Round sixteen selections

Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

The Knights, undefeated after four rounds, are racing toward the wooden spoon at a rate that screams 'give us that spoon and give it to us now'. I spoke of the post-Bennett hangover at the start of the season and it looks like it has well and truly kicked in. This weekend the Knights get to show their old coach just how much it hurts. Thaiday gets a rest and Corey Parker slots back in as part of the prop rotation policy at the Broncos during the Origin period - given that the Broncos have won four in a row (including three away games) I think we can say the policy is working. One of those away games was actually against the Knights. The Broncos had six Origin players unavailable that night, and they still won by 13 points. Back at Suncorp and with most of their Origin stars - if anyone can find a reason to tip the Knights I'd love to hear it. There are no good things in the NRL, but this looks an awful lot like it. The Broncos by 13+ is paying $1.70. Yes please. And I'll have one of those Coach bets too - Anthony Milford to score at anytime at $2.50. Gamble responsibly...I already have.

Verdict – Broncos by 34

Result - Broncos 44 defeated Knights 22

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles – Friday night – ANZ Stadium

There'll be more brothers at ANZ Stadium on Friday night than a Motown convention - Burgess brothers for both sides, Stewart brothers for both sides (although Glenn will be in the dugout looking on) and a couple of Trbojevic brothers for the Sea Eagles. The Sea Eagles will be hoping to make a statement on Friday night - a win here and a top eight finish is still within reach. Last round they realised the best way to get through the Tigers was to go around them. I expect they'll try a similar tactic this weekend but the Bunnies know a thing or two about slide defence. The Foran/Cherry-Evans show gets another run and the latest Sea Eagle to turn his back on a contract with another club will be keen to show his wares to everyone. Does he stay at Manly? Goodness me, he might end up at the Gold Coast. Greg Inglis at fullback gets a chance to remind Mal Meninga (and Laurie Daley) just how destructive he can be - although I doubt either need to be reminded. He's the difference for mine. I'm entertaining backing the Sea Eagles with the handicap start - if I can get a  10.5 points start I'll take it. Bunnies...but barely.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 2

Result - Rabbitohs 20 defeated Sea Eagles 8

New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday afternoon – Mt Smart Stadium

The Warriors aren't the sort of side that sneaks under the rader but all of a sudden they're on the cusp of the top four. A win this weekend and a bye next weekend and bim bam boom they'll be no more sneaking under radars for the Warriors this season. There's nothing wrong with the Raiders form either, and the scheduling gods have blessed us by making this a daytime fixture. Given the time zones this game could come and go before you realise it so give yourself a gentle reminder. The Raiders pack are performing way beyond the expectations of most, and a big game from Josh Papalii could see him wearing Maroon in Game III. The game of the round. The Warriors at home.

Verdict – Warriors by 4

Result - Warriors 30 defeated Raiders 8

North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

In the most even sporting competition on the planet the run by the Cowboys is quite a run. I'm reluctant to take on a team that keeps on winning, even without Jonathan Thurston. The Sharks appear to be gaining some momentum and Paul Gallen is back to play (unless he gets whisked off by the United Nations to negotiate a peace deal in the Middle East). But winning is one of the few infections anyone should want to catch, and the Cowboys still look pretty sick to me. For those that are punting - perhaps the Sharks with the handicap start or the Cowboys by 1-12.

Verdict – Cowboys by 2

Result - Sharks 24 defeated Cowboys 18

Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday night – Pirtek Stadium

Someone needs to remind the bookmakers that the Eels are in equal last place and the Dragons are outright third. Perhaps that someone should be me, because $1.75 for the Dragons seems puntworthy...unless I'm missing something. Granted the Dragons have lost two games in a row but a narrow loss to the Roosters is pretty good form. The Eels are getting better, but they're still losing plenty of close encounters. They won last start, but they had some luck and the Storm were without their key men. Since then they've lost some key men of their own in Nathan Peats and Corey Norman. $1.75...what am I missing?

