Round ten selections

Parramatta Eels vs Redcliffe Dolphins – Thursday night – CommBank Stadium

The Dolphins have averaged more than 32 points per game in their last five outings. Typically that's enough, but not in their last two games. Notably those losses were against better teams than the Eels, but when you're scoring that many points and not winning there's a problem that needs addressing. Kaufusi and Donoghue are the new names on Thursday, with Marshall-King unavailable while they sort out an issue with a cut on his leg. No significant changes for the Eels, who have been better with the return of Moses. They're scoring more points with Moses steering them around, and they'll need to given what the Dolphins can do with the ball in hand. This is the Dolphins first ever game at this stadium, and it's a venue where the Eels have a solid record. Seems a little odd to make a call based on the venue, but in an even contest that could be the thing that gets the home side over the line.

Verdict – Eels by 1

Result – Dolphins 20 defeated Eels 16

Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans – Friday night – McDonald Jones Stadium

Most of you know that the Titans are my kryptonite - I probably tip games involving them incorrectly more often than any other side, so the following should come with some sort of warning. The Knights are one of the shortest favourites to win in round ten, and that seems an enormous over-reaction to one win. Yes, they beat the Rabbitohs comfortably last week, but the Rabbitohs had a list of unavailables as long as their arm, and many of their unavailables are their best players. Prior to that, the Knights have scored just 36 points in 5 games. 28 of those 36 points were scored in the final 10 minutes of games, when the game was already over. In round 3, the Titans beat the Knights 26-6, and the line-ups are much the same this time around. I'm well aware the Titans have lost five in a row, and it's nearly a decade since they won a game in Newcastle. They should be the outsider in this, but last week they weren't far away against the team at the top of the table. If they didn't lose their halfback and goal-kicker in the opening moments they would have been even closer. I hear you...I'm crazy, but:

Verdict – Titans by 4

Result – Titans 24 defeated Knights 20

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – Accor Stadium

The Rabbitohs have a list of casualties that would test the depth of every side, and they're tested. Mitchell and Humphries return this week which will help a little. Mitchell slots in at fullback with Gray (if he plays) on the bench. We all know how competitive Mitchell is but he's likely to be underdone and will struggle to stay engaged in the game for the 80 minutes. When he does engage defensively, there's every chance he'll be late or miss his mark because he's underdone, and the most sin-binned player in the NRL could be sin-binned again. Clearly he's a match winner on his day, but there's two sides to that coin. It's hard to get a handle on the Broncos right now - two weeks ago they put the cleaners through the team at the top of the ladder, and a week later were soundly beaten by the team running last. It would be hard to find an excuse for them if they were to lose this, and if they turn up they could win by 40.

Verdict – Broncos by 40

​​​​​​​Result – Rabbitohs 22 defeated Broncos 14

Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Saturday afternoon – GIO Stadium

Second plays first and it's an added bonus that this contest jagged the daytime schedule. It's the game of the round, and comfortably so. No changes for the Raiders who knocked off the Storm in extra last week. They had some luck on the night, but that was their fifth win in a row and they wouldn't doubt themselves against anyone. So far this season they've played the teams in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th...and won them all. Burton is back for the Bulldogs which obviously helps, but the suspension of Preston is a big loss for the visitors, especially so against one of the best engine rooms in the NRL.

Verdict – Raiders by 4

​​​​​​​Result – Bulldogs 32 defeated Raiders 20

St George Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday night – WIN Stadium

Rare air for the Warriors to be sitting in the top four. They haven't lost a game in New Zealand this season and their only losses overseas have been to the 2nd placed Raiders in Vegas and the 4th placed Storm in Melbourne. That's fair form. One of their best returns for this game in Watene-Zelezniak which won't hurt, and Tuivasa-Sheck isn't from a return either. It's a fair indication of how well they're going that they're 3rd on the ladder with key players unavailable. The Dragons have been going okay without shooting the lights out, but they've conceded 80 points in their last two games which is an obvious concern. Historically, the Dragons have a very good record against the Warriors in Wollongong, but this Warriors side is built different, and can get the job done.

