Round five selections

Canterbury Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday afternoon – ANZ Stadium

This game can sneak up on you a little bit. You descend into that semi-comatose state on Good Friday and before you know it you've missed the kick-off. Try not to miss it this year, because this could be quite a game of football. I can't imagine the Bunnies will lose two in a row very often this season, and the Bulldogs will be primed to test themselves against the NRL benchmark. I happily backed the Eels to beat the handicapper last weekend but I didn't expect them to beat the Bunnies as well. They may have shared the blueprint for Bunny-beating in the process. The Rabbits system holds together seamlessly against structured attacks but the Eels ad-hoc approach found a way through. It brought a smile to my face and I'm hoping it gave some NRL coaches something to ponder. I'm sure Des Hasler will watch the tape but I'm not convinced the Bulldogs are the right team to replicate the Eels approach. A bumper game and (hopefully) a bumper crowd, and a tremendous way to start four days of stupidly good sport.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 2

Result - Rabbitohs 18 defeated Bulldogs 17

Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – CBus Super Stadium

The Titans picked up their first victory last week when the Sharks handed them an opportunity and then held the door open for them while they took it. A win is a win but I can't imagine the Broncos will be so generous. Hodges, Blair and Ofahengaue are out for the Broncos, and with those changes they look light on for size in the forwards and light on for experience in the backs. The Titans halfback and dummy-half lack big-game experience but they have quite a few wise old heads around them. At $2.50 or thereabouts the Titans look backable to me and I'm expecting a big game from Josh Hoffman against his old club.  James Roberts is a likely try-scorer in what looks like a low-scoring affair.

Verdict – Titans by 2

Result - Broncos 26 defeated Titans 16

Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday afternoon – Brookvale Beach

I really wanted to tip the Raiders this weekend but I need to start thinking about my health. The Sea Eagles are missing some key big men (and they need every big man they can get), and without Jamie Lyon they lose some all-important composure and experience. Matt Ballin and Jamie Buhrer will need to do a ton of work in the middle to help their props, but hard work has never been a problem for them previously. The venue seals it for me - I assume the Raiders don't have a lot of experience in the sand. This could end up being a surprisingly good (and close) game. Watch for the Raiders to stuff things up in the last ten minutes as Ricky Stuart grimaces his way to full-time.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 2

Result - Raiders 29 defeated Sea Eagles 16

Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday night – Hunter Stadium

These sides will be competing for the inaugural Alex McKinnon Cup which is a fantastic initiative. The Knights played poorly in the Alex McKinnon round last season so it will be interesting to see how they respond this time around. So far in 2015 they just keep jumping the hurdles in front of them, and with James McManus and Tariq Sims returning to a team going well they simply look too good. That said I'm tipping a tight, low-scoring game. The Dragons might by 11th on the ladder but only the Roosters have conceded less points than the Red V (and the Knights have conceded just two more than the Dragons). Back the unders...confidently.

Verdict – Knights by 4

Result - Dragons 13 defeated Knights 0

Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks – Sunday afternoon – Allianz Stadium

The Sharks are going through playmakers like Spinal Tap go through drummers. Owen Four gets his chance this weekend, only to be replaced by Owen Five at the conclusion of this game. And looking at the draw for the Sharks in the weeks ahead Owen Eight has some chance of making an appearance. Even Paul Gallen must be struggling to find someone else to blame for these disappointing performances. The Roosters should give them a good guide as to just how poorly they are travelling on Sunday afternoon. Roosters 40ish - Sharks 6 or less. Bloodbath.

Verdict – Roosters by 38

Result - Sharks 20 defeated Roosters 12

Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers – Monday afternoon – ANZ Stadium

It's a big call but this could be the most entertaining game of the round. The Eels did what few thought possible by beating the Bunnies and beating them convincingly, while the Tigers went down by the narrowest of margins to the Bulldogs. The Tigers will be better again this weekend, as they welcome back Aaron Woods, Dene Halatau and Pat Richards to the fold. I'm taking a punt on the Tigers - Woods has been tremendous this season and his return gives them a slight edge up front. Hopefully Farah and Brooks can capitalise on that and big Pat Richards can slot a field goal from just about anywhere to get them over the line.

