St George Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys – Friday night – WIN Stadium
Goodness gracious take a look at that competition ladder. The Cowboys were one of the pre-season premiership favourites and they are equal last. They have a roster that could turn things around, but this is a difficult time of year for a team with a heavy representative workload. I doubt they can make the finals this season, but I'm giving them a big hope this weekend. The Dragons have found an attacking weapon in Josh Dugan, but even so they have scored just 28 points in their last three games. The Cowboys have lost their last three games, but at least they racked up 58 points in the process. James Tamou won't be much help this weekend, but the Sims brothers will step up at their old stomping ground. And it should be noted that Mr Thurston is back after a freshen up. He's a competitive little terrier and he's overdue for a big game.
Verdict – Cowboys
Result - Cowboys 22 defeated Dragons 16
Manly Sea Eagles vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Friday night – Brookvale Oval
This game should tell us if the Bulldogs are back in contention. Six wins from their last seven outings is hard to ignore, but none of those victories were against the true contenders. These sides met back in round five and the Sea Eagles were pretty convincing, but there's no doubting the improvement in the Bulldogs since then. Tony Williams will be keen to show his best against his old club and there were signs of life in the big dinosaur last weekend. Watch for his shift to the right edge when the Bulldogs are close to the line. The Dogs have a pretty good record at Brookvale but I'm sticking with the Sea Eagles in a close and gripping contest. Manly captain Jamie Lyon usually rises to the occasion for games like these - they are the closest he gets to representative football after all.
Verdict – Sea Eagles
Result - Bulldogs 32 defeated Sea Eagles 30 (golden point)
Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday night – Canberra Stadium
They're a tough mob down in the capital. A few weeks ago Glen Buttriss played out a game with a compound finger fracture and last week Edrick Lee stuck it out for 20 minutes with a broken arm. Perhaps it's so cold they can't feel anything. Edrick has been named again this weekend and he's tough but I don't think he's that tough. I assume someone will step into the fold, and if I can paraphrase our Prime Minister for a moment:
"I invite you to imagine it. A Raider - a man in a green jersey - who gets injured to be replaced by another man in a green jersey. A second rower, who delivers a well-timed offload in a green jersey to a winger - another man in a green jersey. The Panthers once again banished to the lower half of the NRL ladder."
Hmmm...I don't think I got the accent right, but at least I'm popular in western Sydney. The Raiders to win with a comfortable majority in both houses.
Verdict – Raiders
Result - Raiders 24 defeated Panthers 12
Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday night – Sharks Stadium
Sheesh the Sharks are a short priced favourite this weekend. Oh, they're playing the Eels...my mistake.
Verdict – Sharks
Result - Sharks 32 defeated Eels 14
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Gold Coast Titans – Sunday afternoon – Cairns Stadium
How lucky are the good people of Cairns to get a game like this? The table-topping Bunnies against one of the real surprise packets this season. The Titans have finally found a settled combination in the halves and with that in place they present as one of the most balanced sides in the competition. But are they good enough to beat the Rabbits? I can't say no, and if the Rabbits were off their game by a whisker the Titans go close here. Unfortunately for the Titans the Rabbits don't seem to have off days anymore. I'll stick with the bunnies until they give me a reason not to. Congratulations Cairns, I'm calling this the game of the round.
Verdict – Rabbitohs
Result - Rabbitohs 30 defeated Titans 24
Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – AAMI Park
I don't know what to do with the Knights, but I'm in pretty good company because I don't think Wayne Bennett knows what to do either. They could come out and win this game and I wouldn't be completely surprised. But am I going to tip them? Not in a month of Sunday afternoons at AAMI Park. I can understand why Bennett has pulled Craig Gower out of Harlequin Springs retirement home for another stint in the NRL - the Knights desperately need a few wise old heads on the paddock. Gower hasn't been named this week, and Gidley and Buderus are still injured. With the Knights relying on the experience and wisdom of Willie Mason to get them over the line I'd say the Storm might be the way to go.
Verdict – Storm
Result - Storm 16 defeated Knights 14
Sydney Roosters vs New Zealand Warriors – Sunday night – Allianz Stadium
At some point in the middle of most seasons the Warriors find their feet, rack up some wins and start looking like the team we all think they should be. I'm sure it's not a complete coincidence that many of their opponents are juggling State of Origin duties at this time. What they can do though, is find some confidence and take some momentum into the second half of the season. I've been wrong at least once or twice this season already, but I'm thinking this might be where the momentum stalls...for a while. These chickens are good. Their only losses this season are to the Storm, the Rabbits and the Raiders in Canberra. They're good enough to beat the Warriors in Sydney. Get ready for points, points and more points. I'm thinking 34-24 or thereabouts.
