NRL Grand Final.

There is more at stake than just a trophy for Billy Slater of Melbourne and Brett Stewart of Manly. Both players have been instrumental in getting their sides to the Grand Final on Sunday and now one must be ranked higher than the other with the best performer getting to wear that Australian jersey in Sydney on 26th October against New Zealand.

Quite often, selectors have chosen the more experienced player at international level, often believing that if they've done it once before then they can do it again. But in this case both players have been inseparable in terms of playing ability. Both can score tries, both can save tries and both have stood out time and time again.

However, the grand final does not rely on one man to win it for a club. It takes seventeen players each pulling their weight. Many seem to be in form at the moment with Matt Orford running the show. The Dally M winner hasn't let anything get in his way all year and is so influential to the Manly side. On top of that, Steve Menzies will say goodbye to the NRL after this game and will join Bradford for 2009. Hes a player who is as experienced as he is quality. Beating the club record, contraversially, for Manly most number of tries scored in a career last season, he will also hold the joint record for the number of apperances at first grade if he walks out onto the pitch on Sunday.

It will be a match that will be brutal, emotional and will provide plenty of drama. And will also give Manly another taste of success after twelve years waiting.