St George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans – Friday night – UOW Jubilee Oval
Eighth plays ninth and the winner stays in the top half of the competition for at least another round (unless the Titans win and the Panthers beat the Eels by a lot more than anyone expects). I'm assuming Josh Dugan won't be playing after his jaw ran into the shoulder of Greg Inglis on Wednesday night - can it really be a shoulder charge when you're standing still? Nightingale is the logical replacement at fullback and he's not the sort of man to let his club down. These sides met earlier in the year and the Dragons prevailed on the Gold Coast by 19 points to 12. The Dragons have a very strong overall record against the Titans but, oddly enough, the Titans have won two from three at Kogarah. In any case this will be game number 250 in the NRL for Benji Marshall, and while his best football was with another club I'm sure the Dragons would like to celebrate that milestone with a win. Note that the Dragons have only scored more than 20 points in a game twice this year - once they scored 24 and lost and the other occasion was 30 points against the team running last. The Titans on the other hand have scored more than 20 points in a game on eight occasions. For the Dragons to win they'll need to contain the Titans attack, but I think they can I think they can.
Verdict – Dragons by 1
Result - Titans 32 defeated Dragons 12
Manly Sea Eagles vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday afternon – NIB Stadium
Despite the online bravado from the Sea Eagles fans on this site, Manly have lost seven of their last eight games, and another loss here sees them in danger of being overtaken on the ladder by a team that had 12 points docked from their total. While most of their wins this season have been against the poorer teams (Roosters, Dragons, Knights) I will give them some credit for two of their wins:
- they're the last team to beat the Sharks - way back in round three; and
- they did beat the Warriors in New Zealand - way back in round six.
Obviously that win over the Warriors is worth noting, and while this game isn't at Brookvale the Sea Eagles have been clever enough to pick up a cheque and take this game to Perth. That's a long way for the Warriors to travel - they've played in Perth on four previous occasions and they're yet to win. Given they struggle to win when they travel to Sydney it's hardly surprising that the trip to Perth knocks them around. All those big Warriors in those tiny little airline seats. The Warriors are a warm favourite and on form that makes perfect sense but the travel has me leaning the other way.
Verdict – Sea Eagles by 2
Result - Sea Eagles 15 defeated Warriors 14
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Brisbane Broncos – Saturday night – ANZ Stadium
Those at Redfern Central will tell you the Bunnies can still make the finals. They aren't lying, but they do need to win seven of their last eight games, and during those eight games they have to play the teams that are currently 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th on the ladder. That's quite a mountain they have to climb, and they haven't looked like mountaineers all season. Basecamp is the Broncos this weekend, who don't have to climb a mountain but they do have to dig themselves out of a hole. While they were completely flogged by the Storm last start I, like Wayne Bennett, saw glimpses of their best, particularly in the first ten minutes. The biggest concern is their defence, but I expect that's been a focus for them during the last two weeks - it needs to be. Reynolds was ruled out of Origin with injury but he's been named here ???, meanwhile this game will be without Greg Inglis and Corey Parker who are suspended following the chaos on Wednesday night. The Broncos have tapered mid-season previously and if my hunch is right they will rise again and prove to be a force when it matters most.
Verdict – Broncos by 7
Result - Broncos 30 defeated Rabbitohs 10
Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm – Sunday afternoon – Hunter Stadium
Bellamy may be tempted to rest a few of his key assets this weekend, but he probably won't and he probably shouldn't. The Knights on a Sunday afternoon should never be taken for granted, and the return of Mullen in the halves can only help. That said, the Storm were both clinical and brilliant in their dismantling of the Broncos, and anything near that level has to be too good for the Knights. That round 26 clash between the Storm and the Sharks looks more important every week.
Verdict – Storm by 22
Result - Storm 20 defeated Knights 16
Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels – Sunday afternoon – Pepper Stadium
Rugby League is a team game, but the Eels beat the Roosters last weekend thanks to one player. That one player, Corey Norman, won't be playing this Sunday after being stood down by the club for you know what. So all of a sudden the Eels are without their most creative player and their most potent attacking weapon following the injury to Semi Radradra. Once again, the schedule has fallen favourably for the Penrith Panthers, but I said that last week and they got flogged anyway. Moylan, Mansour and Peachey return for the home side and they're close enough to full strength. I can't tip them confidently, and at $1.28 they are at toxic odds that shouldn't be touched by your worst enemy, but I'll give them another chance to prove to me they are the team I think they can be.
