Parramatta Eels vs Sydney Roosters – Friday night – Parramatta Stadium
Let's leap to the conclusion that all Origin representatives (Pearce, Maloney, Jennings - Roosters; Hayne - Eels) will play as all have been named. The Roosters are the defensive benchmark in the competition, and the Eels have close to the worst attacking record in the competition. This was illustrated rather neatly when these sides met in round 4, and the chooks racked up a half century and kept the Eels to zero. A repeat of such a scoreline seems unlikely, as Eels coach Ricky Stuart has advised half his squad that they won't be needed next season. That puts the half that are staying on notice, and it means the half that are leaving will be hoping to impress alternative employers. The Roosters to win comfortably, but not by 50.
Verdict – Roosters
Result - Roosters 38 defeated Eels 24
Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday night – Hunter Stadium
On face value the Knights recent form (four losses from five games) looks pretty flat, but their record at home this season has been exemplary. Their one loss at home was by a single point to the Sharks, and their five victories have included four space jobs. Their casualty ward is getting a touch crowded at the moment with (among others) Buderus, Gidley and Uate unavailable. I'm not expecting a space job this week, but there is still enough experience and talent in the rest of the squad to get away with this.
Verdict – Knights
Result - Dragons 14 defeated Knights 8
North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Saturday night – 1300SMILES Stadium
The Cowboys have named an eight (yes...eight) man bench, so it's anyone's guess what the side will look like on Saturday night. I'd be surprised if Thurston plays - he usually thrives at this time of year, but he looked proppy on Wednesday night and he might be at the maternity ward anyway. With or without Thurston their two prop forwards (Scott and Tamou) have to back up from a gruelling Origin fixture and an interstate flight. That isn't easy, and they confront an enormous pack of Bulldogs forwards who have had all week to prepare.
Verdict – Bulldogs
Result - Bulldogs 36 defeated Cowboys 26
Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – Centrebet Stadium
The Panthers haven't beaten the Tigers this decade...until now. I think we have to start taking the Panthers recent performances on face value because they've been so consistent for the best part of a month. I know the Tigers (somehow) found a way to beat the Cowboys at their last start, but I think the seven successive losses before that says more about where the Tigers are this season.
Verdict – Panthers
Result - Tigers 20 defeated Panthers 18
New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles – Sunday afternoon – Mt Smart Stadium
One could be tempted to tip the Warriors here, and I won't go to great lengths to tell anyone they are wrong for doing so. Their record at Mt Smart this season is solid and that win against an understrength Broncos last week was a very good win. But I keep coming back to their record against Manly, and this is one team the Warriors always seem to struggle with. The Warriors have beaten Manly just once in their last ten attempts. In that one win they scrambled home, and it was so long ago that only Mannering and Vatuvei would be old enough to remember it.
Verdict – Sea Eagles
Result - Warriors 18 defeated Sea Eagles 16
Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks – Sunday night – AAMI Park
Does Paul Gallen play? I wasn't pleased with his behaviour on Wednesday night but any number of people are trying to tell me that what he did was 'brave and courageous' so perhaps I am but an ignorant fool. Whether he plays or not on Sunday night the Sharks are a big chance of winning this and the odds currently available (about $3.70) are very tempting indeed. But we are here for tips and I'll tip the Queensland connection at the Storm to bounce back and put on a show for the fans at home. I'm not sure what start the Sharks are getting in the handicap betting but if it's +8.5 or better you might want to throw a couple of pennies at that.
Verdict – Storm
Result - Storm 38 defeated Sharks 6
Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos – Monday night – Canberra Stadium
I know the Broncos had plenty missing last Monday night, but they were awful. Awful. Some of the big guns return but if you're a Queensland NRL side this is not the time of year you want to be travelling to Canberra to play a Monday night game. The three important rules of real estate and footy tipping - location, location, location. The Broncos to improve, the Raiders to win at home.
Verdict – Raiders
Result - Raiders 30 defeated Broncos 18
Wally Lewis - round thirteen selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.
- Eels vs ROOSTERS
- KNIGHTS vs Dragons
- Cowboys vs BULLDOGS
- PANTHERS vs Tigers
- Warriors vs SEA EAGLES
- STORM vs Sharks
- RAIDERS vs Broncos
Comments
Submitted by cycloneracing on
Storm/Sharks & Warriors/Sea Eagles are the most difficult decisions this week.
Some teams have had byes and some have not (e.g. Knights/Dragons) so I wonder how this will affect the outcome due to fatigue.
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Awesome ! Thanks Thinker ! Again no argument from me with your comments but yeah cool Sharkies to beat Storm is my upset pick of round, though with the way I understand it, I won't be too totally surprise Warriors are able to back up they're defeat of Bronco's at Suncorp with win over Sea Eagles at home ! Let's Gone Warriors ! ;-D
Submitted by The Thinker on
Just some early warning to those Wally Lewis fans out there. He's a busy immortal at this time of year so there might be delays getting his tips published for this round.
I can assure you they'll be published as soon as possible.
