Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles – Friday night – Allianz Stadium
Four weeks in and we get a grand final replay and, perhaps not suprisingly, these are the two teams I've picked to make the grand final again in 2014. How boring of me. I was taken with the way the Roosters finished off the Broncos last weekend (even though it hurt). This is a side with enough self-belief and composure to win football games other teams would give up on. The Sea Eagles have also impressed, but with Brett Stewart still unavailable, Jason King ruled out and Kieran Foran all but ruling himself out, this looks like the Roosters night. Not in a 'back them like there's no tomorrow' kind of way, but they seem the sensible play.
Verdict – Roosters by 4
Result - Sea Eagles 8 defeated Roosters 0
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – WIN Stadium
I haven't got a Friday night game right this season - not one of them. I even got the Thursday night game wrong. Further to that, I haven't got a Broncos game right this season either. Given those two factors, I'd urge you to do the exact opposite of what I recommend here. Josh McGuire returns and I saw enough from the Broncos against the defending premiers to give them another chance. The Dragons are favoured to win and they can't do more than they've done thus far, but I'll punt on another upset. The Dragons will be pleased to hear they don't have my albatross hanging around their necks, and I expect them to shorten even further once I publish my selection. Those who like to set their eyes to stunned could do worse than go back and watch Josh Morris score that try against the Sharks last weekend. Wow!
Verdict – Broncos by 4
Result - Broncos 36 defeated Dragons 20
New Zealand Warriors vs Wests Tigers – Saturday afternoon – Westpac Stadium
I thought the Tigers were under-estimated at the start of the year and tipped them in round one. They got flogged by the Dragons so I dropped off them. But since then, neither team has lost a game. Is that form line good? Oh what a crazy competition this is. I'm actually tipping the Warriors this weekend, mainly because there is a doubt over Robbie Farah playing. His dummy-half work, kicking game and maturity will be sorely missed if he doesn't take the field. For that reason alone I'll lean to the Warriors to get their first win of the season on home turf.
Verdict – Warriors by 2
Result - Warriors 42 defeated Tigers 18
Parramatta Eels vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday night – Pirtek Stadium
Sadly for Parramatta, they were pretty good last week. I say sadly, because Penrith won't take them lightly. The Eels have a knack of putting in a shocking performance on the back of a good one. In that case, the Panthers pick themselves. Chris Sandow returns for the Eels which is great for him. I hope he has a decent game.
Verdict – Panthers by 8
Result - Eels 32 defeated Panthers 16
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm – Saturday night – NIB Stadium
We are off to Perth and the Storm have named Jordan McLean on the bench and have requested he play, which certainly leaves the NRL with an interesting little predicament. I guess we'll just wait and see how that plays out. That he's been named, and that the Storm have named four big forwards on their bench tells you what Craig Bellamy thinks you need to beat the Bulldogs. If he loses a few outside backs to injuries during this game it might start to get complicated. The Bulldogs were pretty darn good against the Panthers and I'm willing to tip them. I know...crazy huh? I wouldn't trust me either.
Verdict – Bulldogs by 2
Result - Bulldogs 40 defeated Storm 12
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canberra Raiders – Sunday afternoon – ANZ Stadium
The Rabbitohs have demonstrated their consistency under coach Michael Maguire. If only for that reason, I can't see them losing two games in a row very often - they are just too disciplined and well-coached these days. They lose a vital cog with Issac Luke unavailable but the cogs that remain should be able to get the job done. If the rain ever stops in Sydney you can back the overs in point-scoring markets.
Verdict – Rabbitohs by 6
Result - Raiders 30 defeated Rabbitohs 18
Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks – Sunday afternoon – Hunter Stadium
How do the Newcastle Knights respond, following the horrendous injury to Alex McKinnon on Monday night? Their coach is a master at galvanising his men but this will be a challenge even for the great Wayne Bennett. The Knights at home on Sundays is often a recipe for success, but I have a sneaky little suspicion the Sharks can pull off an upset here. A price of $2.75 for the Sharks looks decidedly tasty. Andrew Fifita returns for the visitors and it bolsters my confidence.
