Coaching legend Roy Masters says fewer penalties in 2019 has benefited the clinical teams rather than the sides that play more ad-lib rugby league.

“The Broncos were predicted to be the team most likely to capitalise on the Annesley revolution,” Masters wrote for The Sydney Morning Herald.

“But Brisbane are 1-4, as are Queensland’s other two NRL teams, the Titans and the Cowboys, both of whom have halves who prefer the playground style.”

“It’s the clinical teams – the Storm, the Roosters – who lead the ladder, ahead of a grand final replay on Good Friday.”

Masters says we should expect a tight finish in this Friday night’s AAMI Park grand final re-match.

“The teams with proven game managers build pressure and are content to win in the final minutes of a match. They are mentally tougher.”

Both the Storm and Roosters are 5-0 to start the year with Cooper Cronk returning to the Victorian capital for the first time as a Rooster.