Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Thursday night – Allianz Stadium
As I see it, the winner of this game wins the minor premiership and the loser drops out of the top two. That may sound familiar to some of you, because we were in much the same boat last season (check the video below for highlights of the round 26 clash in 2013). Top two gives you a home final and guaranteed progression to week two of the finals, even if you lose in week one of the finals. It's pretty darn important, and I don't think you could ask for two better teams to be in this situation. The Bunnies haven't got their hands on the J.J. Giltinan Shield since before I was born...and I'm pretty old. Bless the NRL for giving us such a contest, as they seemingly so often do. Some significant outs for both sides - Jake 'You've Got A' Friend for the Chooks and Adam 'Burt' Reynolds for the Bunnies. Everything begins with Friend for the Tricolours and Reynolds gives the Rabbits a composed playmaker with a vital kicking game. Club stalwarts on both sides of the ledger (Mitch 'You've Got It' Aubusson and John 'dressed as lamb' Sutton) step up to the plate and will relish the opportunity. These sides clashed all the way back in round one (funnily enough...on a Thursday) and the Bunnies were pretty convincing that day. The old CityFord jersey in my closet won't enjoy hearing this but I think they'll win again. Inglis as captain steps up and delivers, Sutton comes along for the ride and Issac Luke is free to play and wreak havoc around the ruck. Finals football arrives one week early, and this is a game for the ages.
Verdict – Rabbitohs by 4
Result - Roosters 22 defeated Rabbitohs 18
Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – AAMI Park
A Broncos loss and they'll be fretting all weekend hoping that both the Eels (Saturday) and the Warriors (Sunday night) fall short. That's a long time to be fretting, but even a Broncos win doesn't rule the Warriors out...so they'll be fretting anyway I suppose. I am not the NRL judiciary (not yet anyway) but I was a little surprised Sam Thaiday was found guilty and misses this match. He is, in many ways, the heart and soul of this Broncos team and his omission leaves an enormous hole - particularly on the road. The Storm are sitting two places above the Broncos on the ladder but can (potentially) drop out of the top eight with a loss. So here we are again - another game involving two teams with everything to play for. Bless you NRL. I'm prepared to let the venue determine my selection - at this time of year the purple machine like to remind the AFL nutters there's room for more than one code in Melbourne town.
Verdict – Storm by 2
Result - Storm 22 defeated Broncos 12
Wests Tigers vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday afternoon – Leichhardt Oval
The Sharks are a chance here...a chance. I'm not tipping them, but I'm thinking about backing them with the handicap start - which I expect to be generous. Neither side have a lot to play for here, but I lean ever so slightly to the home side at Leichhardt. Keep an eye on the weather too - if the rain hangs around the Sharks with the handicap start becomes too tempting to ignore. Having a bet on this clash is about the only reason I would feel compelled to watch it..to be honest. Gamble responsibly etc.
Verdict – Tigers by 2
Result - Tigers 26 defeated Sharks 10
Canberra Raiders vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday night - GIO Stadium
One of the golden rules of punting is thus: 'previous results usually have no effect on future results'. The final round of the NRL is an exception that proves the rule. I'm assuming that the Storm have beaten the Broncos on Friday night, in which case the Eels season is still alive. A lot can change between now and Saturday night, but of course I have to tip right now. The Eels are a better side across the paddock, but if they're stuck in Canberra on a cold and wet Saturday night and their season is over it's highly likely their performance will be a little lack-lustre. Keep your eye on results leading up to this game, and be willing to consider changing your tip if you are in a tipping competition that allows such things.
Verdict – Eels by 13
Result - Raiders 33 defeated Eels 20
North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles – Saturday night – 1300SMILES Stadium
Who wants this more? The Sea Eagles can't fall out of the top two, but a loss means handing the minor premiership to the winner of the Chooks/Bunnies clash. The Cowboys can, future results permitting, sneak into the top four with a win. A Cowboys loss and they end up somewhere between 5th and 7th, and that means their first final is away from home against a really good Sydney side or the Storm. Yuk!!! I'm thinking the Cowboys want this more and, you may think I'm a cave-dwelling, cat-juggling nutjob for saying this, but I think the Cowboys can win the premiership if their first final is played at home. That golden-point win over the Sharks doesn't look too flash, but I suspect they were already thinking about this game. Finals football one week early...again. Bless you NRL.