All the best
Submitted by a on
Here is my tips
Eels Roosters halves will be tired so the going to slip here
Knights Dragons dump Soward so Dragons are crap
Cowboys Go Cowboys Bulldogs are resting players so Cowboys will win once and for all
Sea Eagles Warriors will die here they never beat Manly and never will
Panthers They are on a roll and they will continue it this week this week
Raiders Broncos season is over here
Submitted by a on
Sorry I missed one
Storm They will lose the Sharks without Paul Gallen
Submitted by Guru Craig on
Im going to try and take a big step back from emotion this week..every week hopefully, and get down to the serious business of tipping winners. I find myself in agreement with The Thinker this week, a lot of the RND 13 games look about right until the ordinary goes out the window and we have a bit of the un-ordinary this week, coaches and players on the chopping block, Origin afterglow or revenge, let’s see if we can find a path to the perfect round.
As the Boss mentioned above, Parramatta are a cause for concern and if they were playing anyone but a top 4 side this week id have a punt and tip them, however the Chooks are a very, very good side and this game is theirs to lose.
Paulie G probably has a sore head today and i imagine the frustration of his 2013 got a tiny bit of relief, until he read today's paper, any paper will do really and best to keep of the Facebook too Paul. Still, the Blues won and The Guru (getting used to talking like this, perhaps Jamie is onto something..lol) would like to congratulate Laurie and the whole squad on a stellar performance, i was wrong when i said you weren’t up to the job Loz. The Guru was suitably impressed with NSW last night and truth be told, the little tipster voice inside was tapping on my shoulder all afternoon. Congrats on game one, best of luck for game two.
Sydney - The Roosters are a top 4 team with serious aspirations of a premiership this year. The result will hinge on Pearce, Malony and Jennings backing up, if those guys along with SBW can hit 90% they will run over the Eels, no matter what outside influences, you don't grow an extra leg overnight.
Knights - Good news Nathan, when Gower arrives the Knights will qualify for the seniors discount bus fare, I hear cash is a bit tight lately, every bit helps right? All jokes aside though, Wayne Bennett knows a thing or 2 about coaching so ill back the best and tip the Knights. Let’s hope they can find some consistency as It’s a home game and give the fans a decent spectle.
NQ - I feel nervous, The Doggies are going pretty good and i agree with the Boss, Canterbury should win, but...every round we have an upset or 2. This one is mine. NQ to throw off the mediocrity and do it for the Coach. Robert Lui has impressed me and Ash Graham too, NQ at the post by a nose.
Penrith - The Panthers should get this one, Centrebet stadium is getting a bit of name as a home fortress and with Ivan's boys the surprise packet of 2013 so far, im looking for a big score.
Manly - I reckon Toovey should get the boys to chip in and send Mat Elliot a nice warm pot of Camomile tea, something calm and relaxing, perhaps with some nice jam scones. How are the Warriors going? 56pt win following a 62pt loss, the old nervous system must be copping a hiding. Manly too good.
Melbourne - Gallon will struggle to get by the judiciary, Fafita will be a bit sore, though i expect the Sharks to make a go of this game, Carney wont be happy he was left out of Origin and will belooking for a big performance
Brisbane - the Guru got a bit excited and forgot how long it has been since he laced up the boots the other day and gave the Bronco's coach a bit of a spray, Anthony i wish you the best mate, the emotion comes from passion. Im tipping Brisbane this week, in part because after a storm we wait for the sunshine, probably not too much of that in the Nation’s Capital on Monday evening though. And the other part actually has to do with football. Brisbane don't get beaten by 50 very often, QLD lost game one and the blokes backing up will want to show how much they are hurting. Ive faith that the team will respond. Units is where the modern game is at..right side, left side, forwards and core, the core is 6/7, 9 and 1 with 13 being somewhat lost over more recent times, think Bobby Lindner, Clyd et al. The point here is not to tell Hook how to coach or to insinuate ive got the answers but to look within the team structure, build those player units into strong combinations, each with their own goals and set plays. Shadow players to train and step into that unit at a moment’s notice, if Justin is out XYZ is ready to step in. Im not a fan of wholesale changes and whoever Griff selects i really hope they can get the job done.
Submitted by The Joker on
Full round thinker. Kick arse. Joker.
Submitted by The Joker on
Broncos no chance.. zero degree canberra night. Storm will win for cameron. Dogs full strength come out firing again. Eels just suck. Manlys defence too good. And the last two games...well these are the two of which one i feel COULD be an upset.. dragons with their amazing record at hunter stadium forget soward.. and tigers winning their last 6 against panthers.. take your pick punters i'll stick with the smart tips this week.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Thinker right on the money this week except I'm leaning the Guru's way with the Broncos. The boys are better than last week and will be keen to show coach and fans as much...Broncos by a whisker. Still can't get over that rat Gallen. Thank heavens Titans have a bye this week...Nate's head would not be a pretty sight.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Good call with the Dragons there Joker.
Nice tipping sir.
Submitted by The Joker on
Thanks mate, i knew the upsets this week but was reluctant to tip them as i needed to remain in number 1 position on work ladder to receive a pretty good prize :-)