Verdict – Tigers by 1

Result - Tigers 22 defeated Eels 6

Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors – Monday twilight – AAMI Park

The Melbourne Storm rarely let a winning lead get away from them, but they did just that last Monday night. If Craig Bellamy has his way we won't be seeing such a thing again this season, and we rarely see the Storm back up from a loss with another loss - particularly when that follow-up game is played at home. As the AFL kicks off in the southern capital the purple machine will want to remind the locals they are a team worth sticking with. I expect them to bounce off that loss and give us close to their best. Unless absolutely everything clicks for the Warriors they can't match that.

Verdict – Storm by 10

Result - Storm 30 defeated Warriors 14

Penrith Panthers vs North Queensland Cowboys – Monday night – Pepper Stadium

I don't need to talk about Jonathan Thurston - you all saw what he did and you all know how I feel about the guy...it's just a shame I tipped the Storm. I also tipped the Panthers who delivered a truly baffling performance last weekend. They found their feet a little in the second half but by then the game was well and truly over. It's been pointed out that the Panthers performances backing up from Monday night have been woeful (0 from 10), so it might be worth remembering that for the next round. James Segeyaro found a good surgeon who put his face back together in time for Monday night - I am sure his absence last week contributed to the Panthers poor performance. I expect him to go well against his old club, and every time I see him play I wonder why the Cowboys let him go. I bet Phil Gould and Ivan Cleary were high-fiving each other in the car park that day. Barring another extraordinary performance from JT you'd have to think the Panthers will prevail at home.

Verdict – Panthers by 4

Result - Cowboys 30 defeated Panthers 10

Wally Lewis - round five selections (in bold)

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

  • BULLDOGS vs Rabbitohs
  • TITANS vs Broncos
  • SEA EAGLES vs Raiders
  • KNIGHTS vs Dragons
  • ROOSTERS vs Sharks
  • EELS vs Tigers
  • STORM vs Warriors
  • PANTHERS vs Cowboys

Spinal Tap Spontaneous Combustion

Comments

The Joker's picture

Same as me Mr Thinker... however, i will take the dogs by 2 i think. Cheers! ;)

Steel Panther's picture

I think the Brookvale Beach is closed Thinker. Apparently the Manly v Raiders game this weekend is at Albury's Lavington Park. Cheers

The Thinker's picture

Thanks Steel Panther
Closing the beach for the Easter weekend. Two words - un Australian.

Johnny Ray's picture

Yeah ! It's Easter ! Easter ! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9VnTO-2ZBPk Happy birthday chocolate Jesus ! First off congratulations goes out again to Wally Lewis, Declan_S and Birdboy for making it onto top of tipping table this week. Let's get on with this week tips :

Rabbitohs - Bulldogs were beaten by them the last time they played 13 plus and looking at how badly they still execute ball like they did last week against West Tigers I can't see things changing. Rabbitohs by eighteen points.

Titans - I'm with Thinker on this one. Considering how they had all the ball possession last week and still almost went on to lose against Warriors says to me that this team still has whole alot issues to sort through ! The Titans by four points.

Raiders - As bad as things have been for Raiders , how bad have things been for Sea Eagles ? When you look at their roster they should be a lot higher on table than where they are now and that is why I am going to go with Raiders in this one ! Raiders by six points.

Dragons - Knights first loss of season. They have poor record at home against Dragons to start with and when you throw in emotion of this game and the champion they are playing for, Alex McKinnon, I think it will all get to be too much for them.St George Dragons by four points.

Roosters - Dude if the Sharkies win this I will get my Vay Jay Jay bedazzled for Easter and show it to all girls in my office and I don't even have Vay Jay Jay or an Office or a Job that's how confident I am of this pick. Eastern Suburbs by twenty six points.

Eels - How good were Eels against Rabbits ? Too good ! That's why you've got to go with them here to beat West Tigers who should of beaten Bulldogs last week with lead that they had going into second half ! Eels by ten points.

Warriors - Storm hate playing against Warriors as our unstructured style of play interferes with their tightly controlled game plan. That why Cowboys were able to beat this week and why we will be able to beat this weekend in Melbourne against what is always home game for us because copious amount of expats living there. Warriors by eight points.

Cowboys - As good as Panthers have been, the Cowboys go into this game with all the momentum and that should be enough to get them home even if they are playing away. Cowboys by four points.

