Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – Sportingbet Stadium
4th vs 12th sounds about right for this clash - although few would have thought the Panthers would be 4th. They've done a lot right thus far but this could be a test of how far they've really come. The Bunnies were back to their resurgent best last week and never gave the Dragons a sniff. If they back up they win again. The new coaching regime at Redfern has put plenty of emphasis on consistency - I think it's time the players showed us all they've been listening to the boss. Inglis ran for 200 metres last week, and when Inglis makes metres the Bunnies prevail. Not remotely confident (and why would I be) but I'll take the red and green machine in what should be another ripping Friday night affair.
Verdict – Rabbitohs by 5
Result - Rabbitohs 18 defeated Panthers 2
Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – Cbus Stadium
Tipping this season has been, dare I say it, a tad tricky. Look no further than the Gold Coast Titans as evidence of that. They lead the ladder with a negative differential (I'm pleased to say someone else found out the last time that happened so I didn't have to - 1953). In the four games they won they started as the outsider and, you guessed it, the one game they lost they were a red hot favourite...and they got smashed. Three of those four wins were away from home - and all three were at venues no-one loves to visit. None of you need me to highlight how crapulent my tipping has been this year but here goes: in the ten games involving these two sides I've picked the winner just once. In the nine Friday night fixtures thus far this season I've picked the winner just once. Take note tipsters....I am a curse. But rugby league isn't just about me. This is a great local derby at a great stadium involving two teams in decent form. The Broncos have won eight of the last nine local derbies, and I'm keen on them again. Hodges has lost next to none of his ability and this season he has a few more helpers in attack. No one at Broncos HQ wants to see this but I'm tipping them. Sorry boys.
Verdict – Broncos by 4
Result - Titans 12 defeated Broncos 8 (sorry boys)
Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights – Saturday afternoon – GIO Stadium
It wouldn't be easy being a Newcastle Knight at the moment. Ownership woes, second last on the ladder and one of their favourite team-mates with a life-long injury. They're also backing up from a Monday night loss in North Queensland to play a Saturday afternoon game in Canberra. If they flew from Townsville to Canberra direct I wouldn't be surprised. Just a few weeks ago these sides met in Newcastle and the Raiders prevailed. I'd be surprised if they don't win again. Back the overs, back the Raiders to score more than 30 and back the Raiders to win. Given what we've seen from the NRL this season no-one would dare suggest the Raiders are good things...so I won't...but I want to.
Verdict – Raiders by 14
Result - Knights 26 defeated Raiders 12 (at least I got the margin right)
Parramatta Eels vs Sydney Roosters – Saturday night – Pirtek Stadium
I've just realised how black the Parramatta Eels starting line-up is. I'm cool with that, but I think their entire starting thirteen is indigenous or polynesian, and outside of the Indigenous/All-Stars game I doubt that has ever happened before. They make the Roosters look like Norway. Black, white or brindle one can't deny the quality of their football at the moment, and the win over the Broncos in Brisbane was no fluke. People are starting to stand up and take notice, and when Andrew Johns is publicly tipping you to knock off the defending premiers you know you can't surprise anyone with your upside. The Roosters will take to the field knowing they are in a contest, and I'll tip them to find a way to win. The chooks have scored just eight points in their last two games but don't leap to the conclusion that they're struggling in attack. Just three weeks ago they racked up 56 points...against the Eels.
Verdict – Roosters by 8
Result - Eels 14 defeated Roosters 12
Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys – Saturday night – Campbelltown Stadium
Perennial bad boy and serial offender Braith Anasta is out for this clash after receiving his first suspension in his fifteen season career. Joining him on the pine is the injured James Tedesco. That leaves two vital cogs for the Tigers to replace, and rising star Luke Brooks will need to gel with his new halves partner Blake Austin pretty darn quickly. One can never say the Cowboys have turned a corner, but their win over the Knights gives the people north of the Tropic of Capricorn some hope that their mob are a premiership force. They need to back up a win with another win. Their record against the Tigers is pretty woeful, but I can't say no to JT and those big puppy dog eyes.
