South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Parramatta Eels - Friday night – ANZ Stadium
Let's point out the fairly obvious to begin with - Greg Inglis won't be playing for the Rabbits and Will Hopoate won't be playing for the Eels. They're preparing for a date on Wednesday night...which is kinda sweet. Less obvious is Issac Luke on the bench, and the Rabbits have a six-man bench. Is the little big man playing or not? Is his face okay after getting accidentally kicked two or three times by the Australian captain (I told you he must be cranky). Beyond those uncertainties this looks like a really compelling game - two massive packs of forwards and some speed out wide. I'm giving the Eels another chance after they almost got there last weekend. The Bunnies are clear favourites and all things being equal they win...but this game reeks of an upset. Back the Eels with the handicap start.
Verdict – Eels by 4
Result - Rabbitohs 14 defeated Eels 12
Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys – Saturday night – Campbelltown Stadium
Farah and Woods step down for the Tigers - Thurston, Scott, Tamou and possibly Morgan step down for the Cowboys. That's a lot of talent to pull out a contest. If Morgan is free to play I actually lean to the Cowboys - it's no fluke that the Cowboys winning run has coincided with his move into the halves. He's been named, and the Cowboys haven't named an extended bench...so i'm playing the cards as I see them. The Tigers are frightfully short favourites, but winning (and losing) are contagious. The Tigers have just one win in the last six weeks and the Cowboys just keep on singing the team song. I need the Cowboys forwards that are available to give their all but I'm hoping the youngsters galvanise on the road trip and pull off a victory to remember. I'll be backing Granville to score the first and/or last try of the night...at big odds.
NOTE: Michael Morgan has replaced Cherry-Evans in the Queensland camp. My tip stands as is...but my argument does not.
Verdict – Cowboys by 1
Result - Cowboys 8 defeated Tigers 0
Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Sunday afternoon – GIO Stadium
Not many sides are unaffected by State of Origin but that is certainly the case for the Raiders. They'll relish the return home and Sunday afternoon football often brings out their best. The Bulldogs are without Hodkinson, Klemmer, Morris and Jackson...and they weren't travelling well to begin with. Just one win since Round Four and that was against the team running last. The Raiders have a nasty habit of losing when people expect them to win, but I'm happy to back them at $1.65 or thereabouts. They just look too good...and I can't believe I'm saying that this season.
Verdict – Raiders by 12
Result - Bulldogs 41 defeated Raiders 34
Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos – Monday night – Hunter Stadium
Remember David Stagg? I bump into him at the local shops from time to time, but I didn't even know he was still on contract. He's lacing on the boots on Monday night, along with a handful of the 'Baby Broncos' as Parker, Boyd, Hodges, Gillett, Thaiday and McGuire step up to State grade. Six Broncos all playing for Queensland on Wednesday night - it's just like the glory days. Fortunately, Wayne Bennett was the coach back then so he has his fair share of experience at getting the kids to step up at this time of year. The other important thing to note is that most of the Broncos spine remains intact. This looks hard though. The Knights are at home and are coming off a win, and that Knights pack just looks too strong for what's left of the Broncos engine room. The Broncos won't relent easily...it's not their way, but I can't see them doing enough to win. A Knights victory by 1-12 looks likely.
Verdict – Knights by 8
Result - Broncos 31 defeated Knights 18
Wally Lewis - round eleven selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.
- RABBITOHS vs Eels
- TIGERS vs Cowboys
- RAIDERS vs Bulldogs
- KNIGHTS vs Broncos
Comments
Submitted by The Joker on
Rabbits
Tigers
Bulldogs
Knights
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hi everyone,
OK, the fixtures card I have here at home tells me only 4 games this weekend before the first SOO next Wednesday. Then only another 4 games Round 14 just before SOO2. Finally, another 4 games just before SOO3. I know I am indeed the “Newbie” but aren’t some teams missing out on playing games? I’m confused.
To make matters even more confusing for me, I notice that some rounds have 7 matches and some only 6 games. Can someone tell me if this is correct? Or have the NRL “messed” around with the fixtures? In the end I don’t suppose it matters all that much. Or does it?
Anyway, another 50/50 effort last week sees me “slip slidin’ away” down the ladder so here’s hoping I can do a bit better this week. Only 4 games to tip on so I might have a chance to get more than 2 games right. OK, let’s get into it…
Rabbits - Both sides seem to be under-achieving so not really sure how this will turn out. The Eels are currently sitting on the bottom and their PD is a woeful minus 56. That’s enough reason for me to go with the Fluffy Ones.
