Win-win if Dal Santo a free agent

Future ... Nick Dal Santo could become a free agent. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

NORTH Melbourne believes it is closing in on securing St Kilda midfielder Nick Dal Santo, and has not given up hope on Carlton free agent ­Eddie Betts.

The Kangaroos think they are well in front of Essendon in their bid to secure Dal Santo.

And they could get him for nothing if the Saint ­revoked his right to a final year on a contract that has a trigger clause and became a free agent.

With Dal Santo on a hefty wage, the Saints could then be given a first-round pick as compensation.

That would be higher than the pick North would offer for Dal Santo, who turns 30 in February.

The Roos will commit their first-round pick to father-son prospect Luke McDonald, so Dal Santo declaring himself a free agent might advantage all parties.

St Kilda still needs to decide whether to trade Dal Santo or let him go, with the veteran ­expected to meet coach Scott Watters this week.

Target ... Eddie Betts is considering a move to Adelaide or North Melbourne. Source: News Limited

As a club moving into premiership contention, North ticks all the boxes for Dal Santo, who has met and impressed the Roos' leadership group.

Essendon had a brief and informal meeting with Dal Santo but did not offer a full presentation and does not yet have a coach.

The Roos are not in the race for Collingwood's Heath Shaw, or Geelong's Paul Chapman.

Betts still seems likely to join Adelaide, which will offer him a contract that could be as much as $2 million over four years.

He will decide his future after Carlton's best-and-fairest function on Tuesday night at Crown ­casino.

The Roos will not offer Betts as much money but ­believe if he wants to stay in Melbourne, they are the perfect option.

Betts is best friends with North forward Lindsay Thomas and lives in Brunswick, ­minutes from Arden St.

He may decide he needs a fresh start away from Carlton and coach Mick Malthouse, but does not want to move back to Adelaide.

Still, the Crows believe they will get their man, with Carlton resigned to him going.

The salary cap space will help the Blues secure Collingwood's Dale Thomas.

Free agent Betts could consider both North and Adelaide's offers and pick one, with the Blues then having three days to match the offer.

Meanwhile, Collingwood recruiting boss Derek Hine said the compensation the Pies would receive if Thomas left would be a first-round pick ­after their selection at No. 10.

He said the club would not trade Dayne Beams under any circumstances, despite speculation in recent days.

"We have made one offer to Paul (Connors) on behalf of his client (Thomas) and we have the last rights, so we will wait and see how that plays out,'' Hine told the AFL website.

"There is only one indicator in terms of what happened to (Brendon) Goddard last year, and if we got similar compensation if Dale did leave, I am imagining it would be the first-round selection next to our ­selection of 10.''

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Wolfman breaks neck to make final

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MOST players would break their neck to win a grand final.

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David Williams has done both, and, despite the emotional and physical torment of the past three Septembers, he feels blessed ahead of Sunday's decider.

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Williams was the sobering subplot to Manly's 2011 premiership, forced to sit-out the 24-10 victory over New Zealand with a broken neck he suffered in the season's penultimate round.

He fought back to full fitness and was on track to atone last year — until an ACL injury struck on the eve of the finals.

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But this season, with the help of a diet that's seen him abandon alcohol and coffee in favour of raw food, the Sea Eagles winger has finally clawed back to the same stage that he so memorably dominated in 2008.

"I've had black cats pass me, looked in broken mirrors, walked under ladders ... you name it," Williams said.

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"But I still think I'm pretty lucky, given what I've been able to do. To have these injuries and still be playing now, I think that's more good than bad."

In Monday's team photo on Brookvale Oval, Williams was seated next to the stricken Richie Fa'aoso, who is now confined to a brace after breaking his neck on Friday night.

The charismatic flanker can empathise with his team mate all too well.

"I know what he's going through and I know it's not a good thing," Williams said.

"I just hope he can come back as quick as I did.

"But when it's something as serious as a neck injury, it's not about whether you can do this or do that.

"Rugby league plays second fiddle to that."

But for Williams, last year's exile inflicted more pain that missing the 2011 decider.

"More than anything, 2012 was a pain in the arse," he said.

"You sit there and watch the grand final and see all the jubilation they are feeling and you want to be part of that.

"You get back the following year, try and do everything you can to get there, and come up with the same result.

"It was frustrating, so everything I've done this week has been aimed at putting me in the best shape of my career."

