Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Friday night – ANZ Stadium
It might be heritage round but money talks louder than tradition, and the Eels have moved their home game from their traditional ground to the cavernous emptiness of ANZ Stadium. They'll get a nicer cheque from gate receipts, but the two points will be harder to come by. These sides met at this venue in round two, when the Bulldogs prevailed 32-12. That night the Eels had Nathan Peats, and they're a better side when they do. The Bulldogs lost last weekend, but I'm starting to think that form could be very good indeed. In any case I'm expecting a competitive affair and the Eels with the handicap start is tempting. Bulldogs by less than you think.
Verdict – Bulldogs by 4
Result - Bulldogs 28 defeated Eels 4
Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers – Friday night – AAMI Park
I mentioned last week that the Panthers have played three away games outside of Sydney this season - and lost them all. Two of those losses were against the teams running 14th and 16th, and they lost badly. The Storm aren't exactly playing the house down at the moment, but they return home for the first time in a while and they return home for the 300th game of club captain Cameron Smith. It all points to a purple victory - particularly when you remind yourself that the Storm beat the Panthers (20-0) in Penrith in round 13.
Verdict – Storm by 14
Result - Storm 52 defeated Panthers 10
Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday afternoon – GIO Stadium
If Sam Williams wasn't injured last week I'd confidently tip the Raiders at home, but his absence focuses all the attention on Blake Austin. Attention is something Blake Austin needs to get used to. He was targeted last week and he'll be targeted again, so it's up to that enormous Raiders pack to protect him from that enormous Sharks pack as best they can. The Raiders beat the Sharks by four points away from home in round one, but both sides have improved since then. The Sharks impressed against the Dragons last week, but the Dragons were without Dugan and Marshall and I expect the Raiders will be harder to contain. Close...interesting and close.
Verdict – Raiders by 4
Result - Sharks 21 defeated Raiders 20
Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans – Saturday night – Hunter Stadium
There's a long way to go in this competition, but winning this game could be the difference between last and second last at season's end. For mine, these two sides have disappointed the most. The Titans have had their share of issues to contend with, while the Knights are now last after winning their first four games of the season. The Wayne Bennett hangover hurts the worst. The Knights won't win many more games this season but they may get away with this one. They're a better side at home and the Titans are on a short turnaround from an atrocious Monday night performance. Greg Bird returns to add some starch and determination but I can't tip them after their last effort.
Verdict – Knights by 2
Result - Knights 30 defeated Titans 2
St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Saturday night – Sydney Cricket Ground
We're back at ye olde cricket ground for a clash between two of the great NRL clubs. These sides met in round nine and the Rabbitohs prevailed by 16-10, and that was a pretty tough win by the Bunnies as they finished the game with 15 men. With Inglis back I lean that way again, although the absence of Issac Luke is noteworthy. The Dragons haven't won since round 12 and are in danger of drifting out of the top eight. They've impressed at times this year but are starting to look like they'll drift down and finish where most expected.
Verdict – Rabbitohs by 2
Result - Rabbitohs 24 defeated Dragons 8
Sydney Roosters vs New Zealand Warriors – Sunday afternoon – Allianz Stadium
The last time the Warriors lost a game was to the Roosters in round 14, and this contest will give us a very good read on how good they really are. Two important things to take from that round 14 game - the Roosters were without Waerea-Hargreaves plus four Origin players and the Warriors are a much better side at home. Daytime conditions suit the Warriors style of play, and they should go into this game with confidence and self-belief. In any case it's the tricolours for me in what is clearly the game of the round. Back the overs in total points scored markets (providing the weather in Sydney is remotely agreeable for a change).