Verdict – Panthers by 8
Result - Panthers 22 defeated Eels 18
Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks – Monday night – Allianz Stadium
Why take $1.28 about the Panthers when you can take $1.48 about the Sharks? Excellent question Thinker....gamble responsibly.
Verdict – Sharks by 10
Result - Sharks 32 defeated Roosters 20
Wally Lewis - round nineteen selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- DRAGONS vs Titans
- Sea Eagles vs WARRIORS
- Rabbitohs vs BRONCOS
- Knights vs STORM
- PANTHERS vs Eels
- Roosters vs SHARKS
Comments
Submitted by christine on
Mark I'm just trying to get those comments to stop so we can all go back to normal ok .
Submitted by mark ashford on
Chris no reference to you at all...just hope you are well.
We're starting to see a little bit of your sense oh humour. Love it.
Storm hangs on...just. Knights are improving weekly.
That's weekly not weakly!
Submitted by christine on
Mark you were right the first time when you said weakly & so you know the sense of humour has always been there but I do tone it down for this site cause I really do have to , my sense of humour comes from my farther my mother never got one .
Submitted by tigerholic on
Coach
Your bloody penny panthers look like letting me down again, whats going on with them?
Submitted by Fortress eagles on
Big Pete where are you buddy it's not the same without you mate come back buddy, you must be busy or celebrating our great win miis ya heaps.
Eagle rocks are you still in bed I know we had a late on e and my feet are still hurting me from you stepping on them on the dance floor it was a wild mad night buddy come on soon ok you big monster.
Anyway off to the gym to rock some iron ,
Soaring high the mighty eaglesssssssss
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
That was a good game panthers found a way parra you can't kill em with a stick
Submitted by a on
There were 2 damn good games Panthers and Storm had a good run for there money???? aganist the eels and Knights only just got ????
Submitted by mark ashford on
Even though I tipped them I think Panthers lucky to get home, at home against an Eels team so devoid of name players.
Real test for the Panthers comes next Friday at Suncorp against what should be a full strength Broncs.
Talking about full strength, when does Jack Read return?
Rocket we're back.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
We'll get you next time Panthers, NEXT TIME!!!!!!!!!! Such a disappointment, thought we were home and hosed after such a great start, but the BOYS need to work on that edge defence. Once Manu went back to the right it tightened up but leaking so many points through it, not ideal. Bevin will be a great winger in time, just need to get the U20 defence out of him, team play, keep the line.
On another note, NOT FREAKING HAPPY with Josh Mansour, in his post match, your never sure when Parramatta are going to turn up. Cram it side ways, you little pounce, we are going great this season with a few dollars of players no where near the field, and who exactly has more wins this season?
Submitted by EagleROCKS on
Hi Fortress, just resurfacing after the great win Yesterday, sorry about your feet mate.
So what about some of the Manly boys dancing skills so funny.
He bigPete where are me and Fortress need you on here to balance the ledger.
Fortress your last post after our great win was stuff made of legends, that post should be put on the wall inside our footy club so much passion and pride, great stuff mate.
With no doubts the Eagles Warriors game was the game of the round, great attack and defense and a miracle finish.
All the best this week, train hard and a great game Next week agaist the Rabbits, come on boys keep it up
Cheers everyone and rock on!!!.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Coach surely that proves there are two of them
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
You couldn't be that silly playing with yourself
Submitted by christine on
Coach is annoyed he will return when he is good & ready .
Submitted by christine on
Parra are showing us all what they are capable of this season even with there club in turmoil & the loss of players due to injuries or just wanting out ,it will be interesting to see how they go next season & do they start next season in minus points because they breached all 3 tiers of their salary cap ?
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Hello Fortress - I am here Comrade in arms.
Apart from a bit of crap being directed from all angles here, I'm also in the same boat with some issues I described about my late uncle. I'll leave it at that, because you dont have to be registered on Thinker site, to view what we say, as it is open slather from any internet browser and I never know who might be watching or reading us, or our posts and what we say.
Wished is was celebrating, but a soft try and our defence off guard at the time let Kiwis back in at us.
Tell me, you do participate at Silvertails site. I am a member, but havent posted much since a fellow like you, left the site and then he personally emailed me at home, only to go missing over the past 6 months or more. He was really up with his sports and late night viewing. Had an illness where he slept spasmodically.
Have great week and days
Big Pete
Submitted by Tailspin on
Typical bloody cockroaches, put shit on each other, then get the sulks.
You don't see queenslanders doing that, and I quote - David Klemmer.
I can't stop laughing.
Submitted by a on
Come on Coach comment
Submitted by Tailspin on
Hey a, maybe he is in shock because his useless Panthers finally won a game.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Good evening Eagle ROCKS with bounding boulders.