Despite the fact he made Australia's 2008 World Cup team, The Wolfman maintains he is in better shape at present.

He credits a raw food diet designed by nutritionist Sea Carolan — the same figure who was last week implicated in reports about Roosters players returning blood tests with elevated hormone levels.

The coverage of Carolan's business infuriated Williams, who has studiously followed the former boxer's regimen for most of the season and also travelled into the city for additional training sessions at a CBD Fitness First.

"Sean is very good at what he does and everything is above board," Williams said.

"Raw food is raw food — it's as simple as that.

"I'll just put it straight — (the reports) are absolute bullshit. He doesn't deserve what he's going through."

Like skipper Jamie Lyon, Williams is yet to formally ink a new deal at Manly. The Daily Telegraph understands the club is still juggling sums under the salary cap, but there is no danger the pair will be playing elsewhere in 2014.

It can also be revealed that Melbourne Storm was keen on signing Williams, although the 27-year-old was coy when asked about Craig Bellamy's interest on Monday.

"Oh really? I didn't know about that ... my manager (George Mimis) must not have told me. He can be a cheeky gremlin sometimes," Williams said.

"Everything is still in the works. Nothing is finalised yet, but I would love to stay. In the end it's up to Manly, I've told them what I want to do."

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Dan the man for Tigers

Tiger ... Daniel Jackson wins his first Jack Dyer Medal. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

DANIEL Jackson's remarkable career turnaround was capped off last night when he won Richmond's prestigious Jack Dyer Medal.

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The much-maligned tagger, who was fighting for his career less than two years ago, claimed the Tigers best and fairest by nine votes from young gun Dustin Martin.

Class ... Daniel Jackson with his partner, Chrissy Kingma. Source: News Limited

Former Port Adelaide defender Troy Chaplin finished third in his first season at Punt Rd while two-time winner Brett Deledio finished fourth.

Captain Trent Cotchin, who polled 19 votes in last week's Brownlow Medal, was another vote away in fifth.

Jackson received a rousing reception at last night's function at Crown Casino with the 27-year-old the oldest first-time winner of the Jack Dyer Medal since Matthew Richardson in 2007.

His 10th season has easily been his best with the 146-game veteran finishing near the top in all the important statistical measures including equal first for inside 50s, first for tackles and second for contested possessions.

He polled consistently through the early rounds and at the half-way mark was in equal second place.

Jackson's best game for the season came in Round 16 against the Gold Coast Suns when he took on Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett and beat him soundly to set up the Tigers victory.

He received a season-high 19 votes for that game in last night's count which was the catalyst for his victory.

Jackson's previous best performance in the best and fairest was second behind Deledio in 2009 but last year he finished outside the top ten.

Martin's second placing came just hours after he ended his contract stand-off with the Tigers, committing for another two years.

The 22-year-old, who finished third in 2011, averaged 24 disposals per game and ranked No.1 at the Tigers for uncontested possessions and No.2 for total disposals.

Chaplin led an impressive defensive unit which were rewarded in the count with Alex Rance finishing sixth and Steven Morris and Bachar Houli also making the top ten.

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Mike's Top 50: Who will be No.1?

WHO will Mike Sheahan crown as the No.1 AFL player of 2013? Get a sneak peek at footy's most famous list tonight.

Gary Ablett was Mike's No.1 before the season and went on to win the Brownlow Medal and AFLPA MVP, so it seems the position is his to lose.

But a late charge from Geelong skipper Joel Selwood, superb seasons from Magpie midfielders Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan and the rise and rise of Bulldog Ryan Griffen mean Ablett won't get it without a fight.

And the tough choices go well beyond No.1.

Where does Jobe Watson rank after possibly the most stressful season ever played by an AFL captain? Do young stars like Chad Wingard and Steven Motlop leap into calculations?

No Tigers or Blues made the All-Australian team - how will they fare in Mike's rankings?

And will Lance Franklin make the cut at all after he turned into a key role player for the premiership-winning Hawks rather than the match-turning superstar of past years.

Find out the answers from 7pm tonight when the first 10 names on Mike's Top 50 list are revealed.

At midnight the players ranked 31-40 will be unveiled, followed by 21-30 at 7pm tomorrow and 11-20 at midnight tomorrow.

On Friday see Mike's top 10 including the coveted No.1 player for 2013, have your say and see our other experts verdict.

