Round twenty-five selections

Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

The Knights are hanging onto seventh place and five teams trail the Knights by a solitary point, but it's difficult to see them missing the top eight this year. That draw with the Broncos a few weeks back, a handy points differential, and a game at home against the Eels next week should get them over the line. No team behind the Broncos on the ladder is close enough to catch them, but the Broncos need to get in front of all five teams that are one point ahead of them. To be any hope, they have to finish off their season with two wins against top eight sides, and big wins wouldn't hurt either. I'm not convinced they're good enough, but this is one club with a history of pulling out an enormous game when their backs are against the wall. That's a wall boys. They do have an advantage in the forwards (particularly with Kade Snowden unavailable) and Alex Glenn in the centres is a welcome return. Difficult it will be, but they'll live to fight for another round, and give two of their stalwarts (Scott Prince and David Stagg) an opportunity to play milestone games in a match that matters.

Verdict – Broncos by enough

Result - Knights 26 defeated Broncos 18

Wests Tigers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – Allianz Stadium

I'm not the first to mention it, and I certainly won't be the last to mention it, but it would be remiss of me not to mention it - when Luke, Sam, Tom and George Burgess take to the field for the Rabbitohs on Saturday night it will be the first time four brothers have played together since Roy, Ray, Rex and Bernard Norman in 1910. I doubt we will ever see such a thing again - how many families have four boys these days? With the return of Robbie Farah this is the best Tigers line-up we've seen in quite a while, but their best hasn't been so great this year. Greg Inglis has been named but don't be surprised if he sits this one out. The Bunnies have named an extended bench and his knee could use another week of rest before the finals. The Tigers couldn't beat Parramatta three weeks ago, and every single one of you will be tipping who I'm tipping.

Verdict – Rabbitohs

Result - Rabbitohs 32 defeated Tigers 18

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday night – ANZ Stadium

Penrith keep proving the doubters (and The Thinker) wrong, but I'm prepared to doubt them again. Their last two wins were impressive enough but prior to that they scored a total of 34 points (and conceded 148) in their four successive losses to the Knights, Sharks, Roosters and Cowboys. I'm prepared to include the Bulldogs with that group of four as one of the better teams in the competition. The Bulldogs were competitive against the Bunnies last week. That is good enough for me and it should be good enough to beat Penrith.

Verdict – Bulldogs

Result - Bulldogs 34 defeated Panthers 14

New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – Mt Smart Stadium

The Raiders' season appears to be in freefall after four losses in a row but, to be fair, losses to the Storm, Roosters, Bulldogs and Sea Eagles are hardly surprising losses. Now they have to head overseas and take on a side playing their last home game of the season. Blake Ferguson won't be on the plane and he won't be wearing lime green again. Without him, and without Josh Dugan, Jack Wighton, Edrick Lee and Sandor Earl, that Canberra backline looks a little shy of what you would need to outscore the Warriors. If you like money you should back Konrad Hurrell to score a try. Everytime I do I seem to end up with money. Gamble responsibly...gamble responsibly.

Verdict – Warriors

Result - Warriors 50 defeated Raiders 16

Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm – Saturday night – Brookvale Oval

Manly are well and truly in the top four, but it's when they play the other teams in the top four we get a feel for where they sit in relation to the other premiership contenders. They've played other top four sides five teams this year, and they haven't won any of them. To be fair, they did draw with the Storm and that was in Melbourne, but the Storm looked more likely on that occasion (I think they were held up over the line about four times). Given what we've seen from the Storm over the last four weeks (conceding just 26 points while scoring 181) I think we can say that Melbourne, on current form, are a serious top four side. In a round where almost every game looks interesting, this should be the most interesting of all.

Verdict – Storm

Result - Sea Eagles 28 defeated Storm 8

Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys – Sunday afternoon – Remondis Stadium

One can only assume the Sharks were paying attention when the AFL handed out its punishment to the Essendon Football Club on Tuesday night. You'd think it would all get too much for them eventually, but to give them their due they keep turning up almost every week. Proof of that was on show on Monday night when they dispatched of the Roosters, and one can only wonder what the Sharks might have done this season if the ASADA shadow wasn't hanging over their heads all year. In recent weeks the Cowboys have been showing us what they might have done this season as well, but they have probably left their run too late. Losing Ray Thompson to injury last week makes it enormously difficult. The Cowboys finally found a solution to their dummy-half issues, and now they have to (very quickly) find another solution. Compounding the loss is the impact of this injury to the Cowboys forwards rotation. Thompson was an 80 minute player, which allowed that big Cowboys pack to get a little extra rest each game. So the Cowboys pack has to lift a gear, and then they must lift another gear because they have to match it with what might be the toughest pack of forwards in the game. It might be too much, particularly away from home in that city they don't seem to enjoy playing in.