Tigers - Yeah, I know I tipped the Tigers last week and they lost but by all reports, they weren’t really that bad. I see the Cows will be missing a swag-load of guys (through SOO and injuries) compared to the Tigers and maybe this will be the telling factor. No wonder the mob from Leichhardt are favourites. Tigers for me.
Raiders - I’m with the Boss on this one. Summed it up nicely. Raiders too good Sunday.
Knights - Broncos have too many guys MIA so you’d think this would be a no-brainer, especially seeing as it’s at Hunter. Yeah, gotta go the Knights.
OK kids, good luck with your tipping and may your team win by 40 points! Until next week people. Cheers.
P.S. If a cannibal was on death row, could he ask for the last guy that was electrocuted for his last meal? Hmmm…
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Yes Newbie, mighty confusing but all teams play the same number of times - 24 + 2 byes although lots of teams could claim an uneven playing field.
In a week where scheduling should offer the perfect opportunity to have the least impact Origin teams possible, teams like Cowboys, and Bronco's have to play??
You would think that teams like Penrith who haven't been to the liking of selectors for a couple of years, would be a moral to play this week but have not just the bye this week, but also their second bye in another pre-origin week. Is it fair to have their two byes so close together (R11 & R14)? Is it fair that they dont get a chance to play other understrength teams? Feels like the Origin selection snub equates to not allowing us any advantage at this time, but is no advantage an actual disadvantage? I'm sure it would have been quite different I if they'd played Cowboys and Broncos games less Origin players.
My opinion, let Origin players have a few hours leave from camp to play the pre-Origin game. Why not? Too much footy on the body is surely comforted by the $50k players bonus. If players are happy to pocket up to $150k bonus over this period, surely they don't cry it's too much to be asked to play 3 more lousy games for their club?
Submitted by Boothy on
Love reading your insights, Potato head :)
Submitted by Coach Potato on
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Wests Tigers
Canberra Raiders
Brisbane Broncos
Submitted by christine on
Thinker I just want to say thankyou for the use of your website for the last few years it's been my home away from home but it's no longer available to me now so thanks anyway & if a asks please inform him I will not be on the website any more , again thanks everyone it's been great
Submitted by christine on
Thinker one last request can you please keep the tweet feed on for me I do look at them now and then thanks .
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I know that for joe average like me the rigours of being a professional sports man is out of my league. But I agree with Coach, you can only train a set number of hours a day/week before breaking down and you are only asked to play 1 80 minute game a week. I have seen "old" guys like Lockyer back up after origin and absolutely kill it, so why can't these younger men manage the same feat. Also why is there constant discussion about making the season shorter and quite possibly shortening the game time per week? I'll admit that the off season needs to lose a few games unless it is the world cup cycle as everyone deserves time away from both training and the game, to rest, and set up their post career life.
Anyway............................
Eels - Hoping that the BOYS can get over their disappointing loss last week and take the work ethic that got them back into the contest into the game. We have proven we can beat them, and we won't get a better chance. Go the BOYS.
Tigers - I was tipping the Cowboys until Morgan got the hook to the big dance, I'm going with the more set team to get up on the night. Robbie Farah hasn't really been lighting up the world this year so the Tigers may not even miss him.
Bulldogs - More a 50/50 call as I really rate some of the youngsters in these teams. Mbye vs austin should be the pivotal match up but nothing fired for the Raiders last week and James Graham does the go forward thing very well.
Broncos - I have talked myself just a few seconds ago into backing the Broncos, Hunt was the tipping point and the fact that most of the ring in's are fully fledged players in their own right.
Thanks a lot Thinker for getting my tips over the line last week.
Submitted by Footy chick on
Hello Boys
All the home teams for me
Until Wednesday ;-)
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Awesome. Alot byes this weekend because of Origin so that means no Warriors on, so I guess for me only thing I've got left to watch this week cheering on my country, is Miss New Zealand chowing down on burrito in under two minutes : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6IDO1qAdiw which as awesome as that is, isn't that amazing because for anybody out there that has seen extended edition of Lord Of Rings, knows how much us hobbits like to eat : https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot7T7IzY--s ;-D
Yeah ... Let's get on with this week tips ! Good luck everybody :
Rabbitohs : Eels have a poor away record playing at ANZ stadium. Factor in they have poor record playing without Hayne at fullback and you've got to go with Rabbitohs here even if they are playing without their own fullback, Greg Inglis. Rabbitohs by twelve points.
Tigers - Cowboys can't win when Jonathan Thurston isn't playing no matter how pitifully lame West Tigers look lately. West Tigers by ten points.