Verdict – Cowboys by 2
Result - Tigers 16 defeated Cowboys 4
New Zealand Warriors vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Sunday afternoon – Eden Park
One week ago the Warriors were beaten by 31 by the team running last, and the Bulldogs were gutsy one point winners over the defending premiers. Given that, the only reason anyone would tip the Warriors this weekend would be if their coach got shown the door. We're told the Warriors coach found the door on his own, but I'll assume the Warriors will respond with some sort of football this weekend. It may seem unlikely, but last year the Eels started win games after Stephen Kearney left, and the Eels were terrible. Eden Park is hardly a home ground advantage for the Kiwis either - they haven't won a game there yet. Those of you with your mental faculties intact won't consider this selection for a moment...but here goes.
Verdict – Warriors by 6
Result - Bulldogs 21 defeated Warriors 20
Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks – Sunday afternoon – Brookvale Oval
Of the last nine clashes in the battle of the beaches the northerners have won on eight occasions. Marginally better beach...Considerably better football side.
Verdict – Sea Eagles by 10
Result - Sea Eagles 24 defeated Sharks 4
Melbourne Storm vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Monday night – AAMI Park
Three rounds into the season and these were the undefeated sides in the competition. Three rounds later and the loser of this contest loses three in a row. The return of Gareth Widdop to his old stomping ground adds interest, and his combinations with Dugan and Witt should improve after the hit-out last weekend. I do wonder....just a little....if the Alex MacKinnon situation is playing on the minds of the Melbourne Storm. They just don't seem to be the side they were. That said, you could count on one hand the number of times the Storm have lost three in a row in the last decade.
Verdict – Storm by 4
Result - Storm 28 defeated Dragons 24
Wally Lewis - round six selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.
- Panthers vs RABBITOHS
- Titans vs BRONCOS
- Raiders vs KNIGHTS
- Eels vs ROOSTERS
- Tigers vs COWBOYS
- Warriors vs BULLDOGS
- SEA EAGLES vs Sharks
- STORM vs Dragons
Comments
Submitted by mark ashford on
Hi all!
I'm pretty much with the Thinker this week except the Warriors game. The assistant coach has been there for all games so far so why would he make a difference? Bulldogs Josh Reynolds wants the Blues run on spot and outplayed Mitchell Pearce last week big time. He will have a big game against the Kiwis.
Can't help but agree with the Thinker about the Eels (and others) line up.Seems a lot of the Sydney teams are full of giant Pacific Islanders.
Anyway this week...
Rabbits
Broncos
Raiders
Roosters
Cowboys
Bulldogs
Manly
Storm
Good luck all.
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Ah man ! What a week it's been in footy ! If it wasn't for my job, the ten Age Of Darkness books I've got to read and Games Of Throne being back on TV to distract me, I would be totally devastated about what's been happening at Warriors if wasn't already so angry about way things have been allowed to play out ! Personally I can't believe what's going on with my club ! Still it won't stop me watching them at Eden Park this weekend as it looks like boys are going to need all support they can get ! Let's get on with this week tips :
Rabbitohs - After few weeks of error ridden rugby league, it looks like The Bunnies are back to doing what they d best and that's win football games. The Bunnies by 14 points.
Titans - I envision this to be even contest and though I want pick Broncos to win this game I can't ! Not with momentum that Titans currently have going into this game. That's why I'm going with home side. Titans by four points.
Raiders - The Raiders to start their surge into top eight spot this season, starting with this game at home against Knights. Raiders by ten points.
Roosters - Another close game, as we should expect much better Eels side this time around, especially playing at home. The Eels win this I will not be surprised ! Roosters by eight points.
Cowboys - Cowboys haven't won in Sydney in ten years against Tigers and that includes the time they played against them in 2005 Grand Final where Tigers went on to win. As I'm still confidently backing Roosters vs Cowboys Grand Final this year, I'm going with Cowboys in this game now that Tedesco is out. Cowboys by eight points.
Sharks - Sharks are finally getting back into their game while Sea Eagles look off theirs ! Again I'm probably totally wrong about this but personally speaking I've just got this feeling that Sharks are going to get up for this game and win the points. Sharks by 2 points.
