Round twenty-one selections

Manly Sea Eagles vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – Brookvale Oval

Many are surprised that the Sea Eagles continue to perform on the field despite the off-field dramas, but this team have been battling off-field dramas for years - clearly they are used to it and these things simply don't phase them when they lace up the boots. I expected Brisbane to respond to off-field dramas last weekend and they disappointed. Perhaps the road trip will galvanise them, but if they do it's just another game I'll be getting wrong in season 2014.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 4

Result - Sea Eagles 16 defeated Broncos 4

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers – Friday night – ANZ Stadium

Two team who might be starting to get a little wobbly as we enter the business end of season 2014. The Bulldogs have disappointed in successive rounds but their lineup this weekend is just one prop forward and one centre short of their best seventeen. Peter Wallace is in casualty again and Will Smith steps up for the Men in Black in a playmaking role. Tick Tick Tick Tick Booom! Two of the best packs of forwards confront each other at ANZ on Friday night and this may end up being quite the game of football. After seven away teams won last weekend this could be a strange way to pick a winner, but the Dogs at home.

Verdict – Bulldogs by 2

Result - Panthers 22 defeated Bulldogs 16

Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday afternoon – Remondis Stadium

The Sharks don't win out of turn, but when they do it seems to me that the Knights bob up with a win in the very same round. Clearly the desire to avoid the spoon is strong, and it may be worth keeping an eye on that little kernel of information as we near the finishing line. I have a theory  (that may not stand up to close scrutiny) that the Sharks perform better at night. I think partly because night-time conditions mean their opponents have to play a tighter more controlled style of football, and that style of football is just the way the Sharks like it. So with that I'm tipping the Eels, a team with a style of play suited to daytime conditions like no other. They just have more points in them I think, and it's uncanny how often scoring more points than your opponent wins you the game. Profound is it not? You won't see analysis like that on The Footy Show.

Verdict – Eels by 8

Result - Eels 32 defeated Sharks 12

North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans – Saturday night - 1300SMILES Stadium

If the Cowboys were in the top four they'd nearly be favourites to win the comp this year. Their football in recent weeks (even when they've lost)  has been tremendous, and after successive victories in Sydney you have to start taking notice of them again. Sadly, they're in a battle just to make the eight, but they're finally in the eight, and their points differential should make a world of difference. This game presents an opportunity to improve their differential even further. They win this and they win this well. You can trust me folks, I haven't been wrong all season.

Verdict – Cowboys by 14

Result - Cowboys 28 defeated Titans 8

Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday night – Allianz Stadium

It may be time the check the expiration dates on my various medications, but I'm wondering if the Dragons could sneak into the top eight from here. It would be quite an effort, given they punted the coach not so long ago and asked the guy carrying the water bottle to hold the clipboard for the rest of the season. SBW isn't around this weekend which means the best backrow in the competition is now ummmm....okay it's still the best backrow in the competition. Surely I jag an upset at some stage this year, at which point you can all bask in my greatness. I like what I see from the Dragons, and they'll go close to having half the support in the stands on Saturday night. Widdop plays a blinder, and that under-rated backline gets the Red V over the line. I'll be backing the Red V with the handicap start and taking the $1.90, for what that's worth (hopefully $1.90).

Verdict – Dragons by 4

Result - Roosters 30 defeated Dragons 22

Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors – Sunday afternoon – GIO Stadium

Those Warriors will be pleased they're getting away from that New Zealand winter to spend a beautiful afternoon in balmy Canberra. But don't feel sorry for our Kiwi cousins, feel sorry for The Thinker and Ms Thinker, who are sneaking away from the Thinklings this weekend for some quality time in Tasmania. Have any of you seen the weather in Tasmania at the moment? Sheesh! I hope Ms Thinker lets me keep my socks on. With my perfect round riding on the Raiders last weekend I watched their performance quite closely. Apparently the Raiders were disappointed with themselves on Monday night and with good reason. Some of their options with the ball in hand were simply baffling. Daytime conditions will help some of that razzly dazzly stuff stick, but no-one matches the Warriors when it comes to the razzle dazzle. If both teams are on song this could be the game of the year. Back the overs - this game has a 42-34 scoreline written all over it.

