Sydney Roosters vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Thursday night – Allianz Stadium
Both sides have named eight on their bench, but that appears to be the new normal for just about everybody. It does give the coaches an opportunity to keep an ace up their sleeve before game day, but it doesn't make tipping any easier. The Bulldogs didn't find attacking any easier last week but that was against the Storm who can suffocate the very best of attacks when their systems are working to capacity. We can't assume the Bulldogs attack isn't firing after one game, but it's a cause for concern. No problems for the Roosters attack last week...in the first half at least. Their coach will remind them to play for 80 minutes if they want to remain undefeated. Much gets made of the Bulldogs forwards and with good reason, but the Chooks aren't short of Foghorn Leghorns in the engine room. That's a battle worth watching. As for the backs – on what we've seen the Chooks outpoint the Dogs with the ball in hand. I've done the maths, and I'm pretty sure that points to a Roosters victory. I say, I say boy, don't bother me when I'm thinking.
Verdict – Roosters by 8
Result – Roosters 28 defeated Bulldogs 24
New Zealand Warriors vs Melbourne Storm – Friday night – Mt Smart Stadium
Just one change to the line-ups from last week but it's a pretty big one, with Jesse Bromwich taking some time away from the game while he puts his skeleton back inside his skin. Two weeks tops. They breed them tough in Auckland. Tim Glasby steps up to the starting line in his absence, and he'll be perfectly fine. Note that my rising star suggestion for the purple machine gets his chance alongside Cooper Cronk this weekend – the name is Riley Jacks (not a restaurant). Munster slots back to fullback and Tonumaipea joins the cast of thousands on the extended bench. As I said last week it's hard to get a read on the Warriors performance last week, but barely beating the Knights at home doesn't sound like the right form to beat the purple machine. Note that the Storm have just a 50% win rate at Mt Smart – possibly their least successful venue. A game that could surprise to the upside if the Warriors have one of their nights, but even if they do the Storm probably get the points anyway.
Verdict – Storm by 7
Result – Storm 26 defeated Warriors 10
Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium
Their last five clashes (yes...five) have given us rugby league at the top of its game. They can't keep up this level of wow forever, but this is the match of the round regardless. Both sides won in round one against high class opponents and impressed in the process. Yours truly looked to get tickets to this game about six weeks ago, and the best I could find was up in the third tier of the grandstand. That put me off a little, so I'll be plonking down on The Lounge instead (sorry Coach). Join me if you wish. I'm leaning to the Cowboys but it's a very light lean. I think their forwards can gain the advantage and Granville has the pace out of dummy half to wreak havoc if the defensive line is on the back-pedal. Thurston, Morgan and Coote can conjure magic off the back of that. Ben Hunt, bless him, still has a habit of making errors when he needs to make quick and important decisions. This looks like the sort of game where such an error could prove the difference. Thurston eats pressure for breakfast. Hunt chews his nails. Cowboys for mine.
Verdict – Cowboys by 4
Result – Cowboys 21 defeated Broncos 20
Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans – Saturday afternoon – McDonald Jones Stadium
The Knights go into this game with something they've been lacking for quite some time – confidence. There was enough in their first up performance to suggest they can compete with the most of them. While I would never begrudge anyone a bit of self-belief, I will always take a competitive performance against the hot and cold warriors with a dose of scepticism. I liked what I saw from the Titans when they finally woke up against the Chooks, and I expect a better start from them here. Proctor has been named so lets assume he plays, and you'd think Jarryd Hayne at fullback will be keen to make his mark given the recent criticism. Great players respond to criticism in the best way possible – it's time to find out if Hayne is great.
Verdict – Titans by 8
Result – Knights 34 defeated Titans 26
Manly Sea Eagles vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Saturday afternoon – Lottoland
After recent periods of on-field success these two sides ended season 2016 in 13th (Manly) and 12th (Souths). It's a long season, but finals football already looks a bridge too far for both these teams. Eventually the Bunnies had to get used to a post-Inglis world but they wouldn't have thought it would happen so quickly. Once-in-a-generation players don't grow on trees – I fear that 2017 will be a very lean year for the red and the green. Manly didn't jag the supplementary number at Lottoland, and they won't win a lot of games at him this season, but they can win this one.