I dont always get the chance to post every hour on the hour or there alike. I try to get in Saturday night and Sunday afternoon or evening.
I try to keep in touch of our faithfull sympathetic posters/bloggers.
I have tray full of stuff on my plate and then along comes EPL from UK and A-League and its right on, until NRL tapers off. I have an EPL Fox Sports Tipping League that I also run with a lot of NRL folks from my work and outside. Its a freebie - no prizes - just bragging rights. But its full on, when its on.
Have a great week and GO The Mighty Eagles.
Big Pete
Submitted by Tailspin on
Oh well, I tried.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Gee Fortress - it looked like on tv highlights, that Perth was a prelude to a Moby Dick movie. Water/rain pounding from all directions.
There we were down at The Alammo, backs to the wall and Daley plugs a golden pointer over.
Golden Point time hurts, but Sea Eagles have lost some over the season by it. I voted against it in The Finals at NRL Fan Forum. Play extra and extra time again, if need be. Keep playing until their legs drop - the fittest survives. Spectators get added value for money, if its not leaking droplets from the sky.
Cheers - Big Pete
Submitted by mark ashford on
hi Christine, no Parra wont start with a minus next year and the way they are playing if they keep it up will soon be up in the top 8.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Evening Tailspin.
I wouldnt say useless, as Panthers have a very good team in the making. They are better at home, but gave Parra a good lead and had to chop it down - and won.
Panthers are buying very astutely, they will be a force. Even with the stray black cat running the touchline, like last week.
Have good week and keep the rain up Far far North, if you live up Townsville direction.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Big Pete, Your Manly scraped home by a point, only a point but what a f--king point it was.
Gotta love DCE.
Best completion this year in the rain.
Well done Fortress, keep it nice mate and we'll all support you.
Thanks for your congrats on the Broncs win.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
No Hairdressers Forums here Boozy - its rock solid and chips off some old blocks, as well. U r in here for the love of the game and no one likes seeing it dished at their team/club. It's meant to be a two-way street and I feel if the person posting, hasn't got something worthwhile to say or comment on, they shouldnt bother and start upsetting the carts. Ok s/carters if you insist.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Evening Mark
I wonder if Boozy was having a stubby with his perm.
Broncs got stuck into Bunnies. I take it no GI, but then this season, he has been rather quiet.......heading in the north direction, on his mind.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Hey Fortress,
I've noticed before and again this morning.
A post at 1.51am and then again at 4am.
R u having sleeping problems mate?
Cheers again - Big Pete
Submitted by Tailspin on
Hey Big Pete, yes I know, just trying to get a bite out of old softy marsh mellow coach.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Mark -
I think it is the national exposure thing, so to get the game around for others to see. There might be one going to NZ, say one in every three odd years as well.
They want to open it up. I recall one went to USA several years ago, but that was to show Fantasyland what our game was about.
I guess some of the gridiron moves came into our game. Courtesy many years ago of Big Jack and Paul Broughton who went there to see what coaching techniques could improve NRL (then ARL).
You never know!!!!
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Evening Tiger,
One of the dart board fellows is still about, he is just coming in out of the Perth Rain at Brooky.
Good rest for Tigpies this week - should be a good one with The Drags next week.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Eels sound like they are on a fundraiser with Norman there, Mark.
He has the head (oops) lead role.
$150k a bit over priced and yes, I feel for those, that may have been duped into it as well.
Submitted by Tailspin on
Hey Big Pete, Live in Bundaberg mate where they make the best drink in the world, gotta love the white bear. We had stuff all rain, most of it hit Yeppoon and Rockhampton, also Emerald copped a good drenching.
Submitted by EagleROCKS on
what a great weekend of footy one game to go and the finals around the corner......................need to rest my wings goodnight everybody.
waltzing matilda with the great manly warringahhhhhhhhh
Submitted by fortresseagle on
goodnight eagle rocks................god im so sore from the gym did too many reps mate, oh well no pain no gain nighty nights everyone...........................................im just crazy bout the way you move doin the eagle rockkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
Submitted by fortresseagle on
big pete so funny you have made my night mate,no mate no slpeeping problems, but i cant say on this site, i went to the gym and they say us blokes get high testestorne when we train, so my mrs came home late and leave i to ur imagination buddy lol.
we guts that win out the completion rate was incrediable no errors in the first half jaw dropping stuff,then in the second half they defended magnificently ..........then the wonder boy dce kicks a pearler lfet footed mind you to give us a eagle rocking win great stuff by the boys.
we sit just 2 wins outside the 8,with 2 games comming up that we should win im biting my nails i feel we can get there they have the belief just take it one step at a time.
have a great week champion.
mark ashford no worries,yes great win to your mob the big test is next week but i have the feeling your mob are going to flex there mucles should be an interesting match .
eagle rocks see u soon buddy be good................ .................................................................night folks as we count down the days for the big dance in september who will it be this year a small man walking tall or a big man even bigger to collect the greatest prize of all...........rock on.
