NRL Grand Final Preview: Sydney Roosters

The Sydney Roosters were always expected to play on the last weekend of September, but it didn't always look like they would make it.

Six points behind the league-leaders after nine rounds, questions were being asked of their big-money recruits.

But as the season developed, so did the Roosters. Had it not been for an injury to their million-dollar halfback, the boys from Bondi might have entered Sunday's decider as the favourites.

How Did They Get Here?

The much talked about Roosters attack wasn't performing consistently early on ending four of their first eight games in single-figures.

All the scrutiny was on their high-priced fresh faces. Cooper Cronk could only register one try assist in that time while James Tedesco only crossed the line twice. Between Round 1 and 9, the Chooks managed just 17.7 points per game.

But since then, the Roosters have developed into one of the NRL's best attacks averaging 25 points per game in the 16 games leading into the Grand Final.

Trent Robinson told anybody that would listen that 2018 was all about the process.

That process ended with the minor premiership and a chance to win the big one.

Key Factors and Numbers

Kick Return Metres - Only the Rabbitohs average more than the Roosters' 187 kick return metres per game. Tedesco accumulates the most with 56 of his 186 total running metres per game come following kicks.

However, Blake Ferguson might be the key on Sunday. Adam Reynolds did an outstanding job of kicking away from Ferguson last week with the Roosters winger not recording a single kick return metre. As a result, Ferguson ended with only 163 running metres - his lowest since Round 19 and fourth-fewest of the season. The Chooks are at their best when cracking their season average of 1,569 metres winning 11 of the 14 games they've surpassed the number.

Forced Dropouts - Forcing dropouts to earn repeat sets and build pressure are massively important in close games. With neither team outstanding in the area, whichever side can make the most significant improvement will manufacture a critical advantage.

Cronk is elite in the forced dropout department managing 17 for the season. However, Luke Keary is next on the list with only seven. If Cronk is unavailable, Keary will be under all sorts of pressure at the end of sets - especially if makeshift half, Ryan Matterson, ends up filling in for the 34-year-old.

Sean O'Sullivan is a more natural half, but with only one game under his belt, relying on him to dribble the ball into the in-goal with Billy Slater sniffing around could be a recipe for disaster.

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