Verdict – Sea Eagles by 2
Result – Rabbitohs 38 defeated Sea Eagles 18
Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday night – GIO Stadium
The first of our viking claps in season 2017, and Michael Ennis won't be there to fire up the locals. Both sides lost in round one but there were positives to take out of both performances – certainly enough to suggest that both teams can be in contention at the pointy end of the season. The Sharks have a pretty good record in the capital, but the inclusion of the largest man in the world (Junior Paulo) and Jack Wighton at the back has me feeling green. I'm feeling confident too.
Verdict – Raiders by 8
Result – Sharks 42 defeated Raiders 16
Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers – Sunday afternoon – Campbelltown Stadium
What the heckity heck do we do here? The Tigers impressed while my tip to win the premiership this season leaked 42 points to an attack that usually takes months to score 42 points. If the Dragons can do that to the Panthers what can Tedesco and Co. rack up on a Sunday afternoon at home? Can the Panthers just turn on the form like a tap? A rational mind would say no, but time and again we see teams that are humiliated one week turn it all around the next. Perhaps the off-field controversies got the better of the Panthers last week but we're all guessing right now. My guess is Panthers, but if they get flogged again I wouldn't be surprised.
Verdict – Panthers by 2
Result – Panthers 36 defeated Tigers 2
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Parramatta Eels – Sunday afternoon – WIN Stadium
Naturally I'm as confused by the Dragons form as I am by the Panthers. On face value they were bloody terrific, but perhaps their opponent made them look better than they are. I honestly have no idea. What I do know is that I was keen on the Eels in round one and they didn't let me down. Their under-rated pack was tough and resilient and they will need more of that this week as that is clearly where the strength of the Red V lies. I'm banking on the Eels backline outscoring the Dragons, but I could have that hopelessly wrong if the Dragons can repeat their round one heroics. As for Corey Norman, if he can keep things together off the field he's the best number seven for the Eels since Peter Sterling. Cor blimey...he's probably better than Peter Sterling. He's got better hair, and Ms Thinker tells me he's much better looking.
Verdict – Eels by 8
Result – Eels 34 defeated Dragons 16
Wally Lewis - round two selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- ROOSTERS vs Bulldogs
- Warriors vs STORM
- BRONCOS vs Cowboys
- Knights vs TITANS
- SEA EAGLES vs Rabbitohs
- RAIDERS vs Sharks
- Tigers vs PANTHERS
- Dragons vs EELS
Last one on the Coach competition
For those of you looking for the Coach Potato competition you can find it in the Lounge section of the website. Just click on 'The Lounge' tab at the top of the page, or you can find it here.
Comments
Submitted by The Thinker on
Greetings football fans
I'll have my previews and tips published by lunchtime tomorrow. In the meantime feel free to submit your tips and comments...if you wish.
Submitted by tigerholic on
Come on Coach, whats the view like from way back in the field. You may as well get your tips in early as obviously it doesn't matter how much time you take over each pick.
I think Rocket Ryan said he was available to give you some assistance if you so desire. Let me know and I will tee it up:)
Submitted by Coach Potato on
My desire is to pick you off one by one, piece by piece, slowly, but surely.
If that doesn't work, I'll just need to do it with the footy tipping.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Tigerholic betting on the Tigers.
There's one back.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Hi Tiger & Coach
In early this week...does it matter?
I'm only a few spots above you Coach. Looks like the old heads and the new guys are going to give us a "hurry up"
The NRL is keen to clean up the game...that's good.
What a player does off-field is a matter of contention.
Lot's of NRL players have been punished for violence against females.
And rightly so.
It is alleged Bryce Cartwright offered $50,000 for a former flame to have an abortion. There is no evidence of violence.
I assume the girl in question had the abortion, which she may have wanted as well. SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Is this just another grab for cash and TV appearances.
The media really makes me sick with these "revelations"
I wonder how many young men from "wealthy families" have had their "mistakes" paid off by Mum & Dad.
Just don't be an NRL player!!!
I wish the young lady and Bryce a peaceful ending to this.
My tips are in...good luck to all you tipsers.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Mark, the media have had a field day and painted Cartwright as the one without feeling, without thought for the unborn, until it was revealed the female (without a name) initially demanded some $300,000+ - as if it was some kind of ransom.
When the media tell the truth, that'll be the day.
Submitted by a on
Yeah Tom Samoa banned was good
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Awesome. Seven out of eight last week and I'm right where I want to be, top of the table with my man The Thinker, J-Jones and TheMexican. I don't understand why I've tipped the teams that I have this round, I know to anybody reading this I must look crazy and not in a hey it's hot inside here at my desk, let's have a super soaker, may the odds always be in your favour, water fight at work, good way, but in a hey it's hot inside here at my desk, somebody help me clear out fridge in my office and carry it to my cubicle so I can tip the thing onto one side, leave door open so I can place my chair inside it, if anybody complains to boss about it we'll blame Gary in accounts, bad way, it's just that I've really got this feeling that's there going to be a number of upsets this week, so let's get on this week picks. Good luck everybody !
