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Top 10 Players that will change the Grand Final

Published by
Michael Ehmer

The NRL 2017 Grand Final will see the Melbourne Storm take on the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium.

Each team will rely on their stars to bring them home, and these are the men that could have the biggest impact on the game.

Josh Addo-Carr

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Josh Addo-Carr of the Melbourne Storm runs with the ball during the round eight NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the New Zealand Warriors at AAMI Park on April 25, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Though Suliasi Vunivalu has been the better of the Melbourne Storm wingers throughout the year, Josh Addo-Carr has been in deadly form in the finals, scoring the first try against the Eels and the Broncos. 

His speed out wide will test the Cowboys all game, and if he finds space it will spell trouble for North Queensland.

Lachlan Coote

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 17: Lachlan Coote of the Cowboys passes the ball during the round 15 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the North Queensland Cowbpys at AAMI Park on June 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Lachlan Coote has been key for the Cowboys at the back over the last few years.

In attack, Coote provides options for his halves, but his defensive work is where he really shines. Coote can diffuse even the best of kicks and rarely lets his side down.

If he fires against the Storm he will cause them headaches in both attack and defence.

Cameron Munster

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Cameron Munster of the Storm poses during a Melbourne Storm NRL training session at Gosch's Paddock on September 25, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Cameron Munster showed his big game ability in the State of Origin decider this year.

When he is on song he is one of the most dangerous halves in the game, able to run, ball play or kick depending on the situation. His adaptability makes him unpredictable and often times unstoppable.

If Munster can repeat his State of Origin performance he will trouble the Cowboys for the entire 80 minutes.

Felise Kaufusi

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Felise Kaufusi of the Storm looks on during the round 24 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Melbourne Storm at McDonald Jones Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

Felise Kaufusi has been outstanding for the Storm in 2017 and already has 11 linebreaks due to his terrific running ability.

His hole running has been as good as anyone’s this season and he is turning into one of the most dangerous second rowers in the NRL.

Kyle Feldt

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Kyle Feldt of the Cowboys celebrates winning the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Sydney Roosters and the North Queensland Cowboys at Allianz Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Who could forget Kyle Feldt’s famous grand final try against the Broncos in 2015?

Since his magic moment, Feldt has improved dramatically as a player, and is one of the best finishers in the competition.

He has already come up with crucial tries against the Eels and the Roosters, so the Storm should be worried about giving him any room.

Cooper Cronk

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 02: Cooper Cronk of the Storm looks dejected after the 2016 NRL Grand Final match between the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks and the Melbourne Storm at ANZ Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Cooper Cronk is one of the best halfbacks in the NRL and is a proven big game player.

The Australian halfback has played in more grand finals than any other active player and with his seventh will be the most important to him, as it is his last game for the club.

Cronk was awarded the Clive Churchill medal Storm’s last grand final win in 2012 and no one would be surprised if he won it again.

Jason Taumalolo

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys poses during a North Queensland Cowboys NRL media opportunity at Cowboys HQ on September 25, 2017 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Jason Taumalolo has firmly established himself as one of the best forwards in the game in recent years. 

The powerful forward has run for more metres than any other forward since the NRL’s creation and averages an unbelievable 196m per game.

Taumalolo will look to continue his stellar finals form and will look to provide a platform that will allow the Cowboys to dictate terms. 

Cameron Smith

XXXXX poses after winning the XXXXXX during the 2017 Dally M Awards at The Star on September 27, 2017 in Sydney, Australia.

Cameron Smith has shown that he has not slowed down in 2017, winning the Dally M award and leading the Storm to the minor premiership.

Smith is the best in the NRL at managing a game and his big game experience will be invaluable on the day.

The Cowboys must contain him or the Storm will be in control all game.

Billy Slater

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been digitally altered) Billy Slater of the Storm poses during a Melbourne Storm NRL training session at Gosch's Paddock on September 25, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Many doubted Billy Slater’s return from injury in 2017 would go as well as it has, but after returning to the State of Origin arena and being named the fullback of the year, Slater has proven everyone wrong.

He was awarded the Clive Churchill medal in 2009 and has already won a number of grand finals.

He has the ability to change any game at any moment, as he did against the Broncos, and if he is on song on Sunday he could blow the game wide open.

Michael Morgan

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Michael Morgan of the Cowboys smiles after victory in the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Sydney Roosters and the North Queensland Cowboys at Allianz Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Michael Morgan has been terrific this season, particularly since Jonathan Thurston was injured. Morgan was named the best halfback of 2017 in the Dally M awards, and his form in the finals is the reason the Cowboys have made it as far as they have.

His right side combination with Kane Linnett and Kyle Feldt has been too much for teams to handle.

Easily the best player of this year’s final series, Morgan will be looking to lead the Cowboys to a famous win and is certainly the man to do it.

Published by
Michael Ehmer