Round twenty selections

Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters – Friday night – Hunter Stadium

As I watched Alex McKinnon wipe away tears last Sunday I thought "there's the high water mark for the #RiseForAlex round right there - Alex can wipe away tears". It wasn't that long ago he had no movement at all below his shoulders. Amid all that emotion and high water coach Wayne Bennett already knew he was leaving the club next season, after (apparently) calling Lachlan Murdoch that morning to convince him he should come back to Brisbane. I honestly don't know what to make of that. Business is business I suppose, and Bennett has every right to try and find a job where his family lives. Given what has happened to McKinnon this year, I am sure Bennett has had some moments of reflection and wondered if he should be spending more time at home helping his own family. I wonder if it partly explains the loss to the Titans. It's all speculation I suppose, but what's a tipping site without speculation? If the Knights didn't know Bennett was leaving last weekend they certainly know now. How do they respond after such a big week? If they drop their eggs they lose by thirty, and even if they lift and play out of their skins the Roosters might still be too good anyway. The safe play is the Chooks, and we'll know after 10 minutes if we have a game of football on our hands.

ps. I hope Darius Boyd is okay.

Verdict – Roosters by 4

Result - Knights 16 defeated Roosters 12

Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

I'm lucky enough to live within spitting distance of Broncos headquarters, so I get to see a fair share of the playing roster and the coaching staff when the cameras aren't in their faces. This team like their coach. He knows the game and he's clearly a decent bloke. I also have no doubt the Broncos have performed better than most expected this season, and their win over the Warriors was, I think, their best all year. Three times this season they've led commandingly only to be run down in the dying minutes - and all those games were at Suncorp. I know if you add enough 'what ifs' you can do anything, but if they hold those leads they're on top of the ladder. They are very close to being a very good football side - and Wayne Bennett knows it. They'll need to be very good to hold their place on the ladder over the next few weeks - they face three top four sides in a row after this game, and their opponent here is virtually a top four side. I say they lift on Friday night, because their coach deserves a win, but the Storm are a team that won't give away two points without a fight. The game of the round.

Verdict – Broncos by 2

Result - Storm 30 defeated Broncos 8

Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday afternoon – Carrington Park

Peter Wallace is back. Paul Gallen is not back. I still don't know where Carrington Park is but as long as the Panthers can find it they'll be winning this.

Verdict – Panthers by 22

Result - Sharks 18 defeated Panthers 16

Gold Coast Titans vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday night - Cbus Super Stadium

Are the Eels on the slide? They've lost four in a row, and conceded 142 points in the process. They say defence is the first thing to fall down once the attitude isn't right. And if there's one place you don't want to be feeling unprofessional it's on a road trip with the lads to the Gold Coast for a Saturday night. The Titans have patched together a backline for this game, but I think their forwards can lay a platform and get them over the line.

Verdict – Titans by 4

Result - Eels 24 defeated Titans 18

Canterbury Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys – Saturday night – ANZ Stadium

The Bulldogs gave us a baffling display last week that few would have seen coming. I'm leaping to the conclusion that Des Hasler has found the 'on' switch during the week and we'll see the real Bulldogs again. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Cowboys form, but winning in Sydney has never been easy. Seeing them do it once was pleasing - seeing them do it twice in two weeks would be miraculous. Bulldogs by 1-12 looks to be a sound betting proposition.

Verdict – Bulldogs by 1

Result - Cowboys 20 defeated Bulldogs 12

New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles – Sunday afternoon – Mt Smart Stadium

The Sea Eagles are on top of the ladder and deserve to be there, but one thing jumped out at me when I looked at the Sea Eagles record this season. The only teams they've beaten away from home are the Sharks and the Dragons. When they've played the better teams on their turf (Roosters, Tigers, Broncos, Storm, Bulldogs) they've been beaten. If I was putting the Warriors in a group I'd put them in with that second group rather than with the Sharks and the Dragons - especially when the Warriors are at home. And when I look at that Warriors interchange (Mateo, Matulino, Rapira, Bukuya) I'm bordering on half-confident. If the Broncos/Storm game doesn't deliver this game probably will.