Verdict – Roosters
Result - Warriors 23 defeated Roosters 12
Brisbane Broncos vs Wests Tigers – Monday night – Suncorp Stadium
The Broncos don't get to play on Monday nights very often, and based on recent Monday night efforts they should be booking the Boomtown Rats to provide the halftime entertainment. They've lost three in a row and, rather astonishingly, the Tigers are undefeated during that same period. I can understand why the Broncos are losing, but I'm blown if I can figure out why the Tigers are winning. They can't win this. The Broncos need to make a statement to their fans and to the rest of the competition that they are still some sort of force. That said, those odds about the Broncos ($1.28) are absolutely toxic. We are meant to gamble responsibly, and backing the Broncos at $1.28 is the most irresponsible form of gambling imaginable. Keep an eye on the skies. If Brisbane gets some sunshine over the next few days we might see a blowout here.
Verdict – Broncos by 40...weather permitting
Result - Broncos 32 defeated Tigers 12
Wally Lewis - round fourteen selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.
- DRAGONS vs Cowboys
- SEA EAGLES vs Bulldogs
- RAIDERS vs Panthers
- SHARKS vs Eels
- RABBITOHS vs Titans
- STORM vs Knights
- ROOSTERS vs Warriors
- BRONCOS vs Tigers
Comments
Submitted by a on
My tips are
Dragons No Tamou I just cant tips Cowboys
Sea Eagles Well it is going to be tough Manly only just
Raiders Panthers are going to be crap from now on
Sharks No chance Eels you are even more crap than my team
Rabbitohs Titans are no chance here
Storm Knights season is over here
Roosters Warriors are on fire at the moment and will challenge the Roosters but Roosters by 1
Broncos Sorry Tigers you get nothing from me
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Awesome ! My tips :
Cowboys - Dragons are averaging 14 points a game according to recent stats. As bad as it's been for them, The Cowboys have got more than that in them ...
Bulldogs - Bulldogs are back in form so expect them to be back in front of ladder with Roosters and Rabbitohs and Storm. All they got to do to get there is get over the top of Manly and that's what they will do on Friday. Just ...
Raiders - Raiders will continue their unbeaten run at home but don't be surprised The Panthers make this game closer than what people suspect ...
Sharks - I know they beat them last time at home but hey yeah, with Jarrad Hayne out, Eels can't possibly win this time can they ? I doubt that ...
Rabbitohs - Rabbits to beat Titans in what starting to seriously looks like will be a tryfest for South Sydney ...
Storm - When you suffer from sore throat, chew on some marshmallows ! They really work ! What ? I thought I'll give some thoughtful advice on this one instead of stating the obvious ...
Warriors - Warriors are on roll and when they get on a roll, they can beat anyone even when that someone is Jennings, Maloney and Sonny Bill Williams all in one team ...
Broncos - Tigers have really way too many injury's on them to be able even to begin to get into this game. Still it could be another close one. This is my lock of the round ...
Let's Gone Warriors ! ;-D
Submitted by a on
Wh is wally late
Submitted by NSA on
Dragons
Sea Eagles
Raiders
Sharks
Titans
Storm
Warriors - Go the Mighty Warriors! (win against Chooks + bye + win against Broncos = 6 weeks of 'smiles everybody',Smiles! :)
Broncos - Go the Broncos! my fav team prior to 1995 (except when they play the Warriors) :|
Submitted by Guru Craig on
STG - Hard game to tip this one, I’m with the Dragons by 1-12. The Cows are struggling all over the place, Tamou is now out and JT can’t keep doing it all by himself, the Cowboys are a team that doesn't have the winning formula at the moment. Neil Henry was just re-signed now he's out the door.
MAN - Brookie is worth about 10pts i reckon and that should be enough to get to the siren in front for the home side. The Dogs won last week in Townsville but they showed signs of fatigue and their 'run' will come to an end here. Man 1-12
CAN - Possible upset on the cards here. These games can be heart breakers for punters, the odds say its not a contest 1.22 v 4.50...we all know what happened last week. Canberra because they're at home for me.
SHK - Can they lose this? i don’t think so, Para have been trying to play off of emotion for months now and have still come up short, Ricky has taken the drastic move of letting near half the roster go and that's never good for morale. Sharks by 20+
STHS - Souths are just too good for the Gold Coast. This will be another nail in the coffin for the coach, Cartwright could soon be joining Henry and Griffin on the unemployment line if the rumours im hearing are accurate. Perhaps this isn’t the year for QLD sides.
MEL - Last week the Storm fired and i see no reason why they won’t roll on and over the Knights in second gear at home. Newcastle is fast becoming Bennett's Waterloo, I don’t understand why they are chasing blokes well past retirement, even if they have a few good games left in them, it’s a counterproductive strategy that ends with half those blokes injured and the roster made up of U20s.
SYD - The Warriors have enjoyed some success of late but that stops here and now, the Chooks are a genuine contender in 2013, a side that wins games and only loses by a few, they will crush the NZW here who are due for a loss. Lock of the week, free money bet? You decide but I like it.
BRI - Dare i tip them? Brisbane will have to try very hard to lose at home but it wouldn't surprise me if they do. There is a distinct lack of enthusiasm until its 10mins to go in a game and by which that time they boys are already too far behind. Griffin can’t get this side any further without a marquee signing. A different approach from a class coach and this roster could make the top 4. Ive massive confidence in the players but the current record stands something like 17 losses for 7 wins from the last 24 games. Those numbers tell a story because a good deal of those losses were against teams under Bris on the ladder and included several thrashings. Don’t bet heavy on Bris is the Guru’s tip.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Just love the Thinker's and Guru's reasoning for their tips...a definite help guys in my selections. Going all home teams this week except dragons, think cowboys will get the money. I think the Guru is a little hard on Carty, the titans are in 5th, but the other two must be sweating a bit. Good luck to all with your picks.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Thanks for the support Mark. Much appreciated.