Verdict – Warriors by 8

Result - Warriors 54 defeated Raiders 18

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Barlow Park

If the Sharks win on Saturday afternoon the Knights may just pull out a rabbit on the Rabbits, and 'Rabbits' Warren will be there to tell us all about it. Too may rabbits....in this preview. I'll take the 'home' side, who are looking more and more like a contender.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 10

Result - Rabbitohs 50 defeated Knights 10

Wests Tigers vs Melbourne Storm – Monday night – Campbelltown Stadium

You probably thinking I get a lot of things wrong on this site...and you'd be right. But I may have been right a few weeks ago when I said the Storm were the team most likely to push into the top four. Just before Cooper Cronk broke his arm the Storm were into about $5.50. Then they were out the gate to as much as $31. Oh to have some of that $31 now. Tricky venue for the purple machine, but they are still one of the most professional sides in the comp and they'll do what they have to do.

Verdict – Storm by 10

Result - Storm 28 defeated Tigers 6

Wally Lewis - round twenty-one selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.

  • SEA EAGLES vs Broncos
  • BULLDOGS vs Panthers
  • Sharks vs EELS
  • COWBOYS vs Titans
  • ROOSTERS vs Dragons
  • Raiders vs WARRIORS
  • RABBITOHS vs Knights
  • Tigers vs STORM

Comments

The Joker's picture

Manly by 10
Bulldogs by 8
Sharks by 4
Cowboys by 14
Roosters by 12
Rabbits by 8
Warriors by 10
Tigers by 2

Lady Di-saster's picture

I have, this week, decided all tips on the toss of a coin - and in a near statistical probability it was very nearly a 50/50 split. Anyway, for what it's worth:
Tails - Broncos
Heads - Bulldogs
Tails - Eels
Heads - Cowboys
Tails - Dragons
Heads - Raiders
Tails - Knights
Tails - Storm
Thanks again Thinker - all in good fun. Cheers. Lady Di (lived up to my name last week THAT'S fer sure!!)

The Joker's picture

O dear lady di.. now take all the opposite to those :)

Johnny Ray's picture

Yeah Hey Everybody ! Here are my picks for this round of NRL games:

Michigan State by 10 Points
Bulldogs by 8 Points
Sharks by 6 points
Titans by 2 points
Iron Man by 6 points
Incredible Hulk by 4 points
Rabbitohs by 14 points
Storm by 20 points

That and with only six weeks to go till finals footy what is your ladder prediction ? Dude, who do you pick to make top eight ? Here's mine:

1 Storm
2 Sea Eagles
3 Rabbitohs
4 Bulldogs
5 Cowboys
6 Broncos
7 Roosters
8 Warriors

Awesome. Thanks alot Thinker ! Thanks alot Everybody ! Laters Laters ! ;-D

mark ashford's picture

Wow after last week are we game to state our tips here on this public forum?
Yes of course we are. This is what makes our game so great. There are no certainties in RL so on with the show.
I'm with The Thinker this week except for the Roosters/Dragons.
Manly (at home it's good night Broncs)
Bulldogs ( unbeatable this week)
Eels (no confidence here could go either way)
Cowboys (go JT you good thing)
Roosters (will make up for last week)
Warriors (gotta tip Johnny Ray's Warriors)
Rabbits (won't miss Sutton)
Storm (lookout ...here comes the Storm)
Johnny Ray I can't improve on your top 8 that'll do me mate!
Good luck everybody.

christine forb10's picture

Mark ashford i agree with your tips but i'm still waiting to see what a takes , one thing i do know penrith won't make the 8 .

mark ashford's picture

Hi Christine.
Yes I agree I think Penrith has tasted all the success it's going to get this season. I also think Sharks, Eels and Tigers will struggle.
Just how many games do "superstars" Hayne , Gallen and Farrah actually play for the clubs that pay them the BIG$$$

The Joker's picture

Sharks are better without gallen..they will win this week at home.. and tigers at campletown should get off to a flyer and match the storm for pace.. farrah will have a blinder!

newbie from perth's picture

Hi everyone,

Gee the “wonderful game” never ceases to confound me. Last week had me sitting mumbling to myself in non-coherent jibberish! What the hell happened to the “form”?

Going with my “gut” last week without doing any research didn’t really work for me in my pursuit of the "perfect round" so I seriously thought about putting all my tips for this week into a hat and pulling out 4 at random and then tipping the opposite to those tips just in case the trend continues this week. Had a think and decided not to. I’ve gotta try and get my “perfect round” the old fashioned way I reckon. Having said that, let’s get into this week’s tips.