Verdict – Warriors by 2

Result - Sea Eagles 22 defeated Warriors 12

Wests Tigers vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Sunday afternoon – ANZ Stadium

I can only take the Tigers victory last weekend on face value, and on face value they were freaking fantastic. A repeat of anything like that wins again. Benji plays his old club, and he'd like to beat them. Mind you, his old club are playing Benji, and they'd like to beat him too. Here's hoping the weather is kind because we should have a pretty good crowd at Homebush if conditions play nice. One of those games that just might sneak up on us and deliver one of the best contests all year. Worth watching. Definitely worth watching.

Verdict – Tigers by 4

Result - Dragons 28 defeated Tigers 12

Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Monday night – GIO Stadium

I imagine the bookies will let you have a pretty decent price ($3.40 actually) about the Raiders on Monday night, and there are sillier things you could throw your money at. Those Burgess brothers will be wishing they were back in the north of England where it's nice and warm compared to a night in Canberra. The minimum in Sydney on Monday night is set to about 9 degrees. The minimum in Canberra is likely to be zero. Nine degrees doesn't seem like that much, but it's enough for me to tip this as my upset of the round. Here's hoping.

Verdict – Raiders by 2

Result - Rabbitohs 34 defeated Raiders 18

Wally Lewis - round twenty selections (in bold)

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

  • Knights vs ROOSTERS
  • BRONCOS vs Storm
  • PANTHERS vs Sharks
  • TITANS vs Eels
  • BULLDOGS vs Cowboys
  • Warriors vs SEA EAGLES
  • TIGERS vs Dragons
  • Raiders vs RABBITOHS

Comments

Guru Craig's picture

Roosters – The Newcastle experiment was not a success for Wayne Bennett, the Billion dollar gamble was a loser and now the great man comes home. Wayne is definitely not the flavor of the month, in fact it’s difficult to find anything pro Benny at the moment. How quickly people forget. Newcastle was always going to be a big ask, the culture ingrained in the club is not one of change or latitude, they play how they play and run the joint how its run – badly. Before Bennett the place was run on emotion, as it will be again for the foreseeable future. The Guru does not believe anyone short of perhaps a Johns brother or maybe the Pope, could have made any difference to anything down there, in Wayne’s own words, ‘Let someone else have a go’. It’ll be the Roosters turn come Friday night and The Guru expects a Chicken special. SYD 13+

Broncos – Corey Parker said it perfectly during the week when baited about Bennett’s return, he spoke as a true captain and Bronco, the decision to replace Griffin was made by the board, as a player he is loyal to his coach and his club, he is an employee, albeit a very good one and he has a job to do. Next season he will be loyal to another but for the seven games remaining in 2014, Hook is running the show. The players have vowed to give their best, the test now for Anthony is to pull off the miracle and get to the GF. The first hurdle is facing the Storm about to hit Suncorp. Brisbane have what it takes, just about, to bring AG his swansong. The Guru believes the boys will lift. Bris -1.5

Panthers –The Guru agrees with your assessment boss, Penrith shall out HP the Sharkies who look a bit slow down Conrod and will struggle to get over the mountain with the engine missing a Gallen. Ivan has the Pennies tuned to perfection and confirmed no problem with Forrest’s Elbow. The bloke who coaches The Sharks said his car was a special until its Carney developed a career ending ‘Bubbler’ failure. Penrith to cross the line first, ahead by 13 or more and get the chequered flag.

Titans – The Guru has hummed and hared over this game. Para have fallen away and for a few minutes last week they looked desperate to amend that slide, however they just weren’t good enough, on the night and in general. That’s the problem again this week for Coach Arthur. The Titans have a few blokes that know about winning and a few that know plenty about other things, but the point is, blokes like Bird and Myles give you reliability and drive while the tricky fellas orchestrate the points. This is a tough one tippers, The Guru will back the home side and the Overs market.