Awesome. Thanks again Thinker. Thanks again everybody ! Happy Easter and go New Zealand Warriors ! Kiwi Power ! Peow ! Peow ! ;-D

christine 's picture

where is every ones tips I have to have mine in tomorrow, surely i'm not the only one ?

a's picture

I will have my tips in tomrrow

Coach Potato's picture

Canterbury 13+
Brisbane 13+
Canberra 13+
Newcastle 13+
Sydney 13+
Wests 1-12
Melbourne 1-12
Penrith 13+

C'mon Chris. A whole year of being crafty and waiting for others to pick first isn't exactly in the spirit of things. Maybe we should all protest and leave our tips until Friday 7:30pm next week :p

The Thinker's picture

Christine,

As long as people get their tips in before kick-off I don't mind. You seem to do better than most of us anyway.

I will take this moment though, to remind everyone of the early kick-off (3pm Good Friday).

All the best

Coach Potato's picture

Been waiting to reveal this one, so hoping you all like it ...The special Easter surprise for 4 teams this week will be a virtual guarantee of playing semi final footy? 'But its only round 5 you idiot? WTF? Is all that starch affecting your brain, Mr Potatohead?'

No I say. My stat says that the top 4 teams after round 5 are virtually guaranteed a semi-final spot, 21 weeks (or 147 days) into the future. Let's have a look at the last 8 years, and see if those teams went on to play semis, yes or no

2014
Gold Coast - NO (14)
Canterbury - YES (7)
Brisbane - YES (8)
Penrith - YES (4)

2013
Melbourne - YES (3)
Souths - YES (2)
Manly - YES (4)
Newcastle - YES (7)

2012
Melbourne - YES (2)
Canterbury - YES (1)
Brisbane - YES (8)
Nth Qld - YES (5)

2011
Melbourne -YES (1)
Brisbane - YES (3)
St George - YES (5)
Nth Qld - YES (7)

2010
St George - YES (1)
Melbourne - NO* (6) - *actually finished 6th but suspended from playing semis
Wests - YES (3)
Gold Coast - YES (4)

2009
St George - YES (1)
Gold Coast - YES (3)
Brisbane - YES (6)
Souths - NO (10)

2008
Brisbane - YES (5)
Sydney - YES (4)
Gold Coast - NO (13)
Cronulla - YES (3)

2007
Manly - YES (2)
Melbourne - YES (1)
Nth Qld - YES (3)
New Zealand - YES (4)

So in the last 8 years, of the 32 top4 teams after round 5, only 4 didn't play semis. (And if Melbourne had not been suspended from the 2010 finals, it's only 3 out of 32 that didn't play semis)

But wait, Tim Shaw says there's more. All this talk about teams starting slowly and finishing hard had me thinking what the stats say about that. So here's the bottom4 after week 5 for the last 8 years, and whether they played semis - yes or no

2014
Canberra - NO (15)
New Zealand - NO (9)
Newcastle - NO (12)
Cronulla - NO (16)
* Nth Qld were 11th after round 5 last year

2013
Canberra - NO (13)
Canterbury - YES (6)
Penrith - NO (10)
New Zealand - NO (11)

2012
Manly - YES (4)
Wests - NO (10)
Gold Coast - NO (11)
Parramatta -NO (16)

2011
Penrith - NO (12)
Parramatta - NO (14)
Canberra - NO (15)
Gold Coast - NO (16)

2010
Parramatta - NO (12)
Newcastle - NO (11)
Cronulla - NO (14)
Brisbane - NO (10)

2009
Wests - NO (9)
Nth Qld - NO (12)
Manly - YES (5)
Cronulla - NO (15)

2008
Parramatta - NO (11)
Nth Qld - NO (15)
St George - YES (7)
Souths - NO (14)

2007
Brisbane - YES (8)
Wests - NO (9)
St George - NO (13)
Sydney - NO (10)

Of the 32 bottom4 teams after round 5 over the last 8 years, only 5 made the semis. 5 out of 32. So only a slim chance of making the semis from the bottom 4, and an even smaller chance of missing out on the semis from the top 4.

As you may guess, I am super keen to see who is in the top4 and bottom4 at weeks end. I'm sure the stat-mad Tom Waterhouse@WilliamHill might want to take note too.

christine 's picture

Tks Thinker I hope you & Mrs Thinker have a good easter & coach you underestimate me if you want to wait till next Friday to put your tips in for round 5 then you go right ahead & do that .