Bulldogs - Raiders were pathetic last week and have been pathetic all season at home. That's why I'm going with Bulldogs in this one even if they do have number of their core players out cause of origin. Canterbury Bulldogs by eight points.
Knights - Broncos have too many players out to be real threat in this game. Still say it will be close contest with Knights to pull through at end. Knights by four points.
Cool. Thanks alot Thinker. Thanks alot everybody. Laters ! ;-D
Submitted by The Thinker on
Johnny Ray,
I had to stop watching that one...I do like a girl who can eat though.
Here's a promo from William Hill for State of Origin - Game One if anyone is interested in a dabble. This one looks pretty good.
Back either team in the head to head market. If your team is leading at any stage in the game but goes on to lose the match you get your money back. Given that Game One of the series is usually low-scoring and tight that looks pretty tempting. Max refund is $100. First bet only...here's the link for more details:
http://partners.affiliatesunited.com.au/processing/clickthrgh.asp?btag=a...
Submitted by a on
Here are my tips
Rabbitohs by 8 I think Rabbitohs will continue Eels woes
West Tigers by 10 Yes I am tipping aganist my team but hey we are not full strenght
Raiders by 6 I think Radiers will tear up the struggling Bulldogs
Knights by 12 Broncos without 6 orgin players goodbye Broncos
Submitted by a on
And also please do not go Christine you have been great and I will miss you
Submitted by a on
Also Thinker when re you going to put up a orgin page
Submitted by mark ashford on
Christine I'm with "a" stay on the site. I'm sure you enjoy being here so just ignore any comments you don't like.
Coach and Baggy Gee I'm with you. Cut out the byes and just play on. If someone gets injured then blood the young guys for the future. Both States are pretty much even. The whole point of it was proven years ago. By all means keep playing it but not to he detriment of the club fixtures.
Anyway....
Rabbits
Tigers
Raiders
Knights
good luck.....
Submitted by a on
Yes just ignore any comment you don't like the regulars are all nice
Submitted by The Thinker on
a,
I realise some people have the origin game included in their tipping competitions for this round, so with that in mind I think Queensland are absolute rolled-gold specials.
That said, I will put up a preview for the game tomorrow.
Submitted by Declan_S on
I'm with the Footy chick, I'll be going with all the home teams this week as well.
Also I've already utilised that William Hill offer Mr Thinker, I just can't picture NSW scoring first and holding the lead the entire time
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Also forgot to mention Warriors curse has hit again ! Don't know how many of you remember but last year I went on about how if things happen in NRL, they always seem to happen to us ! Cause of chronic salary cap breaches over course of ten years, Storm lose all their competition points and are stripped of their two premiership titles and who plays them that week ? Warriors ! Sharks get docked their competition points last year because of ASADA and who gets to play them that week ? Warriors ! There's Woman in League week round coming up ? Konrad Hurrell teaches his girlfriend how to drive stick ! Now there's another salary cap crisis happening in league with Parramatta Eels and who played them last ? Warriors ! I'm telling you man we are cursed ! I'm telling you if your team is playing us you next you'll want to watch the hell out ! ;-D
Submitted by a on
And also Bulldogs lost 37 pints back in 2002
Submitted by christine on
be interesting to see what happens with foran now
Submitted by Johnnu Boney on
Hey guys this is what I picked for this week.
Rabbitohs by 12- No Inglis but Johnstoin at fullback will have a blinder,
but if Sandow's back, I'll change that to Eels.
Tigers by 6- Tigers in an absolute brilliant game.
Raiders by 20- Raiders to smash Bulldogs here.
Knights by 18- I think Knights will play sooo well against Broncos here with Broncos missin a lot of players from origin.
AND FINALLY... NSW by 8- I think NSW have this one in the bag playing at home. The scoreline will be 24-16.
Good luck to everybody and cheers!
Submitted by Tailspin on
Hey everyone, here are my picks for the short round
Bunnies by 10
Cowboys hopefully by 4, playing for a new record
Raiders by 6
Knights by 10
And of course QLD by 8
Hope you have a great weekend
Submitted by christine on
thinker if you don't want me on your website please say so
Submitted by Shanghai on
Hi all, love this time of year (go the Blues) but it is always tinged with sadness ...... sadness because I will be playing darts on Wednesday night and there is no guarantee it will be on the telly at the club I'm playing at. The other sad thing is that every time I do get lucky and SOO is on at darts, invariably my form suffers due to a gross lack of concentration on my part. Worth the flogging though.
I too have gone with all the home teams.
Good luck to all
Submitted by a on
Of course Thinker wants you we all want you ignore the people who don't okay
Submitted by The Thinker on
Hi Christine,
You are welcome here....just like everyone else.