Bulldogs – Doggies!!!, yell it out loud, go on have a go, it’s awesome. Now that we’ve got that covered, this game will be a battle, The Guru is not as current as the Boss with weather, but I can picture this game being wet and muddy and going try for try. This round is all about the Coaches, hired and fired, blokes running on Red Bull and fags, nervous systems shattered and dressing rooms cursed. Paul Green is a man looking over his shoulder, the tall shadow has finally left his vision but the night sweats continue. His Cowboys need something, they’ll go close to covering Des’s Dogs this week but that’s not the point, with the roster and ‘The JT’ they should be better. Hasler’s side has probably over achieved recently and that explains last week’s dismal effort, look for improvement from the canines and a near desperate NQ to slog this one out. For reference, if you didn’t use the appropriate ‘Lebanese’ accent when you said ‘Doggies!!!’….for shame, go and do it again properly!

Warriors – Another toughie. Manly are more than capable of winning this by a cricket margin and in the past if they get off to their guaranteed by stripes, favorable start, the home side would fall over. Not so much at the moment though, The NZW are playing decent, a tough loss to Brisbane last week, about as tough as Sam Thaiday in that tackle close to the line, bloody hell! Manly could use a break and NZ is lovely this time of year, let hope they do the right thing. NZ 1-12

Tigers – The revenge of Robbies wrath, was what we saw last week. The Guru felt it, just didn’t tip it. The Stripy Magpies can actually play good fast football and if they ever get some discipline and wisdom, will surprise many upper echelon clubs. The adrenalin should flow into this week for Harry’s boys who at home will be too good for the Dragons.

Rabbitohs – The Guru is torn over this tip, but of the few facts he knows, is that he is behind in the comp and Sths are a better side than Canberra on most days, he just hopes this cold Monday night is one of em. The Rabbit is a cold species animal and British Squirrels shouldn’t be too bothered by it either, he hopes. A couple of Guru facts.

The Joker's picture

Roosters Broncos Panthers Titans Bulldogs Manly Tigers Rabbits

mark ashford's picture

Good morning all here we go again. Love those comments Guru and this week I'm with you all the way.
Sorry Mr Thinker but I can't back a Ricky Stewart coached team and those Burgess boys will think they're back home in the cold.
So it's
Roosters
Broncos
Titans
Dogs
Warriors
Tigers
Rabbits.
Yes Johnny Ray I'm taking your peow peow Warriors over Manly looks like some major sea eagles want to fly the nest could prove the difference.
I for one would like to welcome WB back to the Broncs and to wish Darrius a speedy and complete recovery.
(Sydney media should be ashamed of itself screaming " DARRIUS BOYD TRASHES HOTEL ROOM") come on it was $1500 which included a tv hardly a "trashing".
Good luck to all this weekend.

mark ashford's picture

Sorry tipsters I forgot Panthers over the Sharks

Johnny Ray's picture

Awesome. I am so glad we're back Mark talking about Warriors because ever since I started talking more and more about Broncos last week all I've been getting on sites that I go to on internet are ads for 'My Little Pony' and something about 'Friends Are Magical' instead of standard 'Alcohol Substance Abuse' 'Woman's Refuge' and 'Family Violence' ads that I usually get ! I don't understand it ! Has Google not seen some of Paramatta Supporters that are still out there ? Dude ! Let's get on with this week's tips :

Roosters by 18 points
Storm by 14 points
Panthers by 10 points
Eels by 8 points
Bulldogs by 8 points
Warriors by 2 points
Tigers by 4 points
Rabbitohs by 16 points

Yayness ! Thanks Thinker ! Thank You Everbody ! Go Warriors ! Kiwi Power ! Boom ! Boom ! Pow ! ;-D

The Joker's picture

My new tips.. Roosters Storm Panthers Titans Bulldogs Manly Tigers Rabbits

a's picture

Here are my tips

Roosters by 12 I think Roosters to we a wrecking ball to the Knights

Broncos by 2 I think Broncos to win in a high scoring thriller here

Panthers by 12 I think Panthers to be a wrecking ball to the crap Sharks here

Titans by 4 Do or die for both clubs here the winner stays the loser will find it almost impossible here

Cowboys by 2 here is my upset it is my team I am tipping in you know

Warriors by 4 I hate Manly and I want to see Warriors be a wrecking ball to them even know there are my 2nd worse team I don't think I want to watch this game

West Tigers by 2 I think West Tigers to win in a thriller here

Rabbitohs by 10 even know Raiders won last time I think Rabbitohs will get revenge this time

christine forb10's picture

a i agree with your tips except for cowboys i'm tipping bulldogs & i think the game of the round apart from the obvious will be west tigers / dragons thats the one i'm waiting to see .

christine forb10's picture

I just read a tweet that said todd carney has renegotiated a 1 year contract for 2015 with cronulla sharks for $250 000 as long as he agrees to their terms & gets the help he needs.

