<p>These two at it again? Yep. It’s the Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters for a spot in the 2024 NRL Grand Final.</p> <p>Such has been the sustained excellence of these two sides over the last decade plus, they refuse to serve up anything but stone-cold classics.</p> <p>With a Grand Final spot on the line, things should be no different come Friday night.</p> <p>To add to the drama, there are no less than five players on the Roosters for whom their next loss will be their last game with the club, so for them it’s more than just one season worth of glory on the line.</p> <p>It takes do-or-die to a whole new level, particularly for players like Kiwi enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, as defeat here will end his 310-game association with the Tri-colours.</p> <p>Can he and his teammates harness the gravity of the situation to spring an almighty upset on the Storm? Or will Melbourne, as expected, get the job done to return to the NRL Grand Final for the first time since 2020?</p> <p>For the latest news, analysis, players to watch, betting tips, odds and more for this clash, check out our Storm vs Roosters predictions and preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Storm vs Roosters Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The tale of the tape in 2024 shows this matchup has been a rather one-sided contest.</p> <p>It’s Melbourne who are up on the scorecard, winning both meetings between these two sides in 2024.</p> <p>In fact, for all their epic encounters it’s usually the Storm who find themselves on the right end of the result. They’ve won seven of their last nine games against the Roosters at AAMI Park and have won 10 of their past 11 total meetings.</p> <p>Will it be a case of that was then and this is now for the Roosters come Friday night? Or will history prove insurmountable? As Irish author James Joyce famously stated in his opus Ulysses “history is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake.”</p> <p>For the Roosters that sentiment certainly rings true here. Which players will be hopefully setting an alarm for the Chooks to ensure they snap out of their Melbourne misery? And which Storm stars will be hoping to maintain the rage against the Bondi Boys? Let’s take a closer look at who is set to shine on Friday night.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Players to Watch</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Jahrome Hughes</h3> <p>Despite boasting the likes of Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Ryan Papenhuyzen in their ranks, the undisputed star of the Melbourne show this year has been halfback Jahrome Huges.</p> <p>The Kiwi international is seen by many and the Dally M Medallist in wait and it’s hard to argue after the season he’s had.</p> <p>Hughes has always had a knack for finding the line with his running game and his nine tries so far this year continues to prove that. However, it’s his creativity with the pill that has impressed most in 2024.</p> <p>To go along with his nine meat pies, Hughes has recorded 26 try and line break assists and 9 forced dropouts in just 21 appearances.</p> <p>He’s also broken the line himself on 19 occasions to prove his dynamic running game is still alive and well.</p>

<h3>James Tedesco</h3> <p>Speaking of running games that are alive and well - hi there, James Tedesco. Playing his 250th game in last week’s elimination final against Manly, the man they call Teddy helped himself to two crucial tries to get his side home.</p> <p>He’ll be hoping for more of the same here and for a man who has clearly hit top form at exactly the right time, a try or two come game day is certainly possible.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Harry Grant</h3> <p>He’s been on the quieter side this season in terms of his usual standards, that was until his side faced the Sharks in week one of the finals.</p> <p>The Queensland and Australian representative rake notched a stunning second stanza hat-trick to confirm his side's participation in this clash.</p> <p>Melbourne fans will be hoping for more of the same from their dynamic no.9 and there will be plenty of peepers on Harry under the bright lights of AAMI Park come Friday.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Victor Radley</h3> <p>He wasn’t supposed to be taking any further part in this season after he injured his shoulder in Round 26 against the Raiders.</p> <p>Despite fracturing his scapula merely a month ago, Radley ran out for the Roosters last week in their do-or-die clash with Manly, with exactly that on his mind – “screw it, it’s do-or-die.”</p> <p>Post-game, that’s what the firebrand lock claimed was his motivation to kit up and the good news for Victor is that it’s also do-or-die this week.</p> <p>Radley didn’t just play last start, he opened the scoring and proved why he is such an asset to this Roosters side. You want people like Victor the Inflictor wearing your badge when it’s all on the line and you can expect him to turn in a gargantuan performance to try and get the Chooks through to the big one.</p>

<h2>Storm vs Roosters Prediction and Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-head prediction</h3> <p>Form and history and the two biggest indicators of future results in Rugby League, so it will come as little surprise to discover the Melbourne Storm are the overwhelming favourites in the H2H market here.</p> <p>In addition to their recent dominance over the Roosters they also have the added advantage of a week off, whereas the Chooks had to come through a bruising encounter with Manly.</p> <p>Add in home ground advantage and the fact that Melbourne have been the team to beat all year, and we can only see this game going one way.</p> <p>No doubt the Roosters will give a good account of themselves to send their departing stars out on a high, but it should be Melbourne who are storming into the big dance.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Melbourne Storm.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Try Scorer Prediction</h3> <p>If the Roosters are to attempt an ambush here, they’ll want to be the first ones on the scoresheet. Awfully fond of leading by example, captain fantastic James Tedesco seems like the man for that kind of job.</p> <p>For those looking to select a Melbourne man in this market, barnstorming winger Will Warbrick has been in fine try scoring touch in the second half of the season.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>James Tedesco or Will Warbrick.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under Prediction</h3> <p>Both Storm vs Roosters games this year have had around the 30-point mark. That’s approximately 15 points shy of the over/under watermark of 45.5.</p> <p>Add in the inevitable grind and tension that comes with finals football and the under total match points looms as the more appealing of the two.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Under total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Storm vs Roosters Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Friday, September 27, 2024.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off:</strong> 7:50pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> AAMI Park, Melbourne.</p>