Verdict – Cowboys by 8
Result - Cowboys 30 defeated Sea Eagles 16
Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Sunday afternoon – Hunter Stadium
As flagged last week, this is the 'Old Boys game' for the Knights. It's a game they rarely lose, and they're heading into this weekend in winning form.
Verdict – Knights by 10
Result - Knights 40 defeated Dragons 10
Gold Coast Titans vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Sunday afternoon – CBus Super Stadium
It's unlikely but if the Storm, Cowboys and Panthers lose the Dogs can sneak into the top four with a big win. We'll know more by Sunday afternoon. Luke Bailey calls time on a tremendous career and I'm sure the Titans would like to send him out a winner. I'd love to see it myself, and at the very least I hope they make this a contest, but I fear the worst.
Verdict – Bulldogs by 18
Result - Titans 19 defeated Bulldogs 18
Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors – Sunday night – Centrebet Stadium
It's pretty simple for the Warriors on Sunday night. Currently in 9th place, they make the finals with a win on Sunday night. No team behind them can go past them if they win and two teams that are catchable are playing each other. Barring an extra time draw (and we haven't had one all year) either the Storm or the Broncos miss the finals if the Warriors prevail. If they haven't worked that out yet they'll work it out before kick-off. The Panthers can't get any higher than they are now but they can certainly drop out of the top four. This would disappoint me a little, after my outrageous suggestion they were a top four side at the start of the season. There's some chance that, going into this game, the result will have no bearing on the Panthers finals finish at all (4th if they win, 4th if they lose). Probably unlikely but its possible, and if that's the case you'd be unloading every cent you have in every cookie jar you have on the Warriors. Even with Segeyaro returning I'm tipping the visitors - they are the X-factor team nearly every time they make the top eight. Finals football one week early. Bless you NRL. Bless you.
Verdict – Warriors by 10
Result - Panthers 22 defeated Warriors 6
Wally Lewis - round twenty-six selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will (usually) be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.
- ROOSTERS vs Rabbitohs
- STORM vs Broncos
- TIGERS vs Sharks
- Raiders vs EELS
- COWBOYS vs Sea Eagles
- KNIGHTS vs Dragons
- Titans vs BULLDOGS
- PANTHERS vs Warriors
Comments
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Awesome. Thanks alot Thinker. Looks like I'll start it this week. Here are my tips for Round 26. Dude let's do this !
Roosters by six points
Storm by twenty points
Sharks by single point
Raiders by four points
Sea Eagles by four points
Knights by twelve points
Titans by eight points
Warriors by eighteen points
Which means if I am for first time all year right about this and have picked them all correctly the top eight ladder should look alot like this on Mad Monday :
1 Sea Eagles
2 Roosters
3 Rabbitohs
4 Panthers
5 Cowboys
6 Warriors
7 Storm
8 Broncos
Crazy ! ;-D
Come on Warriors ! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R9CD7uj2TL0
Come On ! You Can Still Win This ! Kiwi Power ! Peow ! Peow ! ;-D
Submitted by mark ashford on
Well here we go last round and last drinks for 8 clubs this year (ha-ha)
Can anyone tell me when was the last time a Bronco got off at the judiciary...what a #@*%ing joke.
For what it's worth....
Roosters(to skin those bunnies)
Storm (please forgive me Broncos)
Sharks (all they needed was to get rid of Gallen)
Raiders (Ricky is a supercoach...right?)
Cowboys (something not quite right at the sea eagles)
Knights (they can win 2 in a row cant they)
Bulldogs (Ennis & Reynolds to out grub each other)
Panthers (This is a dam good football side despite Soward)
The above comments are the writers only and in no way meant to reflect on the integrity of the Thinkers wonderful site.
Thanks again Mr Thinker it's been a fun if not frustrating year.
Good luck to all and your teams.
Sorry Johnny Ray couldn't go peow peow this week!
Submitted by a on
Weill there be tipping in the finals
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Mark....Queenslanders at the judiciary are like Kiwis. They never get off!! Last round of what has been a woeful season for me. No matter what I've tried it hasn't worked. This week I'm going to pick who I want to win.
Roosters - A team I've supported since the days of Olsen Filipaina.
Storm - The possibility of dropping out of the 8 is too scary a thought for the Storm. Brisbane to miss out.
Tigers - Leichhardt Oval swings me.
Raiders - To kill off the Eels season.
Cowboys - Manly look battered to me but I expect them to be there on the last weekend. Not so sure about NQ though Thinker.