Don't miss footy's biggest talking point and the original and the best footy list - Mike's Top 50.

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Lake, Cyril face MRP scrutiny

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HAWTHORN faces the grim prospect of starting its premiership defence next season without Norm Smith medallist Brian Lake and ace forward Cyril Rioli.

The pair will come under AFL match review panel scrutiny on Monday from third quarter incidents in Saturday's Grand Final.

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The AFL last week warned there would be double demerit points imposed for any offence during the showcase game.

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Lake clipped Fremantle forward Michael Walters with the left forearm to the head in a late collision.

And Rioli performed a potentially dangerous chicken-wing tackle when Docker Michael Barlow was pinned to the ground.

While Lake's cocked arm caught Walters only a glancing blow, it sent the Docker spinning to the turf before he recovered to kick a goal.

Walters had taken a chest mark before contact, so Lake can't mount a defence that he was attempting to spoil.Even if the strike was graded as reckless conduct with low impact, it would draw a two-match suspension.

While Rioli earned a holding-the-ball free kick after his one-arm tackle on Barlow, the match review panel is likely to take a dim view of the follow-up action.

The Hawk goalkicker yanked Barlow's right arm behind his back while he pinned the helpless Docker who was lying face down.

Rioli's one-arm tackling technique has previously attracted attention — he pinned Bulldog Ryan Griffen, Saint Jarryn Geary and Blue Rob Warnock this season.

Elbow ... Brian Lake accepts his Norm Smith Medal from Greg Williams. Source: News Limited

Carlton champ Chris Judd served a four-games suspension for a similar action on prone Roo Leigh Adams in round 16 last year.

Fremantle defender Nick Suban will be liable for a misconduct charge too after video caught him clawing Hawk Sam Mitchell's face during a stoppage in the first quarter.

Mitchell said that Suban's thumb was inside his mouth and the Docker could face the charge of making unreasonable and unnecessary contract to the face.

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44-1: every Grand Final player rated

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JON Ralph runs a critical rule over the 44 Grand Final players

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1. Brian Lake
The ultimate reward; the ultimate fairytale. This bloke was shot a few years back, overweight, feuding with teammates and battered by injury. The key defender was clearly the key player.

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2. David Mundy
Set the MCG alight in the third term, obliterating Brad Sewell. Looked set to turn the game by himself. 28 possessions, eight tackles, seven clearances and went at 75 per cent disposal efficiency.

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3. Jack Gunston
Had Normie around his neck at half-time, but just six-second half touches. Still, won this game for Hawthorn before Lake saved it. Tore Zac Dawson a new one.

4. Nathan Fyfe
At one stage only one of his eight kicks was effective. But what a towering figure he was. Three shanked shots at goal; kick two of them and he wins the Norm Smith.

5. Luke Hodge
The 2008 Norm Smith medallist played an identical role with nearly as much impact. Marshalled the troops in defence and treated Zac Clarke (five touches) with disdain. How many times did he thump the ball forward?

6. Ryan Crowley
Not one Norm Smith Medal vote but capped an astonishing year with a take-down of Sam Mitchell. Only eight of Mitchell's 12 touches were effective.

7. Jordan Lewis
Almost went unnoticed at times, but did the hard things so critical in close as Fyfe and Mundy threatened to take the game away. The sleeper of the Grand Final.

AFL Grand Final ... Jack Gunston kicks the opening goal of the game. Source: News Limited

8. Cyril Rioli
Seven tackles, yet he was a constant swarming presence as he harried Fremantle players into mistake after mistake.

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9. Grant Birchall
Took de Boer and Walters and despite their defensive efforts he did as he pleased. Five rebound 50s, a steadying influence and a team-high 26 touches.

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10. Michael Barlow
Butchered it a bit — 48 per cent effectiveness — but that's the heat of finals. Still a huge presence, especially when the Dockers got going in the third term.

11. Josh Gibson
Kept his opponents to just 13 possessions and not a single goal despite 41 minutes on Mayne and 38 on Pavlich.

12. Isaac Smith
Just 18 touches, but the boy from Cootamundra's determination to burst into space typified Hawthorn's risk-reward game plan. Booming goal sealed it for Hawks - and what a celebration.

13. Michael Johnson
The All-Australian set-up merchant played his role to perfection despite some shaky moments. 20 touches at 80 per cent efficiency, eight steadying marks.