Verdict – Roosters by 8
Result - Roosters 24 defeated Warriors 0
Brisbane Broncos vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – Suncorp Stadium
The Broncos don't get a lot of Sunday afternoon games, but when they do there's usually about 10,000 kids at the ground to watch them. Two of those kids will be junior Thinkers, who have been nagging me all season to stroll down and watch a game in Australia's greatest rectangle. The more I see of the Broncos the more I like them. I don't have time at the minute to check the records, but if the Broncos have ever come through a previous Origin period undefeated I would be very surprised. A crisp clear day in Brisbane beckons and the Broncos will give the local fans the razzle and the dazzle they want. Back Maranta, Reed, Milford, Hunt, Thaiday, McCullough and Gillett to score tries. Broncos 50 - Tigers 6.
Verdict – Broncos by 44
Result - Broncos 42 defeated Tigers 16
Manly Sea Eagles vs North Queensland Cowboys – Monday night – Brookvale Oval
In years gone by these were the games the Cowboys simply didn't win, but they're a different outfit in season 2015. Brookvale on a Monday night in July doesn't sound like much fun for a lad from the north, but the Cowboys have their sights set on a top two finish. No Tamou for the Cowboys but the rest of the pack should be well-rested and there's enough power in the legs of Scott and Taumalolo to keep the Sea Eagles forwards on the back foot. On the back of that, this dynamic Cowboys spine can create enough chances. Monday seems too far away, but this one is worth waiting for.
Verdict – Cowboys by 4
Result - Cowboys 30 defeated Sea Eagles 12
Wally Lewis - round nineteen selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.
- Eels vs BULLDOGS
- STORM vs Panthers
- Raiders vs SHARKS
- KNIGHTS vs Titans
- Dragons vs RABBITOHS
- ROOSTERS vs Warriors
- BRONCOS vs Tigers
- Sea Eagles vs COWBOYS
Comments
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Ok, Lets get this happening.
Eels - Always a hard trip for the BOYS. Haven't been able to work out whats so hard about travelling 15Kms to play a "home" game. We should be able to grind out a win, Chris to have both his smile and kicking boots and the Eels to win all four games around their bye's
Storm - I want to say Panthers, but the head says Storm, my tipping rules also say Storm. Panthers didn't show much last weekend, but if there was ever a time to turn it around and prove that last year wasn't a flash in the pan this is the game.
Raiders - Blake Austin, a very much marked man which Ricky Stuart can use as a distraction. I think a quite game from Blake would be the perfect foil for the other players from Canberra. A lot of second man running onto the dummy to Blake would be a nice idea.
Knights - These two teams might as well sit down in the middle and plan Mad Monday's now. A bit of a bleak prognosis but neither team has shown they have enough to get 6 win out of their last 8 games. Hopefully this translates to a bit of flair on a cold windy Saturday evening.
Rabbits - This has one way traffic written all over it. Issac Luke missing is a bit of a worry but the Bunnies should be able to lock in a top 8 position with a solid win.
Warriors - Last second change of heart. I know that the Warriors don't like playing out of the 8th state of Australia, But for a confidence based team their current form will have them in a good mental state. Picking them for the upset and a great game.
Broncos - I think big and little thinkers will have a ball at Suncorp and watch the Ponies get win. Not much else to say.
Cowboys - Based on their Sydney form it would take a brave man to tip against the Cowboys this weekend. Only thing I can see is that the easy win against the Titans will have helped re-settle the combinations at Manly, and the Cowboys may be over confident. All that said, I'm not that brave to back the Eagles
Submitted by Coach Potato on
My lungs just collapsed spontaneously too :(( . Get well soon.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-15/penrith27s-watene-zelezniak-suffer...
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Further bad news for the Panthers Coach. The club sure have had a horrendous year with injuries. Who steps in to the Number 1 jumper now? We could lend you Nathan Friend. He's good in the air......
Submitted by Islander on
DWZ-One of the games future star. Get well soon Mate!
Submitted by Islander on
If the rest of the Melbourne Storm players cant lift their game against the Panthers for their captains 300th NRL game then they probably wont for the rest of the season. Motivation (or the lack of It) should not be a factor on Friday night.