Johnny Ray's picture

Cool. Thanks for sharing that with us Coach Potato ! I love stats like that as I love anything that puts a new perspective on the game ! So according to this, if I am right with my picks this weekend these four teams will definitely play finals football in September : The Roosters, Rabbits, Knights and Warriors/Eels with Manly Sea Eagles, Sharks, Cowboys, Titans/Raiders all to miss out. Also on serious note, can I ask .thinker what happen to NRL twitter news feed that you used to have on this site ? You cool with it can I please have the link as I can't seem to find it ! Thanks ;-D

Coach Potato's picture

Ok as long as you know I'm just stirring. Its my job.

Thinker's Little Helper's picture

@Johnny Ray -- I took the Twitter block out a couple of weeks back to make the pages a bit lighter for people loading the site on phones. I always assumed nobody ever checked there, but I guess your comment proves that wrong :)

The site's stats don't seem to indicate it made all that much difference, and because I am an awesome helper I've put the tweets back where they were for you.

Happy long weekend everyone. If you're driving anywhere, do it safely, and mainly off the footpath.

Coach Potato's picture

If my theory is right the Dogs Bunnies game becomes really significant. The winner is guaranteed to finish the week top4, the loser almost assured of finishing the week out of the top4.

christine 's picture

a it's alright I know your tips will be in tomorrow & I know why to , & coach my tips don't affect anyone on this site my tips go in to my in house club comp that isn't open on Friday so they have to be in tomorrow & it's all good I have already seen your tips coach & I got to say we differ on a few .

Coach Potato's picture

..and yes the loser of Manly Canberra, guaranteed to finish week 5, bottom 4

Coach Potato's picture

.. and as mentioned can't wait til ANZAC day. Just not sure how dawn service, two-up, beers out your ears, bets on Tourette's, and 5 straight NRL games starting from midday. Ten teams playing in honour of those that serve, and have served. I wouldn't be prouder if Penrith had been given a start, but I'm sure they get a turn next year, and great for supporters of all those ten teams. Its about time all the teams got to play - OK get off Potato. Stop hogging the bloody ball. Pass it. PASS!!

Baggy_Gee's picture

Ok Johnny Ray we call a bedazzled Vay Jay Jay a Toowoomba over here. Speaking of which last year I watched JT playing up in Toowoomba, and he is great. Kicking to no-one from 40 out aiming for the left corner post was pulling all the kicks (about 15-20) within 50cm either side of the try line. Great moment.

Right tips.

Rabbits - I agree with the Thinker, there will be fire in the bell of the Bunnies and they will explode on the poor Dogs, I can't see the Dogs playing without much structure.

Broncos - I hate myself for tipping them, and I'll hate myself more if they lose, but better and more consistant side. Here's hoping that I drop a game this round.

Eagles - So jack in the box Judas is out again and the bashing they took last week end might haunt them just as much as the new home ground. I can't see any reason that they can't win nor any reason that a effective Radiers team can't push them all the way.

Knights - Undefeated and the bubble has to burst at some point, but not Saturday night.

Roosters - As gratifying as it would to have a Toowoomba'ed Kiwi haunting this site, it's not going to happen and the world shall remain safe. BUUUTTTT the sharks did sink an hot start by the sharks last year to go on a bit of a hot run. Might be dangerous for beauticians in the land of the long white ............. cloud.

Eels - Do I need to give my reason for picking the BOYS? Some of the Good BOYS are in for some of the injured BOYS. The BOYS out on the field will do it for the BOYS on the sideline. And when the MoM speech is given they will use the phrase BOYS more than I did then. Go the BOYS.

Storm - Again I Think the Thinker has nailed it. If the Warriors turn up they will be near impossible to stop, but the last two weeks with a good win followed by a limp wristed loss has me backing the Storm

Panthers - It all comes down to the man mentioned at the top of the show, IF JT brings his cold weather gear then the Cowboys are in with a showing. But if this weather we have in Bedazzledville is anything to go by it might be bitterly cold at the foot of the mountain. Thus Panthers for the win.

newbie from perth's picture

Hi everyone,

Golly gosh, that “perfect round” I’m looking for won’t be happening any time soon based on last week’s woeful effort! Three out of eight? Who am I kidding? Mind you, I don’t think a lot of us, on average, did all that well last week either, so on reflection, I don’t feel so bad about it now.

I’m remembering a few comments from last week mentioning some of us are “over thinking” each weekend’s games and I reckon that might well be true. Well, for me at least. Maybe a better idea would be for me to go back and base my tips on a “broad overview” type of analysis, instead of thinking too hard about the ins and outs of a duck’s you-know-what. Mix in a bit of “gut feeling” and I might just get a few extra tips right.

