Unfortunately this past weekend's prelim finals were unable to live up to the tremendous and headline creating finals the week before.

The Storm and the Roosters, benefiting from a week off, were just too fresh and ultimately too good for the Sharks and the Bunnies respectively.

Unfortunately all the talk coming out of the games has centered around the availability of both Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater rather than the incredible performances by both sides.

We'll see an in depth Grand Final preview later in the week but for now we look at the final NRL Power Rankings and name an early favourite. Of course there are two HUGE, game-changing decisions yet to be made which can and will change things later in the week.

1. Melbourne Storm (1)

In my very humble, and often wrong opinion,Haha the Storm are favourites heading into Sunday's decider.

Even if Billy Slater is rubbed out this evening at the judiciary, the Storm look to have too much experience and talent for the minor premiers, the Roosters.

Melbourne by all rights were the best side all season. They rested players against the Panthers and handed the Minor Premiership to the tri-colours.

Bellamy will never admit it but the Storm did not play like a side who minded if they finished first or second. Either way they have a home route to the big dance and having the likes of Cam Munster rested up means far more than a trophy most forget about within a month.

The majority of this Storm side have won a premiership ... 12 months ago.

Cameron Smith is the best big game player of this generation. There are rumbles that he may retire if the Storm create history by going back-to-back, but he still plays like a man in his late twenties rather than his thirties.

In my view Billy Slater will be cleared tonight and will line up to help his side deliver back-to-back premierships to the fans wearing purple.

The tackle, at the time, didn't even look a penalty to me, and surely he won't be denied the fairy tale. I don't base that on any affection for player or club but the tackle just wasn't that bad.

Throw in Will Chambers, Munster, Josh Addo-Carr, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jesse Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi and this Storm side is jam packed with international and Origin experience.

Melbourne will enter this game as deserved favourites based on experience and the fact they weren't pushed too hard by the Sharks last Friday night.

The Sharks were brave and fought all night but they didn't bash the Storm as many expected they might.

The Storm's experienced players were too smart and their forwards were too strong for the makeshift Sharks pack.

As it stands, Melbourne are best placed to lift the most important trophy in our game in a little under a week.

BUT ...

2. Sydney Roosters (2)

As much as I have the Storm positioned as favourites, it's by the smallest of margins.

The Roosters will be better placed this weekend than they were against the Bunnies when they welcome back rep prop Dylan Napa and the game's most in form centre in Latrell Mitchell.

The tri-colours managed to hold the Bunnies try-less on Saturday night but with the likes of Munster and Smith looming, the Storm will likely further test the Roosters defensive line.

Mitchell's return will deliver a boost after the Roosters makeshift kickers failed to land a conversion.

Of course most of this week's talk will centre around the availability of superstar number seven Cooper Cronk.

If he is out, the Storm come in with a big margin in the betting regardless of Slater being there or not.

Cronk was the difference in both of the Roosters' finals games this series. He bossed the game against the Sharks and despite carrying one shoulder, directed his side around the park against rivals the Bunnies.

That's not to say the Roosters can't win without him, but it will be much, MUCH more difficult.

No half in the game is better under pressure than Cronk. The 2016 Grand Final aside, can you ever remember Cronk having a quiet game on a big occasion?

Adding to his obvious talent and resume of victories is the fact he knows the Storm better than anyone else in the game.

Mitchell, Luke Keary, Blake Ferguson and co add plenty of strike power regardless of Cronk's status, so this game is wide open either way.

That said, as it stands right now, with Cronk at long odds to play, the Roosters are outsiders.