Knights - To finish a sad season on a win.
Bulldogs - Titans can't win at home.
Warriors - To sneak into the eight (undeservedly).
Have a good final round weekend everyone and good luck with your team and tips!! Thanks as always Thinker. Peow Peow!!
Submitted by The Thinker on
Steel Panther,
Olsen Filipaina...nice - in the days when enormous thighs in rugby league were a rarity. I used to cross my fingers every time Kurt Sherlock would put up a bomb (arguably their only attacking option at the time). Glory days indeed.
I should, while I'm here, take a moment to garble on a bit. The tipping on this site will continue through to the big dance but a number of tipping comps do not and, consequently, a number of you will stop dropping into this little website as well.
I need to thank my Little Helper for all his efforts, in particular the work involved in getting the 'tipping ladder' on this site functioning this season. It's working pretty darn well now and we'll be looking to expand on that format next season - with more entrants and, sponsors be willing, an actual prize for the winner/s.
Of course, I need to thank the regulars. What started with the Guru has expanded to what is close to a starting thirteen of regular league fanatics. Your contributions are more valuable than you can imagine, and if I knew who any of you actually were I would be sending you Christmas cards.
And finally, to all you eyeballs out there. The regulars may not realise it but we've built up quite a decent following on the interwebs and we're growing each and every month (100,000 eyeballs last month alone).
Apart from the occasional ruckus in the comments section we are all here for the right reasons. To talk about footy and make fun of Ricky Stuart. It's been fun.
For those of you sticking with us through the final series I'll be seeing you next week. For the rest of you, good luck if your team is still involved...and have a great off-season.
Peace....out!!!
Submitted by christine on
Thinker I just wanted to say well said on your part & thankyou for giving us all this wonderful website that we can all share in the use of each week .
Submitted by The Joker on
Roosters, Storm (by 1.. think broncs will go hard), Tigers, Eels, Cowboys (by 1), Knights, Bulldogs (by 1), Warriors
Submitted by a on
Here are my tips
Roosters by 4 I think Roosters will be a wrecking ball to the Roosters
Storm by 6 Bye Bye Broncos
Sharks by 1 I think Sharks will give 1 last wrecking ball effort against the Tigers
Eels by 6 I think Eels will try hard to be in the 8 here
Cowboys by 6 Cowboys better be a wrecking ball to crap cheaters
Knights by 2 If Dragons be a wrecking ball to the Knights by 132 points and Eels Broncos and Warriors all lose they will be in the 8 but I do not think that will happen
Bulldogs by 8 No hope for the GCT here
Panthers by 6 no finals for the Warriors 3 times in a row here
Submitted by The Thinker on
We may have lost Newbie this round - all those Thursday night starts have finally caught up with him.
Newbie,
If you get here in time and can add your tips in the comments I'll crunch them through
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hi everyone,
Yeah looks like I've missed the start tonight. Had this week off and have obviously lost all track of time. Sorry bro'. Anyway, loved your opening comment Thinker about “we've all started hating Michael Ennis again”. Absolute classic and yes, I’ve gone that way myself of late. Not sure who gets the “Cry Baby of the Year” award this year. Ennis or Gallen? Because of sheer consistency, Newbie gives it to Paul. Well done Paul, your cheque’s in the mail…
So, the 2 teams that started off the season in round 1 are going to start off the final round of the season eh? Being a “newbie” from the West I’m not sure if this is just coincidence or if the NRL actually set this up. If anyone knows, please feel free to post a comment to explain it to me. Cheers.
Let’s get into it…
Roosters - last week was very encouraging for the Newbie. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy. Are we coming good at the right time of year? Will we “slip up” and let this one get away? Will Souths be too good? Too many questions to ponder so I’m just going to do what is expected from me and tip the Mighty Chooks to win this one. No idea by how much but just so long as we win. Go the Chooks!
Storm - the Broncos haven’t done all that well in Melbourne lately and they’ll be missing big Sam also. All points to a home win for the Storm Troopers I reckon.
Tigers - last week’s effort from the Sharks was not too shabby considering all the problems they’ve had this year but what price will they pay for that stirring effort a mere 5 days ago? Methinks just a tad too much. In a game where both sides are woefully lacking and either one could win, I’m gonna tip the Tigers at home.