I dropped in on the Broncos at training this morning. They looked sharp.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Submitted by a on
boo the thinker
Submitted by a on
sorry it was d being silly again and this time faming me
Submitted by Guru Craig on
Cowboys, i should have followed the Boss there, close game though, JT is a helluva player.
Manly id tip again, i think they were hard done by...Josh Reynolds auditioning for Circus Olay? Laurie may have lost another one. The Dogs got the pts though and they're looking much better.
One game left, The Guru wants to see the Bronco's at their best Monday evening. A solid win is what we need, something to build on boys, dig deep.
Some of us, the more critical fans are feeling the pain as well, that's why we are so vocal. You showed us flashes of what you are capable of, the Storm game, that was a win, maybe we didnt get the 2 pts, but you pushed the best NRL side and deserved the W, that scrum play was grubby. Dominated the Titans twice, held the Chooks to 8 in Sydney, the talent and hunger are there, sometimes i think its easy to forget what you have, the bounce of the ball seems to be against you. But remember, as a player your only as good as you give, give 100% and no one will question you, give 100% as a team and you will continue to win, those feelings will switch into that confidence, that desire to succeed..that magic ingredient that gives Melbourne and Souths the edge to win the close ones, the depth to defend a goal line for 10 minutes.
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Whoop ! Warriors ! The Broncos will win 12 and under, cool, that's my call ! Thanks Thinker ;-D
Submitted by Guru Craig on
That's what im talking about! That is how you play football. Fast expansive ball movement, hunger, enthusiasm and heart.
57th minute - Thaiday contesting a high ball on the Tigers goal line...Front rowers are not expected to catch massive swirling bombs, how many props even look up? But Sam was there, he was everywhere tonight and you could sense the team, especially the younger guys feeding off the energy from their captain. Players like Hoffman and Reed cutting in an out f the line, asking the questions that opposition defence knew the answer to for the previous three games, tonight Griffin Schooled Potter because Brisbane out did the Tigers in every stat, they even had one bloke auditioning for a prime time US television show, Doddy’s still waiting on the call from True Blood, you had me convinced though mate, that blood looed real!
The Bronco's played as a team tonight, they were fast and hungry, strong in defence and for the first time in, well, some time, they clicked. How good is Hoffman? Gillette? Parker...a dead ringer for Bobby Lidner although I'm not sure Bobby could carry that haircut. On the serious side though that was a good game, not perfect but a huge improvement and hopefully now a platform to work on, a little polish here a little there - and I'm not talking about BBQing alone - the 1%ers were about 3 or 4%, which is good, solid, but can be sharpened up a bit. Ball movement, speed of play, goal line defence were exceptional. What impresses me the most though, the Bronc’s played strong but they didn't overdo it, there was obviously more points tonight if necessary. I'd like to see some more structure on 5th tackle options, Wallace and Prince working together with Hoffman and Norman, targeting repeat sets, coordinate with the man who directs the play, McCullough, good hookers steer a team around the field, throw in a playmaker and a speedster, ala Storm and you have a potent attacking weapon that can pepper in-goals all day. Brisbane's forward pack is better than Melbourne's, that's my opinion, and their back line is arguably just as strong on paper, perhaps with the exception of Slater but then Bris have Hodges. I mentioned that because it's the small things, Brisbane tonight were like a raw Melbourne, the same level of skill and ability but the polish wasn't quite as bright, after seeing that gameI'm looking for Griffin to build on what he has, just apply a little bit of shine to small areas but really focus on that feeling, how did they feel coming into the game, they were confident, but inside each man has his own fears, and more importantly how good was it to get that win at home.
The Guru can give a spray and I can also give praise, tonight I was impressed, every Brisbane fan needed this just as much as the players.
Submitted by The Thinker on
nice summary from the Guru....very nice indeed.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Can only echo the Thinkers comments nice call Guru. Huge congrats to Johnny Ray I think that's 8/8 well done mate. Two comments on weekend games: God bless the Broncos (are you back?) and I'm no Manly fan but that Josh Reynolds is an absolute moral for a gold in the diving event at the next Olympics.
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Yes...congrats Johnny Ray on a full round. Warriors came home on their defence. You're more likely to see them fold when under such pressure. Disagree with you Mark re Josh Reynolds. Manly beat themselves and maybe the Dogs wouldn't have kicked the penalty if they weren't given an extra 10 for dissent. Lack of discipline cost them after a good fight back.
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Awesome ! Thanks for that guys but I did get one thing wrong ! My margin call on Monday's Night Broncos Vs West Tigers game ! I said it would be close but I was wrong ! Let's Gone Warriors ! ;-D
Submitted by Guru Craig on
WTG Johnny Ray!