Round eighteen selections

Parramatta Eels vs Sydney Roosters – Friday night – Pirtek Stadium

While the Roosters are becoming more competitive in recent weeks, the fact remains they've won just one game since round nine (against the Tigers in deplorable conditions). The Eels meanwhile, have won three of their last four, and while those victories have been against teams outside the top eight a win is a win, and they've been winning a lot more than the Chooks. A couple of important inclusions for the home side this week, with Tim Mannah up front and Jeff Robson returning home after a mid-season transfer. Robson is no Foran, but he's just the sort of steady influence you like to have in the halves alongside a more creative playmaker like Corey Norman. They're a nice couple, and I think this relationship can work. Joseph Manu plays just his second game at the top level - while he's a promising young Kiwi he's squaring off against Semi Radradra on Friday night. Semi was a little quiet last week but there's every chance he'll lift his game at Pirtek. Looks a logical play in those try-scoring markets if you're keen.

Verdict – Eels by 8

Result - Eels 22 defeated Roosters 18

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Wests Tigers – Saturday night – ANZ Stadium

The Tigers gave us another entertaining display last round but they'll be up against it on Saturday night. Tedesco is heading to his first Origin camp alongside team-mates Aaron Woods and Robbie Farah. Farah is not much than an $800,000 pa waterboy for the Tigers these days so his departure is fairly manageable, but without Tedesco that entertaining Tigers attack loses one of its key elements. And without Woods the battle up front just went from difficult to dire. Granted the Dogs lose two forwards to Origin in Klemmer and Jackson, but a quick read-through of their bench tells you how much depth they have in the middle. The Morris boys enjoyed playing together last week, and defending twins is no easy feat. I can just imagine the conversations in the Tigers backline. "I thought you were on Josh." "I thought that was Josh." etc etc. Woof Woof!!!

Verdict – Bulldogs by 4

Result - Bulldogs 32 defeated Tigers 22

Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks – Sunday afternoon – Pepper Stadium

Hang in there kitties. The Panthers are clinging to the top eight at the minute and the timing of this clash has been fortuitous. They're playing at home, and while they take on a team that hasn't lost forever the Sharks have five of their very best on Origin duty. With Tedesco slotting in for Moylan for the Blues and Cartwright kept in the 'not yet' room by Laurie Daley, the Panthers lose just one winger. I'm getting messages from Sharks fans telling me to tip them weekend. Clearly all this winning has gone to their heads. There's nothing wrong with the side they've named, but replacing five pretty important players all at once is quite the disruption, and it's not something the Sharks have a lot of experience with. The Panthers have a favourable draw in the run to the finals and I still think they'll be playing finals football, but to do so they need to be winning games like this.

Verdict – Panthers by 4

Result - Sharks 26 defeated Panthers 10

Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys – Monday night – GIO Stadium

What was said about the Panthers also holds true for the Raiders - playing at home against the defending premiers without Thurston, Scott, Tamou, Cooper and O'Neill. To make matters worse, it's July and it's a Monday night game in Canberra. The Cowboys would be tempted to forfeit, I expect the result will be much the same. Brrrrr!!!!!!!!

Verdict – Raiders by 10

Result - Raiders 26 defeated Cowboys 12

Wally Lewis - round eighteen selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

  • EELS vs Roosters
  • BULLDOGS vs Tigers
  • PANTHERS vs Sharks
  • RAIDERS vs Cowboys

Comments

mark ashford's picture

Hi all
A 4 game round and I've gone for all the home teams.
Eels
Dogs
Panthers
Raiders
I think it's the first time this year I've tipped against the Cows but with half their team out and the Raiders going well. So be it.
Glad to see Moylan back in the Blues team (Coach will be pleased) and why not? He's a great young player. BUT he's a fullback will Laurie play him in the halves? NSW has fallen plenty of times by playing guys out of position.
The only thing I'm really happy about this week is my Broncs get a much needed rest.
Round 19 we play the rabbits and depending who backs up should give us a much needed win.
Baggy I've gone for your Eels.
Sorry TigerHolic with Tedesco, Woods and Farrah out had to go the dogs. They have so much forward depth.
Good luck to your teams this weekend.

