Rugby league immortal Andrew Johns has made his bold prediction for the 2025 NRL grand final, tipping the Raiders and Storm to battle it out on October 5th.
Johns praised Ricky Stuart's side after they claimed the minor premiership with a gritty Round 26 win over the Tigers at GIO Stadium.
"He’s done an incredible job. Without doubt he’ll be coach of the year," Johns said on a recent episode of the Sunday Footy Show.
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The Raiders, led by breakout star Ethan Strange, have been the surprise packet of the season, combining a young backline with an experienced pack.
"People are saying the inexperience is a negative. I go the other way. I think the inexperience with the younger players is a real advantage," Johns said.
He believes the carefree approach of Canberra's younger brigade makes them a dangerous opponent in the high-pressure cauldron of finals football.
Fellow panellist Brad Fittler agreed, pointing to the impact of front-rowers Joseph Tapine and Josh Papali'i as crucial to their premiership hopes.
"The beauty of these two blokes [Tapine and Papali’i], they’re not only tough and big and get you forward, but they score tries," Fittler said.
"You can’t be in the game unless you’ve got some big guys in the middle who are selfless.
"If you look at any grand final winning team, they’ve always got the best front-rowers."
The Storm, however, remain Johns' other grand final pick despite a humiliating 40-10 defeat to the Roosters on Friday night.
Melbourne surrendered a 10-nil halftime lead, conceding seven second-half tries in a collapse coach Craig Bellamy labelled as "embarrassing."
It was the Storm's worst ever defensive effort at AAMI Park, overshadowing Bellamy's 600th match in charge of the club.
Yet Johns believes Melbourne's experience, spine talent and proven finals record ensures that they'll still be there on the first Sunday of October.
"I think it’s them and Melbourne in the grand final," Johns said.