Verdict – Sharks by 4
Result - Knights 30 defeated Sharks 0
Gold Coast Titans vs North Queensland Cowboys – Monday night – Cbus Super Stadium
If betting is any indication Titans playmaker Aidan Sezer may not make it to this game. We may not know for a while as Coach Cartwright is giving him every chance to prove his fitness. What we do know if William Zillman won't be there, and he's a difficult man to replace. The Cowboys have done what they do almost every season - started to disappoint. Disappointing on Monday night wouldn't surprise me on bit, but I'll give (yet another) chance. Even if it's close, surely I can rely Jonathan Thurston to outpoint Greg Bird in the goal-kicking department.
Verdict – Cowboys by 4
Result - Titans 13 defeated Cowboys 12
Wally Lewis - round four selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.
- ROOSTERS vs Sea Eagles
- Dragons vs BRONCOS
- WARRIORS vs Tigers
- Eels vs PANTHERS
- Bulldogs vs STORM
- RABBITOHS vs Raiders
- KNIGHTS vs Sharks
- Titans vs COWBOYS
Comments
Submitted by The Joker on
Roosters by 10
Broncos by 10
Tigers by 2
Panthers by 12
Bulldogs by 6
Rabbitohs by 16
Knights by 4
Cowboys by 22
Submitted by mark ashford on
The other day someone said that out of the 24 games played so far 22 had been won by the underdog...so good luck you tipsters! He also said things would settle by round 5 or 6 so don't despair we're nearly there!
Roosters
Broncos
Warriors
Eels
Storm
Rabbits
Knights
Cowboys
Don't be surprised if the Raiders sneak a win from the Rabbits, I've heard all is not "happy days" in the camp.
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Yeah hey everyone ! After a shocking week of picks from me last weekend I am almost fearful to pick anything ever again ! Still let's go through with this as I suspect this weekend will be just as much of a horror show as last week !
Roosters - Yeah, no Jason King, No Kieran Foran, for Sea Eagles is why I'm going with Chooks to just beat Manly in this encounter at ANZ Stadium. I am with The Thinker on this one. Roosters by 4 Points in really tight match
Broncos - I know Dragons are really, really, popular with people right now but so are youtube videos of people unwrapping things and I can't see me getting into that. That's why I'm going with Broncos to win, with Dragons gifting them two points almost from kick off ! Broncos to win by 8 Points.
Warriors - I still don't know who's going to win this game as Warriors still haven't won game when they played in Wellington. Still I'm going go with Warriors in hope they can bring points back home. ! Warriors by 2 points.
Eels - I don't want to admit it but I will say it how good where The Eels last week ? That's why going on last week results, I'm picking them to win this game at home up against Panthers. The Eels to win by a drop goal, 1 point.
Storm - I was going to go with Bulldogs but then they're playing Warriors next week and I expect them beat us at Eden Park and since only Warriors can get beaten by team they get thrashed previous week I think Storm will beat Bulldogs in this round out in NIB Stadium, Perth. Storm by 16 points.
Raiders - I have been thinking about this one all week but with Issac Luke out and Greg Inglis still injured from last week and stlll not a 100 percent right in the head, I'm just leaning towards Raiders to beat Bunnies here in another upset for boys from South Sydney. The Raiders to win by 6 points.
Knights - Sharks are still not same team because of injuries and indication of that is being beaten last week by Dragons ! Knights to win by 4 points.
Cowboys - Titans will have to get all "300, Rise Of Empire", on Cowboys if they have any hope to beat them but they won't ! Cowboys by 12 points.
Thanks again Thinker. Go NZ Warriors ! Kiwi Power ! Peow ! Peow ! ;-D
Submitted by a on
Here are my tips
Roosters by 4 I think Manly have too many injure problems
Dragons by 1 I think Dragons will be a threat this year
Tigers by 2 I think Tigers to edge out the Warriors here
Panthers by 6 please I think Panthers will win but not by much
Bulldogs by 1 too touch to pick I wish I could pick a draw in this one
Rabbitohs by 2 only if Ingles play of not I will change to Raiders
Sharks by 8 who even loses that one can't win a single thing
Cowboys by 10 Go Cowboys I think they will beat the Titans here
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hmm, this week might just confirm my "newbie" status if my tipping goes pear-shaped! Looked at what the Thinker said and tipped and looked at what the others have tipped so far and it seems I have about 4 different on average than everyone else. Oh well, no guts, no glory as they say!
OK here we go with this weeks tips...
