NRL Preview - 2014 Grand Final

After 30 long weeks we're here - it's Grand Final Day. Check out Paul's final preview of the ultimate game of the 2014 NRL Season.

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Ed's note: Today marks Paul's last NRL match preview for LeagueUnlimited.com. We'd like to take the time to thank Paul for his fantastic dedication over the last four years ensuring each and every one of the NRL's 201 matches in each season are fully previewed, and for bringing a bit of humour and fun to the table at the same time. Strike rate aside, the LU team thanks you - and wishes you good luck in the future mate!

So for the last time, here's Paul's preview - of the 2014 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final:

2014 NRL Grand Final

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Sunday 7:20pm at ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park

Sunday's decider is a throwback from the far reaches of history; from the depths of the cavernous halls of NSW Rugby League headquarters on Philip Street; from its oldest archives with the dustiest books that preserve the long forgotten stories of our code. Ladies and gentleman, your 2014 Grand Final. The South Sydney Rabbitohs, since 1908, famous for being treated like mud after so long hailed as the ‘pride of the league' - against the mighty Bulldogs, since 1935, the family club, the dogs of war, the entertainers.

Nothing re-captures the overlooked cultural cradle of rugby league more than our Sydney teams and their rivalries. The Bulldogs and the Eels have it; the Bulldogs and the Dragons have it; the Bulldogs and the Roosters have it. See any trends? More recently, since their resurgence, South Sydney have found an old hatred for Canterbury returning to the surface. Excellent. Not only is this is a traditional Sydney battle, but the fact that they are squaring off in a decider will solidify it as a wonderful rivalry for the next 10 years.

This week, however, there is something very special to play for, more than pride and hatred. Souths have had a magnificent season. They are, statistically, the best defensive unit in the NRL and have the nastiest pack of forwards this side of the 80s. Since losing to the Roosters in round 26, they've shown the maturity of a team that has learnt from two years of September losses. They've saved their best for the finals. A dominant performance to destroy both of last year's Grand Finalists in the past two matches and even without Issac Luke in the squad for the decider, their machine knows no stopping.

The only thing that might stop them is a coach with a game plan that neutralises their size and ruck tactics. I'll let you pick one. Des Hasler? Check. A month ago, Canterbury had no business playing September football. Now, boasting the scalps of Melbourne, Manly and the Panthers, they find themselves 80 minutes away from shocking the world. With an injured captain in Mick Ennis (anyone else get the feeling he is fine?), a hobbled halfback in Trent Hodkinson, an enigmatic five eighth in Josh Reynolds and a makeshift fullback in Sam Perrett, this is gonna be tough.

So, with Souths as heavy favourites, you can bet they'll be clinical, focussed and well directed. We've heard them talk of following their ‘processes' but you can bet Hasler and Jim Dymock have been formulating a plan to mess up this ‘process' and when they do, Souths will need to react wisely. On Sunday night, as opposed to last year, they will. Quality leadership from Sam Burgess, Adam Reynolds and the gift to Redfern that is Greg Inglis will see the Bunnies overcome anything the Bulldogs can throw at them. They should be too strong in the last 15 minutes.

My tip: Rabbitohs 19-12

Clive Churchill Medallist tip: Greg Inglis (Rabbitohs)