As I get older I tend to look at these little speed bumps on the road of life and remind myself that “it is what it is”. Getting three from eight was exactly that. “It is what it is”. You just need to put that one away and have another crack this week. Geez, Newbie frightens himself with such wise words sometimes! Anyhoo, let’s get into it…

Rabbits - the Bunnies might be a bit embarrassed by last week’s loss and I expect them to “flex their pecs” and remind us all again that they’re a class outfit, even with some big names out. Bulldogs managed to get out of jail last week but the Bunnies won’t make it as easy for them this Friday. Fluffy Ones should get this one.

Broncos - nice effort last week even though it was a surprise to me. Three in a row is good form. Then we have the Titans just scraping in against the Cry Baby’s mob. Newbie’s gotta tip the Broncos.

Manly - the boys from Brookie get a couple of handy guys back this week I see which will obviously be a great help. Raiders were pretty poor last week, albeit against the Rampaging Roosters. While not at home for this one, I’ll tip Manly to get over the line.

Knights - I promised myself I wouldn’t tip the Dragons until they showed a little more “fight” and I think they showed that last week. I’d just like to see it one more time before I consider them tip-worthy though. No, this week I’ll stick with the Knights. Perfect start so far. However, the Newbie is wondering how long this will last. When will this bubble burst? They’re riding high, Tariq Sims is back and they’re playing at Hunter. What more could you ask for?

Roosters - I mentioned last week that I was impressed by young Mr Ferguson and what happens? Shuz-bud! Thankfully SKD will replace him so we’re good there. The Cry Baby’s mob have been forced to make some positional changes I see but that’s not gonna help them unfortunately. I’m hoping to see the Rooster’s points differential leap ahead Sunday afternoon. Am encouraged by the Boss’ prediction on the points for this one. Methinks it might be Romper Stomper time, unless of course they do what they did last year. Unthinkable Newbie! Yikes! Carn you Roosters!

Tigers - this is a tough one to pick. Eels surprised most of us I would suggest (especially the Rabbits) in winning last week and I think, fairly comfortably in the end. Can they back that performance up again this week? Then we have the Tigers. Playing pretty good footy so far and just a little bit of bad luck last couple of weeks for a 50-50 record. Mind you they do get Aaron Woods, Dene Halatau and Pat Richards back this week I see. What the heck, let’s tip those Tigers eh?

Storm - Warriors seemed a bit flat last week but they do have a handy record playing in Melbourne. Even with blokes missing (thanks Coach for the insight regarding the “Cronk Affair”) I thought the Storm should’ve won last Monday night. Oh well, these things happen. Newbie’s thinking the Storm Troopers will bounce back and win well at home.

Panthers - It seems I was completely wrong about the Cowboys praying to Baby Jesus and drinking lots of Powerade Johnny Ray. Ouch! Still won’t sway me into tipping the Cowboys though. Panthers to redeem themselves, hopefully because of the return of Messrs John, Segeyaro and Plum.

OK kids, good luck with your tipping and may your team win by 40 points! Until next week people. Cheers.

P.S. If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches? Hmmm…

Baggy_Gee's picture

That's so they have something handy near by to beat you with if you so much think of withdrawing.

Johnny Ray's picture

Toowoomba. Awesome. Thanks for that Baggy_Gee. With that, I think I'm now finally halfway there to deciphering these Australian Penthouse Letters I found when I was a kid. Check it out :

Dear Penthouse,

G'day. You won't believed what happened to me today. I was on my way out to store where I run into this girl. As we got talking she then started to ask me would I like go back to her place for Goondiwindi. She even said I could Wollongong her if I liked ! So I went and no sooner than I got there we undressed and I proceeded to place my Wurt Wurt Kurt in her Rooty Hill but not before I managed to Cabramatta her straight between the Queanbeyan. After I had pulled out my Ugly Tom I decided to Geelong her right in Humpybong before taking her downtown to Blacktown where we both Coolanganta each other senseless. Exhausted I then returned home.

Name And Address Withheld.

