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A look at the key match-ups in Sunday's NRL grand final between Melbourne and Manly at Telstra Stadium.
Billy Slater (Storm) v Brett Stewart (Sea Eagles)
The two flyers at the back can sniff out tries like few others in the game, Stewart having finished the regular season with 19 tries and Slater 15.
Both rely on blistering speed, Stewart often coming from the opposition's blind side to catch the defence napping. Slater loves to lurk around the ruck and feed off the crumbs provided by his forwards and hooker Cameron Smith.
The kicking game for both teams will have to be on song, otherwise these two No.1's will make you pay.
Cooper Cronk (Storm) v Matt Orford (Sea Eagles)
Halfbacks generally decide the outcome of grand finals, so there'll be plenty resting on the performances of these two individuals. Cronk is almost the forgotten man in a Storm backline boasting names like Inglis, Folau, King and Slater, but he is the cog which gets the other parts going.
His halves combination with Inglis is still developing, while he is also capable of some
individual brilliance as evidenced by his solo try against Parramatta on Sunday. Orford has the chance to put his critics to bed on Sunday night, having been maligned in the past for his inability to perform in the big games.
The winner of this one-on-one battle might not only walk away with the premiership trophy, but may also nab the Test No.7 jumper.
Cameron Smith (Storm) v Michael Monaghan (Sea Eagles)
Along with North Queensland star Johnathan Thurston, Smith is arguably the most complete footballer in the NRL at the moment.
He controls the ruck from dummy half but can also step out to first receiver to get the backline going. His kicking game is vital to the Storm, and he is sure to keep the Sea Eagles back three on their toes as he goes in search of some 40-20's.
Monaghan may have been a reluctant hooker at first, but he is now arguably the heart and soul of the Sea Eagles side. He tore the Cowboys defence apart with his incisive runs from dummy half last weekend, and the Storm will need to keep a close eye on him or he'll do the same to them this weekend. Sure to up for a big one in what will be his last game in the maroon and white.
Brett White (Storm) v Brent Kite (Sea Eagles)
NSW teammates earlier this year, these front row juggernauts will be putting friendships on hold on Sunday night. Neither has been at their best through the finals so far, Kite's cause not helped by an abductor injury which saw him miss the opening post-season game against South Sydney.
White was one of the game's best big men earlier this year - his form leading to an Origin debut - but his dumping from the NSW side also seems to have affected his confidence.
A big game against Kite could propel him back into calculations for an Australian Test jumper.