14. Ben Stratton
The preliminary final hero kept an array of dangerous opponents including Michael Walters to just one goal in his time on them. Yet another inspired recruiting selection after plucking him from the WAFL.

15. Matthew Pavlich
Tough to mark the Wharfie captain. Kicked three of Fremantle's eight goals and was inspired in the third term. Yet missed two key shots, and played mostly on the Norm Smith Medallist.

AFL Grand Final ... Matthew Pavlich lead a third-quarter fightback. Source: Getty Images

16. Lance Franklin
This is where the ratings get tough. Just one goal — from a 50m penalty — yet hit every contest with frenzied pace. Loved his tackling intensity. If this is his farewell, he gave his all to the cause.

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17. Jarryd Roughead
Does a quiet first half colour our thinking? Finished with a pair of goals, 20 touches, 12 contested possessions and a key role in this contest. So much better than last year.

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18. Tendai Mzungu
Linked up beautifully with extractors Fyfe and Mundy in the third term, and mostly kept Smith quiet. But arguably beaten on the day.

19. Shaun Burgoyne
Delivers again on the grand stage. Wasn't used in the midfield but his clinical disposal settled the Hawks as he barely missed a target.

20. Aaron Sandilands
A monster haul of 44 hitouts for the Freo giant, yet just one mark around the ground and just two kicks in his 13 disposals. Needed to dominate and couldn't.

21. David Hale
A huge rule in nullifying the effect of Sandilands around the ground. Three contested marks, and did enough to ensure Sandilands wasn't the match-winner Hawthorn feared.

22. Paul Duffield
Under-rated game given he went onto Gunston after half time and kept him goalless.

23. Luke Breust
Stood tall in key moments. A clever left-foot kick to the top of the square set up Gunston early, then he sharked Sandilands' hit-out for the sealer.

Brothers ... Stephen Hill congratulates his brother, Brad, after the game. Source: News Limited

24. Bradley Hill
Darted about with real impact — 15 touches but a goal and two direct assists. A first premiership and so much more to come from this livewire.

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25. Luke McPharlin
Allowed Franklin 14 touches and a goal from 50m penalty in 70 minutes, and also gave up a goal to Gunston. Bad moment when he ignored Pavlich as he streamed to goal, then couldn't make the distance.

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26. Stephen Hill
Like his brother Bradley plenty of run, and enough possessions with 21, but not enough line-breaking.

27. Michael Walters
Kicked two third-term goals as he got among the action, one from a hanger over Birchall. But just 11 touches for the day.

28. Danyle Pearce
Felt the heat — 17 touches, five inside 50s and a goal but also a shanked shot out on the full and went at only 59 per cent efficiency.

29. Brent Guerra
Not his best day given a couple of big turnovers. Just nine touches in a quiet afternoon.

30. Liam Shiels
A game-high nine tackles but the tagger couldn't find it, and allowed Stephen Hill 10 touches in 44 minutes.

31. Brad Sewell
Torched by Mundy in the third quarter and couldn't really find it. Just 13 touches (four ineffective).

32. Sam Mitchell
Ranked him No. 1 in pre-game 44-1 rankings. Clarkson and his teammates were huge in their praise of his selfless game and how it allowed them tactical ascendancy. Still, another Grand Final in which a tagger smashed him.

Battle ... Ryan Crowley put the stoppers on Sam Mitchell. Source: News Limited

33. Max Bailey
What a story for Bailey after three knee recos and missing last year's GF. His only task was to nullify Sandilands around the ground and he did it. Subbed off at three quarter time.

34. Lee Spurr
Kept Rioli to one goal, a solid effort given Cyril looked a game-breaker.

35. Nick Suban
Had 12 midfield opponents and a dozen possessions but no real traction on the big day.

36. Matt de Boer
Yet another Docker who wasn't terrible, just couldn't lift when required. Ho hum.

37. Paul Puopolo
A second quiet Grand Final. Good tackling pressure, but couldn't get involved.

38. Lachie Neale
Came on as the sub, but four minutes into the last term when the game was blown open.

39. Chris Mayne
Did stuff-all except for a long goal to the city end. Opponents were Gibson and Lake.

Shocker ... Zac Dawson sits alone after the Grand Final. Source: News Limited

40. Cameron Sutcliffe
Another illustration of why Hawthorn won — Freo's bottom six were just too quiet.

41. Jonathan Simpkin
Ripper story after being turfed by Sydney and Geelong but wasn't really in the game, finishing with six touches off the sub's bench.

