Wests Tigers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs - Friday night – ANZ Stadium
Oddly enough the Tigers pay a heftier price during the Origin period than the defending premiers. The Bunnies lose their captain (Inglis) and he's hard to replace, but the Tigers are without their captain (Farah) and their best forward (Woods). These sides met back in round three, and the Bunnies triumphed with a fairly definitive four tries to one display. In that game Aaron Woods ran for 220 odd metres and Robbie Farah made 56 tackles. Those are tough shoes and numbers to fill. It's not all cut and dried though, as the Bunnies are also missing Luke and Reynolds - that's three quarters of the round three spine filled by replacements. Note the home ground location too - a cold wet night at Campbelltown and you could entertain an upset. At ANZ the red and green are the team with more sheen.
Verdict – Rabbitohs by 10
Result - Tigers 34 defeated Rabbitohs 6
New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters – Saturday night – Mt Smart Stadium
I don't mind backing the Roosters over the ditch - given that the tricolours have almost as many Kiwis in their 17 as the Warriors. Their performance against the Sharks was flat and four of their best are in Origin camp but I think they can bounce back with a win few will see coming. I have a huge wrap on their missing backrowers (Guerra and Cordnor) but they still boast a strong pack and some big boppers on the bench to share the load. Importantly the Warriors are without two of their most reliable forwards in Lilyman and Hoffman - the onus is on those that remain to stand up and keep on standing up. If they do the Warriors win this in a walk, but it's the Red, White and Bluesters for me. Hoping the Warriors still have jet lag after returning home from that away game on Neptune last weekend.
Verdict – Roosters by 4
Result - Roosters 25 defeated Warriors 21
Gold Coast Titans vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Sunday afternoon – CBus Super Stadium
If you told Dave Taylor he wouldn't be available for this game he would assume Big Mal had given him yet another chance at Origin level. Alas no...even with Myles and Bird unavailable it's the Tweed Heads Seagulls for Big Dave. At least the Star Buffet is good value. Even Dave Taylor couldn't eat all the Bulldogs players unavailable on the weekend - Morris, Morris, Graham, Hodkinson, Klemmer and Jackson. Despite all those missing in action I'm tipping the Doggies here - they have still pulled together a pretty decent seventeen and that halves combination of Reynolds and Mbye worked last weekend against the Dragons. That's good enough here.
Verdict – Bulldogs by 2
Result - Titans 28 defeated Bulldogs 14
Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels – Monday night – AAMI Park
Parramatta were mostly good against the Cowboys - mostly good. If they repeat that performance they'll win this time, because there is no way known the Storm can score 30 points in 11 minutes without their big three. The Eels are near enough to full-strength (minus Hopoate) and have no excuse for dropping their hands this time. Even though there is talent coming through at the Storm they are very young and they need their big guns to steer them around. The Storm will try and win this game slowly and they'll compete, but I expect the Eels to pull away when it matters. Given the number of times in recent weeks the Eels have turned winning situations into losing ones I can't believe I'm about to say this - I'm pretty confident.
Verdict – Eels by 8
Result - Eels 26 defeated Storm 22
Wally Lewis - round fourteen selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.
- Tigers vs RABBITOHS
- WARRIORS vs Roosters
- Titans vs BULLDOGS
- Storm vs EELS
Comments
Submitted by a on
That what NRL is all about
Submitted by Coach Potato on
ATTENTION: Mitchell Moses. You are only to aware that in your debut season last year, you played 10 games but left it til round 26 to halt the nudie run.
Round 14, you've played every game this year, you're a back, and you're still on a nudie run. Couldn't have picked an easier week to get it done and dusted. Else just sit back, do nothing, and before you know it, watch out it will be time for ..... NUDIE RUN...NUDIE RUN !!.
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
TIGERS !!! #Bringbackthescrum ;-D
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Friday night and all's well in the cybertip. Another short round where 2 will be solid.
Moses, you were 951/1 to score a try tonight. I can't believe a number 6 is not interested in backing up after getting rid of the ball. Never have I seen a number 6 throw a pass that leads to a break and repeatedly be happy to amble along 30m behind the play. Sorry everyone for the bum steer. Sorry Moses, its a nudie run for you.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Absolutely agree coach.....used to love watching the older guys in the reserve grade finals. It's good for the game, and it's good for everyone.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Only 4 games and no table Helper?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
What's more its really just a bit ridiculous that a team's depth only amounts to the quality of your juniors.