Bulldogs by 12
Warriors by 4
Cowboys by 6
Titans by 16
Rabbitohs by 8
Raiders by 14
Panthers by 2
Eels by 18
Thanks again Thinker. Thanks again everybody ! Go NZ Warriors ! Kiwi Power ! Peow ! Peow ! ;-D
Submitted by TheMexican on
Beginners luck last week...typical Mexican.
So this week we will see what happens!
Submitted by pabdul on
round 2
roosters
warriors
broncos
titans
eagles
raiders
tigers
eels
thanks
Submitted by Taka on
Thank you. I'm happy to be part of the NRL 2017 season. My round 2 tips:
Bulldogs by 4
Warriors by 2
Broncos by 2
Titans by 14
Rabnitohs by 12
Raiders by 8
Tigers by 10
Eels by 18
Thank you.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Well will you look at that is it yes it is tigerholic has tipped the tigers which way are you going 007
Submitted by chooks on
tough week
Submitted by a on
Here are my tips
Roosters by 6 I think Roosters will be to strong for the Bulldogs
Storm by 1 I think Storm are going to win in extra time here
Cowboys by 2 I think Cowboys are going to win in a thriller here
Titans by 6 I think Titans are going to strike back aganist the Knights
Sea Eagles by 1 Yes I Know I Know I don't tip Manly very often but I think Rabbitohs will struggle against Manly without GI
Raiders by 6 I think Raiders are going to make Sharks drop to 0-2 here
West Tigers by 2 Yes I think Tigers will be strong this year
Eels by 2 Yes I think Eels are going to win here
Submitted by a on
Coach put me down for Roosters please
Submitted by Coach Potato on
No denying the Tigers went ok, but effectively 17 against 15 for most of the game, and 13 against 12 on the field for most of the game. Noone will know what effect Inglis would have had if he had a spare knee to use. He's been playing ok on one knee for 18 months as it is.
Does that show as a guide to this weekend?
I guess so, if you are naive enough to think so.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
No denying the Tigers went ok, but effectively 17 against 15 for most of the game, and 13 against 12 on the field for most of the game. Noone will know what effect Inglis would have had if he had a spare knee to use. He's been playing ok on one knee for 18 months as it is.
Does that show as a guide to this weekend?
I guess so, if you are naive enough to think so.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I'm not putting anyone down. You are putting yourself down - so to speak.
Submitted by tigerholic on
Hey Coachy Boy, I think you are getting a little worried about the mauling the Tigers have in store for your penny panthers. How about if the Tigers win you give ma a pass back into the LOOTC comp?
Gee I love the footy, Friday nights game in Brisbane verse Cowboys will be a cracker.
Cheers
Submitted by GaryChesterUK on
Tough week, I think anyone will struggle to get 7 out of 8 this week! My nap of the week is Storm - GL everyone
Roosters
Storm
Broncos
Knights
Rabbitohs
Raiders
Panthers
Eels
Submitted by a on
I think once you out of the last one of the couch your out
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Memory of a goldfish Tigerholic
2016 - started 2 for 3 - finished nowhere
2015 - started 2 for 3 - finished nowhere
2014 - started 2 for 3 - finished nowhere
2013 - started 2 for 3 - finished nowhere
Memory like a bloody goldfish.
At least the goldfish is happy in the current moment.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Wow, winning or in the top quarter of my other comps, sitting middle of the pack here, how good are the tippers on this site.
Roosters - Wasn't happy with the Dogs performance at their spirtual home last week, and away from home I don't think will fare them any better.
Storm - Don't we all want the Warriors dream to continue, love to see it, hard to back it. Storm by plenty in the end.
Cowboys - Now first up, I want the extra point from last weeks call of golden point, and if I get it this week I want it as well. A JT field goal to win at Suncorp after tied at full time. The NRL won't stop flogging that horse yet.
Titans - He may be the biggest Eels traitor since Judas Lyon left Parra, but watching him play he is still a pretty good guy. Judas Hayne to lead the Titans home.
Rabbits - They have the players and now the motivation, Play hard and get that blues player to the finals for his farewell game. They have the talent, and they should be able to turn the beach at the casino in to a training gallop.