Verdict – Dragons by 8

Result - Eels 16 defeated Dragons 12

Sydney Roosters vs Gold Coast Titans – Sunday afternoon – Central Coast Stadium

The Titans are so short of troops they've called on players from other clubs to plug the gaps. Former Knight Chad Redman has driven up the Pacific Highway to start at hooker - I hope his agent pointed out that the Titans are going through hookers like Spinal Tap went through drummers (I'm uncomfortable with how that sentence reads but you know what I mean). Even more bizarrely, former Rooster Nene Macdonald slots into the centres. He'll probably get the bus up to Gosford with his old team. The Roosters have moved this game to a neutral location - they'll be winning regardless.

Verdict – Roosters by 14

Result - Roosters 20 defeated Titans 10

Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers – Sunday afternoon – Leichhardt Oval

North and South Korea are more connected than Robbie Farah and the bones in his shoulder, but he's playing anyway. I suppose he can't keep trotting out for the Blues and not trotting out for the club that he captains. I can't tip a winner in this game with any confidence, but the Panthers have been letting Coach and I down in recent weeks, and the Tigers have to win a game at Leichhardt Oval eventually. If the weather plays fair it should be a great little afternoon out. If any of you are in Sydney on Sunday afternoon drag yourself out from underneath your wife or husband, take a stroll through the streets of Balmain and pull up a patch of grass on the hill. You'll have to stand up the whole time, but if Robbie Farah can pull a jersey on to his dislocated body you should be able to stay vertical for 80 minutes. Tigers...finally

Verdict – Tigers by 2

Result - Panthers 35 defeated Tigers 12


 

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm – Monday night – Belmore Sports Ground

The Bulldogs are warming into the season and are one team that could get on a run as we head toward the business end. The Purple Machine couldn't get through the Wall of Brisbane last weekend and now they take their show on the road. The Storm have lost six games this season and in five of those losses the margin was four points or less. Another narrow loss looks the likely outcome here. There is some talk that Cronk could play and that's the sort of team change you want to know about. As things stand it's the Belmore Boys for mine.

Verdict – Bulldogs by 4

Result - Bulldogs 20 defeated Storm 4

Wally Lewis - round sixteen selections (in bold)

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

  • BRONCOS vs Knights
  • RABBITOHS vs Sea Eagles
  • WARRIORS vs Raiders
  • COWBOYS vs Sharks
  • Eels vs DRAGONS
  • ROOSTERS vs Titans
  • TIGERS vs Panthers
  • BULLDOGS vs Storm

James Ackerman Trust Fund

Most of you would have heard about the tragic death of James Ackerman, who died on Monday following a tackle during an Intrust Super Cup match on the weekend. I didn't know James Ackerman, but I did see him play a few times when he was part of the Broncos under 20 squad in 2009 and 2010. I have a soft spot for players that play the game like Ackerman played the game. He wasn't the most gifted of footballers but he was one of the most reliable. Think Trevor Gillmeister, Alan Tongue, Matt Hilder or Nigel Plum. Your team is better for having them there.

James was an organ donor. He gave without fanfare on the field, and he's still giving. Apparently his lungs are so big they've been unable to find a suitable recipient in Australia...so they're heading overseas.

James leaves behind a young family, and a trust fund has been set up to help. I'm not hassling anyone to contribute, but if you wish to make a donation the details are below. Those in South-East Queensland may wish to save the date of the Broncos/Storm NRL game in Round 26 - the final round of the season. I'm quite sure that game will be set aside as a fundraising event for the Ackerman family...and it should be a darn good game of football too.

For what it's worth I'll donate the June proceeds this website receives from all those annoying ads you lot have to put up with, plus any winnings from my silly bets this weekend. Vale James Ackerman. Condolences to his family, friends and team-mates. Best wishes to Francis Molo. #putyourfootyout

Bank of Queensland

BSB: 124001

Account No: 11500777

Reference: 151 181

Comments

Johnny Ray's picture

Alright. Because I suck, I will start. Seriously can't believe that out of seven games played last week I only got what? two right so yeah dude, I am determined this week to change all that. Congratulations also goes out to our mate Scott_M for making it to top of leaderboard. Good luck everybody with your picks. Lets do this :

Broncos - As easy as this game looks right now on paper, I suspect it will go alot closer than people might expect on night. Broncos by six points.