Verdict – Warriors by 4

​​​​​​​Result – Warriors 15 defeated Dragons 14

North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday night – Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Not long ago the Cowboys would have been feeling pretty good about this game, but perhaps less so now. These sides met in round 5 where the Cowboys prevailed 22-18 in Sydney. The Cowboys line-up on Saturday is much the same, while the Panthers will have Edwards, To'o and Talagi in their starting thirteen this time around. What's worse, the defending premiers appeared to find their true identity last week with a thumping win over the Broncos in Brisbane. To'o and Kenny are back this week too, huge inclusions that can only make them stronger. If the Panthers lost their way again and the Cowboys won I wouldn't be surprised, but the Panthers need to rack up some wins in a row to be any hope of making the finals. This looks like a game of football though. Worth watching.

Verdict – Panthers by 7

​​​​​​​Result – Cowboys 30 drew with Panthers 30

Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – AAMI Park

The Storm have been a little bit off, but not alarmingly so. They were a little unlucky against the Raiders, but some of that bad luck was of their own doing. It's safe to say Trent Loiera had a night out that he would like to forget, and he'd like his coach and all of us to forget about it too. He has a chance to atone, with no changes to the Storm lineup on Sunday. The Tigers record in Melbourne is poor but they're a better team now than many of the teams that have struggled against the purple machine in the past. I expect they'll be competitive, but the Storm haven't lost a game in Melbourne this season and they don't lose two in a row very often...ever.

Verdict – Storm by 8

​​​​​​​Result – Storm 64 defeated Tigers 0

Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks – Sunday afternoon – 4 Pines Park

The northern beaches take on the southern beaches, and not for the first time this year. These sides met in Perth in round 6 where the Sharks won 24-18. The Sharks record over the Sea Eagles is solid, even at Brookvale, but there is something about this Sunday afternoon timeslot that brings out the best in Manly. In the round six loss Manly were without Tom Trbojevic and Jason Saab - handy inlusions that make the home side a much more competitive outfit. Jake Trbojevic also returns this week, and the whole squad should be feeling refreshed after the bye last week. Another great game this weekend, and we have a few of those.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 1

​​​​​​​Result – Sharks 30 defeated Sea Eagles 14

Wally Lewis - round ten selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or Thursday morning

  • Eels vs DOLPHINS
  • Knights vs TITANS
  • Rabbitohs vs BRONCOS
  • Raiders vs BULLDOGS
  • Dragons vs WARRIORS
  • Cowboys vs PANTHERS
  • STORM vs Tigers
  • Sea Eagles vs SHARKS

Comments

The Thinker's picture

Greetings football fans

I have updated the tipping comp and the NRL ladder after Magic Round. A tough weekend for tipsters with all four Queensland teams losing in a weekend of football in Queensland. Apologies to anyone that I convinced into picking the Titans - if I knew they were going to lose their halfback and goalkicker in the first 8 seconds I suspect I would have gone the other way.

A special shout out to our top tipster - BigPeteBX was the standout with an impressive 6 from 8. Well done Pete.

As always, if you notice any issues with the scores just let me know. I made a few mistakes last week, so it doesn't hurt to check.

I'll have my previews and selections published on Wednesday.

All the best

The Thinker

Mary S's picture

Hi Boss,
NuL1F3 had the following tips in the comments for R9.
Cheers,
Mary

Submitted by NuL1F3 on Fri 2/5/25 - 6:43pm AEST

I forgot to put my tips in:
Sharks
Roosters
Rabbitohs
Cowboys
Tigers
Bulldogs
Panthers
Storm

Submitted by NuL1F3 on Fri 2/5/25 - 6:49pm AEST

Ahh, too late for Sharks/Eels game but can I have Broncos instead of Panthers please.

The Thinker's picture

Ah...thanks Mary

I will add

All the best

The Thinker

tigerholic's picture

Hey Thinker

Greetings from Leon Spain, yes you got me sucked into taking the Titans, I thought it was a sure thing with the Bulldogs having a couple out.
That’s footy. Just had a haircut(not much to cut), finished like a razor cut, beard trim and eyebrows nibbled at, 19.90 Euro, I had to head for a cold cheap Grande Cereveza.
All the best to everyone, have overcome the tough start to my 890km trek, starting to eat the kms up, walk into Santiago De Compostela on 18 May, quick trip to Muxia then another two day walk back to Finnestere, fly out to Barcelona on the 23/5, home in Aussie on 26/5.
Take care

Tiger

The Thinker's picture

Hi Tigerholic

Great to hear from you. Sounds like an awesome trip - you'll be fit enough to claim a spot on the interchange for Benji when you get back.

All the best

The Thinker

Esra Star's picture

What's the story behind Dom Young being given the flick? Anyone know?