Raiders - Serves me right for not having Pay T.V. But I like the halves at the Raiders and they nearly got the job done last week. Sharks didn't really impress unless it was Luke Lewis linking up with Bird, and since Ricky has a head on his shoulders he will shut that down as soon as it looks like happening.
Tigers - Young and with first blood. I think that the Tigers will be hard to stop if they get on a roll Sunday afternoon. Just calling a hunch.
Eels - We like beating the Dragons, I was there a few years back when we did them 36 - 0 and it was a good game. Our forwards are firing, not so well off the bench, our edge defence has been sounder than the last few years, and we are on a roll. 2 teams enter on 2 points, only 1 can get to 4. That will be the BOYS!!!!!!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
When it comes the opening rounds, they've never been Penrith's fort'e.
It took them 7 years to win their first Round 1.
Over 51 years of Round 1s, the record is 19 wins, 30 losses, 2 draws.
As far as two in a row goes. that took from 1967 to 1983. 17 years.
Over 51 years, Penrith has only won their first two games 6 times.
So people shouldn't be so tough on Pennies but then again, who can really blame the ones that are?
(For history does not exist in the mind of a goldfish)
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Thinker, as far as I understood, all teams must name 21. but are now bound to name their game day starting 17 out of this 21.
There's no more of the shit where a guy coming back from injury (for eg) is not named on the Tuesday but then runs out Friday night.
Submitted by RAZZLEDAZZLED on
Roosters by 5
Storm by 5
Broncos by 5
Knights by 5
Manly by 5
Raiders by 5
Tigers by 5
Dragons by 5
Submitted by Coach Potato on
The Bulldogs semi loss last year hurt them buckets.
They went into that one thinking that Braun overpowers Brain in a game of Paper/Rocks/Scissors.
They were proven wrong, to the point that they have changed their style.
Was far too wet last week to see much of it, but tonight I think you will. A style borne out of a game last September. The Dogs were truly stung, and tonight will show how it stung them into action.
Submitted by tigerholic on
Following a team like the Tigers is always a bit of a mystery, last week fantastic and this week could very well be a disaster. Being a supporter for ever comes with a few ups and downs, too early to see if they have what it takes.
Have a great weekend of footy.
Submitted by TheMexican on
Roosters for last on couch please Coach.
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Gee whiz, having a public holiday here in the West om Monday has thrown me off kilter! Thought this morning was Wednesday and I'd get home after work and put my tips in but opened up my emails here at work and suddenly realised today is actually Thursday and there's a game tonight (go you mighty Roosters!).
Quickly got in and put in my picks and might post some more ramblings later tonight. In the meantime I might just keep listening to this awesome song on the radio that's playing at the moment. For those of you who are really "ancient", it's "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane. Ah yes, a true classic from that 1967 album "Surrealistic Pillow". Ah, don't write songs like that anymore.
Anyway, gotta scoot and 1) make a coffee and 2) open up the back gate here at work. Cheers everyone.
Submitted by newbie from perth on
LOOTC
Sheesh, nearly forgot... can I have the Sea Eagles for my pick this week Coach. Thanks mate.
Submitted by Christine Bailey on
So here's my tips
Roosters
Storm
Cowboys
Titans
Rabbits
Raiders
Penrith
Eels
Submitted by Coach Sharkie on
Hi Thinker, thanks for giving me a opportunity to part of your tipping game. My tips for round two are;
1. Roosters
2. Storms
3. Cowboys
4. Knights
5. Eagles
6. Sharks
7. Tigers
8. Eels
All the best to all tipsters this round.
Coach sharkie
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Just found out that Rugby League Week will no longer be published after round five. As a long time fan and reader of magazine I can not begin to tell you how hurt and angry I am at this news : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41FZF53ajpk Dude :-(
Submitted by JackKaya on
My tips are:
Roosters
Storm
Cowboys
Titans
Manly
Raiders
Panthers
Eels
Submitted by manyana on
My tips for round 2 are:
Roosters, Storm, Broncos, Knights, Sea Eagles, Raiders, Panthers, Dragons.
Submitted by Eug Storm on
Hi Thinker,
I am not able to log in and when I hit password reset it doesnt work :(
I got 6/8 last week as I posted and here are my tips for this round:
Roosters
Storm
Cowboys
Knights
Manly
Raiders
West Tigers
Eels
Submitted by Eug Storm on
Hi All,
So i just registered with a different email and it worked. Where do I go to log my tips for this week?
