NRL Grandfinal 2011 - Footy footy footy's take

It's Grand Final day and coming live from (near) Homebush, footy footy footy have their say on the big one.

We've already seen two outstanding games today with NSWRL minor premiers the Bulldogs overcoming the Vulcans in the last play of the day, and an even more thrilling NYC game as the Cowboys fell astonishingly short in golden point against minor premiers the Auckland Warriors.

So how are the Warriors going to fare in the big one today?

Manly deserve favoritism with great players right through their back-row, halves, centres and fullback. They play hard, direct and have options going to the line with two of the form halves in the comp directing their troops around.

The Warriors are uncompromising up front, relentless off the bench, and have as much creativity in them across the park as anyone.

Like most pundits we're not convinced the Warriors can play well enough for long enough -like they did against the Storm- and are leaning towards the Sea Eagles. But don't put your house on it. Either team can win this depending on who turns up on the day. And that's why we turn on our Televisions every week to watch this great game of ours. There are no prizes for those who aren't willing to earn it.

We'll leave you with a couple of players to watch, stay safe, be happy and GO THE WARRIORS:

Warriors - Kevin Locke

The Warriors aren't short on eye-catching talent, but in a packed field its hard to go past the emerging superstar at the back in Kevin Locke. The New Zealand number one may have made his name with his attacking prowess, but his composure at the back under the high ball and quality kick returns have been just as vital for the Warriors over the back end of 2011. In a blustery decider he can expect a lot of aerial traffic his way - particularly if Manu manages to swallow the first couple of kicks that go in his direction. And if he can hold his own at the back and help keep his team in the game, he has the ability with ball in hand to break the game wide open for the Warriors on the back of the line-bending power of the Warriors prop rotation.

Sea Eagles - Jamie Lyon

He may not be everyone's cup of tea, but Jamie Lyon has done just about everything there is to do in rugby league - and would have got around to the rest if he didn't always have such a packed pig hunting schedule around Kangaroo Tour time. The now four-time NRL grand finalist also has an annoying knack of pulling out the big attacking or defensive plays when the chips are down. He isn't the type of player to single handedly tear a team apart, but when the game is on the line you can bet it will be Lyon coming up with a spectacular on line bomb defusal, a last ditch trysaver or a clever run-jink-flick to set up a try. Alongside Will Hopoate and Glen Stewart, he's the key cog in the Manly right edge which will fancy its chances against Johnson, Brown and Vatuvei. In a close one a little bit of Lyon magic could be the difference.

We'll be back after what is promising to be an entertaining final, gripping, tense and full of surprises.

You've got to love your footy.