Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Friday night – ANZ Stadium
Anyone with lofty expectations for the Bulldogs in 2012 may have revised down their estimates in recent weeks. With just one win in the last five rounds (against the Titans) their recent results are on par with the last-placed Eels. That said, narrow losses to Manly and Melbourne wouldn't have coach Des Hasler too concerned. As is often the case when these sides clash the last occasion was typically spiteful. The Dogs held on by a point and Parramatta captain Nathan Hindmarsh spoke for many of us when he described Michael Ennis as a 'grub'. No doubt Hindmarsh and Ennis will catch up on Friday night and exchange pleasantries. The 'grub' will be up for a big game as he hopes to catch the eye of the New South Wales Origin coach, and I urge the grubby one to focus his attacking energies on the Parramatta right-edge defence. And more specifically, just float the Steeden onto the chest of a rampaging Frank Pritchard, who could have a night out if he turns up with his game boots on. The Storm and the Sea Eagles could score only twice in their wins over the Bulldogs, and the Eels will need to do better than that to spring an upset. Parramatta will throw everything at this game, and Chris Sandow will be desperate to silence the doubters, but I don't think there everything is enough.
Verdict – Bulldogs
Result - Bulldogs 46 defeated Eels 12
North Queensland Cowboys vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Friday night – Dairy Farmers Stadium
If I get a game wrong this round (and I will) then this looks like the game most likely. I've changed my mind several times but I've finally committed to the Red V. If nothing else they are a more consistent outfit, and Jamie Soward has a chance to earn himself an Origin jersey if he can pull out a dominant display over Jonathan Thurston. Those of you that like to throw your money at betting agencies may wish to throw some on Dragons dummy-half Mitch Rein as the first try-scorer at cricket score odds. He can find the line and will test the Cowboys defence from close range should he get an opportunity. The Cowboys at their best are the better side. Anything short of their best and the Dragons can pull off an upset.
Verdict – Dragons
Result - Dragons 30 defeated Cowboys 6
New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos – Saturday night – Mt Smart Stadium
I had intentions of telling you all to take every cent in your possession and plonk the lot on the Broncos this weekend. Every last cent. Then I noticed that Andrew McCullough hasn't been named at hooker, and that is the one lingering uncertainty about this game. Dunamis Lui will don the number nine jersey for the visitors, and providing he keeps things nice and simple the Broncos playmakers will look after the complicated stuff. The Broncos are conceding (on average) less than 13 points per game while the Warriors are conceding almost 25. $1.74 is available if you like the Broncos on Saturday night and I like them a lot. I might have to call my bank manager.
Verdict – Broncos
Result - Warriors 30 defeated Broncos 20
Gold Coast Titans vs Wests Tigers – Saturday night – Skilled Park
Late last year these sides met and Benji Marshall put on quite a show. Here's hoping he can entertain us again, because I can't think of too many other reasons to dedicate 80 minutes of my life to this game. One should never pencil in the result when it comes to the Tigers but they do look too strong.
Verdict – Tigers
Result - Tigers 15 defeated Titans 14 (golden point)
Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm – Saturday night – Centrebet Stadium
Many of those taking part in this game would have still been in high school the last time the Panthers beat the Storm - all the way back in 2005. It's difficult to know what sort of team the Panthers will field on Saturday night. Luke Walsh is on one leg but has been named at halfback until they can find some other warm body to wear his jersey. Greg Alexander hasn't played this century but he looks pretty fit. Penrith would need half a dozen Alexanders to make a game of this one.
Verdict – Storm
Result - Storm 44 defeated Panthers 10
Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders – Sunday afternoon – Brookvale Oval
I'm suffering from a little writers block this week. This is the third game in a row where I'm scratching my head trying to come up with something worthwhile to say. I will say this; the last time the Sea Eagles played a Sunday afternoon game at Brookie they beat the Panthers 30-0. They'll do better than that this weekend.
Verdict – Sea Eagles
Result - Sea Eagles 18 defeated Raiders 12
Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Allianz Stadium
The Knights are without Gidley and Buderus on Sunday and the market has responded accordingly. What concerns me most about their absence is that the Knights will miss their steadying influence on the park. Who takes responsibility for players like Tahu, Mason and Costigan and keeps them in check when things get a little bit heated out there? Fight! Fight! Fight! My money is on Costigan and Waerea-Hargreaves going toe-to-toe before the end of the first half. Costigan should win that battle, but the Roosters will get the points.