Eels - Raiders at home, it’ll be cold and given the fact that it’s Mr Milford’s last game for the Green Machine, will that be enough? Newbie knows that Parra’s season is on the line and the importance of that should rev them up enough to ruin the Raiders’ night. Sorry Ricky but it’s the Slippery Ones for me.
Cowboys - last home game of the season and so much at stake will see the masses flocking to the 5,672,438 kms Stadium on Sat night. Manly’s poor defence of late has me worried. That and the fact the Cowboys are ticking along nicely have me thinking Cowboys this week. Another reason I’m tipping them can be found at the very end of this post. Check it…
Knights - I hear that this will be the Knights’ “Old Boys Day” (sorry not sure what that is but have a good one!) and it will be Joey's 100th milestone. Dragons haven’t been too shabby of late but thinking the Knights will want to continue their winning streak of wins at home. Knights for me.
Doggies - those Doggies were really confusing last week. Were they poor or did the Sharks play a great game? The Titans have had a shocker of a year and the Doggies are not playing their best lately but methinks the Dogs will have enough firepower to get the job done.
Warriors - the very last game of the regular 2014 season is here! This looks like a tough one. The Warriors absolutely “smashed” the Titans last week but if only they had just racked on another 10 or so they’d be sitting in the eight. The pressure Johnny Ray must be feeling is not something I would want to be feeling. While the Warriors had a lot of great moves last week, I’m pretty sure they won’t have as much freedom this week. Seriously, this a real hard one to pick. Like the fact that the Warriors have far more at stake than the Chocolate Soldiers which just might make them “get their freak on”! Yes the Panthers are at home and yes, they’ll be looking to cement a top 4 finish but for my final tip of 2014 I’m gonna have to go the Warriors. Peow! Peow!
OK, as always, good luck with your tipping this week and good luck to your team as well. Cheers.
P.S. I’ll be gunning for the Cowboys this week to “upset” the Boys from Brookvale. If the Cowboys were good enough to beat the Bunnies a couple of weeks ago then they’re good enough to beat (maybe) Manly this week, thereby gifting the Chooks with the minor premiership should we win Thursday night. Hey, I can dream can’t I?
Submitted by Guru Craig on
Hey hey Thinker, and all. The Guru is late but just the same...
Roosters - Reminds the Guru of a silly urban legend, the three letter chook shop smuggling the odd piece of Rabbit into the family feast. Tonight's big game should be a ripper. Both sides look in form but the Guru will go with the Chickens based on outright points and play making options. Ref could decide this one. $2 lines at some bookies offer value, could go either way.
Melbourne - The Guru's beloved Bronco's have one last hurrah. AG Hook and co. are capable of winning this game, The Guru smelled the Storm coming a few weeks ago but the predicted cat 5 has settled into about a solid 3. Brisbane will need a good opening and last 20 to be in the hunt. The Bronc's can be rundown and their goal line defence while very good tends to let in soft trys up close after 2 or 3 sets. Looking forward to this game people. Mel 1-12 but crossing the fingers for Brisbane.
Tigers - Not much to see unless your a fan, The troubled Tigers should overcome the Sharks who played their grand final and then some last Monday night in Townsville. Unlucky not to get a win when the line was 24.5! Up Up Cronulla...minus the grubs of course. WST 13+
Eels - What happened last week boys? Para are kicking this game off at 17:30 Canberra time and that probably equates to 6 or 7 c which isn't too bad.....The Eels will win if they have to....otherwise stay away
Cowboys - Manly have the better record when these two meet, although it would appear they have a few Pink imports in their special teams. Two years running NQ have lost out against Manly due to incorrect? decisions by the officials, The Guru has a suggestion for JT, if it happens again mate, walk them off the field, the whole world will notice that. NQC 1-12
Newcastle - Wayne vs Mary. The great man would like to exit on a win and The guru thinks he will. Newcastle surprisingly can play footy, quite well, they just don't most of the time. There are a few teams like that and no one wants to be their coach, weather its the wind or side of the bed they get out of, no one knows but the Knights could have been this season, in a topsy turvey 25 rounds the Nova's have run warm, cold and stone cold rubbish with the occasional glimmer. the Guru fancy's the boys to show a little heart in the last round at home.
Doggies - Its a Dogggy sorta day and The Titans wont wanna lose but they will.