Bulldogs - Warriors can't win this week not with everything they've got going against them. I mean yes, they are playing for alot this week - their sacked coach Matt Elliott, they're new coach Andrew McFadden, the sponsors, the club management desperate to reverse the curse at Eden Park, the two club owners with point to prove, the fans, their friends, their families and themselves but still it's hard to stand up with all that sort of pressure sitting on you. Bulldogs by 16 points.
Storm - It's Dragons. Dragons ! And I don't care what anybody says I still say they are completely crap side in spite of their current form. Storm by 20 points.
Thanks Thinker. Go Warriors ! Kiwi Power ! Peow ! Peow ! ;-D
Submitted by The Animal on
Nope. Stuff it. This week I'm not spending any time antagonizing over my tipping, checking and rechecking the NRL website and all my other sites. Going with the first gut feeling!! Can't do any worse than last week, one point geez lost my spot up the top :'(
Panthers
Broncos
Raiders
Roosters
Tigers
Warriors
Manly
Storm - note: it makes me cringe to tip against my team, but with some risky tipping this week, well, this match was the most guaranteed looking ...
But all the same ..
UP THE DRAGONS!!
Submitted by Neeks on
Penrith
Broncos
Knights
Eels
Tigers
Warriors
Manly
Storm
Submitted by christine forb10 on
What happened to everyones tips & when will we get them ?
Submitted by The Joker on
I'm with mark this week on my tips
Rabbits
Broncos
Raiders
Roosters
Cowboys
Bulldogs
Manly
Storm
Happy tipping!
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hi everyone,
Still early over here in the Wild West (well sort of early) and now that daylight saving has finished (I think) some of you might still be having a gander here at football HQ. If you are, here's my tips for this week:
Rabbits
- Have they remembered how to play footy? Methinks maybe they have.
Broncos
- Originally settled on the Titans but after reading the Thinker's musings I decided to change to the Broncos, if for nothing else but to show some moral support to get his tipping hoodoo thing squared away.
Raiders
- Think they're travelling just that little bit better at the mo.
Roosters
- Geez, how heartbreaking was it for me last week watching my boys get rolled? Mind you, the Doggies did play well and upon reflection, they deserved the win. D'oh! Anyway, Chooks will hopefully prevail this week and even though the Eels are cruising along nicely of late, I'm thinking our last 2 losses might shake us back into reality. Well I'm hoping it will. Fingers crossed...
Tigers
- Not many of you are tipping the Tigers but I'm thinking they have a fairly decent chance here, especially after watching them "smack" Manly last week. Yep, a chance indeed.
Bulldogs
- After watching them last Friday night, I'm happy to tip 'em.
Manly
- Yeah they weren't too flash last week but I reckon they'll be flash enough to take care of the Sharks. Wouldn't be surprised if it was a close one though.
Storm
- Only because they're at home. Not the Stormers of old and this is very confusing to the Newbie. He doesn't know which way to go with the Storm Troopers anymore.
OK gotta head off now. Thanks for reading my dribble and best of luck with your tipping and to your team this weekend. Cheers.
Submitted by John on
Where's a this week
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Like the Thinker I'm one from nine on a Friday night or one from ten if you count the Thursday night clash in Round 1. If my life depended on my tipping I'd be well and truly dead now.....
Rabbitohs - I like the Panthers and wish that Ivan was still coaching the Warriors but I won't go there. They won last week so the form guide says they'll lose this week.
Broncos - I'm not convinced about the Titans. Like the Thinker said, leading the comp to date with a negative points differential just doesn't cut it for me.
Raiders - Will be interesting to see if Jarrod Mullen plays for the Knights but I think he needs a game or two in first grade under his belt before he gets back to his best.
Roosters - The Eels have looked a lot better this season and should have (deservedly) had a win against Manly but I can't pick them against the reigning Premiers.
West Tigers - I'm with you there Newbie. The Cowboys are notoriously poor in Sydney. Even without Tedesco and Anasta it's the Tigers at Campbelltown for me.
Manly - The Sharks only win to date has been against the most dreadful team in the comp so far.