All the best
The Thinker
Submitted by a on
Thanks Thinker
Submitted by christine on
Thanks Thinker that's all I wanted to hear
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Home teams until Wednesday ?? Oh no! So the Chick is a canetoad too?? Oh well. Game on Chick. Bring it.
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hi everyone,
Just a quickie if I may. Yes, Shanghai might be my brother (yes he really is) but when it comes to SOO we sit on opposite sides of the fence. Newbie has always been a loyal Maroons supporter. Not sure how or why it turned out that way but I’m glad it did.
Unlike Shanghai, Newbie will be lying comfortably on the lounge partaking of a visual and emotional footy feast commonly referred to as SOO. Yeah baby! Looking forward to the Boss’ preview but until then I’ve only 3 things to say…
Queenslander! Queenslander! Queenslander!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Hey Newbie, ever wondered about insect spray? Must be awfully powerful stuff don't you think? Consider that cockroaches are said to survive a nuclear holocaust, yet a quick spray with the 'ol Pee Bo and they are dead almost instantly. Powerful stuff that insect spray.
Makes you wonder what the big deal about nuclear is? Why dont they just invent the insect spray bomb? Seems to work better.
Submitted by a on
I am with newbie than
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Is the NRL now using the dangerous tackle style grading system to judge salary cap breaches? Eg player lifted beyond the horizontal but placed gently down on flat of his back. Slap on the wrist, but all good. Parramatta salary cap breaches including tax evasion ... Ok well Parra still improved from 16th to 10th. No impact on finals series. Slap on the wrist, but all good.
I just wonder how the NRL would have acted if Parra (god help us) had won the premiership as a result?
I wonder how the Gold Coast's endless breaches eg the Prince "castle", went unpunished because it didn't translate to winning games.
I just wonder how the NRL would have reacted if the Sharks were not knocked out of the finals early in 2012, but instead went on to take the title?
As much as I'm not a Storm fan, it makes me think the punishments they received were very much in line with their success. Do no good through the season? No, can't see any link with salary cap or supplement use. Win the premiership? Holy crap, they must have won because of rorting the salary cap, or by taking illegal supplements!!!
Submitted by Eugene on
Taumalolo is back for Cowboys guys, big inclusion. Tigers are pretty average, this game could go either way, hopefully cowboys win this in a tight one!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Key player but no Thurston , no Morgan. Hard to see the streak continuing.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Not to mention Kiwi James Tamou playing for NSW. Hey, Shaun Johnson, want $150k to switch to NSW for a couple of months?
Submitted by a on
I think I will stick with Tigers
Submitted by Steel Panther on
I'm sticking with the masses this week and also taking all the home teams. No doubt there's bound to be an upset somewhere. There always is.
Why is Isaac Luke now starting from the bench for the Bunnies? He was good enough to start every week (and has done so for seasons) then signs with the Warriors and all of a sudden he's not good enough to command a starting spot? Bizarre....
Good luck everyone and have a great weekend.
Submitted by a on
Yeah they may be an upset but I can't figure where that is why I went all home teams here
Submitted by Rick on
Hi Thinker thank you for the heads-up on the SOO bet, I noticed Tom Waterhouse have the same deal now being run by William Hill too.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Weird to think that the Premiers are going through a rebuilding phase only 2 months into the new season. No Sam Burgess, soon to be no Luke. Although these salary cap pressures will always hit the following year to the new champs. That is, of course unless you play for the Roosters, that team the head auditor used to play for.
What one would give to have a look at the Roosters books for the last several years.
Submitted by a on
Where is Birdboy this weekend
Submitted by christine on
steel panther to answer your ? about izzac luke i'm led to think that he is starting from the bench to get mcinnes up to scratch which I can't understand because he doesn't play in that position long enough to really build up to doing it for 80 minutes so I think there must be more going on than anyone really knows about
Submitted by Eugene on
Luke keeps getting played from the bench cause Bunnies are trying to blood the new kid, but in reality only play him for 20 min until they are in deep sh** and then put Isaac back in to save them
Submitted by a on
Luke is going to the Warriors next year
Submitted by The Thinker on
Afternoon everyone
I've closed the tipping comp for round 11.
Birdboy,
If you get here in time add your tips in the comments and I'll push them through.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Submitted by Birdboy on
Thinker for some reason I can't enter my tips so here they are
Souths
Tigers
Dogs
Broncos
Submitted by The Thinker on
Thanks Birdboy....I'll put them through.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
C'mon baggy fess up. Any downward pressure on that one?
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