“Don’t change anything” is the message from Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello to his team-mates as he prepares to face the Dragons at ANZ Stadium this Sunday in his fifth NRL Grand Final appearance in 10 years. <br><br> The 30-year-old is well-placed to give advice after playing in four Grand Finals in his first five seasons in the NRL (2000, 2002, 2003, 2004) – and winning one Premiership in 2002. <br><br> “My message is to take in the week; don’t do anything outlandish; don’t change anything; don’t get too nervous,” said Minichiello, who played in his first Grand Final at the age of 20 in his debut NRL season. <br><br> Making a fifth Grand Final is still “pretty satisfying" for Minichiello after not playing in a decider since 2004 and overcoming four injury-interrupted seasons from 2006-09 and a 2009 season that saw the Roosters finish with the wooden spoon. <br><br> And he is still as hungry as ever to taste Premiership success. <br><br> “The more experienced you are you take it in more,” Minichiello said of the Grand Final experience. “When I was younger I thought they came around every couple of years because I was lucky to play in so many early in my career. <br><br> “This year, to get back on top after the season we had in 2009, is satisfying … but we don’t just want to make it, we want to win it. <br><br> “Any grand final appearance is special. I was fortunate to win one early on, but I certainly want another Premiership ring on my finger.” <br><br> Minichiello said that despite talk of “momentum” being with the sixth-placed Roosters as they have knocked off teams ranked 2, 3 and 4 on their way to the Grand Final, the Dragons had been the most consistent team all season. <br><br> “Last time we played them we had the momentum because we had won five straight … and they still beat us,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough challenge.” <br><br> Minichiello said the Roosters rise from the cellar to the penthouse has been due to a number of factors including a team “belief in ourselves” and a group of young players showing the benefit of an NRL season under their belts from 2009. <br><br>
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