Rick's picture

........................................Panthers for me this week please Coach.

mark ashford's picture

Coach, can I please have the Dogs this week

boozemaster2000 's picture

Coach, can you please put me down for the raiders this week.

christine's picture

My tips this week are :
eels
dogs
panthers
raiders
& coach for my on the couch comp eels

christine's picture

Steel Panther I just saw your comment you posted last week & yes I am looking after myself but i'm still not being treated as yet , there isn't anything available for my type of ms till next year but if i'm lucky late this year so thankyou steel panther for asking but I do the best I can .

Dragonsfan4ever's picture

Hello everyone my tips for this week are:

Eels by 4- The eels to get the win in a close one.

Bulldogs by 14- The Bulldogs to get a bog win over the Tigers. Can't see the Tigers beating the Bulldogs with the origin players out although the Bulldogs do have a couple of players out because of origin themselves.

Panthers by 10- Panthers to break the Sharks' 12 game winning streak here. Sharks just have too many good players out due to origin.

And finally... the Raiders by 8- Raiders to get the win here. Cowboys too depleted and they're playing at Canberra where coming from Townsville, they'll feel like they're at an ice rink on Monday night.

Awesome. That's done. By the way Fortress if you are still there, I didn't say that we are sloppy, I said that the Manly-Dragons game was going to be a sloppy game. It wasn't the game that was sloppy, it was just us that were sloppy. You guys were brilliant on the night and proved way too good on the night. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dragonsfan4ever's picture

way too good for us* on the night.

mark ashford's picture

Hi Dragonsfan
There have been a few teams underperforming this year.
Your Dragons, the Knights, the Rabbits, Manly and my Broncos rapidly joining them.
The cap is supposed to make it an even playing field but is it?
PLEASE DO NOT take this as a racist comment but the ever increasing number of huge pacific islander players is swaying the balance.
A lot of these guys were either born here or lived here from a young age so no problem.
Maybe like Super League we need a cap on overseas born players.
That's my personal opinion and in no way reflects the opinion of Thinker or this site.

a's picture

Here are my tips

Eels by 4 I think Eels are going to strike back from last round lost

Bulldogs by 12 I think Bulldogs are going to win this round

Panthers by 6 I think this is going to be the round Sharks loss

Raiders by 1 here we go I hate tipping against my team but I will have to do it this week

a's picture

And Coach put me down for Bulldogs this week

Tailspin's picture

Hey everyone, hope all good
All home teams for me this week, bar the cowboys for the upset, yeh yeh, long shot I know, but you never know.

BroncoSwimmer's picture

Coach put me down for the doggies this week please.
Regards,
BroncoSwimmer (whew, we get 2 points this week)

tigerholic's picture

Hey Coach, I'll have to take the Dogs please, way too big of an ask for my beloved Tigers to beat the doggies.

Tailspin's picture

Hey coach, can you put me down for the Dogs please

mark ashford's picture

C'mon people some opinions about whats happening in RL. Not just meek "I'll have this Coach or I'll have that Coach"
Just because Coach is on holidays in sunny, warm, beautiful, home of the brave Queensland, you can comment.
Did you get a winter tan here in QLD Coach?
They last longer than a summer tan.
Just ask me, the Rocket or Broncoswimmer.
Either way hope you enjoyed your break, if that was what it was.

Coach Potato's picture

The Couch Update Week #4

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=&ved=0ahUKEwiVuN...

1. Coach - PAR_CRO_NZ_TIG (I’m Still Standin’)
2. Mark - NZ_COW_CAN_BUL (I’m Still Standin’)
3. Baggy - NZ_DRA_MAN(I’m Still Standin’)
4. Rick - NZ_MEL_CAN_PAN(I’m Still Standin’)
5. Tailspin - PAR_DRA_TIG_BUL (I’m Still Standin’)
6. a - G/C_COW_CAN_BUL(I’m Still Standin’)
7. Newbie - G/C_COW_CAN(I’m Still Standin’)
8. Tigerholic - NZ_MEL_CAN_BUL(I’m Still Standin’)
9. Rocket - PAR_PAN_CAN(I’m Still Standin’)
10. christine - NZ_PAN_MAN_PAR(I’m Still Standin’)
11. Big Pete Bx - PAR_MEL_CAN(I’m Still Standin’)
12. Thinker - MEL(Pullin Up A Couch Somewhere)
13. BoozeMaster2000 - NZ_DRA_BUL_CAN (I’m Still Standin’)
14. Broncoswimmer - NZ_MEL_CAN_BUL(I’m Still Standin’)

mark ashford's picture

COACH welcome back!
Love that song by Reggie Dwight (aka Elton)
Most of us "Still Standing" but for how long?

a's picture

Me too who will win

BigPeteBx's picture

Evening Tippers.