Verdict – Roosters
Result - Roosters 24 defeated Knights 6
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks – Monday night – ANZ Stadium
The Rabbitohs first thirty minutes against the Cowboys last week was their most complete performance in years. It was the sort of performance you would get from a genuine top four side and a premiership contender. In the second half of that game they showed us why they aren't a top four side or a premiership contender. A shame really, because at their best they are a tremendously entertaining team to watch. The Sharks were the outsiders last weekend and they are the outsiders again. I'm not sure what they have to do to convince everyone else but they have convinced me. I can't think of a reason to jump off them now.
Verdict – Sharks
Result - Rabbitohs 34 defeated Sharks 28
Wally Lewis - round nine selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published as soon as possible (usually on Thursday night or early Friday morning).
- Eels vs BULLDOGS
- COWBOYS vs Dragons
- Warriors vs BRONCOS
- Titans vs TIGERS
- Panthers vs STORM
- SEA EAGLES vs Raiders
- ROOSTERS vs Knights
- Rabbitohs vs SHARKS
Comments
Submitted by a on
I Disagree with 3 off your tips
Bulldogs
Broncos
Sea Eagles
Cowboys
Rabbitohs
Wests Tigers
Storm
Knights
if you were to changed 1 tip would would it be mine would be
Cowboys v Dragons or Rabbitohs v Sharks
and I am so sorry about D last weekend if he comes back this weekend he will need to learn some manners
And you support Cowboys you have to Thinker they are the best team out aren't they The Thinker
Submitted by Craig on
Great write up this week mate, The Dogs solid orthodox style against a team given freedom to throw the ball around looks to be an interesting affair, the Eels are more than desperate and their next win cant be far away, but in saying that i had a gamble last week and ill take the safe bet, Dogs by 1-12.
NQ i hope will get the job done at home, Stg are like the Dogs, solid team but look to be falling away for mine.
Bris all the way, Gct could spring an upset, their football is greatly improver though im not willing to take the risk, Wst by 12 or less.
Mel by a ton, the Gould effect has well and truly run out, Panthers look like a second division team at the moment, worst of the lot for now. If Mel lose this one its a fix.
Manly should get the job done, Dugan v Stewart could be worth a watch, Ricky will have his eyes on it.
Benny vs Smith, the old coach rivalry, not a lot of love between these two i think lol, Wayne's taken a big chunk of Newcastle pie and its taking longer than most thought to swallow, ive been disappointed in the Knights so far, they just lack combination, like two different cars welded together, I d really liek to know which side of the bed the chooks get out of before i make the tip here, because the side in Darwin is not the same as the one before the Dragons game....flip a coin here..Syd.
Sharks by 1-12, i see no reason to get of the shire bus just yet,the one thing i thought was lacking, Pts, they gave me last week.
Submitted by Craig on
Bul, NQ, Bris, Wst, Mel, Man, Syd, Cro
Submitted by The Thinker on
Great stuff Craig. I love your description of the Knights ("two cars welded together"). Darius Boyd is a shadow of the player he was last year and Kade Snowden is down on form as well. It's strange because the Dragons clicked under Bennett so quickly.
Titans and the Eels could win this weekend and I wouldn't be surprised.
a,
The Cowboys are one of my favourite teams but they aren't the team I support. The medicos are running the ruler over the foot of Matt Scott as we speak. If he gets the all clear he'll be lacing on the boots tonight.
I'm looking forward to both games tonight. I better go and warm up the couch.
Submitted by a on
You support Broncos don't you
Submitted by The Thinker on
The Cowboys have been heavily backed today. Perhaps they know something I don't.
Submitted by Dubai Dan on
A, I get the impression that our mate Thinker wants to keep the team he supports somewhat hidden behind that Steden.
Good tips this week thinker. I am on the Knights and the Rabbits however...as always, time will tell.
Submitted by Craig on
My beloved Bronco's lightened my hip pocket a little, Tigers looked beaten, saved my tip but lost my cash lol.
You know, I'm sure i could almost see the collar of a Warriors jersey around the officials neck...the NZ Fox commentators were certainly well chuffed.
Submitted by Dubai Dan on
Broncs played poorly Craig. They are my team as well and they didn’t win 7 of their last 8 playing like that. I am wondering if the ref went home and read up on benefit of the doubt. If a ref sends it upstairs then he has doubt and if the video ref whacks it back for a refs call then I thought the doubt goes with the attacking team. He even got it right the first time. Anywho…not much we can do now apart from dispose of the Sea Eagles followed by a well deserved week off in preparation for a tough one in Melbourne against the Storm.
Submitted by Craig on
Yea dead right...Sharks v Rabbits was top game, one of the best this year ive seen, almost happy to get the tip wrong, almost lol. 6/8 not so bad