42. Zac Clarke
Zero impact. Trounced by Hodge, subbed at three quarter time.

43. Zac Dawson
Four grand finals, no wins. And this was clearly his worst performance. Twice embarrassingly outbodied by match-winner Gunston for goals, and also gave up two goals on Roughead. A stinker.

44. Hayden Ballantyne
An abomination from the moment he dropped first-term chest mark. Missed shots at goal from 30m and 40m and shanked another on the run, slipped over in the centre. Failed to handle the occasion.

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Cadel crashes out of championships

Cadel Evans crashes out of the world road race championship. Source: Joel Saget / AFP

AUSTRALIA'S former world champion Cadel Evans crashed out of the world road race championships shortly after the halfway mark of the 272.2 km race on Sunday.

Evans was one of several riders to come down near the barriers as the peloton chased down a five-man breakaway in wet and slippery conditions in Florence.

Evans, Australia's first world road race champion in 2009, was part of the main bunch when he crashed alongside teammate David Tanner and several other riders.

Host broadcaster Rai Sport announced the former Tour de France winner had abandoned the race.

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Marquez closes in on GP title

Marc Marquez closes in on MotoGP title. Source: Javier Soriano / AFP

SPANIARD Marc Marquez closed in on the MotoGP world championship in his rookie season with a sixth race victory of the year in the Aragon Grand Prix on Sunday.

The 20-year-old passed reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo with 10 laps remaining to move 39 points ahead of his compatriot with just four races remaining.

Seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi was third as he held off pressure from Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl in a fantastic battle for a place on the podium.

However, it was a disastrous day for Marquez's Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa as he crashed out seconds after he and Marquez touched wheels to all but end his championship hopes.

"I braked as I saw I was touching him (Pedrosa) so I went wide. Maybe I touched a cable of his but I am very disappointed for Dani. It is very bad luck for him because it is very rare that this happens.''

As in many races this season it was Lorenzo who made the fastest start as he leapfrogged Marquez, who had started on pole, to move into the lead.

However, after losing some time as he ran wide in the collision with Pedrosa, Marquez was gaining on Lorenzo all the time and eventually made his move down the inside of the Yamaha rider with 10 laps remaining.

"I made an error as always at the start and that is something I have to improve on for the future races, but I only lost a second so I was able to be aggressive on the tyres and recover.

"It was a very tough race but in the end I'm delighted to get these very important points.''

Lorenzo had pulled himself back into championship contention with back-to-back victories in Britain and San Marino heading into the race, but he admitted that after a shaky start Marquez had simply been the better man on the day.

"There are no excuses, Marc was faster than us and he was better,'' he said.

"I can only congratulate him and look forward to the next race.''

With Marquez comfortably clear at the front, the real battle later in the race was for third, fourth and fifth position as Rossi, Bautista and Bradl continually changed position.

However, it was Rossi's experience that won out as the 34-year-old sealed his fourth podium finish of the season.

"It was a good race for me. I had to fight very hard at the end with Bradl and Bautista, but to be on the podium is always a good result.''

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LIVE: Springboks v Wallabies

JOIN our coverage as the Springboks host the Wallabies in The Rugby Championship clash at Newlands in Cape Town.

The Wallabies are looking to follow up their opening TRC win against Argentina with another victory, but face a tough ask against the Springboks.

Australia hasn't won in Cape Town since 1992, when current coach Ewen McKenzie was part of a side that triumphed 26-3.

LIVE STREAM: Watch the Springboks v Wallabies clash

MATCH CENTRE: Springboks v Wallabies scores, stats, highlights

Join us for our coverage of the Springboks v Wallabies clash with our LIVE BLOG below. Kick off is 1am AEST

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Chooks run riot over weary Knights

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MINOR premiers Sydney Roosters swept aside the week from hell to cut Newcastle open from long-range and qualify for their sixth Grand Final in 13 seasons.