Manly
Doggies
Eels
Cowboys
Roosters
Warriors
Bunnies
Storm

Johnny Ray - you’ll be happy to see I’ve gone “Peow! Peow!” this week. Carn the Kiwi Power!

I’m very worried about my beloved Chooks getting it done this week. We’ve been dropping off the boil of late and some of our performances confound and confuse me. Would not be surprised at all if those Dragons got up but of course I’m tipping the tri-colours to reign supreme.

Good luck with your tipping this week and good luck to your team as well. Cheers.

a's picture

I have no idea who to go with any games their are a few upsets here

Broncos by 1 Because I hate Manly

Panthers by 2 Again an upset

Eels by 1 I think Eels to win in a thriller here

Cowboys by 6 Because they are my team

Roosters by 2 another thiller here

Raiders by 4 because Warriors have no Shaun Johnson

Rabbitohs by 2 Another hard game to pick

Storm by 8 The wrecking ball of the round

Tipping is impossible this round

RexV's picture

Hey peoples, good luck this week
Manly by 10
Dogs by 8
Eels by 1 in a thriller
GO Cowboys by 16 - welcome back Matt Scott
Roosters by 4
Raiders to finally get a win since they havent seen one in a while by 4
Rabbitohs by 12
Storm by 16

Steel Panther's picture

After last week who'd be a tipster aye. Commiserations on your doughnut Thinker. Just hope you have a good break in Tasmania and a better round this week.

Sea Eagles - Can't get any tougher for Brisbane here.

Bulldogs - Josh Reynolds back. Peter Wallace out.

Sharks - I have no idea why. Maybe it's because I think the Eels are just a one man team.

Cowboys - At home against a team who are doing what they do every season. Start well and fade badly.

Roosters - The Chooks just have to come right surely?

Warriors - Not a confident pick given the Warriors record in the Nation's capital and Shaun Johnson's absence.

Rabbitohs - Can't pick the Knights so that means they'll probably win.

Storm - This will be a tough game for Melbourne but I think their class will prevail.

Good luck everyone and have a great weekend!!

christine forb10's picture

a i'm glad to see your tips are finally in but not so glad to see you took 3 different to me cause i have taken the same as mark ashford , no to be critical of you there mark but it's always a bit easier when the 3 of us tend to agree with our tips, good luck to all this round & let the games begin.

Guru Craig's picture

Hows Tassie boss? The Guru hears its a little windy...

After last weeks epic triumph, 1 from 7 The Guru needs a good round, here we go.

Manly - The Eagles might look a bit odd wearing Para jumpers tonight, AG an Co have their fingers crossed Toovies men forget they are leading the comp and play into their new jersey's in true Para fashion. Broncos would have trouble beating the Eels at Brookie anyways. Manly to get the job done, hopefully not by too much.

Doggies - Penrith are struggling, as they do after their almost customary good start. Ivan has a few injuries and seems short of big game players who know how to finish a season. In the other corner, Des is sailing along pretty well, a few little adjustments and his Dogs will be winning again. Dogs 1-12

Paramatta - The 'G' flipped a coin and the coin said Sharks, bugger that though the Electric Eels were good enough to topple the Titans away and look to be building, not completely sure what it is but something's going on in slippery town. Eels by a try.

Cowboys - NQ are specials at home with the big bopper Scott back. JT is hungry and they cows will win. NQ 13+

Sydney - McGreggor has been feeding the boys BBQ chook all week in preparation for this encounter, lets hope they don't get too hungry on the field. The Guru is backing the under performing Captain America to out score Iron man. Syd 1-12

Canberra - Bit of a roughie, Sorry boys but the Guru doesn't think there will be any Peow! Peow! in the nations capital this week. Ricky has let the Hulk loose to take a Wrecking ball to the men from NZ. Can 13+ and Overs

Souths - Maguire can feel safe, Newcastle have surely run out of things to gee up for. The Bunnies are understrength but look ready. far north Qld gave Redferns finest a win last year, lets hope the Burgess clan avoid Cairns redlight district this time. Sths 13+

Melbourne - This is ripe for an upset, Robbies fibs have landed him in a tough spot and the Tigers #9 will have plenty to prove after his comments over the oppositions #9. The Storm showed us all last week they're not afraid of a profession foul or 10 and while they have the favour of the whistle its hard to get beat. Mel to come home 1-12 after a tight battle.