Verdict – Sharks

Result - Cowboys 31 defeated Sharks 18

Sydney Roosters vs Gold Coast Titans – Sunday afternoon – Allianz Stadium

The Titans didn't need that nail-biting loss to the Warriors last round. They're currently in ninth place and they close out the home and away season with an away game against the Chooks and an away game against the Storm. Ouch! The Chooks haven't lost two games in a row all year, and their club captain returns for this clash to add some composure and experience to what is still a young side. They'll also have plenty of incentive to turn up for this game, as the Bunnies should stick their whiskers in front in the race for the minor premiership on Friday night. Assume the Chooks will get their beaks back in front by Sunday night. The two oldest clubs in the competition, neck and neck to the line in the race for the top of the table. The only way it could get any better is if these sides were to face off in the final round of the regular season. Let me just have a quick look-see at the games for next round............................

Oh Boy! 

Verdict – Roosters

Result - Titans 30 defeated Roosters 22

Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Monday night – Parramatta Stadium

If the Eels can beat the Dragons by about 110 points, and if they then beat the Knights in Newcastle in the old boys game, and if the Dragons lose at home to the Warriors next weekend, the Eels can avoid the wooden spoon. Just wanted to give the boys something to aim for on Monday night. But before you all tip the Eels (and they may end up starting favourites in this game - Thinker shakes his head), let me share something with you all. The Dragons have struggled to score points all season. They've scored 20 or more points on just five occasions, and they've scored 30 or more points only once. Their opponent when they scored more than 30 points? Yep, that's right. The Dragons have won their last seven matches against the Eels, and the most points the Eels have scored in those seven games was fourteen. I think the Dragons can find twenty points on Monday night against this opponent, and twenty points should be enough.

Verdict – Dragons 20 : Eels 12

Result - Eels 26 defeated Dragons 22

Wally Lewis - round twenty-five selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.

  • BRONCOS vs Knights
  • Tigers vs RABBITOHS
  • BULLDOGS vs Panthers
  • WARRIORS vs Raiders
  • Sea Eagles vs STORM
  • SHARKS vs Cowboys
  • ROOSTERS vs Titans
  • Eels vs DRAGONS

Comments

Johnny Ray's picture

Aw no ! Not again ! IAwesome. I'm going to have to go against you Thinker in couple of your picks ! My picks for round 25 are Broncos, Rabbitohs, Buldogs, Warriors, Sea Eagles, Sharks, Roosters And Eels ! Gone The Warriors ! ;-D

Guru Craig's picture

Hi Lads and Ladies...The Guru will have something for you this evening. After last week im gonna scratch the ol noggin a bit more...there's some winners there

And in the interest of impartiality...referees take notice..The G shall not read the Bosses tips until after i put in mine.

a's picture

Here are my tips this weekend

Broncos should have the energy to beat the Knights

Rabbitohs Tigers are crap Rabbitohs by 26

Warriors Raiders are crap and their season is over

Bulldogs bad luck Panthers your team will just miss out

Storm will beat Manly here

Sharks I have to go against my team

Roosters Dont know why Titans are at $14.00 to win Roosters by 1 here in an ugly game

Eels teams usally win 5 game in last and Eels will do it on Mad Monday

The Joker will go with me here he will think I am a good tipper here

THE JOKER's picture

Hello a. Hello thinker.
Broncos
Bunnies
Bulldogs
Warriors
Storm
Cowboys
Roosters
Dragons

THE JOKER's picture

A: never go against your team. Never tip eels. Raiders will fight hard, warriors by 2. Having a bet.. Broncs Bulldogs Melb Cows Dragons all by 1-12 ... 10 bucks collects 2500.. worth a shot i say ;)

a's picture

What your team than Joker I am going to look if you ever went against your team or tip eels if you say tat

THE JOKER's picture

I dont have a team. And i have not tipped eels this year. Regardless of my tips on here they always change last minute. Pretty confident of the cowboys winning though.

The Thinker's picture

Come on fellas,
Let's keep it nice and friendly so I don't have to start putting people in the sin bin.

THE JOKER's picture

Sorry ref ;)

newbie from perth's picture

Hi Guys,

Finally back from Thailand and glad to get another fix of the Thinker's analysis and catching up with the results from the last 3 rounds. Rounds 22 and 23 weren't too bad. I think I ended up with 6/8 both weeks but last week was a shocker! 3 out of 8! That hurt. Plus those Sharks beat my beloved Chooks as well. "Oh the pain, the pain" as Dr Smith used to say. You younger ones won't know who I'm talking about but us oldies will remember Lost In Space with much fondness I'm sure. Anyway, onto my tips...

Broncos
Doggies
Sharks
Rabbits
Roosters
Storm
Warriors
Dragons

As you can see, I've gone with the Thinker on all games this week. Maybe this week Mr T will get his "perfect round" but only time will tell eh? Here's hoping anyway.

