Prep the Barnes/Turner duet on spotify and ensure the beverages are chilled, because the 2019 NRL grand final looks set to be an absolute ball-tearer.

An underdog Raiders side coached by a club legend coming up against the team from Bondi who everyone loves to hate – it’s Mighty Ducks meets Lord of the Rings surely.

In all (some) seriousness though, it is hard not to be swept up in this green machine / underdog wave, especially when markets have priced the Chooks shorter than Ricky Stuart’s temper.

The last time we saw this much lime green getting about at Club 20, the punters were getting change from $2 for their schooners of Powers Bitters whilst listening to the Jets and Crowded House sing about Helping Hands and Distant Suns.

Fair dinkum, if your neighbor had a friend whose aunty bought a pie from a shop even remotely near Canberra, you’ve been out in your Raiders finest for days already.

But I digress, let’s get to the betting board where, well, you’ll see for yourself – it’s fair to say we’ve invested in an upset.

Line/Totals Double

Raiders +9.5 / Over 30.5pts @ 3.30

Raiders +7.5 / Over 32.5pts @ 4.00

The Roosters won twice against the Raiders in 2019 but there was less than six points separating them both times (18-22, 30-24) and in both games the totals cleared 40pts. Yes this is a granny and defense tends to be ascendant but these two sides have too much attacking ability to be held to under three tries each. For the Raiders to be getting a start like this with the team they have, it’s just too tempting not to take and hope for a close, relatively high-scoring game.

Try Scorer Markets

Joseph Manu @ 3.60, 2 Tries @ 22.00

Looks to the NRL lads here like the way through the Raiders is straight between Crocker and Cotric which brings Manu into play. Manu is a freak and loves a big stage. Taking him for 1 and 2 tries in what is our only real ‘Roosters will smash them’ friendly bet.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad @ 4.50, 2 Tries @ 36.00

Like the entire competition this year, the bookies have underestimated how good this kid is. The Raiders love a long range try and the guy who will be there is Hodgson/ Wighton/ Rapana/ Bateman go through the line is CNK. He has serious toe and great power and if the Raiders are to threaten the Roosters line 3-4 times, you can (and we are) bet that CNK will be involved heavily.

Clive Churchill Medal

Joseph Manu @ 41.00

We’re just not touching the short odds about Teddy, Cronk nor Keary. All three are ridiculously short and whilst they will lkely win it should the Roosters prevail, we’d prefer to take a flyer on Manu at over 40-1 on the chance he is the one that bags a double in a close game.

John Bateman @ 21.00

Bateman can fill up a stat sheet like few players which does get noticed come Churchill Medal time especially in close games.That Right edge for the Raiders is their strong side and Bateman will play the full 80.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad @ 31.00

Genuinely believe this kid is good enough to win the Raiders this game. Was in front of daylight coming up the grades in NZ but it took a move to Canberra for it to click in the top flight. The Chooks will target him so he will get those dynamic moments in the game. A meat pie or two in a close game could be all he needs.

Joey Leilua @ 81.00

I know what you’re thinking and sure, a center hasn’t won the Churchill Medal (ever!) and you’ve picked two of them. I hear you, but the price about the playmakers, even Josh Hodgson at 10’s, it’s just too short for our liking. BJ can go beast mode on anyone and in a big final like this, it could easily be he that owns Latrell Mitchell and not the other way around as many expect. Suspect this year’s CCM will need more than 2-3 try assists to their name to win it and in a world where the Raiders win it, Leilua is the hardest-running, most attacking center on the field.

Drop a comment at the bottom of the page (or on Twitter) to tell us where you think the value is this week 👇