NRL Grand Final 2013: Preview for Sydney Roosters vs. Manly Sea Eagles

For the first time in 41 years, the Sydney Roosters and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles will clash to decide a Premiership title, decades after the latter triumphed in the 1972 NSWRL competition.

After investing heavily in revolutionising their squad and coaching staff over the past year or so, the Roosters head into this matchup as favourites, having won the minor Premiership in the regular season.

If that isn't enough, Trent Robinson's side have already beaten the Sea Eagles on three separate occasions this season, twice in the regular campaign before defeating Geoff Toovey’s men 4-0 three weeks ago in qualifying.

That being said, Manly will still be hopeful of staging an upset over their close Sydney rivals come Sunday’s clash at the ANZ Stadium.

What: Sydney Roosters vs. Manly Sea Eagles

Where: ANZ Stadium, Sydney

When: Sunday, October 6

Time: Kick-off at 6:15 p.m. ADST/9:15 a.m. BST/4:15 a.m. ET

Player To Watch: Sonny Bill Williams

Possibly the player’s last game in National Rugby League, audiences will be watching in anticipation as Sonny Bill Williams looks to live up to the spotlight placed on his head.

According to New Zealand outlet Stuff, Super Rugby’s Chiefs are holding a place for the Sydney Roosters star in the hope that he makes a return to his native New Zealand for the 2014 season.

This term has seen Williams lead from the front foot, maintaining his devil-may-care approach to the sport that many find so entertaining.

Williams already has one NRL Grand Final success to his name. Having won the 2004 edition of the tournament with the Bulldogs, he’s equipped with the experience that is sure to help his side.

Earlier this week, Fox Sports quoted former league great Bob McCarthy saying Williams would have to be targeted in order for the Sea Eagles to come out on top, jesting that it was time for the New Zealander's hair to "get messed up."

As long as the former All Black can continue to find space and offload to those around him as he has done all term, the Roosters will have a far easier time of satisfying their favourites tag.

Key Battle

Frank Paul Nu’uausala vs. Glenn Stewart

Two back-row stars who have played massive parts in the campaigns of their respective clubs, Frank Paul Nu’uausala and Glenn Stewart are likely to cause some sparks when they butt heads on Sunday.

Differing in style, Nu’uausala is likely to take a more head-on approach to matters, looking to cause line breaks and offload, whereas Stewart’s prerogative will centre more around finding the space through technicality.

Both excellent runners of the ball, one can expect to find the pair with ball in hand as often as any others involved in the encounter, smashing their way through the centre in an attempt to open space out wide.

With so much attacking ability on display (the two teams scored more than 1,200 points between them this season), it’s the defensive graft that will count for a lot on Sunday as well.