This is why we see the game a bit lacking when the Origin players are out. NRL, how about salary cap free exemptions for the 3 affected weeks over Origin. Invite hard-nosed NSW / QLD cup players into teams instead. Add some sting to these games. Think outside the square NRL. Reminder to self : Remove head from sand.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
The point is well made Coach, how do you teach a young guy to stop and ageing Petro when all their competition has been them as the big fish in a tiny pond.
On the cap, the super league has a smaller cap yet they seem to manage it better. How would be interesting to find out.
Who's up for a fact finding trip? FIFA will foot the bill, they have some spare funds.
Submitted by Thinker's Little Helper on
Coach - the summary page link has been there the whole time, under Wally's guesses and above the comments. I might decorate the link with some rainbows and sparkles later today to help it stand out more.
Submitted by a on
Good idea Thinkes Little Helper
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Eating words this morning....but how can a team be so bad over several weeks then turn round and flog the defending Premiers? Go big Marty!!
Submitted by a on
I have no idea
Submitted by Thinker's Little Helper on
Coach - I have made the link stand out a little more. Have a great weekend everyone.
Submitted by a on
Do you like it coach
Submitted by mark ashford on
Can't believe the result last night.
Is Coach right after all?
Are we all being played for mugs?
Is Waterhouse controlling the game not Dave Smith?
BUT how do you "fix" 26 + players 2 coaches and numerous support staff?
Can someone explain how it's done?
This is not round 1 when anything can happen. Tigers (spoon candidates) absolutely flog the defending premiers. It don't add up.
Johnny Ray whose crystal ball did you peep into?
Submitted by The Thinker on
Mark
It's no conspiracy - at least not to that level.
There isn't much of a divide between the best and worst teams. Attitude on the day/night can bridge that divide.
It is odd though, that the Tigers can't beat the Titans or the Raiders at Leichhardt, but can run rampant over the Bunnies at ANZ.
And my Friday night curse wouldn't have helped....of course.
Submitted by The Thinker on
TLH,
Nice additions there....they remind me a little of those drinks you had the other night.
Submitted by IP7 on
Tigers to string a few together now,
What say you Tigerholic,ye of little faith.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Apart from the new found enthusiasm from Tigers, it was hard to ignore the lack of same from the Rabbitohs.
It's a professional game worth big dollars to most players involved. Attitude and approach to the game shouldn't change from week to week - but somehow it does.
One team plays up, the other plays down, you can pretty much know how the back page will read before it gets printed.
If there is suspicion than lets get it out in the open and clear the air. We test players for drugs on suspicion on illegal activity. Why don't we randomly check bank accounts /phone records of players, refs, and the Johnsy / Hayson grapevine for illegal activity. If it all shows clean, we can all rest easy. Same as drug testing isn't it. What's the problem?
Chances are high that a team may be carrying convicted illicit drug traffickers in their team. Makes sensw that these kind of people would also be interested in an easy payday for tanking a couple of games. Worse is, you don't need to be a criminal to tank it. Just play down.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Thanks Thinker. You've cured my dyslexia.
Johnny Ray, we would like check your bank account following last night's game.
#BringBackTheScrum
PS Thinker, do you have a position on #BBTS?
Submitted by a on
Tigers are a confusing team
Submitted by christine on
rumour has it Sutton may be the next to go he is out of condition & no longer interested in playing but that may just be at souths who knows really , only time will tell
Submitted by a on
Souths next game is aganist Manly
Submitted by christine on
what the game last night showed me is that they really rely on greg inglis & izzac luke & johnny ray I know izzac is going to warriors next season but Maguire is a bloody fool for releasing him from his last two years of his contract
Submitted by a on
Souths will have to play better if they want the premreship
Submitted by christine on
a of course souths have to play better or they won't be in finals but before this week they looked like they were starting to turn things around & then last night it was like they were not even really interested they were flat but I heard they brought paul carter from titans according to ben ikin & paul kent but yet again another player with issuses , drink driving being one of them
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Alright. Anybody wants me I'll be in kitchen with large carving knife chopping my own dick off just to see if it grows back twice as big because right now I am delusional with pain ! Warriors ! :-(
Submitted by a on
Rabbitohs should beat Manly
Submitted by Coach Potato on
C'mon JR. It was only 20-6. Just a regulation come-from-behinder from there.