OK good to be back and yes, the showdown between the Rabbits and my mighty Chooks in Round 26 has me all a quiver. Can't wait. Cheers.

Nicholas Korada's picture

Rabbithos rock, the burges brothers....

Mota's picture

Hi fellas,

I am with the Thinker but just the game between Bulldogs & Panthers, Sharks & Cowboys I went the oposite.
Panthers to win cos my country man magic man: James Segeyaro is playing. Cowboys to win cos there form is on the right time. Anyway, here's my tips:
Broncos
Rabbitohs
Roosters
Storms
Warriors
Panthers
Cowboys
Dragons

All the best & let the best team win. Cheers

Bali John's picture

Been a while since l posted here but 8/8 last week. I will have a go. Hope it isn't a jinx.
Anyway,
Knights
Bunnies
Kiwi's
Panthers
Manly( Bellamy to rest his 3)
Cowboys
Chooks
Eels
Good luck everyone.
Cheers from Sunny Bali.

Guru Craig's picture

Newcastle - The Guru has been thinking this game over all week and I still can't decide. The Knights get the tip solely on the fact that Brisbane cant make the eight and in the final 20 when Griffins chargers are out of energy...as has been the case this year...fitness boys, c'mon Sam thats enough pie's already mate. Cheering for Brisbane tipping New.

Souths - The Boyle 4sum are making history..Rusty is talking movie deal...and Maguire's thinking about winning, The Guru doesn't expect Madge to strain the ol noggin too hard. Sths by more than enough 13+

NZW - Bit of news about this game...you may have heard it yourself. Seems a misguided young lad from our nations capital was moonlighting as a delivery boy for 'Gazelle couriers' who have the sole delivery deal for ' Dr Ds backdoor Chemists'. Free delivery straight to your car boot..handy. but wrong.

Penrith - Back in the day before Peptides and cows blood, when MG was at the foot of the mountain The Guru a tad younger and the game a little slower Penrith were one of the top tier sides, exciting, electrifying and hard to beat this time of year. The Dogs have a terrible injury list and this G thinks a bit less motivated than Ivans boys. close one.

Storm - Melbourne are too good for Manly. If the form holds and it should, The Storm are a team who run true to form, when their winning they continue to win...until they lose, that is. See if you can read that aloud really fast.

NQC - The Guru's punt of the round, not because its a lock, because it is an actual punt. Im willing to bet that the Sharkies will relax just enough for NQ to steal this game. Cronulla are locked into the top eight and JT is desperate, personally i hope a miracle happens and NQ an Bris make the 8, here's hoping.

Sydney - The Chooks had a rough night in the Shire, in what was a slightly bizarre game, The Guru cant recall seeing referee's more uncomfortable this side of a grand jury...or an ASADA investigator. Sydney should get their act together and grind out a solid win, Robertson is impressing the G with his coaching this year. Absolute standout job.

Para - Well...i've got to tip them once this year and i reckon they have a chance this week. Ricky is thinking about jumping ship and the players should react by giving a bit extra.

a's picture

Well Joker you tipped Eels in round 22 because you said Johnny Ray picking the West Tigers to beat the Eels is silly and in round 11 also when they lot by 38 and you support Eels also

Guru Craig's picture

Well 3 from 3 for the G, but alas im starting to rethink not reading 'The Thinkers' tips before making my own. Especially the Para Dragons game....few interesting facts i'll admit i was unaware of.

No changing tips here though...C'mon the mighty Panthers, up the Eels!!!! I wanna see Ricky have a run...go hard Rick.

a's picture

Cowboys should be in the 8 now

Atho's picture

Thinker........I think you're over thinking your tips. I'm following Bali John for the last round and hope he can get me enough winners to take out the tipping comp.

Steel Panther's picture

The Eels have put in some pretty poor performances this season but the Dragons effort last night would have to rank up with some of the worst in 2013. A woeful display from a woeful team!!! Thinker it's all about taking momentum into the finals. Here's hoping you regain your form at the most crucial time of the year.

Bali John's picture

Morning all, What a weekend in the tipping comps that was! Atho, We didn't get the 8 but 6 should sit us pretty. Here are my early ones before the boss makes his. I have also realised this year, if I change my tips I loose.
Here goes,
Dogs
Chooks
Kiwi's
Storm
Cowboys
Manly
Knights
Raiders.
Just a hint to The Joker & a. Please keep it clean you guys are sounding like KRudd &TAbbot. We all know that our tipping is more important than an election anyway.
Cheers from Sunny Bali.

Guru Craig's picture

Shannon Noll

a's picture

Joker Eels won what would you know

a's picture

Joker Eels won what would you know

a's picture

Joker Eels won what would you know

Bali John's picture

Please give it a break mate.

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