Submitted by Declan_S on
Coach in regard to last week's comment, I think you'll find that if you look a little closer, most of the ladder leaders often tip for one or two upsets a round. You don't really have grounds for bagging out people who don't go looking for the slightest chance of an upset and risk sabotaging their spot on the ladder? I myself tried doing that exact technique for a couple of rounds and I dropped from 1st to the bottom 5 on the table. I would prefer to be competitive than get the odd thrill of guessing an upset, but I guess that's just me. I'm not having a go at you Mr Potato but I just think your comment wasn't really called for :~)
Submitted by Islander on
@Declan_S I agree that "Mr Potato's" comment last week was uncalled for. I think the inner punter may have prevailed over the analytical tipster.
Submitted by a on
Here are my tips
Bulldogs by 8 I think Bulldogs will end Eels good form
Storm by 2 Storm to win a thrilling contest here
Raiders by 4 I think Raiders are going to win here
Knights by 1 Knights to win a thiller here
Rabbitohs by 6 I think Rabbitohs will get their season back on track here
Roosters by 8 I think Roosters will continue their good form here
Broncos by 30 I think Broncos will continue good form here
Cowboys by 6 Yes I think Cowboys should freaking beat Manly
Submitted by Johnny Boney on
Hi guys I tipped:
Storm by 8- Storm will defeat Panthers here for Smith congrats 300 games.
Eels by 10- Eels will continue on their good run here.
Sharks by 7- Sharks to continue streak here and will be too good here.
Knights by 2- Knights too good here... JUST at home.
Dragons by 1- Dragons to win in either 80th minjte with a field goal, or extra time I'm noit too confident here wuith the Dragons.
Rosters by 14- Roosters too strong here.
Broncos by 32-
And FINALLY... Manly by 4- MANLY IN A THRILLER HERE.
Thanks guys and cheers!!!!!!!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Declan , if my last hope at catching up is to plant the seed of doubt in leaders heads, why can't I do that. If I change the psychology of people , get some second-guessing then I've succeeded. If it caused anyone to get upset, 'oh well'. I wish more people would have a laugh at what I say, instead of the opposite.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Finishing on 355, league's longest serving player Darren Lockyer didn't get to celebrate no. 300.
The opposition didn't meekly surrender, as I dont think Penrith will (at least I hope they don't). Their ammunition just needs to be the thought of Smith having a little giggle to himself upon hearing news of DWZ's poor health, just like the lack of compassion or remorse he felt on the field that day. Heartless prick.
Submitted by Shanghai on
Hi all,
My tips this week;
Bulldogs
Storm
Sharks
Knights
Rabbitohs
Roosters
Broncos
Cowboys
Good luck and happy punting if that's your thing.
The Australian Darts Championships start in Perth this weekend with the ladies and men's singles finals televised by Foxtel later next week. Good darting to all those competitors who have been chosen to represent their State/Territory.
Submitted by Not Johnny Ray on
Yeah Hey Everyone ! Sorry I'm late this time with my tips. I was busy trying to explain how Rugby League Finals system works to this cop. She still wants to know why I'm driving naked. Yeah ... Let's get on this week's picks.
Bulldogs - Eels will still win games this year but not this one. Bulldogs by fourteen points.
Storm - Panthers will struggle to find points in this game. Storm by twenty six points.
Sharks - No halfback for Canberra in what are always considerable close games between these two sides. Cronulla by six points.
Knights - Home ground advantage should give Newcastle win here still it's anybody's game so I won't be totes surprise if Gold Coast go on to win this. Knights by four points.
Rabbitohs - Dragons will be desperate to win this but I'm backing
Rabbits performance under pressure to get themselves home. Rabbitohs by eight points.
Warriors - Roosters won't win this. In fact so am I confident am I that Roosters won't win this that if they don't I will, no jokes ! I'm only just joshing with you ! Dude I'm not doing that again ! Warriors by four points.
Broncos - Another origin repeat. I'm with Thinker. Broncos by forty six points.