Roosters
- who else would I tip eh?
Dragons
- yeah I know the Broncos should've got the bikkies last week but Dragons on top and great points diff has swayed me.
Warriors
- are the Tigers due for an average one?
Panthers
- not sure why but think they'll get the job done.
Storm
- Storm are a class act and should be good enough. See you at nib...
Raiders
- couple out for Souths & they keep letting me down when I tip 'em.
Knights
- this one could go either way I reckon. Decided by better points diff.
Titans
- no idea with this one. My "roughie" of the week?
Good luck everyone. Can't wait to watch the Chooks and Manly Fri night. She's gonna be a burster (hopefully). Cheers!
Submitted by The Animal on
Morning everyone,
What a week last week!! I don't think anyone would have picked that card. Another average round of tipping for me, I've gotta get it this week or i'll lose my top 10 foothold in my tipping comp ... anywho, my tips for this week are -
Roosters - Manly have to many players out.
Dragons - GO THE DRAGONS!!! SMASH EM BOYS
Eels - Going with a gut feeling on this one. Don't think I've ever really tipped them before, but they've surprised me in the recent weeks ..
Storm - Feeling that there form is way stronger than the doggies at the moment
Warriors - The tigers steam will run out here
Rabbitos - Going with The Thinker on this one - they don't often lose two in a row
Knights - Tossed a coin for this game. Could be anyones..
Titans - My grand upset for the week!! NQL have disappointed me so far this season.
Good luck everyone :)
UP THE MIGHTY DRAGONS!!!
Submitted by a on
Where is guru he is the only one who has not done it everyone else has
Submitted by Grasshopper on
Here's my Tips for this week
Roosters
Dragons
Tigers
Panthers
Storm
Rabbitohs
Knights
Cowboys
Lets go Hursty
Submitted by Guru Craig on
Roosters - The Chooks forwards should get ahead on a wet track, Manly are missing a few blokes but this one could be tight.
Broncos - Last week was a good test, The Bronco's should have won and The 'G' is bacing them again.
NZW - Have got to win eventually.
Penrith - Should be good enough, but...Para will fancy themselves a chance here while Penrith will be looking for a dominate win.
Doggies - Looking for the upset, Melbourne have played some tough games to get their Jenny Craig wins. The Guru is factoring the WA location in this as an equalizer. I hope.
Souths - Maguire needs consistancy and creativity from his boys, look for a Bugess barnstorm and dont be scared to tip a Pom for tryscorer.
Newcastle - Plenty to talk about in Newcastle, Tiny the terrible is broke again, Wayne is looking north and the team is looking ordinary. The Knights should win this on heart alone. McKinnon, The Guru wishes you the best and a full recovery mate.
NQC - This should be a tough affair, NQ are not running well and could do with an Ultratune, maybe a grease n oil change too. Pauly Peanuts has to get this side to fire soon.
Boss, in the words of Doggies fans....its been fully hectic here, The Guru will attempt to be more organised in future, andThe 'G' will be back over the weekend with more silly comments.
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
God, I love to hate Manly Wartmough Sea Eagles ! :-(
Submitted by christine forb10 on
Afternoon Thinker, The last time we spoke you said to me i just wish i knew who was going to win this year & i've been giving that some thought, i feel it's a broncos year they seem to have the momentum this year to see it though to the end so wait and see if i'm right or not stranger things have happend
Submitted by Guru Craig on
The Guru hopes so Christine, Hook an Co may need to work on goal line defence if a GF is on the cards though.
ParaPerfection...good call Mark Ashford, Johnny Ray and The Animal, thats a great upset pick!
Submitted by Guru Craig on
The Guru likes Newcastle a lot this afternoon :)
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
You think that's great upset pick Guru Craig what about me and Newbie From Perth picking Raiders to beat Bunnies. We're high fiving each other right now from across ditch ! Go Warriors ! ;-D
Submitted by newbie from perth on
3 out of 7 so far - not good. Not good at all...
Good to see Johnny Ray's pleased. Picking an "upset" is a pretty good feeling but then I remember I've only got 3 right so far. Hopefully the Titans will bring me home tomorrow night.
P.S. Johnny was so happy I think he sprained my wrist with all the high fiving we did this arvo! Cheers...
