Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – Pepper Stadium
The Bunnies have named 19 players in their 17 man squad which doesn't add up for mine. I am excited though, to see Eddie Murphy on the list, and potentially making his NRL debut. Another 48 hours and we should know if he gets a run or not. Boom!!! Thinker drops mike. Reynolds has been named but I'll assume he won't be there, so Inglis may not play in the centres as named after all. The Panthers have named the same seventeen that beat the Sea Eagles last week. Although the Bunnies recent record over the Panthers has been very strong (five wins from the last six) they do not like Pepper Stadium one little bit. The red and the green look a shadow of the team that won the premiership two years ago. After three losses in a row it's hard to see them turning it around anytime soon. I doubt Cartwright gets his chance in the last Origin game this year but it's only a matter of time before he does.
Verdict – Panthers by 8
Result - Panthers 28 defeated Rabbitohs 26
Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday afternoon – Hunter Stadium
The Dragons have struggled to score points all season, but they did score 20 against the Storm last week, and they're the only team to achieve that feat this year. They'll probably score more than that this round but they'll need to, as this is actually the sort of game the Knights could come out and win. Despite their atrocious points differential the Knights have scored almost as many points this season as the Red V. If, and I accept this is a big if, the Knights can fly the boxes and score some tries early the Dragons will struggle to run them down. The more likely result though, is a fairly dour affair, with the Dragons always looking the victor. Not the game to showcase to people if you are introducing them to the sport.
Verdict – Dragons by 8
Result - Dragons 30 defeated Knights 18
Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday night – Southern Cross Group Stadium
Oh yes Coach calls it the streak. Boogity Boogity. With a win at home the Sharks can notch up 11 victories in a row, and the last team to do that won the premiership in 2015. The Warriors have built a little momentum in recent weeks but it's a snowball compared to the tidal wave that is the Sharks at the minute. Don't look Ethel!!!
Verdict – Sharks by 4
Result - Sharks 19 defeated Warriors 18
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Brisbane Broncos – Saturday night – ANZ Stadium
The Broncos have named all six Origin players on Saturday night but at the very least I'm assuming Sam Thaiday won't be there. They're also missing some fairly important non-Origin players on Saturday night with Glenn, Reed, Kahu and McCullough all injured at the minute. This is a true test of the Broncos depth and I'll think they'll be drowning not waving when the referee calls time. The Bulldogs, outside of their two Origin players, have had two weeks to prepare for this game and their last two performances would indicate they are on track for another finals appearance in 2016. I don't like to take the Broncos on too often, but the Bulldogs at $1.90 looks like fair shopping.
Verdict – Bulldogs by 4
Result - Bulldogs 40 defeated Bulldogs 14
Gold Coast Titans vs Canberra Raiders – Sunday afternoon – Cbus Super Stadium
Two of the over-achievers this season face each other but not for the first time in 2016. These sides met in round four where the Titans prevailed in Canberra by 24-20. Both sides have improved since then, and I have this game pegged as the match of the round. The round four Titans didn't include Peats, Zillman or Pettybourne, while the Raiders have four very important cogs that didn't play in the round four contest in Austin, Sezer, Paulo and Leilua. With those inclusions, and an afternoon timeslot in what looks like cool but dry conditions, I think the Raiders can prevail. Back the total points overs.
Verdict – Raiders by 4
Result - Raiders 30 defeated Titans 22
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – AAMI Park
And to think I thought 19 players were too many - the Storm have come out and named 22. In any case it's anyone's guess who lines up for the purple machine on Sunday. Coach Craig Bellamy has made it clear in recent weeks that his pre-game team list is barely a first draft. Cronk and Smith backed up after Origin I (after Bellamy said they wouldn't) but he's named them this round. Do they play? Who the heck knows? I'll assume they'll play but only because the Storm lost last week and I'm sure they'd like to stay as close to the top of the ladder as they can. As for the Tigers, Robbie Farah is good enough to be vice-captain and play hooker for 80 minutes for New South Wales but he's a bench player at best for the team currently 12th on the ladder. Try explaining that to your kids. The Storm don't lose at home too often, and they lose successive games even less often. Purple it is, but keep your eye out for any ridiculous team changes.