Sea Eagles - Cowboys don't win at Brookvale. Sea Eagles by six points.
Thanks Thinker ! Thanks peeps ! Good luck with all your picks and go New Zealand Warriors ! Kiwi Power ! Peow ! Peow ! ;-D
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hi everyone,
Newbie’s computer has been playing up for the last 3 days and it’s really giving him the tom-tits. Just a quick word in case any iiNet people are reading this … “Newbie’s not happy!” I think after this post is done I might have an ice-cream to make me feel better. Bloody computers!
Because of aforementioned hassles with computer, I’ve run out of time to have a serious look at the footy this coming weekend but I can summarise my picks as being all home sides except for two. Got a feeling it might all come unstuck but what the hey. Here we go campers …
Eels - Why not?
Storm - At home, CS 300 and an “average” Panthers outfit.
Raiders - Toss of a coin with this one. Raiders for me based on what I saw last week.
Titans - Bit of a roughie with these fellas. Some may think me mad but still.
Dragons - Read comments above.
Roosters - Sorry JR (or is it NJR?) but I gotta stick with me boys. Cluck! Cluck! Cluck!
Broncos - This has to be a “no-brainer” surely.
Cowboys - If I tip against Manly at Brookie enough times, it has to eventually come off for me doesn’t it?
OK kids, good luck with your tipping and may your team win by 40 points! Until next week people. Cheers.
P.S. Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural? Hmmm…
Submitted by Not Johnny Ray on
Yeah Newbie ! And why is it called gynaecology and menstration and not girlie-cology and womenstration ? It's always the guys fault ! S*** that cop is still harassing me ! No, I haven't been drinking ... :-(
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Parra - Hayne has flown back specially to show Radradra his plane.
Penrith - We care about DWZ more then Smith's spotlight.
Cronulla - Underrated, under radar
Gold Coast - Newcastle definitely dont want to be out there, whilst Titans players know too well who is signing their extended contracts next year.
Dragons - Someone has to win
Roosters - Someone has to win
Broncos - They know that Tigers are about to hit losing streak score of 10
Manly - Fortress Sand Castle back open for business
Newbie and TheOtherGuy ... Why is white coffee light brown, and black coffee dark brown?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
No Tiger. Lowest score wins, not bloody highest. No disrespect of course, you are clearly the greatest out there with 15 majors in your pocket. Just talking through my kick. Noones calling our 300-club Cameron Smith a 'has-been' just because his team is doing so poorly. You are probably right. People still mustn't be over the colour of skin you were born with.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Morning all
I think I'm with the majority this week (sorry Coach but if I think a teams gunna win I pick em....not rocket science)
Doggies
Storm
Raiders
Knights
Rabbits
Roosters
Broncos
Cowboys
Good luck everyone hope your team has a good round. Oh and for the record 'a" I too thought the Thinker was a Bronco supporter must have been that "born in the shadow of the goalposts at Redcliff" easy jump to Red Hill!
Submitted by a on
We all throught it was Broncos
Submitted by Declan_S on
Bulldogs
Storm
Cronulla
Knights
Bunnies
Roosters
Broncos
Cowboys
Submitted by Islander on
Storm by 18
bulldogs by 8
sharks by 4
Knights by 10
Dragons by 2
Roosters by 10
Broncos by 28
Sea Eagles by 6
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Bulldogs, Storm, Raiders (coin toss), Knights, Bunnies, Roosters, Broncos & Manly
@Mark...I like your tipping style
Have a good weekend everyone. Enjoy the footy!!!
