Sep 29th, 2017

Sep 29th, 2017

The most-anticipated day on the rugby league calendar is finally here. Wide World of Sports' Andrew Johns gives his expert tips and predictions for the 2017 NRL grand final between the Melbourne Storm and North Queensland Cowboys.

Johns said he never expected North Queensland to even make finals footy let alone the grand final

"I didn't give the Cowboys a chance," Johns said in the season's final Footy Tips segment.

"As soon as they lost Matt Scott I thought they'd really struggle to compete. But when they lost Johnathan Thurston I thought they won't make the eight, and absolutely no chance to make the grand final."

Johns said the key to the Cowboys' success has been an improved performance from Jason Taumalolo as well as their star halfback Michael Morgan.

"Taumololo used to go on the back of Scott, who would do all that really tough work, but now Taumalolo's taken it on board to do the go forward and be the strike player," the three-time Dally M Medallist said.

"Michael Morgan, wow, blown away. He's been playing second fiddle for a couple of years, now the no.7 jersey for Queensland is his for the next 10 years. He is world class, been owning the game for the last month."

Despite the impressive run of the Cowboys in the finals, Johns doesn't think the men from the north have enough firepower to walk away with the NRL premiership trophy this weekend.

"I can't see the Storm getting beat, I think the Storm will win," Johns said.

"It could be tight for 55-60 minutes but in the end the Storm's class will show. They've got too many good players, they're too well organised, and we know what sort of coach Bellamy is."

Johns predicted Melbourne to get the job done by 14-20 points with Felise Kaufusi to be the first try-scorer in the grand final. As for who will be the Clive Churchill Medallist?

"I'll go Billy Slater," Johns said. "And I think he'll play on. I think he's still got a few more years left in him, because he's still got his speed."

Watch the 2017 NRL Grand Final live and free on Nine on Saturday 1 October with the day's coverage to commence from 1pm (AEST) and the main event from 7.15pm (AEST)