NZW - The last game of the regular season could make or break for the Peow Peow warriors, which side will be the Wrecking ball? The Guru is going with NZ, they have to win...caution though they might not. NZ 1-6
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Sorry Thinker, forgot to say a big “Thank You” for crunching my tips through. Sitting here in the spare room typing in this comment and listening to Freddie interview the great Mini on the TV. Looks like I got my tips in by the skin of my teeth! Thanks again Thinker. Cheers.
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Awesome, I don't care guys if I backed Roosters to win, how did they get awarded that first try ? It was off knock on ! Everybody else can see that why can't Refs ? What were they listening to in car on way to ground ? Third Eye Blind ? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MyjTrwOMSO4 Dude ! :-(
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Can someone call me an ambulance? I think I've just had a heart attack!
What a game! Yeah I'm glad the Chooks got home but by 4? At 22-2 I thought we'd "romp" it in but to Souths credit, they stormed home just as they always do. Sheesh, I'm not getting any younger and games like this are stripping years off my life expectancy!
I'm gonna go off and have a lie down...
Submitted by christine on
I tipped roosters to win but I really wanted souths to ,they got to play better than that for finals or they are gone.
Submitted by Lady Di-saster on
Hey Thinker and all the other tippers!!
Thanks again for making this an exceptional site for someone who has next to NO understanding of this crash bash game and tries to wing it every week on the office tipping comp!
I think this season has shown us all more than anything that a good toss of the coin has as much chance of success as a well reasoned argument as to why one team should beat another. Let's all bow our heads in remembrance of the "nul points" round!!
Anyway, I just wanted to put in my tuppence worth and say thanks to one and all - it's been ... emotional.
(Heads off whistling into some Parisian tunnel ... ooh Vic - that smarts!)
Submitted by christine on
a hope it all goes well with your tips this week in trying to jag another one .
Submitted by a on
I hope it does too I was never ever going to tip Manly to beat Cowboys
Submitted by christine on
a it might surprise you but I didn't tip manly either & I was refering to you taking sharks over tigers .
Submitted by Steel Panther on
What a gallant effort by the Broncos last night. They went down fighting and you can't ask much more than that. Odds are against them now to make the eight but I hope they still do. You Brisbane lads can be proud of your team!!!
Submitted by christine on
it would appear the only person that tipped raiders to win was johnny ray,well done johnny ray
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Warriors ! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VIGPO90xYG4 :'(
Submitted by christine on
a keep doing what you have been doing it does work but I usually start to do so around week 7 of the season to try to get as far ahead of everyone else as possible in points so if 1 week you don't do as well there is room for error ok .
Submitted by Guru Craig on
Congrats Wally on taking out the regular season tipping comp, again. Guess that's why he's the King.
All jokes aside, great work from the tippers this year, The Thinker like the Guru has had better seasons but the Boss has written some absolute gold match previews and nailed the spread more times than not.
Season 2014 has been up down and round and round, with at least one game every week decided by incorrect or doggy refs calls. The game we all love has thrown plenty of spanners in the works. Tumultuous is a big word.
The Guru would like to congratulate 'a', Mark Ashford and Newbie from Perth for outstanding consistency in tipping, during a very tough season these guys have been impressive.
On to the finals....
Submitted by christine on
I to finished on 122 /from 192 but i'm not on the tipping ladder so i'm no threat to anyone on this website .
Submitted by The Thinker on
Thank you Guru....some great write-ups from you as always this year. Wally as consistent as ever and impossible to ignore.
It's been a tough year for us no doubt, but I was just running my eyes over my season predictions and I've had a blinder there (for once...because usually I am hopeless - as is everyone else who has a go at it).
I got the top two right (albeit in the wrong order). I got three of the top four right (including the Panthers who were rough as guts). I got the top six right (albeit in the wrong order). The Broncos and Warriors in 8th and 9th (albeit in the wrong order) and the Sharks for the Spoon (who were equal third favourites this season).
What's even more amazing about the Sharks is they are a long way last. The gap between 15th and 16th is the same as the gap between 1st and 7th.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Thanks Guru for those kind words and a big congratulations to "a" for leading the way most of the year(best of us hammer chewers).
Participating this year has been good fun but reading everybody's comments is what really makes this a great site.
So to The Thinker and his Helper a massive THANK-YOU.
The 100,000 visits to the site last month is truly remarkable.
Strap yourselves in for the finals it's going to be one hell of a ride!
Submitted by christine on
to all I just wanted to say have a great off season & I look forward to speaking to you all again next season but for now I will stay on till the end of the finals & thinker again thankyou for giving us use of this great website.