The Thinker's picture

@Esra Star

I don't...but they've moved on Brandon Smith as well (to Souths I think). They've got some youngsters coming through their own ranks that they want to lock in, and there's a fair chance they will have a big recruit signing too (Cherry Evans possibly.....Ponga maybe).

Young would probably be happier outside of Sydney....regional town might suit him better.

All the best

The Thinker

Esra Star's picture

Thanks,mate. I was thinking they may be making room for Manu's return?

The Thinker's picture

Could be that too.

Cherry Evans for a year actually makes sense (to me). He's a smart cookie and he can teach the kids (Walker, Smith, Savala, Rodwell) a few things while he's there.

All the best

The Thinker

NuL1F3's picture

Thanks for having my back Mary :)

NuL1F3's picture

Of course, I wish I had stuck with Panthers haha

The Thinker's picture

Today the next NRL team will (finally) be confirmed.

The Perth Bears will start competing in the NRL competition in 2027 or 2028. With two new teams competing for player talent, it will make for interesting times and contract announcements in the years ahead.

All the best

The Thinker

Ellelicious270707's picture

Hi,

Please see tips for Round 10.
Dolphins
Titans
Brisbane
Bulldogs
Warriors
Panthers
Storm
Manly

Thank you.

Dragons-fanboy's picture

Hi everyone my tips for this week are:

Eels by 2
Knights by 10
Broncos by 12
Raiders by 4
Dragons by 4
Panthers by 8
Storm by 14
Manly by 1

Enjoy your weeks everybody and best of luck for this week with your tips! Cheers!!!!

GOTTAKICKSTRAIGHT's picture

rd 10 tips
dolphins
titans
broncos
raiders
dragons
cowboys
storm
sharks

Chook_Dan's picture

Could I please tip dolphins
Knights BRONCOS BULLDOGS WARRIORS PANTHERS
STORM SHARKS

Mary S's picture

How is it that Herbie Farnsworth stays on the the ground for quite some time, and is not taken off for an HIH?

Cheers,
Mary

The Thinker's picture

Hi Mary

HIAs are for injuries to the head (brain), whereas Herbie was dealing with a neck injury.

That's my understanding...but I'm wrong often.

All the best

The Thinker

MGM's picture

he was milking.
take a look at his post-match interview.

Rocket Ryan's picture

Good tip on the Dolphins Chook.

Rocket Ryan's picture

What the f*** is happening at the broncos Kevie must be wondering how this bloke seemed like something we must have,obviously origin is different he was ordinary at the Tigers I recall, if I have to listen again to gusgould playing with himself at the prospect of a broncos defeat I'll spew.
Not happy.

The Thinker's picture

Great to see Mitchell respond to my criticism this week. You're most welcome, Rabbitohs fans.

Mary S's picture

Hi Rocket,
Know what you're saying about Gus - had to mute the TV in order to watch the end of the game as he was giving me the sh--s.
An extremely disappointing performance by the Broncos this week!
Cheers,
Mary

Esra Star's picture

I have a feeling Reynolds and Hunt are cancelling each other out.

Mary S's picture

At half time in the Raiders/Bulldogs match, I thought I might actually have a tip correct this round, then Bulldogs came back and showed everyone what they were all about this season!!!
Oh well.

Cheers,
Mary

Esra Star's picture

Someone swapped the salt tablets for Valium tablets,,,,again.

Mary S's picture

Do we all get a tick of approval for the draw?
Some of us need all the ticks we can get this round!!

Cheers,
Mary

The Thinker's picture

@Mary

I know many tipping comps give everyone a point for a draw. Traditionally, I haven't (not that it matters either way in our comp). Hopefully you have a little more luck today.

All the best

The Thinker

a's picture

So what does that mean for footy chick and bigpetebx in my comp

The Thinker's picture

Hi a

Back in the day, we said that you got a strike if you got the game wrong. While they didn't get it right, they certainly didn't get it wrong.

I would call it a pass (just...like my maths exams back in the day) and let them through.

All the best

The Thinker

BigPeteBx's picture

Thank you Thinker that is much appreciated.
I'm sure Miss Footy Chick would also agree. BUT if one of those two Cowboys attempts went over we'd be gone from The A Game.
Hope all the ladies here are having a pleasant Mothers Day or for those who play the motherly figure.

ALL at Thinker site - I'll be tipping direct to Thinker (as I'll be off-deck) as I wont have access to devices for two rounds of NRL.

Take care and keep well - BigPete in Bx Country.

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