7 Tries 2
Daniel Tupou 31'	Joseph Leilua 66'
Michael Jennings 34'	Joseph Leilua 68'
Aidan Guerra 48'
Michael Jennings 52'
Mitchell Aubusson 57'
Jake Friend 61'
Aidan Guerra 80'
5 Conversions 1
James Maloney 35'	Tyrone Roberts 69'
James Maloney 49'
James Maloney 54'
James Maloney 58'
James Maloney 80'
1 Penalties 2
James Maloney 8'	Tyrone Roberts 26'
	Tyrone Roberts 40'

Despite irregular human growth hormone and testosterone test results being leaked publicly during the week, the Roosters were all business to set-up a Grand Final against arch-rivals Manly.

The Tricolours' big game players all delivered, with Sonny Bill Williams soldiering on through illness, Michael Jennings superb and playmakers Mitchell Pearce, James Maloney and Jake Friend all producing the temperament and creativity required to win finals football.

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"It was a challenging week and it was the players that got us through. We had really good strong management from the club and the players responded really well," Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.

"They knew it was wrong to put those guys on the front page and they supported them quickly. There's a lot of pessimism in our sport when it comes to us older guys about what happens in our game.

"The guys knew what they did, they were happy with what they'd come to and the boys decided to get going on Thursday morning.

"They came in, talked about it and they were the ones that kept pushing it, they were ready to go. The way that those guys played today was impressive."

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For Newcastle, the club's brave run went out the window when Danny Buderus was knocked out and forced off on a medicab in the 18th minute.

Buderus was on the wrong end of a Jared Waerea-Hargreaves elbow that was entirely accidental.

Winger Daniel Tupou produced a massive play to open the second half, making a lightning 55m break from deep in his own territory to set up field position for Aidan Guerra's try.

Knights fullback Darius Boyd was flying through chasing a Tyrone Roberts kick when the ball bounced up and whoever swooped was going to have an opportunity.

If Boyd won it, the Knights probably would have scored. Instead, Tupou produced a brilliant run before Guerra put on a pirouette a couple of plays later for an 18-4 scoreline.

Five minutes later, Jennings cut the Knights open from a standing start 25m out off a Pearce inside ball, putting the Roosters on course for the Grand Final.

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The Roosters started all guns blazing, but through the blue-collar grit that defines the city of Newcastle, the Knights held solid.

Friend scooted out of dummy half and sent captain Anthony Minichiello into open space. He found Pearce, who threw a looping cut-out ball to Guerra before the Knights eventually shut the raid down.

Next up it was Pearce and Maloney combining, only for the five-eighth to be shut down centimetres from the line, with Robbie Rochow and Jeremy Smith denying him.

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Smith couldn't resist giving Maloney a facial, which the video referees deemed unnecessary pressure and the Roosters were awarded a penalty in front of the posts for a 2-0 lead.

The Knights opted for a simple style of one-out forward running, while the Roosters were throwing a combination of brute force mixed with flashes of finesse.

Then came the turning point when Buderus was hurt.

Waerea-Hargreaves ran at the brave Novocastrian, who threw his body into a position few other players would.

Buderus was knocked out for about three minutes and then taken to hospital for precautionary scans.

From that point on, it was going to take a special performance from the Knights to qualify for the Grand Final.

The next big moment came nine minutes before halftime, when the Roosters put back-to-back tries together, to Tupou and Michael Jennings, and power to a 12-2 lead.

Sadly, the Jennings try came off a forward pass, meaning the match officials are bound to come in for more criticism at the most important time of the year in September.

The Tupou try was like something out of a Harlem Globetrotters show reel, with the towering Rooster leaping high above Akuila Uate to pluck a James Maloney cross-field kick out of the air, then gracefully touching down for the first try of the night.

Unfortunately, as slick as the long-range Jennings try three minutes later looked, with the Tricolours cutting the Knights open from long range, there was a forward pass to start it from Sonny Bill Williams to Dylan Napa.

Napa found himself in space before giving it to Pearce, who found Jennings. The centre went on a powerful surge all the way to the line.

But the refereeing bungle will leave another sour taste, especially after the seventh-tackle fiasco of the opening week of the finals.

Roosters captain Anthony Minichiello could hardly wipe the smile off his face about the prospect of playing in a sixth grand final for the club, with the possibility of captaining the Tricolours to a premiership.

"Manly are just a tough team. They don't give in. It's going to be a huge match. We've had some tough games against them this year. Really low scoring games. Defensive games, very physical. So we expect no different," Minichiello said. 

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