Submitted by fortresseagle on
big pete so funny you have made my night mate,no mate no slpeeping problems, but i cant say on this site, i went to the gym and they say us blokes get high testestorne when we train, so my mrs came home late and leave i to ur imagination buddy lol.
we guts that win out the completion rate was incrediable no errors in the first half jaw dropping stuff,then in the second half they defended magnificently ..........then the wonder boy dce kicks a pearler lfet footed mind you to give us a eagle rocking win great stuff by the boys.
we sit just 2 wins outside the 8,with 2 games comming up that we should win im biting my nails i feel we can get there they have the belief just take it one step at a time.
have a great week champion.
mark ashford no worries,yes great win to your mob the big test is next week but i have the feeling your mob are going to flex there mucles should be an interesting match .
eagle rocks see u soon buddy be good................ .................................................................night folks as we count down the days for the big dance in september who will it be this year a small man walking tall or a big man even bigger to collect the greatest prize of all...........rock on.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Ms Thinker and I sneaked out for a sneaky dinner last night, and we had some rugby league royalty dining right next door.
Wayne Bennett and his extended clan....including son-in-law Ben Ikin.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Nice, is it true that he does manage a smile when he knows that a camera isn't looking at his every move. Glad you got sometime off and had a great night out.
Submitted by The Thinker on
He seemed pretty happy Baggy. He scampered off with the grandkids for a while and bought them all an ice cream.
No dessert for Wayne though. He's waiting for that Mars Bar and a can of Coke after the grand final I guess.
Submitted by a on
Yeah it must have been fun Thinker
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
He'll be waiting on Harold to walk in from the cold this year, I think the Bronco's might be out in straight sets unless some of the teams above them slip up. They are a bit off the pace ATM.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Well done Mr and Mrs Thinker.
Good to get out, but I guess the highlight for you, was to be near The Horse Master.
Was there veal on the menu?
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Love the nice logo/avatar u r using Fortress.
About time you added a bit of colour to yourself..........well, apart from flying the colours.
Get into Eagle ROCKS and throw him a few stones, to do likewise.
That is something about here, as I've said before. You really dont know who follows who, unless they have it indicated with logo/motif/avatar.
Would also be good to have the space to place the State you follow in SoO under or next to it, as well.
Oh well - I guess there are fencesitters (not birdy clubs either) amongst us.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Thanks for that Tailspin.
Bargara Beach (not Bugger Ya) mate. Long time ago I stayed there for a couple of days.
Are those palms still down the main drag?
Nice sight they were.
Have a friend I know from here works in hospital there, as a theatre technician. He arranges all the surgeons and specialists surgical tools/implements, for operations to be performed.
Cheers and look after the bear - not O'Reilly, although it would be interesting to see where he is, these days.
I saw him and Les Boyd collide on Cumberland Oval, the year the grandstand was burnt to the ground.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Yes Mark, they were singing in the rain.
DCE clouted that Golden Point F/Goal - a real beauty.
It was raining cats and dogs and not AFL either.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
I think Mark, that Eels having lost this round, are destined to miss this years play-offs.
Unless, of course there is a mixture of upsets above them.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Good evening Christine - I'm rather with you in ways about teams playing in or winning G/Final.
It would be good to see change and what changes might happen this season. Its been a fairly open comp so far.
Anyone in the 8 could get there, but Sharks would be good to put the two blue jumpers on for. Any of the top heavy ladder positions are good chances.
Submitted by christine on
In points eels can't make it they are on twelve points & there are seven rounds to go .
Submitted by a on
Yes it is sad that Eels can't make finals I really hope Sharks lose next week
Submitted by The Thinker on
Evening football fans,
I've updated the tipping comp - congratulations to Sammills and Seaeagle47 with perfect rounds. Things are a lot closer at the top of the table now, with more than a dozen tipsters within reach of the lead if results go their way.
Special mention again for Tailspin - just six points off the lead after missing a round.
I'll have the round twenty page published tomorrow night and I'll have my previews and selections published on Wednesday morning.
All the best
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