Sea Eagles - To me Rabbitohs are still playing out of form and against an opposing side like Sea Eagles who are just only getting back to their best, I think an upset will be on the cards in this game. Sea Eagles by six points.

Warriors - Again this will be another close game but Warriors should win this at home. Again I said should. You just never know with them. Warriors by eight points.

Sharks - Thurston is out in this game due to Origin and after costing me in Raiders game, Eels game, Sea Eagles game and I don't know how many other games, finally, FINALLY, I will have my revenge in this game. You just watch. The Cowboys are going to get scalped. Sharks by eighteen points.

Eels - Dragons looked terrible in last week game against Roosters, so I can't rate their chances playing team they never seem able to beat when playing them at home. Paramatta Eels by four points.

Roosters - No way can Titans win this game. Roosters by fourteen points.

Panthers - Tigers are on team on way down while Panthers are team where only way for them is up. Panthers by two points.

Bulldogs - Storm will do everything they can to win but without Slater and Cronk they just won't have enough in them to do it. Bulldogs by one point.

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

Declan_S's picture

Hey Mr Thinker, how come your tips don't appear here until hours after the supposed time that you've posted at? It says you posted this week's tips at 7.30am?

Thinker's Little Helper's picture

Hey Declan_S - there are two reasons for that. Sometimes it is just because of the software we use for the site, which records the time of the very first 'save', so if The Thinker is deliberating a little before releasing the wisdom, it may look a little stale. That's on my long list of things to get around to tweaking. The other reason is that any correct predictions for Friday nights need to be run past the NRL Conspiracy Board ahead of time for approval, to make sure they end up being wrong before anyone sees them.

The Thinker's picture

Declan
What my little helper said.

Often I start building this web page long before I actually finish and publish it. That time is when I started the build for round sixteen.

Coach Potato's picture

Hey Thinker, up to you of course, but couldn't you semi-preview each game each Wednesday without needing to put your tips in? You then would have, say, enough time to have Footy Show rubbish playing in the background while you work out selections like the rest of us.

Baggy_Gee's picture

What's the footy show? I haven't seen even snippets in years. But I'm going to use my super secert weapon. Mwahahahahahahaha.......... A mate out in Roma, that is 4hrs west of Toowoomba, has a system that doesn't do to badly. Pick the winners from last round and if two winners play, go with the home team, if two loser play, go with the home team. Therefore I'm taking all the home teams. Not sure if this will work or allow coach to leapfrog another tipster on a freefall to the basement.

Also am trying the other guys betting rules and have $167 on a 5 leg multi. Stripes, green, no friday, no monday's. Lets see how it goes.

Johnny Ray's picture

$167 ? That's the single most random number to have on bet. Man I hate to be guy working at Coles Meat Department when you come into store ! "Yeah I'll have $3.40 worth of coleslaw, $5.80 worth of shaved ham, $2.60 worth of sliced ham and hey yeah have you guys got any head cheese ? I feel like some head cheese today ! Fanfullytastic ! Give me $6.70 worth of that too ! Thank you ... " ;-D

Coach Potato's picture

Tips from a grumpy old lisping troll under a bridge in-between snarls and retching mouthfuls of phlegm. Ashamed to admit, he made great sense.

NEWCARTHLE.
'Ahh Thanks troll but no thanks, troll. Do you really think I can afford to go another one behind here? ie. Are you f...ng insane?'

'Yeah why not'.

'?! Ahh..... Which of those questions are you answering?'

'Well both, but I don't think you'll go behind. Firthtly, Thinker took the Broncoth in a canter on a Friday night. He'th bound to looth with thuch confidenth. Thecondly, go and have that Thinker bloke review how teamth have fared thith year thtarting at $3.50 pluth. It'll thcare the thockth off him and in winter he won't like no thocks.

'Ahh yes, that stat rings a bell, but where are you getting these stats from troll? You don't exactly have wi-fi internet plus tablet down here.'

'Ha. Yeah I've got heapth. Thum bloke up on the bridge wath making paper aeroplaneth out of 'em. With a mind like that I bet he'th killing it in the tipping comp - can even afford to thpread the word'.

'Yeah. yeah I bet. ... Anyway, next tip there troll'

THOUTH THYDNEY.