Submitted by Tailspin on
Hi everyone, happy with the G ups coach, keep them coming,
I'm going to go hmmmmm
Dogs by 8, little sandow not happy where he is
Storm will want this one more by 6
Raiders at home, too bloody cold for anyone else to play their best
Titans for an upset maybe by 2
Bunnies are due and too many injuries to dragons by 10
Roosters by 8
Broncos by 56
And last but not least the awesome Cowboys by 24
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Onya Tailspin. Nothing wrong with rocket science there, Mark. By the way, are people aware that the two big stars you see lately are the planets Venus and Jupiter? Do you know that the biggest star you can see at night is usually 4 light years away? What's that mean? Means literally the light from the star takes 4 earth years to reach our eyes. That means that the stars we see are a snapshot of what was happening on that star 4 years ago. 4 years into the past. Amazing but true. More people should be interested in rocket science I say.
http://en.es-static.us/upl/2015/06/venus-jupiter-6-30-2015-Melaka-Malays...
Submitted by Coach Potato on
To put things into perspective, the moon is 1.25 light seconds away. Compare that to stars we see, 4+ light years away. Thats a F-ing long way away if you ask me.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Thanks for supporting the BOYS JR. Devastated thanks to channel 9, at home with the girls wanting to watch football with dad, and I get the storm game. Wonderful, time for highlights of the 2011 tour.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Thanks for supporting the BOYS JR. Devastated thanks to channel 9, at home with the girls wanting to watch football with dad, and I get the storm game. Wonderful, time for highlights of the 2011 tour.
Submitted by Not Johnny Ray on
Yeah forget about other planets Coach. Let's talk about secret alien presence here on Earth : https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lYOfxDr8PMc ;-D
Submitted by a on
How many secerts can the earth have
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Cameron Smith 300 games. Melbourne Storm 300 tries, 300 goals. Penrith 300 missed tackles, 300 knock-ons. Still 300 games left before seasons end :((((((((((((((
Submitted by a on
Can Panthers still make the finals
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Whenever they say a team can still make it to the finals "academically speaking", that means they are a snowballs chance in Birsdville of making it. Then again, stranger weather events have happened!
Question : Tennis Australia , down two rubbers to nil against Borat's own Krsygstan, and next match is the doubles. You are playing on grass as it's meant to give Australia an advantage. Wimbledon only finished a week ago. How can you ignore the selection of John Peers who made it to the doubles final? I repeat, just last week. How can you boneheads ignore that?
Krsygstan and Borat, I hope you win.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I think their will be plenty on this site with teams to follow in the finals:
a, and Tailspin's Cowboys
Mark and King's Broncos
Newbie, Shanghai, and Chooks ('s) Roosters
Johnny Ray and Steel Panther's Warriors
..even Scott M's Sharks
Too bad about mine, Birdboy (wherever you are), and Rick(?) 's Panthers
Too bad about Declan's Knights
Too bad about Tigerholic's Tigers
Probably too bad about Baggy Gee (and the Thinker's) Eels.
And probably too bad for Christine's ex-support for the Rabbitohs
Nik - what colour is your team?
Islander - remind me again?
Johnny Boney - would be a great match if you were a Dog, huh?
Footy Chick - which team do you root f.....eerrr doesn't matter
Submitted by Coach Potato on
..oh forgot Cazza the Darwin Shark
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Biggest disappointment was not the score or the game itself.
Biggest disappointment for me was watching Pink jerseys in heritage round. What a complete lack of respect for the NRLs initiative to relive great formative times for the code. Wouldn't be here today as the saying goes. Poorly played Penrith, on more than one count.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Intriguing to see that the Sharks have hit 8 on the streak score. That's ahead of teams like Storm, Bulldogs, and Rabbitohs.
Table at the minute is (winning streak score/losing streak score):
Broncos 13/0
Cowboys 10/3
Roosters 9/4
Sharks 8/5
Warriors 8/6
Dragons 8/8
Bulldogs 7/5
Souths 6/3
Storm 5/4
Gold Coast 5/7
Manly 4/8
Penrith 4/8
Newcastle 4/11
Canberra 3/8
Parramatta 3/8
Tigers 2/9
# Dragons look like they will reach losing streak of 10 before getting to winning streak of 10. ie. Confirming themselves as bottom 4 instead of top 4.
# Sharks and Warriors nipping at the heels of the Roosters for that vital - premiership necessary - top 3 streak score. Warriors win tomorrow would move them up to 9.