Happy April Fool's Day Everybody ! ;-D

mark ashford's picture

Good morning all.
Aahh Johnny Ray...what can I say.
and the Coach has smashed it again with those stats.
Here's what I like this week
Rabbits...by a whisker
Broncos...by a half head
Manly...by plenty
Knights...for Alex
Chooks...egg on the Sharkies faces
Eels...will slip one to the Tigers
Storm...to rain on the Warriors
Panthers...no "ride-em cowboy" here
Keep yourselves safe over Easter tipsters and enjoy the footy.
I've said it before but a big thank you to Thinker and TLH for making all this possible.

Coach Potato's picture

Isn't it just a little bit curious Newbie that bookies unanimously said only days ago, the Cowboys were finally on the comeback trail, and they were proved right, but now somehow they unanimously say that the trail has turned to dust and tumbleweed up against the streaky Panthers. Not a one, says the run will continue. I'm thinking its pretty curious, so definitely happy to go with the bookies especially when it comes to Cowboy games.

newbie from perth's picture

Hi Coach,

All I have to say is "boom! boom!" You've nailed it! Cheers.

Shanghai's picture

Four weeks to get to the bottom of the ladder ...... a new personal best! This week I'm going to channel George Costanza and do the exact opposite of my gut feeling. Wish me luck .......

Rabbitohs
Titans
Raiders
Knights
Roosters (yeah, I know, but even George is not that stupid)
Eels
Storm
Panthers

Coach Potato's picture

Just bad ref calls, or teams that have sudden discipline issues and defensive lapses or fashionably called "switching off" - moments that turn games on their head. Is that all it comes down to? Or is the game becoming more and more like WWF - just a little bit (or a lot) fake - players, refs, coaches all part of the spectacle and no one noticing.

https://www.nrl.com/rd-4-cowboys-v-storm-2/tabid/10959/contentid/733636/...

Watching highlights from Monday, I still can't believe the corridors that the Storm created for the Cowboys to score their tries. Misreads are one thing but the first try, the Storm winger comes in so far, he almost finishes in front of the goalposts. Its all a bit bewildering. Sure the Storm could easily have won in the end, so maybe its not about money, but just about making a good close entertaining game for the crowd - which it succeeded in doing. But that's not what any purist wants or deserves.

This isn't about the Storm though. I've seen all 16 teams create the old corridor for the opposition and it's leading me to start forming a not very nice observation about the great game. Watch a game and see the corridor created and a try out wide ensue. Then after 80 minutes see how often that team wins. My guess is almost never.

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-23/state-of-origin-by-the-numbers/...

Game 1 Origin 2012. When I saw Uate's defensive corridor creations, one after the other, I remember thinking I knew how the game was going to end. Was it just the sinking Blues feeling, or something more? Is there so much money in the game that players and teams, coaches, and refs don't need the game played with integrity. I hope not.

Anonymous's picture

JR love it. I may have located your address though. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bustard Head in Qld???
:)

Chi Spurga's picture

G'day all,

BULLDOGS
BRONCOS
MANLY
NEWCASTLE
ROOSTERS
WESTS
MELBOURNE
PENRITH

Good luck to all and have a safe and happy holiday.
19/32

Johnee's picture

When I went to Sunday School we learnt that Jusus was born on Christmas Day.
Happy Easter anyway

mark ashford's picture

Hi all
For what it's worth I just heard that Bronco Jordan Kahu (hope that's right) has done a hammy and is out for tomorrow night. He is being replaced at fullback by Maranta and Daniel Vidot yes Daniel Vidot returns.
I for one won't be changing my tips as I think Vidot brings plenty to the Broncs.

a's picture

Here are my tips

Rabbitohs by 2 I almost picked the dogs here but I thing Rabbitohs to get home by 2 points

Broncos by 6 I think Broncos should win here

Raiders by 1 I think Raiders will beat Manly here

Knights by 10 I think Knights should win here

Roosters by 20 If sharks win like they did last season I will shout out Oh My God

Eels by 2 I think Eels to win in a thriller here

Storm by 8 Storm will struck back to beat the Warriors here

Panthers by 1 Dont ask me why but I am tipping aganist the Cowboys

Coach Potato's picture

Canberra to Albury 3hrs drive. Manly to Albury 6hrs drive. Could be a day trip for Canberrians. Back home for dinner. To the moon and back for Manl-arians. Most find it exhausting to cross the bridge.

Lavington Sports Ground once proposed for a city-country fixture back in 2007, but overlooked by the NRL due to lighting not being to standard. Since upgraded in 2010. Canberra being a country team, Manly a city team.