'I'm down!! phlegm spray to the eye!! Back in a minute. Got some Glen20 in the car.'

'Ok back. So rabbits are out of form, troll, and Manly look like they're back, so WTF?

'Good questionth again. I jutht think that Thouth Thydney will think they are back playing week one of the finalth and we know that wath sad for Manly fanth.

'More Glen20!! Ok hurry up, next tip'

RAIDERTH.

'Lookth like they don't have a great record in NZ, 5 out of 14 this thentury, but in thaying that, thatth more than one in three, tho I'm happy that thith ith one of the one in threeth.

'Worth a punt I guess you're saying?'

'Yeth, definitely, not to menthion Thorn Johnthon can be a bit hot and cold. He'th had a couple of brilliant gameth lately tho he ith overdo for a poor one'.

'Ok. Next'.

COWBOYTH.

'Going for a thtraight dothen at home againtht the Ththarrrr..........Cronulla. Almotht like golden point latht week, and teamth alwayth get energy from thothe oneth. Not that the Cowboyth need any more'.

'Sounds good, troll. Next'.

EELTH.

'Themmy Trailer to thmath em. Chrith Thandow to thtar. I hear he's been thmiling a lot. Cleaned up at Thtar-Thitty the other day tho they thay.

'Got that. Next?'

GOLD COATHT.

'You mean that thing about the three fifty plus team, troll?'

'Ahh, you're learning fatht'.

'Ok. Next.'

WETHTHTH... thith ith ridiculous....TIGERTH.

'Pantherth are a rabble. I think the NRL wantth a Thunday win for the Tigeth at Leichhardt. Thadly it might be the latht Thunday at the hollowed ground. I really hope it'th not.

'Agree on both counts there, troll. Just Monday to go'.

BULLDOGTH.

'Why Bulldogs, troll?'.

'Don't know, feelth a bit like a Thtate of Origin. Lotth of Blueth againtht lotth of Maroonth. It'th the Blueth of courthe.'

'Great. Thanks troll. Will cross my fingers. Now to call an ambulance to flush this eye now infested with superbugs'.

mark ashford's picture

Coach Coach Coach you have plumbed new depths (or is it heights) with your tipping.
Did you know the troll under your bridge is actually Trevor Gillmeister? and beware Coach beware...he knows you're a BLUES SUPPORTER!

Supadan's picture

Broncs to gallop over knights
Sea eagles upset rabbits
Warriors just
Cows,without Thurston no probs
Dragons,eels to inconsistent
Roosters to good for titans
Panthers to run over tiger halves
Dogs just

nola's picture

o.k where are you tips please give asap i am getting smashed

Baggy_Gee's picture

I suppose that I should codify my tips.
Rabbits - Both won last start, bunnies at home
Broncos - Oh it hurts, but knights lost, Broncos won
Warriors - Again Warriors Won and are at home, (bit worried that the Raiders are wearing green on a Saturday)
Cowboys - Both won and the Cows are at home
Eels - If Chrissy is smiling and winning yay, bodes well. But last start winners at home
Roosters - Same deal but this one gets hazy, technically its a home game, but not a home ground? Only reason for the Chickens is that the Titans got pumped last start
Tigers - Two losers and therefore the home ground. I think I'm going to be pooched with this game
Bulldogs - Doggies won Storm didn't and again no home ground, but a bit closer to Sydney than Melbourne

Coach Potato's picture

It's the Djokovic tactic Mark. Pretend I'm down and out then come back like Rocky.

Let's see what Thinker reports back about the high-priced starters. He'll be wishing it wasn't Friday.

mark ashford's picture

I'm going all home teams this week except for the Eels. he clubs in turmoil and the Dragons are going ok.
The other two games that scare me are Rabbits/Manly and Dogs/Storm think they could go either way so it's only home advantage that swayed me.
Broncos
Rabbits
Warriors
Cowboys
Dragons
Roosters
Tigers
Dogs
Good luck everybody, hope your team wins by heaps.