Mine for Round 18 are:
Eels
Bulldogs
Panthers & Raiders.

Coach my tip for Round 18 Couch Comp is Bulldogs - thanks.

Cheers and good tipping, Tippers
Big Pete Bx

newbie from perth's picture

Hi everyone,

Last week I asked if the Universe had gone completely mad and it looks like it has! How the hell can I get another perfect round? I’m completely and utterly gob-smacked. Pretty stoked, but still gob-smacked. Things seem on the up’n’up ever since I started growing a beard a few weeks ago.

Thanks for the kind words Boss. It’s not often I get to bask in the glory that this wonderful site exposes us all to. Rugby League lovers in all four corners of the world are asking themselves … “who is this Newbie character anyway?” Yeah, ya gotta love the 5 minutes of fame thing eh? Don’t worry, I’ll end up like the “Man Bun” hairstyle and be forgotten in about 12 hours’ time. Oh BTW, while I’m basking in all this notoriety, I’ve actually picked a perfect round for the last 3 weeks, albeit Round 15 only had 4 games. Hey, this “fame thing” is gonna be short-lived so I’d better make the most of it eh?

OK, another short weekend of footy and like most, if not all, I’ll be going all home teams this week. Let’s get into it …

Eels - My beautiful boys have been impressing me the last couple of weeks but they’re just not going on with it in their games. Mind you, they are getting better but I wonder if it’ll be enough against Baggy’s BOYS. Maybe they (the Eels that is) should have (and could have) won last week and the guys coming back into their line-up have me leaning ever so slightly towards the Slippery Ones Friday night. It might be closer than some think. The TAB over here in the West has the Mighty Roosters at +2.5 in line betting so I might just have a wee dabble and hope for the best.

Bulldogs - Yeah, both sides will have big names MIA due to SOO3 (bring it on) but I think the Tigers are gonna miss their guys a lot more than the Dogs will miss theirs. Form-wise I reckon the Doggies’ star is shining just a little bit brighter at the moment, especially considering who they’ve beaten in their last 3 games. If memory serves me correctly, the Doggies usually have it over the Tigers anyway so I have no worries in tipping the blue & whites this week.

Panthers - Much like the Tigers, the Sharks are really going to be hurt with all their big name guys out this week. Seriously, I just can’t see how they’re going to be competitive without Gallen, Maloney, Fifita, Bird and Graham. If the Panthers don’t “smash” the Sharks I’ll be very, very surprised! Then again, the Panthers haven’t really “smashed” a lot of sides lately have they? No idea how the Sharks replacements will go as I am absolutely clueless who they are or how they play. I am the Newbie from Perth after all, aren’t I? Nah, Panthers for me here.

Raiders - Gee whiz, ditto for the Cowboys as mentioned above about the Sharks except this time they’re missing Thurston, Cooper, Scott, O’Neill and Tamou. While the Raiders were pretty ordinary last week in some areas, they did manage to get the points and I reckon they’ll bounce back and ambush the Cows this week.

OK kids, good luck with your tipping and may your team win by 40 points! Cheers.

P.S. Why is the Lone Ranger called 'Lone' if he always has Tonto with him? Hmmm…

LAST ONE ON THE COUCH
Coach, can you pencil the Bulldogs in for me this week? Thanks mate…

Rocket Ryan's picture

If you can only pick sides once coach it looks like I'm forced to take the bulldogs to keep me off the couch.

Tailspin's picture

Sorry everyone, but I"ve changed one of my tips,
Roosters for me instead of eels, they have a very good record against the eels and going on last weeks performance, they have improved immensely.
Welcome back Coach.