Johnny Ray's picture

Seriously Christine ? Cool ! I hope he enjoys Rockhampton ! ;-D

newbie from perth's picture

Hi everyone,

Sorry but a bit late tonight, I’ve been watching the Commonwealth Games on TV. The girls have just finished the Triathlon (England won it and Aussie girl came 5th). Then a bit of swimming and a bit of cycling and I think I’m neglecting my responsibilities here at The Thinker’s wonderful site. OK let’s get into this week’s tips.

Roosters
Storm
Panthers
Titans
Dogs
Manly
Dragons
Rabbits

Going with my “gut” this week and purposely have not done any research whatsoever. Maybe I’ll get that elusive perfect round if I don’t think too hard about the games this week. Stranger things have happened I’m sure.

Had a read of all your comments so far and I’m getting a bit jittery at some of my “gut” tips. Oh well, too late now. Send it! Sorry JR but no Peow! Peow! again this week. Agonised over it for quite a while but good on ya if your boys get it done.

OK people, I’m heading off to watch some more Commonwealth Games now. Maybe I’ll see my work colleague on the telly tonight. She’s judging the weightlifting events. How awesome! The only “celebrity” I know! Anyway, good luck with your tipping this week and good luck to your team as well. Cheers.

Steel Panther's picture

Round 20 and still no perfect round for me. I think this time last season I had at least 3 or 4 under my belt.

Roosters - The team who have let me down the most this season is the Knights. I just can't tip them anymore.

Storm - This is a tough call. The Storm aren't the Storm of old but they are getting desperate if they want to ensure they make the 8 and I'm not entirely convinced the Broncos will be there come finals time.

Panthers - The team that are flying under the radar (or should that be under the mountain).

Titans - One team has a poor home record (Titans have lost their last six at home), the other a poor away record. For me the Eels are a one man team and you need more than one man to win a comp as tough as this.

Bulldogs - Cowboys + away from home = loss

Warriors - Time to stand up for the outfit from NZ. Manly though have won 7 of their last 8 matches against the Warriors. Home track swings me.

Tigers - Do I think the Tigers have a chance of making the 8 - YES. Do I think the Dragons have a chance of making the 8 - NO

Rabbitohs - I cast my thoughts back to Round 13 when the Raiders played the Broncos on a cold Canberra Monday night. I tipped the Raiders and they were heavily beaten.

Have a good weekend everyone and good luck to all!!!

Johnny Ray's picture

Correction : Sharks to beat Panthers. That and just had some mail from my insider into club that NZ Warriors curse continues unabated cause now that Bennett is confirmed to be back next year coaching Broncos guess which team then is going to be first team to face off against them in 2015 ? Go on, guess ! Yeah, you got it ! Dude :-(

a's picture

Knights

christine forb10's picture

a i take it your not changing your tip to knights

Steel Panther's picture

JR I assume you are talking about the Warriors. That has nothing to do with the curse as the Warriors always lose their first game regardless of who they play lol. You have to go back to 2009 for the last time they won their first match. And what a great win for the Knights last night. I don't think I've picked one Knights game correctly this season!!! The Roosters are running really hot and cold right now.

WHALE's picture

Panthers by 22! Almost..

christine forb10's picture

lost 4 from 4 so far , not happy

christine forb10's picture

a well done at least you got 1 , this is the worst round i've ever had in 7 years of tipping , bookies are making a mint.

The Thinker's picture

A special moment in rugby league tonight folks. The Guru is on the Bunnies and The Thinker is on the Raiders. Assuming we don't have an extra time draw one of us picks a perfect zero out of eight for the round.

