Premiership-winning coach Trent Robinson, who led Sydney Roosters to three successive minor premiership in his first three seasons in the NRL, is favouring a Cronulla and Melbourne grand final.
Robinson's struggling side, who sit in second-last place on the ladder, were defeated 32-20 by the Sharks on Monday night as premiership frontrunners Cronulla claimed their 14th successive win.
The Roosters claimed 12 straight wins last year on their way to first place and Robinson knows what such success looks like.
"I feel like Melbourne and Cronulla are out there on their own at the moment," Robinson said.
"I think North Queensland will pop their head up soon after Origin and possibly Brisbane.
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"Melbourne are probably the best team at the moment on statistics and all that but Cronulla they just know how to win. They just get around the park and they find ways to win.
"There is a huge confidence in their team and a lot of experience and they are riding high. I feel like those two are standing out at the moment.
"Melbourne don't get at much publicity as Cronulla not being in Sydney but they are doing some amazing stuff."
For the first time in four years, the Roosters won't be playing for a spot in the grand final and Robinson will find out soon just how prescient his words might be.
The second last-placed Roosters (3-14), who are enduring their worst season since 1966, face the Storm (14-3) in round 20 in Melbourne on Saturday night and then host the sixth-placed Broncos (10-7) on Thursday week.