Verdict – Storm by 14
Result - Storm 29 defeated Tigers 20
North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles – Monday night – 1300SMILES Stadium
It's taken a while but the Cowboys have their first injury concern for the season, with Michael Morgan set to miss at least a few weeks. I imagine Ray Thompson comes into the halves and Thurston may even lend him the number seven jersey. Thurston wore the six on Wednesday night and went okay. More often than not Thurston puts in an absolute blinder backing up from Origin duty - particularly when he plays at home and even more so if he's backing up from a Queensland victory. With that in mind, I can't see the Sea Eagles getting close. I doubt the Sea Eagles think they can get close either. Note that Cherry-Evans returns for this game. Remember him?
Verdict – Cowboys by 28
Result - Cowboys 30 defeated Sea Eagles 26
Wally Lewis - round sixteen selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- PANTHERS vs Rabbitohs
- Knights vs DRAGONS
- SHARKS vs Warriors
- Bulldogs vs BRONCOS
- TITANS vs Raiders
- STORM vs Tigers
- COWBOYS vs Sea Eagles
Comments
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Broncos 4 losses now in 5 games.
Next Friday v Storm @ Suncorp.
How badly do you want to host the Grand Final if you aren't even in the finals series?
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach, yes the Broncs are struggling but I'm sure will come back.
Injured, SOO and suspended players make a difference.
You seem fixated on this GF thing.
Sydney is the traditional home of the GF and I'm happy with that.
It's the NRL not me that's offering to move it.
You seem to have a focused hatred on clubs north of the border?
I have picked on your Panthers as you bad mouth my Broncos at every opportunity.
I actually admire your club and the way they are going in 2016
Great young players giving their all.
Saw tonight "Brandy" was inducted into Penrith's Hall of Fame.
Great player. Great reward. Well deserved.
You however can't see anything good outside of NSW.
A shame seeing it's a national competition.
AND yes I'm worried about the Storm game. Who wouldn't be?
BUT I'm not worried about the Panthers game a couple of weeks later.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
If I can share an exert from Panthers 50th season Gala Dinner last night.
Congrats to a club that holds close to the heart, its own history and tradition - and can count.
The 91 Coach, Gould inducts the 91 Captain, Alexander into the Panthers Hall of Fame. Congrats Brandy.
http://www.penrithpanthers.com.au/news/2016/06/26/hall_of_fame_greg_al.html
So strong in his words to follow to not directly mention brother Ben who died in a car accident almost 24 years ago to the day. The sentiment was there, though, and the emotion wasn't about winning an award. The win in 91 was the biggest thing to happen to the town. The accident the next year was just as big.
And to all the Warriors fans out there, he signed up as your halfback for the first 2 seasons, 95-96 and what a great help he was to them starting out.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
I am tipping the Broncos to see the storm out next week mark saw them at the double header few weeks back they will be tough but we will handle them.
the halves are flat and the non origin players need to lift we will be up this week as we now need a win. We need to slow coach up with his bronco bashing.
Like you i will go and see them flog penrith if it is the last thing I do .
Submitted by Coach Potato on
#Mark, until round 20, need I remind again, it's called bragging rights.
Don't worry the tables may turn for you in a few weeks, or maybe not.
#re. GF talk, it's not the location itself, it's the horrible fear that the local fans will not be supportive of a non-Qld Grand Final. Thinker has revealed himself that Qlders tune out when a local team is not playing on free to air. That worries me deeply with the prospect of Brisbane hosting a Grand Final. Know that if it was given to Melbourne I would have the same horrible fear that Melbourne fans would not support a non-Melbourne Grand Final.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Confidence is a good thing Rocket.
Broncos specials!
Better take them as your couch tip next week.
Submitted by a on
Yeah what wrong with being confident
Submitted by The Thinker on
Newbie, Nik, Tigerholic and yours truly hoping for a Cowboys victory tonight for a perfect round.
As a rule I average a perfect round about once every three seasons, so the Sea Eagles are some hope tonight.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Tigerholic shame you tipped the warriors your invitation to thinkers perfect round party is null and void.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Oops....Sorry Tiger
and thanks Rocket.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Quoting the Coach:
"Thinker has revealed himself that Qlders tune out when a local team is not playing on free to air. That worries me deeply with the prospect of Brisbane hosting a Grand Final."