Fortress eagle's picture

Too many a??e lickers on this site except for big Pete and mark ashford who both have balls and a backbone some of the rest are weak and lack the guts to say what they feel cause they are bullied and intimidated by some others on here I don't give a rats arse what they think I'm always going to speak my mind.

I really don't give a rats who wins this week as the mighty eagles have a well earned rest after that decimated the drag queens last week so I hope all the teams bash the tripe out of each other.

Oh and before I go male that an extra bashing for the cowgirls haaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Big hello to my partner in crime big Pete and mark ashford You two are by a million billon miles the best on this site have a great weekend boys.

And with that only one more thing left to say go you mighty sea eaglesssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Steel Panther's picture

You're welcome Christine. Nice to see you still commenting on the site and following the footy.

Big Pete - most on here know I follow (note I didn't say support) the Warriors. Supporting them is bad for one's health. When I first started following the game back in the early 80s my team was the Chooks or Eastern Suburbs back then.

Newbie - loving your recent form mate. Keep it up!!

Rocket Ryan's picture

Well Well, bagpipe and pizza boy team up to become a comedy duo, arse lickers you say, I have until now had some sympathy for you two, bagpipe not sure where his address is ,and the Manly tragic, fair dinkum my esky is looking real good.

Fortress eagle's picture

Look hear u Moron rocket whatever your name is if u go back to the post did i in any shape or form mention you in the discussion the answer is no what drugs are u on mate ur attitude on this site reminds of a chick that never is off her rags seriously rocket go grow a brain and stop acting like some cool dude in the Bronx which u clearly are not.

Big Pete hope ur well mate sometimes u just have to put people in there place that's what I mean with some and I said some people on this site we have a couple of bullies one that reckons his team is so great because his team have had 1 and had years of success our club have had 5 decades of it then we have another one that if u don't agree with him and his one sided blankly bully attitude he slurs you off. No one owns this site it's a public forum we are all entitled to our points of view and not to be intimidated by certain people whose agenda is not to have a knowledge of the game or respect of other peoples love or passion for there team but a general hate of other peoples love for there team because of the lack of respect I don't care anymore when I first came on this site big Pete I didn't know what to expect bit now I understand that I will forever say what I beieve and no one including the 2 bullies on this site and they clearly know who they are and rocket before u go wetting ur panties it's not you ok. But the 2 know who they are they don't scare me they don't influence me and they surely don't change my life so big Pete it's great to have you and mark ashford on this site because you 2 are the only ones I would take my time out to chat with and respect chat soon buddy

Go the mighty sea eaglesssssssssssssssssssssssssss

christine's picture

Steel Panther i'm always around i'm never far away ...

Rocket Ryan's picture

I am going to bet responsibly on the roosters tonight, this has all the hallmarks of an upset.

Fortress, you have now hurt my feelings calling me a moron, I mean really.

christine's picture

I knew it was only a matter of time before foran would want out

christine's picture

Moron seriously who is calling anyone a moron & what has happened to joker ccccccccccccc'mon joker you can't be serious come back ...

mark ashford's picture

HEY Fortress that's a Bellamy like spray mate ...glad I'm in your good books!
Just read a report that Foran is to walk away from his Parra contract and may be at either the Dogs or Roosters next year.
If he is to move I would prefer to see him back at Manly where he seemed happy and played his best footy.

Newbie keep up the good work mate. I too have been thinking of throwing my razor away and joining the bearded ones.
Maybe just what I need to start climbing the ladder.

Christine I'm sure all on this site admire your determination in facing your ms. I will always wish you well.

Coach Potato's picture

Last One On The Couch Update

Has Baggy joined the walk out?