Johnny Ray's picture

Man, I don't know about you but that Bulldogs V Panthers game has got to be one of single worse refereed games of rugby league that I ever watch ! There were way too many definite tries that didn't get awarded but then that what happens now that they have got rid of benefit of doubt. That's why competition this year is so even and why we are are getting so many upset games. Why leave it to the on field referee to make call on whether it was try or not when that what the off field technology is there for ? It makes no sense ! Bulldogs should of won tonight ! But they didn't because they left it to the referee's to rule on something that they themselves aren't totally sure of ! Dude it makes no sense ! I am really starting to hate what happening's to this game ... :-(

christine forb10's picture

Mark ashford it looks as though we were both wrong about penrith but bulldogs have lost three games in a row now so i won't be tipping them anymore well maybe if they played cronulla , or canberra i will but that what happens with tipping you don't get them all in fact i haven't had a perfect score since 2012. a well done on tipping penrith.

Steel Panther's picture

The refs didn't lose the game last night for the Dogs....Sam Kasiano did. He was woeful to say the least!! With the team the Dogs had out there versus all the injuries Penrith have they should have won easily and we wouldn't have to put the spotlight on the officials.

christine forb10's picture

bulldogs are to blame or last nights loss no one else just bulldogs in fact getting beaten by west tigers a couple of weeks ago has really been a blow to their ego.

a's picture

one thing i do know penrith won't make the 8 you are very wrong their Mark you might as well say Bulldogs wont make the 8

christine forb10's picture

a are you not speaking to me for some reason ? it was me that made the comment to mark ashford about penrith not making the 8 & mark just responded to my post in agreeance that he didn't think they would & yes your right bulldogs won't make the 8 playing the way they have for the last three weeks.

Johnny Ray's picture

Though in issue of fairness, score in Raiders game really should of been 42-18 to Warriors as two tries were obviously off forward passes ! Like I keep saying Ref's are really ruining this game and rules don't help ! Dude :-(

Lady Di-saster's picture

Y'see Joker - flip of the coin and I still got 2 right this w/e!! That's 5 wrong though!!

christine forb10's picture

a thanks for not responding to my ? i know now who i can trust & who i can't .

Rick's picture

At last managed a 7 from 8 this round maybe this season has not gone to pot after all lol

mark ashford's picture

Hi Guys
Agree with a lot of your comments so far re bulldogs game. Kasiano had a shocker and Josh Reynolds kept rushing up out of the line and making himself look silly. He's a playmaker not a forward. Seems like at the dogs the forwards think they're playmakers and vice versa.
Sorry 'a" but I do think Penrith will struggle now with so many injuries.
Still think it's a Manly / Storm grand final.

christine forb10's picture

it doesn't matter who plays manly in the grand final as long as manly win the grand final i win my bet.

a's picture

I hate Manly so I hope they lose

Johnny Ray's picture

They will on Friday A ! Go Christmas Bunnies ! ;-D

christine forb10's picture

a i don't know what i have done to offend you so sorry for whatever it is ive done & lets get past it ok . you don't have to like manly but you have to respect them they are where they are for a reason even if i do think brett stewart is a grub & i piss on him if he was on fire to put him out i still think they can win this comp & i do hedge my bets which will come in time so lets be civil to each other & get on with it ok .

christine forb10's picture

i meant to say i wouldn't piss on him to put him out if he was on firejust to clear that up.

a's picture

I think Cowboys will make the finals

Johnny Ray's picture

Warriors Vs Cowboys. Class of 95' Grand Final ;-D

christine forb10's picture

a do you agree to be civil at least or am i wasting my time , let me know ok ?

christine forb10's picture

Johnny ray i didn't say i was tipping manly this week of course i'm taking souths i'm on the same points as a & mark ashford so i'm not an idiot despite what you might think.

Johnny Ray's picture

Ah yeah Christine. Did I say you're idiot ? No dude I did not. Cool it because anybody should be angry right now is me and The Thinker ! Looking at points table now, I can't believe that we used to be at top of the thing when season first started ! I don't understand it ! What the hell happened to us ? :-(

a's picture

No are not an idiot not like my. Rotherham or jerk

The latest in NRL news