South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers – Friday night – ANZ Stadium
Those with State of Origin on their minds will be thinking the Bunnies will struggle without Greg Inglis at the back...and they might. He can be a major influence on the result every time he takes the field, but the absence of Robbie Farah for the Tigers is at least as important. The Tigers will also be without Aaron Woods (although he has been named in the team which is a little perplexing). The Tigers surprised almost everyone by beating the Bunnies in round three. They can win again, and I'm quite sure the Tigers have more point-scoring potential in them (note: the Tigers backline for this clash have scored 11 more tries than their opponents this season). But with Farah and Woods unavailable I expect those big rumbling Rabbitohs forwards to eat up the yards, and Luke, Reynolds, Sutton and Merritt should create enough points on the back of that. For what it's worth I'll tip a low-scoring game on Friday night - and given my ongoing troubles with Friday nights it's worth very little.
Verdict – Rabbitohs by 7
Result - Rabbitohs 32 defeated Tigers 10
Penrith Panthers vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday night – Sportingbet Stadium
One should never be confident about tipping a result in this competition, and when I say 'one' what I really mean is 'The Thinker'. Still, the Panthers are sitting on top of the ladder and are in scintillating form. It's worth noting the Panthers have only played four games against teams currently in the top eight this season (Eels - twice, Bulldogs and Rabbitohs). At the end of the day they'll be measured as a successful unit on their ability to match it with the big guns of the competition at the business end. But that is for another day, because this weekend they face a team outside the top eight. I expect the home side will win this one pretty convincingly.
Verdict – Panthers by 16
Result - Panthers 18 defeated Dragons 14
Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights – Saturday night – Allianz Stadium
If there's a reason to tip the Knights this weekend I can't think of it. That pretty much sums things up here.
Verdict – Roosters by 10
Result - Roosters 29 defeated Knights 12
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels – Sunday afternoon - ANZ Stadium
If I can channel my inner Kanye West for a moment, here are two teams I couldn't get much wronger this season. Two weeks ago I tipped the Eels without Jarryd Hayne and they disappointed. Last week I tipped against them and Jarryd Hayne all but proved the difference. This weekend they are without him again, so I'm feeling a little timid. In any case I can't warm to the Bulldogs halves pairing, so it looks like I'm going with the Eels. Note the sudden appearance of Isaac De Gois for the Eels in the number 9 (granted an immediate release from the Sharks). I imagine he'll be keen to repay his new employer.
Verdict – Eels by 4
Result - Eels 22 defeated Bulldogs 12
Gold Coast Titans vs Melbourne Storm – Monday night – CBus Super Stadium
These sides met earlier in the year. They played in Melbourne. The Storm had Smith, Slater, Cronk, Hoffman, Chambers and O'Neill in their line-up...and the Titans won. Now I realise that every now and then rugby league isn't as simple as it may seem, but the Titans simply win this don't they? Don't they?
Verdict – Titans by 14
Result - Storm 24 defeated Titans 20
Wally Lewis - round fourteen selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.
- RABBITOHS vs Tigers
- PANTHERS vs Dragons
- ROOSTERS vs Knights
- BULLDOGS vs Eels
- TITANS vs Storm
Comments
Submitted by The Joker on
All home teams again this week
Submitted by mark ashford on
Hi all
What seems like an easy round may get a little tricky.
The Rabbits to get over the Tigers missing Farrah and Woods.
The Panthers at full strength over depleted Dragons
The Roosters to pluck the hapless Knights
The Bulldogs to beat the Eels (it's a toss up - home team to win)
The Titans to scrape home over the Storm (another toss up)
The Maroons are in big trouble. If NSW don't win SOO this year the whole thing is rigged.