a's picture

Here are my tips

Broncos by 14 I think the Broncos will be too good for the Knights

Rabbitohs by 6 I think the Rabbitohs will be too good for crap Manly here

Warriors by 8 I think Warriors will be Raiders here

Cowboys by 4 Cowboys winning steak will have to end sometime but not here but

Dragons by 4 I think Dragons will get their season back on track aganist the Eels

Roosters by 10 I think Roosters will be too good for the Titans

Tigers by 2 I am with the Thinker on this one Robbie Farahs return means they will win by 2

Bulldogs by 10 I think Bulldogs will be too good for the Storm here

a's picture

I will also be seeing Cowboys vs Sharks live this weekend

Johnny Boney's picture

Hi guys this is my tips for this week:

Broncos of course by 26- Broncos way too good here, especially in defence and will attack very well in this game as well.

Rabbitohs by 4- Rabbitohs but in a close one here.

Warriors by 14- Warriors at home here.

Cowboys by 8- Since Thurston's out, it'll be as close as ypu'll think it will be,

The mighty Red V team Dragons by 16- My Dragons have this one in the bag.

Roosters obviously by 24- Roosters to smash Titans here.

Tigers by 10- Tigers at home here will be buoyed with Farah's return and will too good for Penrith here in the battle of the West and the battle of the cats.

and finally, Bulldogs by 20- Since the Bulldogs will be playing at Belmore, the Bulldogs will lift extra more in this one and plus, the storm are crap without Cronk and Slater.

hanks everyone and PEACE!!!! and finally, go the mighty Dragons will come back after losing 2 in a row.

Anonymous's picture

Hi all! not that I have to tell anyone I'm new here but still. been following since round 6, couldn't help myself but join in (thanks Thinker). Well here in Fiji we don't really get to see too many live games, maybe a couple each round or three if we lucky, but hey don't be surprised I know a thing or two about RL. Always extra special when we get to see some Fijian boys play. Its great that the NRL is reaching out to Pacific Island countries esp. Fiji, Samoa And Tonga. Our boys have been playing In the NRL for decades and its great that the NRL is actually trying to help develop the sport further, unlike RU dicks who only come here when they are short a winger or two.

News has it that the Melbourne Storm will be bringing one of their regular season games to Fiji from 2016. way to go! I guarantee you the stadium will be jam packed and if Koroibete was playing expect his whole village to be there. sometimes I do walk away a few bucks richer from the (only) local bookie, although we don't have too many options. Just h2h, Line and margin. well that's me. thanks again.

Oh..by the way huge roosters fan.

Islander's picture

Too excited. the comment above is mine. yeah I know .... dumbass!

The Thinker's picture

Nice to hear from you Islander.

I finally visited your country last year and had a ball. Spent an afternoon bobbing up and down on one of your reefs with a cousin of Apisai Koroisau from the Panthers.

Tailspin's picture

Hey everyone. hope all good
Here we go again, ye ha
Broncos by 24
I"m going the Bunnies at home by 10
Raiders for an upset by 6
Cowboys of course by 20
Eels to have a blinder here by 8
Roosters by 14
Panthers are due for a win by 4
Dogs in a close one by 2

Coach Potato's picture

So here is what was inside one of the troll's paper aeroplanes. Every game this year where a team started at odds of $3 or more. I revised the original $3.50 plus aeroplane. Far more enlightening. Only 13 of these games up til now but 4 more this week.

Game 1
Round 2: Penrith $1.22 (40) Gold Coast (0)

Game 2
Round 2: Nth Qld $1.35 (14) Newcastle $3.20 (16)

Game 3
Round 3: Melbourne $1.27 (36) Cronulla $3.75 (18)

Game 4
Round 3: Souths $1.21 (20) Wests $4.45 (6)

Game 5
Round 4: Parramatta $3.20 (29) Souths (16)

Game 6
Round 4: Sydney $1.18 (34) Canberra $4.90 (6)

Game 7
Round 5: Sydney $1.20 (12) Cronulla $4.20 (20)

Game 8
Round 6: Parramatta $1.37 (16) Gold Coast $3.15 (38)

Game 9
Round 8: New Zealand $1.27 (28) Gold Coast $3.50 (32)

Game 10
Round 8: Melbourne $1.26 (10) Manly $3.60 (12)

Game 11
Round 8: Souths $1.22 (22) Canberra $4.00 (30)