Does Manly think they are going to get any home town support for bringing the game here? And do they think there will be lots of their fans wanting to travel to Albury for Easter? No and No is my thinking. At least when Panthers play in Bathurst they know the away team is always travelling further and will always have less support.

Great to bring more NRL to the country, but not great for the team that people love to hate. Dont they remember what happened last finals series when they played home games away?

Declan_S's picture

Bulldogs *
Broncos
Manly *
Knights
Roosters
Tigers
Storm
Cowboys *

* = probably could go either way, hoping luck is on my side

Steel Panther's picture

The long weekend is shaping up to deliver us some great footy. I trust everyone has a Happy Easter!!

Bulldogs - I'm not picking the Dogs with a huge amount of confidence but I think maybe the Bunnies early season schedule may be catching up with them . Sorry if I get this one wrong Michael.

Broncos - A few significant losses for the Broncos Hodges, Blair and now Kahu but Brisbane have a good record in this fixture and the poor home form of the locals swings me here.

Sea Eagles - This could be a close match and I like your comments Coach about the venue but Manly have at least a couple of match winners. Have the Raiders got any?

Knights - Don't Knights slay Dragons? Hard to believe I'm expecting Newcastle to be 5 & 0.

Roosters - The Sharks are toothless and last week's loss was poor when the game was in the bag.

Tigers - The Eels are improving but there is a yawning gap between the team that plays at Pirtek and the team that plays anywhere else.

Storm - I'm picking the Storm to bounce back even against a side with a good record in Melbourne. The Warriors? I just don't get them!?!

Panthers - The return of some key men for the Panthers against a side who are poor travellers sees me tipping Penrith.

Good luck fellow tipsters and may you all be full on footy and chocolate!!

Birdboy's picture

Hey everyone, here goes my tips for the week, with a few roughies to hopefully slot me into that to spot:

Bulldogs
Broncos
Manly
Dragons
Roosters
Tigers
Storm
Panthers

Happy easter and as always good luck with your tips!

The Thinker's picture

Good Friday to you all. I've closed the tipping comp for round 5 but we still have or two stragglers. If you add your tips in the comments section here before 3pm I can mush them into the comp later.

Enjoy the weekend everyone

christine 's picture

may the football gods be good to us all .

a's picture

Well Declan_S you can submit because he said his tips in a comment but however we do need Tailspin to summit his tips

Coach Potato's picture

Looks like its only Tailspin. Declan posted in comments

Tailspin's picture

Hey thinker and everyone else, sorry for being late.I tried to get my tips on last night and it wouldnt let me, so I will put them in now in the comments, cheers
Rabittohs by 8
Titans by 2
Manly by 4
Dragons by 6
Roosters by 16
Eels by 2, should be game of theround
Storm by 2
Cowboys by 8. Go the cowboys, ye ha
Hope everyone has a great easter and get stuck in to the chockies

a's picture

Everyone got their tips in on time

Coach Potato's picture

Looks like Albury did host the City Country game back in 2011. (Julian, Wiki needs an update!) Country won it 18 - 12. Tomorrow they will see Country Canberra playing the City team that wears the QLD Maroon. Boo!! Double Hiss!!

Coach Potato's picture

This game has totally gone to the dogs. Sorry for the ironic pun. How could the penalty be blown in front? Bulldogs were the much better team. Thanks refs for spoiling an otherwise great game for everyone. This game is losing me and many a fan by the day. Its not WWF you idiots. Fans dont always require Hulk Hogan to come back and beat the Junkyard Dog. If he does on his great, but dont use a script.

christine 's picture

a you finally got 1 back on wally , good for you I also had souths .

Baggy_Gee's picture

Watching the game and after trying to convince us that it was being shown live the time has skipped several times since the 70th minute mark. Shame on nine, if you want to play the live card don't fiddle with the editing in such a shameless manner. And I agree with the rage about that penalty, the refs read your stat breakdown coach.

a's picture

Bulldogs fans throw bottles at the refs after a conversial lost after they made South kick from in front of the penalty how fucking rediclous is this

The Thinker's picture

Thanks Tailspin...I'll add yours and Declan's tips as soon as I finish processing what I just saw.

Steel Panther's picture

I'm with you Coach. The better team lost and certainly didn't get the rub of the green. A very average display of refereeing that practically handed the Bunnies the win. I don't condone fans throwing bottles at the refs but it hardly comes as a surprise....the games so PC these days and gone soft.

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