Submitted by Stephen S on
RABBITOHS - After last weeks performance against the Warriors you wouldn't tip against them, even without inglis the power of the burgess boys up front should get them over the line. Rabbits by 12
PANTHERS - Panthers are quality this year. Even with Benji coming good I think Panthers here in a close one. Panthers by 2
ROOSTERS - Hopeless knights to slip further down the ladder. Roosters by 14
EELS - Doggies momentum they had at the start of season has slowed a bit. I think the eels may just get up. Eels by 8
TITANS - I think this one will be a lot tighter than most would predict. May be a good roughie but its hard to back the storm after last week. Titans by 4
Submitted by Lady Di-saster on
Hey Thinker ... Don't let grubs like "football" get you down calling you daft names and questioning your abilities. I for one ... And I'm sure there's loads of other lurkers ... Are VERY grateful for this site, your comments and analysis, and the comments and analysis of other tippers who have WAY more of a clue than I do. My big task each week is to take everyone's analysis and tips, put my wet finger in the air and take a bit of a punt on the office tipping stakes. I'd win a grand total of $130 if I were to win the comp and while nice doesn't call for the level of abuse some people see fit to put out there ... And yeah I know I said - in jest which can get lost in the internet ether - it should be called johnnyray.org ... I'm grateful for everyone's efforts.
Anyways. Just felt I should put that out there. Keep yer pecker up and keep the faith. Cheers. Lady Di.
Submitted by christine forb10 on
Thinker " football " is just some grub who really doesn't deserve the waste of energy it requires to get upset about anything they have to say, i personally can say i have won my in house comp two years in a row 2011 , 2012 due to your tips the other tippers on this website so stick to it & forget the jerk besides that were else would we all meet if not for your website , we need you thinker.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Thanks Lady Di
I can assure you that my pecker is up at every opportunity. It's been known to stand to attention during the national anthem at major sporting events.
And as for Football and his little dig....I get called The Stinker every season, and it could be a lot worse (The Tinkler).
Submitted by nola on
hi when will the rest of the thinker crew be posting their tips this week
Submitted by Jacob Garnham on
I'll back up Di and say that you have been a great help. If anyone should be ridiculed it's me, I didn't back my team and they did a marvellous job on the cowboys. (hanging my head in shame) But keep doing what your doing. BTW do you really want to be the "tinkler"?
Submitted by a on
Here are my tips
Rabbitohs by 2 I think Rabbitohs will just be good against Tigers
Panthers by 12 I think Panthers will show why they are the Wrecking Ball in this competition
Roosters by 14 I think Roosters to continue Knights wos
Eels by 4 I think The Eels can win here and be the Wrecking Ball to the Bulldogs
Titans by 10 I think Gold Coast will win twice against Melbourne this year
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Ah Man ! Is it me ? Why is everybody suddenly at one another ? You know I woke up today to somebody on TV telling me that love is more important than money so I tried to pay off all my gambling debts with hug and dude got me banned for life from TAB ! Thanks a lot Barney ! F**king a**hole dinosaur !!! Alright another round of rugby league is on this weekend, dude let's do this !
Tigers - I know their not favourites this week and I know with Robbie Farrah out they are almost impossible side to pick but with Rabbitohs having so many their star players out cause of injuries plus short turn around from traveling out to Perth, I'm almost confident of this game turning into an upset for South Sydney fans. West Tigers by 4 points.
Panthers - Dragons can't win this game. I think It'll be a lot closer in first forty minutes than most people are prepared to predict but I am still backing Panthers to run away with it in second half. Panthers by 18 points.
Roosters - Just like I said about Dragons, Knights can't win this. I think it will be a lot closer in first forty minutes than people are prepared to predict but I am still backing Roosters to run away with it in second half. Roosters by 16 points.
Bulldogs - Eels can't win without Jarrad Hayne so you just have to go with doggies here in another close match for both sides. Bulldogs by 10 points.
Titans - Storm could all do us a favor and forfeit match because really I don't care if it's the most publicly watch sporting event on Earth, only words like forfeit is going to help remind me that Soccer World Cup is on this week. Titans by 14 points.
Thanks a lot Thinker ! Go Warriors ! Kiwi Power ! Peow ! Peow ! ;-D
Submitted by christine forb10 on
To all that are tipping titans this week paul carter has been stood down for drink driving four times over the legal limit .
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hi everyone,
Geez Louise! First 3 tips all went down last week but thankfully got the next 5 so a respectable (for a newbie from Perth at least) 5 out of 8 keeps me in the hunt.
Onto this week’s tips…
Rabbits - some big names out for SOO duty but think the Bunnies have enough depth to cover the Tigers. Bunnies for me.
Panthers - bit worried if Benji will cause problems or not but gotta go with the Panthers here. I‘m thinking they’re on top for a reason so makes it a little easier for me to tip ‘em.