Game 12
Round 12: New Zealand $1.35 (24) Newcastle $3.05 (20)

Game 13
Round 14: Wests $3.20 (34) Souths $1.33 (6)

Game 14
Round 16: Brisbane $1.15 Newcastle $5

Game 15
Round 16: Souths $1.32 Manly $3.20

Game 16
Round 16: North Queensland $1.22 Cronulla $4.00

Game 17
Round 16: Sydney $1.10 Gold Coast $6.25

'If anyone can find a reason to tip the Knights, I'd love to hear it'. Hope you know what day it is tomorrow. Sleep well.

a's picture

I wonder who can

Shanghai's picture

Hopefully, this week will be a bit more productive for me .....

Broncos - should do it comfortably

Sea Eagles - can't believe I've picked them two weeks in a row

Warriors -at home

Cowboys - should get the job done

Dragons - I have trouble knowing which Eels side is turning up, so it's the more reliable Dragons for me

Roosters - too good

Tigers - Panthers are another side I can't tip

Bulldogs - tough one on paper but the doggies for me

Good luck to all ......

Declan_S's picture

Loving the support you're showing for my boys Coach!
Also Mullen is playing tomorrow and we haven't lost a game this year when he's been playing (I'm fairly sure)

Declan_S's picture

I'm with mark, I'm gonna go with all the home teams bar the eels

newbie from perth's picture

Hi everyone,

Dude! As far as my tipping goes, I think it’s an “annus horribilus” type of year. To borrow a euphemism from euchre, I just can’t seem to “win a trick”. Pick the Raiders and they lose by 1. Pick the Knights and they lose by 2. Pick the Storm and they lose by 2. Instead of getting 6, Newbie ends up with a paltry 3. Anyone seen my “mojo”? It’s obviously gone missing somewhere. Oh well, that’s how the footy bounces I suppose.

Can’t see myself catching up at all this week as I reckon the round is fairly clear-cut and most of us should, in theory, pick pretty much the same. Then again, strange things happen don’t they? I’m really hoping the football gods will take pity and give me a nice birthday present Friday and bestow this mere mortal a perfect round this week! OK, let’s “make this partay a happening thang”!

Broncos vs Knights - Broncos on top of the ladder, overcame huge odds last week and playing at home. The Knights have only won one game since Round 4. Gotta go the Broncos.

Rabbitohs vs Manly - on one hand you have the Rabbitohs winning, according to the theory of tonibet’s buddy, ‘cos of the green but on the other hand you have the Friday night “upset” thing a possibility. What to do? I’m that far behind it doesn’t matter so what the heck, let’s go the boys from Manly.

Warriors vs Raiders - Warriors won last week and the Raiders let me down. Go the Kiwi Power. Peow! Peow!

Cowboys vs Sharks - Newbie’s gonna ride this runaway Cowboys train until it derails. Post game I think we will see a lot more than 1300 smiles. “Yee hah, ride ‘em cowboy!”

Eels vs Dragons - things not too rosy over in Parramatta I see. Ticking along OK for the Red V so based on that, I’ll be tipping the Dragons.

Roosters vs Titans - I have learnt the hard way not to underestimate my boys. Enough said, go you Mighty Chooks!

Tigers vs Panthers - both last start losers but the Tigers’ loss disappointed me the most. Even so, I reckon they’ll get this thing done, especially seeing as it’s at Leichhardt. Tigers for me.

Bulldogs vs Storm - Doggies have some blokes coming back, it’s at ANZ and they have a habit of knocking the Storm Troopers off. The Storm have some blokes out, not sure if Cronk is back, but they rarely lose too many games in a row. It’s a tough one. I have huge respect for the Storm but methinks this week I’ll be going with the Blue and Whites.

Must be genetic! Brother Shanghai and myself have same picks. Hey bro’ hope I haven’t put the “mocka” on you this week. D’oh!

Welcome Islander. Great to see another Roosters fan on here. Love ya man!

@ Johnny Ray - just noticed your Warriors avatar thing. Pretty sweet brother. Well done!