@Thinker - Could you please add my tips in for last week too as i posted them on here on Thursday day last week?
Thanks
Submitted by lillychino on
Hi
thanks for giving me a spot in the comp.So pleased to be tipping again.
Here are my tips for this week.
Roosters
Storm
Broncos
Titans
Sea eagles
Raiders
Panthers
Eels
Good Luck to all!
Submitted by lillychino on
OOps
Just found the tipping form.
Have done my tips correctly at last.
Sorry !
Submitted by lillychino on
Hi Eug Storm
To put your tips in you go above to where it says
Guest Tips for this round..
Below where all the pictures are it says..
Hide/Show the tipping entry form
Click on this and the entry form you need will pop up.Took me a while to find it too!
You need to be registered and signed in as well.
Hope this helps!
Submitted by Coach Sharkie on
Thanks lillychino for the infor.
I did put my tips on the home comment box.
I have now finally added my tips to the correct place.
All the best this weekend. can't wait for Saturday 7:30pm to watch my diehard sharks take on the raiders.
Submitted by christine on
My tips rd 2 :
roosters
storm
broncos
titans
manly
raiders
panthers
eels
coach i'll take manly for lootc comp
good luck with your tips everyone ...
Submitted by Dragons-fanboy on
Hello everyone, good start to the season 6 out of 8 which puts me as you can see at equal 2nd. My tips for this week are:
Roosters by 10- The Roosters to remain undefeated here. Don't know how the Bulldogs' attack will be in this match but if it's going to be another wet and moist night or outfield, than I think that the Dogs will again lack in attack. But, it'll be interesting to see how the Roosters go if it is a wet and moist night. Anyways weather and all, my tip is Roosters here.
Storm by 8- I think that the Storm will be too good here. Both teams weren't too convincing last week, but in this one I think that the Storm will get on top.
Broncos by 2- The Broncos to win in yet another cracker between these two sides but, instead of a field goal win, it'll be a two point win by Bennett's Broncos. Both teams have very good line-ups and they'll definitely show it in this one.
Titans by 14- The Titans to bounce back in this one. The Knights showed last week that they are in to play this season and almost beat the Warriors across the ditch. But this week unfortunately for the Knights, I think that they'll lose more convincingly this week.
Sea Eagles by 4- No Inglis, most likely no Reynolds, no Tom Burgess, perhaps no George Burgess, the Rabbitohs will lose if them 4 aren't playing probably by an even bigger margin than 4. I think that the Sea Eagles will bounce back here.
Raiders by 2- The Raiders to bounce back here in a tight one.
Panthers by 8- I think that the Panthers will bounce back here and beat the exciting Tigers. I think that the Panthers will definitely play better than last week and show why they were one of the favourites to win the premiership coming into this season.
Dragons by 12- I hope that last week wasn't a one-of game from the boys, I really do. But, I think that the Dragons will back up that sensational performance last week to beat the Eels here. But I have to say, how good were the Eels last week, they are definitely a threat this season.
Awesome. Good luck to everyone's teams this week and for everyone's tips this week. My pick for your LOOTC this week are the Storm Coach. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Dragons-fanboy on
And one other thing about the Dragons, if we play like we did last weekend, then watch out we'll be a threat to every team and definitely make the 8 perhaps even the top 4. Big call, but I hope it happens.
Submitted by Dragons-fanboy on
Oh oops the Storm are taken, sorry Gary, I'll take the Panthers for your LOOTC this week Coach.
Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Dragons-fanboy on
Lol just realised no changing, and it;'s ok if you tip the same as someone else in the LOOTC. Okay then it stays with the Storm than :)
Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Dragonfan I hope that your not understanding of the rules pays off.
I'll try and explain better.
You yourself can only use each team once in the whole comp. Eg You picked Roosters last week. You can't ever use them again. Same with this week's pick. You can't use that team again in future weeks. Has nothing to do with what other people pick.
If anyone else is confused, hope you get it now.
If you still don't get it, well, I did my best.
*** Also Thinker has set up a LOOT-C page after clicking Lounge. Try and remember to use that room of the house. Else it will make Thinker and Helper look like they wasted their time.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
The LOOT-C page will help me not to stuff up like last year, Forgot who I took and doubled down. Its a fun comp and thanks to Coach for thinking it up.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Desy Hasler. Just telling your team to throw it around a bit more. That's a pathetic excuse for a new playing style.
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