Bulldogs - By 100
Storm - The Dragons take Widdop back to his old stomping ground. Being familiar with every blade of grass at AAMI Park won't be enough.
Good luck everyone!!
Submitted by Gryzor on
If anyone knows "a" could they encourage them to post their tips.
I've been waiting half the day for something to appear.
Submitted by cupcake on
Well, what an abysmal start to the footy tipping comp, from winner last year to bottom of the ladder this year - one feels the need to run and hide in shame. Keep up the good commentry... it gives one little hope.
Submitted by a on
Dont you worry I am here I had problems signing in I am using a computer in the shops tipping is not easy I tell you. Now here are my tips
Rabbitohs by 4 I think Rabbitohs are back on track here
Titans by 1 50-50 this game I think Titans to win narowlly here
Raiders by 6 I think Raiders to win the same scoreline as round 2 I think
Roosters by 8 I think Roosters to win but a lot less than 52
Cowboys by 2 I think Cowboys to win but only just
Bulldogs by 2 I was right with the Bulldogs the previous 2 weeks with upsets and I am going with them again
Sea Eagles by 12 I think Sea Eagles to win by 2 tries here
Storm by 10 I think Storm to win easy here
Submitted by a on
ThInkers little helper D has not listen do not let him post comments ever again
Submitted by Thinker's Little Helper on
I've cleared out D's spam and blocked the computer it was sent from. Trouble is though, D's computer's address is the same as yours, a.
I guess we won't be hearing from you either, until you find a computer that D can't use but you can. Does such a computer exist, I wonder.
Submitted by The Animal on
Multiple personalities, perhaps?
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Do not despair Cupcake. There is a lot of top tipsters struggling. I've won my office comp the last two seasons. I'm running second to last this year already 8 games behind. But it's a marathon not a sprint. Hang in there....
Submitted by rangerchris on
Panthers v Rabbitohs
Titans v Broncos
Raiders v Knights
Eels v Roosters
Tigers v Cowboys
Warriors v Doggies
Manly v Sharks
Storm v Dragons
I've sworn of betting on Ben Barba and Broncos this weekend. So there is a pretty good chance Barba will get the first try and man of the match.
Submitted by a on
I have found 1 Thinkers Little Helper if you wonder why D is by brother He has done this lots of times maybe you can just block the name
Submitted by Siege on
A, you said you were at the shops using a computer, therefore your "brother" went on this same computer straight after you... in the shops?
Submitted by Guru Craig on
After the equivalent of a 100-nil loss in last week’s tipping, The Guru thinks it’s time to get serious. The silliness needs to take a siesta and The Guru is going to need a sombrero-sized thinking cap for this week.
Souths – God told Noah to bring two of every animal, Noah got a bit Rusty on this as he’s got four Burgess’ but only two of them are playing tonight. The Guru thinks that’ll be enough Burgess’ to beat Penrith. Souths 13+
Broncos – The G hopes Brisbane can fix up their defense, because if they can do that they should be able to hold the Titans at bay. Brisbane 1-12
Raiders – Newcastle will want to win this one, but with all that’s going on down in Newcastle even Wayne must be starting to wonder. Apparently Tiny has lost his wallet, which has caused a bit of mayhem. I heard they’ve had the whole team out looking for it with no luck yet. There’s some debate over the size of it said wallet, some say it’s the exact size of Tinys waist…while others say it’s a malnutrishioned.
Eels – The Guru thinks Parra will win this because they want it more than the Stegglers. Parramatta might not be much on paper as people have said, but the Roosters haven’t been much on the field lately either. This game feels like a bit of a tough tip, the odds look enticing though.
Tigers – I’m on the Tigers for this game based on form, and the fact the Cowboys haven’t impressed me this year at all. JT’s speech did the trick last week but when you’ve been out of form, games like this can be tough to get the W.
Warriors – The Guru hummed and hared over this one a bit, but will give the NZW a crack at the Sharkies Syndrome. The ‘G’ isn’t feeling this one at all but it’s worth a shot.