# Tigers on the verge of confirming themselves bottom 4 and Panthers might be joining them
# Storm and Souths strangely not with the leaders, although 4th and 5th on the real NRL table.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Until Last night I did hold a faint candle for the BOYS top eight chances, but Elton John fired up and put paid to that. Now I'll take any result that is NOT 14th, 15th or the dreaded 16th.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
And it is very interesting to see the table that way Coach, reminds me of something I heard in the call today. Sides that stay happy with their "job" do well, those top sides are some of the more content sides in the comp, and the sides down the bottom are dealing with some rough times.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
With lots of history showing you need to be in the top 3 streak scores to win the premiership, the table is showing 7 teams vying, but Melbourne and Souths not included in that mix. They both really need to go on a streak from here else the theory says they can't win it.
Then again, my tipping is so so bad, the theories could be excused for falling on their face too.
Submitted by a on
Cowboys will win no matter what
Submitted by mark ashford on
Hi all
Coach I love those stats mate I just hope at seasons end you are proved correct as you obviously put heaps of work in.
Watched the Raiders/Sharks game yesterday and even though I tipped the Raiders was happy to see the Sharkies get the lollies as they were by far the better team.
Lost count of the Raiders wayward passes and even felt a bit sorry for Ricky (who'd want to be a coach)
I don't like to bag refs but that was the worst I've seen for ages. How could they disallow that last try? and then award a penalty? beggars belief.
Is the Thinker a secret Titans fan???
Submitted by a on
The Thinker may be a Cowboys fan
Submitted by Coach Potato on
#Doesn't seem fair that Thinker gets to know our allegiances, but we are not allowed to know his. Sounds like a tipping comp inequality if there ever was one. C'mon Thinker, out yourself.
#Mark, I'm sure you hope my theory works if it means Broncos are guaranteed to be a 1 in 3 chance when the finals series starts. Bookies are taking no notice though because you could currently back all three Broncos, Cowboys, and Roosters and still make profit - they are all paying over $4.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Hey Baggy, now we know what Sandow has been smiling about last couple of months, and it hasn't been the form of the team that employs him. My personal opinion (not to upset you) is that he is currently the most overpaid player in the NRL.
Wishing him luck in Super League, and hope they don't end up giving him the same tag over there.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Keep the streak stats coming Coach....interesting stuff
And if you must know - traditionally I am a Roosters fan.
I started following them when I was three years old - to give away my age the Roosters team at that time were 'probably' the best club side this competition has seen. They are still my 'primary team'.
When the competition expanded my 'secondary team' because the Cowboys. I grew up in that part of the world, lived there for 20 years and most of my family are still up that way.
If we get a Roosters/Cowboys grand final this year it will be quite perplexing for me. If push came to shove I reckon I'd be cheering for the northerners in that circumstance - they haven't won the thing yet.
So there you have it.....I am out!
Submitted by a on
Roosters fan now thats a surprize
Submitted by Rick on
Yes well done The Thinker that is a surprise after all these years I thought you were Broncos too!
Submitted by Rick on
By the way, Coach great comments regardless keep it up please I tend to visit much more often these days because of your uploads etc.. :)
Submitted by a on
Which team do you support Rick
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Roosters hit the magic 10 today to qualify for a top 4 spot, and at the same time got very tough for the Warriors. Also breathing space now with the top 3 on 13,10,10 and next best on 8.
With streaks of 2, 3, and 3, the Warriors can only improve on their score of 8 by winning another 3 in a row, and can only reach 10 by winning four in a row.
Sharks will reach 10 if they win there next two, but likewise if they don't, will also be a tough assignment for them.
Weirdly the Dragons can hit 10 just by having another streak of two.
Storm, counting this week's win will hit 7 with a win next week, so need another four in a row themselves to hit 10
Souths, counting this week's win will hit 8 with a win next week, so need another three in a row to hit 10
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