1. Coach - PAR_CRO_NZ_TIG (I’m Still Standin’)
2. Mark - NZ_COW_CAN_BUL (I’m Still Standin’)
3. Baggy - NZ_DRA_MAN(I’m Still Standin’)
4. Rick - NZ_MEL_CAN_PAN(I’m Still Standin’)
5. Tailspin - PAR_DRA_TIG_BUL (I’m Still Standin’)
6. a - G/C_COW_CAN_BUL(I’m Still Standin’)
7. Newbie - G/C_COW_CAN_BUL(I’m Still Standin’)
8. Tigerholic - NZ_MEL_CAN_BUL(I’m Still Standin’)
9. Rocket - PAR_PAN_CAN_BUL(I’m Still Standin’)
10. christine - NZ_PAN_MAN_PAR(I’m Still Standin’)
11. Big Pete Bx - PAR_MEL_CAN_BUL(I’m Still Standin’)
12. Thinker - MEL(Pullin Up A Couch Somewhere)
13. BoozeMaster2000 - NZ_DRA_BUL_CAN (I’m Still Standin’)
14. Broncoswimmer - NZ_MEL_CAN_BUL(I’m Still Standin’)

Baggy_Gee's picture

Nah Coach I was struggling on the Coast at Redcliffe, beach front living, Training venue on the beach. Truly a hard hard life I lead.
I'm going to take the BOYS please Coach tonight. But now I'm off to spend some time with the wife and children. Good to see you back on as well.

fortress eagle's picture

you see rocket it wasnt meant to hurt your feelings it was meant to tell youn that if u had any brain cells that you had nothing to dop with you ok read the post it was not directed at you,then u come on and have a dig at me for nothing calling me a manly tragic what have i said bout you uin myn posts have i put you down have i said anything regarding you in any way.then when i fire back at you you maske me the bad person.what i see happining hear is baioting im not stupid rocket you can attack me then when i attack you back you cry wol;f.im on to alot of people on this site but im awake to it all its not woprking rocket so better luck next time.

mark ashford read all my posts mate have i ain anyway sape or form attacked rocket i want you to read them ,he comes on and calls me stuff a tragic and has a dig at me look mate i know he is a fellow bronco supporter but no matter what team we all support we deserve respect and if people on this site want to dish it out then they should be able to accept it in return you see people favour people on this site u know that mate read the posts .this time im ready to give back as much i recievemate you and big pete come on hear both respect others and both of you understand the game have a love of the game and both have respect for me asi have respect for you and big pete anyways mark all good enjoy your weekend mate .

big pete have a great weekend buiddy chat soon .

before i go let me say one thing if you dont like some people on this site for there opionin then u have no rights to give yours.

bring it on ,and go the mighty sea eaglesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Coach Potato's picture

Couch update

1. Coach - PAR_CRO_NZ_TIG (I’m Still Standin’)
2. Mark - NZ_COW_CAN_BUL (I’m Still Standin’)
3. Baggy - NZ_DRA_MAN_PAR(I’m Still Standin’)
4. Rick - NZ_MEL_CAN_PAN(I’m Still Standin’)
5. Tailspin - PAR_DRA_TIG_BUL (I’m Still Standin’)
6. a - G/C_COW_CAN_BUL(I’m Still Standin’)
7. Newbie - G/C_COW_CAN_BUL(I’m Still Standin’)
8. Tigerholic - NZ_MEL_CAN_BUL(I’m Still Standin’)
9. Rocket - PAR_PAN_CAN_BUL(I’m Still Standin’)
10. christine - NZ_PAN_MAN_PAR(I’m Still Standin’)
11. Big Pete Bx - PAR_MEL_CAN_BUL(I’m Still Standin’)
12. Thinker - MEL(Pullin Up A Couch Somewhere)
13. BoozeMaster2000 - NZ_DRA_BUL_CAN (I’m Still Standin’)
14. Broncoswimmer - NZ_MEL_CAN_BUL(I’m Still Standin’)

Baggy_Gee's picture

Wow................................................. How did we get home? CARN the BOYS!!!!!!! Sorry Newbie, but take a picture of that Pearce.

a's picture

That was a good game

mark ashford's picture

Fortress I was not criticising you just admiring your passion!

BAGGY your Eels played a superb game against a determined Roosters.
Corey Norman unbelievable (why did the Broncs let him go?)
Your team deserves to be in the finals

mark ashford's picture

Yes "a" that was a great game.
I,ve been out fishing again and wasn't going to watch as a bit tired.
Couldn't take my eyes off and couldn't turn off.
With all the s--t the Eels have been through this year (not the players fault) you could forgive them for giving up.
At one stage no one left on the bench, but still they found enough to win.
When the points go it will be a mountain bigger than Everest for the Eels to climb....what a shame.