Manly – The Eagles all day. The Guru’s Gold, tip of the week. This game could be tough for a while, but Manly should be too classy for the Sharks. With players returning The Guru thinks the Sea Eagles are worth 13+
Melbourne – The Storm will win this, Billy Slater said so! It will be Bellyache’s 200th and there’s no better occasion for it than a Monday night at AAMI Park.
Submitted by a on
I was shopping with him so he must have e did go in the shop with me using the shops IPad I believe
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Brisbane were robbed last night. Did everything but win. I see the stats on NRL.com say they made 14 errors. Was that the team stats or just the stats for Justin Hodges?
Submitted by christine forb10 on
i've broken the friday night curse & so has (a) 2 from 2
Submitted by Guru Craig on
I agree they were a little hard done by, but if want to win games you need to score more than 8 points.
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Man who would have had Knights to beat Raiders ? Wally Lewis ! Guess that's why we still call him King ! Dude ! :-(
Submitted by a on
Cowboys are playing horrible unfortunately
Submitted by The Thinker on
It's not even embarrassing anymore
It's way beyond that
Submitted by christine forb10 on
rumours are souths to make a bid for tariq simms, hope they get him he wants out of cowboys & wants to come back to sydney.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Warriors.....Thinker shakes his head
Submitted by Guru Craig on
Hmmm....Guru agrees
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Why ? Why ? Why is it out of all picks I make, the one pick that I could get wrong this week it had to be Bulldogs pick ? Warriors ! ;-(
Submitted by Steel Panther on
The Warriors are magicians at beating themselves. They have perfected this craft like no other team in the NRL. Like you said Johnny Ray after a week from hell they were never going to win yesterday although I admit they came pretty close. The Warriors struggle to win when they have a perfect week let alone a bad one!!
Submitted by Lady Di-saster on
Still think the Rooters were playing against 14 men! Wanders off to specsavers whistling a Korn tune....
Submitted by Lady Di-saster on
Still think the Rooters were playing against 14 men! Wanders off to specsavers whistling a Korn tune....
Submitted by christine forb10 on
I thought that teams were supposed to win games not the refs.
Submitted by Guru Craig on
Tis a tough comp to tip right now. 2014 form isn't 2013 form, and in season 2014, form isn't form... not really anyway. We need to carefully take into account the week to week emotional state of a team.
Newcastle are a great example. Turned it on at home against the Sharks and won, NQC in TSV and no one wants to play, Raiders in Canberra and Wayne steps up the pre-game speech, they win. They'll probably lose this week at home against Brisbane, but then... the Broncos have issues as well with Hodgo not fitting in just yet, Barba not wanting to take high balls and the soft try issue, they let in at least one every week. Brisbane have a lot of improvement left.
The Eels are visibly a happier group of people. Dont get too excited they've a ways to go, but wins are wins, and theres nothing quite like that feeling of believing in yourself and getting the job done. You start to believe the coach and when you do that you listen to him. Especially when the media brush you for brighter stars. The Eels are quietly doing the job over sides like the Chooks and Broncs, both quality Ws, Hayne needs to step up, take charge and Mannah could do with a bit of agro, too happy Jan! Get onto Tommy, he can point to a few pre game gee up tactics that will get the smile the right way up (think savage rabid dogs etc)....see the last Sunday's footyshow if you dont know what The 'G' is saying.
Cowboys and Warriors, they might turn it around but The Guru thinks they're ...... , both will lose this week again.
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Yeah congratulations goes out to a for finally getting ahead of me on this site tipping ladder ! That and I agree with you Guru Craig about all things that you said ! What does it say to you about this competition so far when two people leading ladder are only about 50% correct so far with their tips ? That and how is it The Thinker not in front of us both us by now, I don't know ! He knows more about league than we ever would ! Dude ! ;-D
Submitted by mark ashford on
First and most important is BIG congratulations to "a" don't know how you're doing it buddy but keep up the good work.
Yes Johnny Ray looking at this and other NRL sites no one but no one is doing any better than about 50%.
Finally...yes Guru the Broncos have heaps of room for improvement (as no doubt do a lot of teams) I just hope they find their mojo sooner rather than later and start winning those close games.