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

P.S. What is Satan's last name? Hmmm…

a's picture

I can not wait to watch the Cowboys live on Saturdy

Coach Potato's picture

Mullen played the first 8 rounds so his strikerate is only 50%. Well in front of his team mates though.

Still not clear if he will play or not, but if he does, then certainly a key to the Knights wins in weeks 1-4 will be out on the field.

That's three reasons now - ,
1/It's Friday
2/Knights are paying over $3
3/the Mullen factor

Coach Potato's picture

4/Resting players against weaker teams = Complacency Plus

Coach Potato's picture

5/Bennett's record against the team he just left is horrible.

Left Broncos at the end of 08.
Broncos beat Dragons 5/6 in next 3 years.

Left Dragons at the end of 2011.
Dragons beat Knights 4/5 in the next 2 years.

Admittedly Broncos beat Newcastle last month.

a's picture

Let's hope Cowboys make it 12 in a row

Eugene's picture

@a shame Thurston is getting rested. I was at the Broncos vs Storm game last week, even though we lost, was a good game to go.

I like:
Bunnies by 4
Broncos by 22
Warriors by 6
Cowboys by 5
Dragons by 8
Tigers by 4
Storm by 2 (I am a huge Storm fan so stuff the dogs)
Roosters

Baggy_Gee's picture

The answer to your questions Newbie, Satan's last name is " 's ". And you haven't been visited by a fat guy while you were in your cryogenics chamber frozen during the week? Your mojo may already be on the black market and being shipped to QLD to bolster a tipper that isn't doing the marvellously.

Coach they are 5 good reasons, but I think the Ponies gain more from resting players than they get from wheeling out the same old same old, from what we saw the "baby Broncos" do without their stars, they new guard are good footballers in their own right.

Islander's picture

Glad you had a great time Thinker. Next time try river rafting, beats the reef any day. thanks for the welcome Newbie.

Well, here goes nothing!

Broncos- Ben Hunt to be the difference

Rabbitohs- because the bunnies are not the tigers

Warriors- if they stick around for 80 minutes.

Sharks- the streak ends when no one expects it. Cowboys minus JT don't seem to have too many points in them.

Dragons- Defence wins games (not that they wont attack)

Roosters- too much class for the titans to handle.

Tigers- don't ask me why?

Bulldogs- Hodkinson to prove his worth. Again.

Steel Panther's picture

Nice post on James Ackerman this week Thinker. Sad to see a young bloke taken so young playing the game we all love.

I'm sticking with all the home teams this weekend with the exception of Parra (sorry Baggy). The round almost looks too easy but I've been following the game too long to know that we can expect some upsets. I'm just not brave enough to pick them.

Great to see some new faces posting comments. Best of luck everyone!!

a's picture

The round is too damn easy

Declan_S's picture

Just in case Thinker's helper didn't see my last comment:
Rabbitohs
Broncos
Warriors
Cowboys
Dragons
Roosters
Tigers
Bulldogs

The Thinker's picture

Thanks Declan...Got them.

a's picture

Where is birdboy this weekend

newbie from perth's picture

@ Johnny Ray – Cookies? I reckon you might’ve eaten a few of those “funny” ones brother. No seriously, thanks for the link. Those sweet gals look like ANGELS. Music’s a bit before my time but noticed my feet were tapping away all by themselves.

Just for the record in case it comes off:

First Scoring Play - Brisbane Penalty Goal @ $15.00 and in the other game, Souths Penalty Goal @ $13.00. Newbie’s betting responsibly and as such has had a tenner on each. Show Me The Money!

newbie from perth's picture

Damn you Broncos! 150 big ones down the gurgler. D'oh!

newbie from perth's picture

Damn you Souths! 130 big ones down the gurgler. D'oh!

Baggy_Gee's picture

I agree with getting the lifting tackle out of the game but what was the difference between those two tackles and why did the Ponies get the free, and not the knights? Argh.

Johnny Ray's picture

Ah man. Manly should of won that game if wasn't for their failure as a team to maintain pressure at critical moments like dropping ball from kick off after they scored first try. I knew from then that it was all over. :-(

Baggy_Gee's picture

JR you have a lot of time on your hands. But thanks

a's picture

Well I hope I watch the Cowboys win tonight

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