Make sure you tell your grandkids you were here to watch this great moment in history unfold.

Lady Di-saster's picture

Un-be-lievable!!! I shall be utilising a coin toss moving forward! Very excited for tonight's possible Eurovision nul-point sweep ... now, do I stick with Bunnies or move to Raiders ... anyone?? anyone?? Bueller?? Bueller???

mark ashford's picture

Hi all. Yes a disaster of a weekend. None out of seven so far. Can the Bunnies save me from complete embarrassment?
Well done "a" for picking those Cowboys and others for picking the Storm.
The Broncos looked completely out classed and lost. They have games against Manly Bulldogs Rabbits Panthers Knights and Bulldogs again in the run home. I doubt they'll make the 8 this year.
Manly appear to be the only truly consistent team all year.

Steel Panther's picture

Love your post Thinker. A piece of history in the making indeed. Someone one will be shouting the donuts tonight!! I have never seen a round of underdogs in all my years following the great game.

christine forb10's picture

Thinker i to have not got one right yet this round which is a reason to hang my head in shame but i wonder could we actually be looking at a manly / souths grand final ? & if we are can souths go he distance without getting the wobbles ? just food for thought.

Guru Craig's picture

Thinker, yes it is a bit special isn't it, not too dissimilar to the show CH9 replaced the football with, Friday nights 7.30 movie starring a deranged Badger with a serious grudge against Chickens.

We learned the fat controller desperately needs to update his prescription or perhaps layoff the good stuff while at work, then to cap off the double feature, us folk over the border got to see some type of interpretive dance debacle at Suncorp stadium....couldn't make much sense of that one, what with all the new rules an so on.

However all is not lost, The Guru heard a whisper the NRL refs have been earmarked for an award 'Outstanding fiction' in reality programming. There are several frontrunners but competition for the epic casting call has been fierce a rep didn't say, all our boys are keen as mustard to show the academy they have what it takes to make it big in Fictional reality programming, some are going to great lengths to show they're interpretive range isn't limited by the normal rules, we're proud as punch that our top men refuse to conform and strive to push the boundaries, just wait until September he didn't say.

The Guru might need a special saddle because he's gunna ride those Rabbits all the way.....Go the mighty Bunnies!!!

christine forb10's picture

Guru craig i didn't quite know where you were headed with that one but i do think we might be headed for a manly / souths grand final given the fact bulldogs seam to have fallen off the rails a bit with their last two loses & panthers lost their game & the roosters aren't doing as good this year so you do the maths to me it's looking like a manly / souths grand final so you might want to purchase that saddle.

a's picture

Not a good round at all a few people is going to get 0 right this round

a's picture

How about Johnny Ray for tipping Sharks Mark he should get some credit too

christine forb10's picture

a good to see you finally decided to surface.

Johnny Ray's picture

Thanks A. I also tipped Eels to win on Saturday and should of had your Cowboys to beat Bulldogs because with way your team played against them last weekend it looks like my pre season prediction of Cowboys Vs Roosters grand final looks more than likely ! Let's go Rabbitohs ! ;-D

Guru Craig's picture

It's a balmy night in the nations capital, 8 degrees! I fear the heatwave may have put the mockers on ya there boss, long way to go though

Johnny Ray's picture

Bunnies !!! ;-D

mark ashford's picture

You're right "a" so congratulations to anyone who tipped any winners this round!!
AND congrats to Mr Thinker for a perfect round. Surely you couldn't do that again if you tried.
So with only 6 games to go in the regular season is anyone game to tip the grand finalists?
I'll go Manly -v- Storm
Any takers?

mark ashford's picture

Just looked at your tips Johnny Ray, not only did you tip Storm, Eels and Rabbits but you also got the Rabbits margin right. Well done Mate!!

christine forb10's picture

at least bunnies didn't let me down.

The Thinker's picture

Well what a round. Congratulations to those who did better than me - which is everyone.

Seven away teams won as well, and the only home team that did win was the roughest home team for the round.

Ah rugby league....I've met women that were easier to understand than you.

Johnny Ray's picture

Thanks Mark ! :-)

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