Roosters - what can I say? Might be a bit cocky here but I think my boys will win and win easy. Maybe 16 or more?
Dogs - both sides will be missing players due to SOO and the Newbie has no idea on this one. I reckon either side can win. When in doubt, go the favourites and that means I’m tipping the Dogs this week.
Titans - another “dodgy” game for tipping methinks. Based solely on who loses more with SOO duty omissions, the Newbie has to go the Titans.
I’ve just realised I’ve tipped all “home” teams. And to add to my confidence, so has the “King”. So too has Mark Ashford and The Joker! Wonder if it’s an omen? Hmm…
OK people, good luck with your tipping this week and good luck to your team as well. Cheers.
SOO - Bring on the Maroon Power!!
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
I'm getting sick and tired of hearing on Matty Jones, Sterlo and Footy Show that Benji Marshall has got the monkey off his back. Just because you've got monkey off your back doesn't mean circus has left town. F-Star-Star-Star Benji Marshall ! :-(
Submitted by The Joker on
Yeah thanks christine.. but I had to think who is Paul Carter..lol..must not be much of a loss..... titans by 2
Submitted by Guru Craig on
Rabbits - With all the hype about the Tigers playmakers, The Guru thinks it will be the Bunnies halves that turn up to play. With a pack full of Burgesses the Bunnies will be hard to beat on home soil. Souths need to be better when the big boys come to play in September and now is the time to get things set.
Panthers - 'Game of Thrones' is finished for a season, The Guru's fav character, Khaleesi will be right for next year, with her baby Dragons grown, they will rain down fire on those pretenders in the North and the crown will be where it belongs. Until then St Marys Benjamin's, like all good Catholic school girls, will have to wait and see how the battle for the Wall proceeds, as Ivan the Terrible has got it sorted at the mo and things are on the up in Panther town, he's got plenty of Wildlings, a few Giants and maybe even a Mammoth or two, The 'G' hears they even had a white whale at training last Friday week although he doesn't see how that fits into things...it might be a Waynie Christmas yet in Kogarah, interesting story line there...tune in next season.
Roosters - Never to be tipped Knights have got no hope. The Rooster's have packed A's wrecking ball and they're planning on giving it a thorough workout. The Guru reckons it'll be about 20 or 30 points, too good for the Knight's armour. Uncle Nick has been chatting to English Dave vis-a-vis the salary cap restrictions on 'The Wrecking ball'. Push him hard English Dave, those car dealer types are tough negotiators. Guru Gold tip of the round.
Bulldogs - The Top of the table Doggies have the Des factor, the 750k/yr coach will bring the beetroot to ANZ and show all the dog lovers out there why his side deserve the number one spot. Para aren't hopeless but they suffer from a lack of Hop-A-Hayne and their Peat levels look severely low, far to low, as is Coach Arthur's salary, he'd be on about as much as Dessie makes a month. Dogs 13+
Titans - The Guru hears coach Henry is taking suggestions for the after season camp, what about 'Canadia' just call your fav travel agent and tell em 'Tony sent ya, if its good enough for our PM its good enough for anyone. Be cautious tipsters, The Coast are due a win but the team is running flat. Bellamy has named a reasonable side that should go close here.
Submitted by Steel Panther on
With SOO2 beckoning, this round at first glance looks like a "take all the home teams" round but I'm going to take a punt on the Storm against the Titans this week. I note that I'm at the bottom of the tipping ladder and I note that no one else on this site has tipped them. I think the Storm have the edge in the forwards but the Titans have the edge in the backs. What have I got to lose?
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
That's it. One more bad tip from me and I'm done betting ! Back the west tigers ! Back the west tigers ! They couldn't of won that match against Rabbitohs if their former cheerleader and now Yellow Wiggle decided to come out and play that game topless ! Dude ! :-(
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
And Eels beat Bulldogs ! That's it ! I'm done ! Dude ! :-(
Submitted by christine forb10 on
Johnny ray don't give up, we all have bad weeks you'll bouce back .
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Yea Johnny Ray. I've had 13 bad weeks in a row!!! About to be 14 if the Storm lose tonight. Looking good for you Thinker. Might shut up some of your critics aye....