Baggy_Gee's picture

It is a hard year to be a fan. No Foran, no Peats, possibly no Sami with a busted knee. No points. Bit hard to handle, but look at the awesome young guns we have coming through the ranks though. Look out 2017 we have a French and he's coming for try scorer of the year.

The Thinker's picture

That was quite a game last night. Well done to the Chooks for lifting and extra well done to the Eels - this team seems to be in a bigger hole every week and yet they continue to dig deeper.

Actually....that would explain the hole getting bigger.

I did learn something yesterday (don't stop learning). Kieran Foran is the son of Greg Foran. Who the heck is Greg Foran I hear you asking?

He's this guy, and he earned nearly $20 million last year:
http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/leadership/executive-management/g...

BigPeteBx's picture

Big HELLO to you Fortress and Mark A.
If I am quiet on the scene this weekend/week, its because I have some commitments to catch up with. Sports Council Mtg Monday and persuing deceased estate stuff and buggerising around that comes with that.
Also have my brother (mind you 60 years of age) recently admitted into a nursing home. It never ends mate and my Thinkler Tippers would understand it all, as well.
Keep well - Big Pete

christine's picture

Mark Ashford Thanks mark I appreciate hearing you say that but I'm not trying to keep beating the ms drum , ( meaning I don't mean to keep mentioning it ) , you just have to learn to live with it & get on with doing what you have to do well that's what i'm finding in my case everyone is different that has it , no two cases are the same but thanks for caring it's appreciated ...

BigPeteBx's picture

Thanks Fortress - you hang in there mate.
I know how you feel, but sometimes we need to just take a BIG breath and sit back and re-evaluate what is written.
I like this site, so much, that I love it!

There are only a couple of people that reply to questions I ask, as I dont need replies for posts I make, as it is an opinion - each to their own.

Take care, have a good weekend, and yes GO The Mighty Sea Eagles who are having a rest, this week. Most likely dusting down their feathers at Manly Beach.

Oh BTW - GO THE BLUES after some lost chances and pride.
Big Pete

BigPeteBx's picture

Morning Mark.
Yes Fortress has passion - he guards our Fort at Brooky and takes no prisoners.

Still a way to go, with Parra of last night.
It was a great comeback. The intercept full length field sprint was a good one, but saved by Chooks near the line. Some times, too much agressiveness shows out in NRL and other footy codes. Cough ups occur, players get agro with themselves, that at times leads to a short fuse and whatever comes after that. They need self control, instead of blowing the stack.

Coach Potato's picture

He called you a moron Rocket.

If he or Thinker, or anyone else sees nothing wrong with that, then they are no better.

Stand up to bullies. Don't bow down to them.

BigPeteBx's picture

Mark - several things have been written about Foran. If he moves, I too would like to see him back at Manly, as we will lose Jamie L at seasons end (unless he does a Cliffy Lyons - years by year option) and there are possibilities, that Brett Stewart might be moving on, or considering it. His best days are behind him, I'm sad to say. But somehow I seem to have read, that it might have been some personal/family issue between Brett and Kieran that led to Kieran moving. Parra will do dough if Kieran leaves "Cumberland".
But I well remember some that "ganged up" on Des when he left Manly and didnt want him back. I'll take Dogs to go for Foran, as Des wanted him to follow him to Belmore, when he left. Especially after some clause in contractual agreements, that were made when Foran initially signed with Manly. Not all sure on it, but the mind is kicking back a few seasons now.

BigPeteBx's picture

Christine - take it also from me, we at Thinker site have a very close friendship with other Tippers and post/blogs. You are thought of by us Sea Eagles and we hope you can get that extra energy you need to kick that ms out the door. I know you'd love to. Its a pity in life that all of us either acquire something early in life and cant kick it, or we have a late onset of something. Life is cruel.
Thinking of you and your fight. Keep well and keep positive like you are. You are appreciated for your stand on it and sharing it with others here. I'm rather quiet on many personal matters, but you keep on keeping on and keep all the better, well.
Big Pete

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