Submitted by christine forb10 on
Too all the tippers on this web site & anyone else who follows nrl i have just learnt that alex mckinnon is off contract at the end of this season so newcastle only have to pay him out for this season & then he's on his own according to the sun herald today & i think that sucks.
Submitted by summerskin on
that sucks, yes, but that is life.. injuries be it small or in this case career-ending, is part of rugby league and I think everyone who have decided to make it a livelihood understands that. it's bound to happen to somebody. and with him being on his last year of his contract is unfortunate, but you can't fault the knights for that.. and if you come to think of it, he's still lucky because at least he has monetary supplements till the end of this year.. millions of people are being dealt bigger blows in life as we speak.
just my 2 cents.
GO MANLY!
Submitted by The Thinker on
Guru,
When I saw what the Knights had planned for the day I knew I was in trouble with that tip - too late to change it then of course.
Well done sir.
And to those of you that found the Raiders....I salute you
Submitted by Lady Di-saster on
Roosters can't beat Manly when they're playing the ref as well. Abysmal ref'ing methinks ... heads off to Specsavers ...
Submitted by a on
No one can beat Manly when they play against the refs they are always on Manly side someone please stop the Manly side from getting help for refs
Submitted by christine forb10 on
To the person who responded to my post about alex mckinnon it's called empathy.
Submitted by Guru Craig on
Thanks Thinker.
Monday night footy is a tad dreary, good thing Snakey stadium provided some entertainment.
Submitted by christine forb10 on
Afternoon everyone can anyone tell me whats going on with souths ? they where shocking last week even with inglis playing i mean i know issac is probably one of the best hookers there is & he is important to their game but they had nothing in them last week so what else is going on at souths there must be something ?
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Apparently there's alot of players division within Rabbitohs, with number of their players unhappy with how certain players are getting preferential treatment in spite of their current form. That and coupled with injuries to some of their star players ( such as their playmaker Issac Luke ...) and this could be a long couple of months for bunnies fans ! Me personally, I'm still backing them to beat Dragons this weekend Christine as I really don't see inclusion of Josh Dugan will pose anymore of personal challenge for them and the team. Saying that though I'm also picking Sharks to beat Warriors this week, so what do I know ... ;-D
Submitted by christine forb10 on
Thanks johnny ray for responding to my ? about souths i got to say your doing better than me so i do watch your tips as well as a so keep them coming but i'm not really sure about sharks beating warriors though but what do i know i've kind of written sharks off at the moment their even saying they won't win a game for a while yet .
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Please don't follow me Christine haha. I'm having my worst tipping season ever after winning my office comp of 40 people for the last two years. Right now I am sitting in 39th place already seven points behind the leader. I try to apply logic every week, following this site, sourcing other notable tipsters but this year I am completely baffled. I'm one from eight on a Friday night and travelling at a lowly 12 out of 32 after four rounds. But whilst I'm tearing my hair out at my terrible form I think about poor Alex McKinnon and realise life isn't that bad. I'm sure everyone in the rugby league community wishes Alex and his family all the very best in months to come.
Submitted by Guru Craig on
The Guru has similar thoughts on the Bunnies. The first thing the 'G' would do is put things back to when they worked, that means Sutton at 5/8. I know, no one likes him there including The 'G', but with Keary injured and the side out of form, familiarity works wonders. Sutton would wear #6 and my other choice would swing in and out of attacking position ala Brisbane with Hoffman and Barba. The players need their confidence back.
The Burgess situation needs attention. Sammy the Squirrel is a leading factor in the discontent at Redfern. Perhaps a nice sit down, on the bench with some Tea and Crumpets would appease the negative thoughts being thrown his way.
South’s have invested a lot in The Burgess clan and this whole thing must frighten the powers that be, it has not been managed well. They still have a strong team capable of winning the comp, however Maguire's Halo has lost a little shine. Wait for the mid-season deadline on player poaching…
Submitted by christine forb10 on
Steel panther i won my in house comp 2 years in a row 2011 ,2012 but last year & this year i've gone right off the rails, i feel in time i will get back there as will you but i don't really think either of us are making bad decisions but i think the bookies have things all worked out in their favour so we just have to find a way around that like if they say it's this team in odds that will win then you take the opposite for example thats just my opinion it's up to you what you do. & guru craig i do feel it's a broncos year but wait & see what happens.