that high tackle suspicion he suffered in Round 26 against the Titans. Veteran fullback Michael Gordon has been a really reliable player for the Roosters this year, and he will be looking to win an elusive Premiership after over a decade of good service at three different Clubs. 
 
North Queensland Cowboys’ Scouting Report - The Cowboys suffered more bumps and bruises last week, with both Coen Hess and Antonio Winterstein suffering injuries during the victory over the Eels. Hess has had a huge impact for the Cowboys this year, particularly in the opposition red zone, and has been named on the bench, but will need to get through some training this week. Winger Antonio Winterstein suffered rib damage against the Eels, however is expected to take his place in the side. Michael Morgan has really stamped himself among the elite 10 players in the NRL in the absence of Johnathan Thurston, taking complete ownership of this team, especially with his running and short kicking game. 
 
Verdict - Roosters by 6-14 in a higher scoring game then expected 

I'm starting to look a bit silly tipping against the Cowboys, however it’s hard to see them pulling off another stunning upset in Sydney for the 3rd week running. The difference about coming up against the Roosters, rather than the Sharks and Eels, is the Roosters have strike weapons all over the field, and have a more high quality attack that can test this steely Cowboys’ defence in ways the Sharks and Eels could not. Having said all that, I think this will be the closest Preliminary Final of the two games this weekend and, if the Roosters continue to make silly errors, the Cowboys have the toughness, experience and quality to cause an upset. The Cowboys do not beat themselves and that is something the Roosters are capable of doing, having given up some big leads this season. I just think the Cowboys have invested so much in those energy-sapping wins against the Sharks and Eels, and the week off for the Roosters will see them fresh and ready to rumble. I think this game will be close and intense for 65 minutes, before a couple of late tries to the Roosters send them to the Grand Final next Sunday against Melbourne.