Submitted by a on
Lots of come from behind wins happening this year
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I feel your pain JR I really do. And they sounded like they were playing so well on the radio
Submitted by Coach Potato on
..and so the ambulance officer arrived at the house of the strange caller, and then entered, front door ajar, as if to imitate the invisible doorman. Enter the loungeroom, Warriors memorabilia strewn everywhere. The only piece in its place is the kid's Stacey Jones see-how-you've-grown wallchart. TV Fox News ironically relaying the last gasp win by the Roosters. From the kitchen, waling can still be heard. The ambulance officer confused by what he finds. Where was little Billy? He only saw a man bleeding from the groin. Soon he had the man, known only as JR, wrapped in a tourniquet to give the impression of a nappy on a man-size toddler. "So where's this little Billy?" the ambulance officer enquired. JR, still speechless, could only point in the direction of the sink. There lay JR Junior, aka little Billy. Cut by the Warriors loss, the deepest of all...
Submitted by a on
I wonder who will Kane the finals this year
Submitted by The Thinker on
Nice work there Count. I feel the pain of Johnny Ray - surely the Warriors fans do it tougher than anyone else.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Panthers know the feeling, just we have two premierships in the bank. Warriors, Cowboys know the ultimate of Grand Final loss and nothing else. Even Gold Coast have made a prelim, but surely the biggest hurt is from the Cronulla fan. Into their 49th year, and only Grand Final losses. Strangely similar to AFL's St Kilda. Although formed in 1946, their last premiership was 1966, 50 years ago, and includes a Grand Final replay loss, just like the Sharks. Poor Sharkies.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
You called me Count? Hey Thinker.... Are you ....Wally Lewis?
Submitted by a on
It coach not count
Submitted by Steel Panther on
JR it was just a regular occurrence for the Warriors. I'm surprised you still have something to chop off because you'd have chopped it off several times over before last night. I thought Badger's 6 to go call against the Chad Townsend charge late in the game was the wrong call but I'm sure the refs missed two forward passes in the Lolehea try. Overall no excuses in another rocks and diamonds performance for a team who can't do the simple basics. (Silence is golden Michael).
Submitted by The Thinker on
Sorry Coach....just kidding with you
I suppose the difference between the Sharks and the Warriors is the Warriors have so much talent and so little to show for it.
The Sharks, as much as I dislike them, have often punched above their weight (but have so little to show for it).
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Feeling good about the Gold Coast being down at half time. Just like those that tipped Bulldogs are feeling on edge about being in front at half time. Crystal ball smoke clears .. It's another turnaround second half coming up
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Whoops went off a bit early. Draw halftime, Titans full time pays better.
Submitted by a on
Titans won in the end
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Half the season over and no perfect rounds & no duck eggs. Until this week.
Storm win tomorrow, and its a duck egg for :
# Footy Chick
# Mark Ashford
# Shanghai
# Tailspin
# Immortal No. VI
Parra win tomorrow, and its a duck egg for :
# Birdboy
# Chooks
# Declan_S
# Newbie from Perth
# Steel Panther
Which way will it go? Best of luck to the half the comp involved from the other half who are putting their feet up, happy with one in the bank.
*** Stats brought to you with the aid of Unicorns and Rainbows
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
At least I got the Roosters right in a bit of a questionable win. Anyone seen Chris in Melbourne? is he a happy camper or does he look like mad Monday can't come quick enough?
Submitted by a on
Roosters winning was a big upset
Submitted by Coach Potato on
My theory is Sandow's demeanour is more to do with how he's faired on the punt. Some days up. Lots of days down. This Saturday's races were at Flemington. Try keeping Sandow from the Mecca. Toughest of tracks to keep your money from burning though. Chances are that spirits will be low. Although you never know your luck. He might just be on a high.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Well we know what my verdict is depending on his mood.
Submitted by a on
We'll Storm are without 4 orgin players
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Round 9 Coach three of us got perfect rounds. I really have to stop picking my team if I want to avoid a duck egg.......
Submitted by a on
Who was that
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