It doesn't matter who plays in the grand final they would sell out Suncorp Stadium if they gave the game to Brisbane - without a doubt in the world. Plus the tickets will be more expensive, so the NRL will still make a tidy profit.
And it might be worth mentioning the TV audience from the Origin series so far.
The Sydney metropolitan audience for the second Origin game was 20% lower than the first game. Plenty of people down there started turning off when it looked like NSW were going to lose. 23% of the people in Sydney watched the game. In Brisbane it was 40%, and that number doesn't count the people that were there.
Submitted by a on
Go Cpwbpys I will be at the game tonight
Submitted by The Thinker on
The 2015 grand final had two Queensland teams. The 2014 grand final had two Sydney teams.
In Sydney the 2015 audience was 22% lower than it was in 2014. In Brisbane the 2015 audience was 21% higher than it was in 2014.
The increase or decrease in interest is almost identical for both cities.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Thanks Coach for fixing The Couch tip up for me.
I see Thinker has gone out saying that he and a couple of others have picked 6 out of 6 and wait on Cowboys to come home tonight, so they get a perfect 7.
Well, I wasnt included, but I will include myself amongst The Qld Clan. Yes mate on my selections on Friday evening, I had to back against Manly especially in Townsville, as they are hurting and doing it tough.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
I agree Rocket, tell Semi to play bloody football for his club and stop stuffing about. Semi wouldnt know the front to the back end of a semi.
Its take all, while they can get it. Ok fair enough, like most players do, whilst they are able BUT, they still abide by the club and stick by their team-mates and dont do "runners", until the season end or their contact is nearing an end.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Hey Thinker - better track those South of the border of you.
Include me as well. Yes, I tipped against Manly tonight, as they are doing it tough and it is hurting.
This site doesnt carry beggars - we all play for Sheep Stations.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach after the THINKER posted those stats I thought enough said.
Yes I remember well the loss of Ben Alexander. A very emotional time for the club. Have never seen so many big tough players with tears in their eyes.
RIP Ben Alexander.
Tonight hopefully the Cowboys will keep QLD teams hopes alive this round.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Evening Drago - hows it going.
Do yourself a favour and toss that whistle you use as your avatar/logo -out. One would think u r apart of Coach's favourite Bunker.
Get a RedV or a Dragon image in there mate.
Show your colours, like many of us have.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Caxton Street all right Coach.
They'd be crying in their beer
Submitted by mark ashford on
Big Pete, tonight you have tipped against your beloved Manly as I tipped against my beloved Broncos.
Comes a time (Eagles I think) when you have to do that even though it hurts.
Bloody hell I've been in the lower third all season and can't seem to recover.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Big Pete & Coach there will be no crying in the beer just drinking it at Caxton Street.
Graveyard for you Blues and anyone else who want's to take on the QLD'ers.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I know there might be a time to tip against the BOYS no matter your preferred colour, but i would rather back my BOYS home against impossible odds than chase the points. Might explain why i'm running close to last here (missing a weeks tips didn't help either), but I'm here for the long haul. The guys running the show at Parramatta will be long gone and I will still prevail. Let's all back our BOYS come hell or high water, it's what they deserve. (unless they play for Collingwood)
Submitted by Coach Potato on
There's no doubt it would be a sellout, they only have half as many seats FFS.
Half as many seats and twice the price before scalpers cut. Yep. You've got it worked out Brisbane.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
The Stadium Strategy was meant to give as many people as possible to see the event live.
How is a stadium only half the size in line with this strategy? Pray tell.
Submitted by tigerholic on
Well done Newbie, Nik and the Guru "Thinker". Great effort in picking 7/7
Thanks for including me in the experts group thinker, if it wasn't for the fun Police "rocket ryan", I may have been awarded a perfect round.
Very proud of my Tigers against the Storm, very ordinary first half but what a second half. If we only had a goal kicker. Pat Richards we need you to make a come back.
I think NSW need to blood a few new players for game 3, sorry Paul Gallen, thanks for the effort and the lost 10/11 series. How are you Coach.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
*give as many people (an opportunity) to see the event..I mean
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Last time I checked there was no plan to demolish the SCG. Also holds a hell of a lot more people than Suncorp. Been good enough for 2/3 of the Grand Finals to date.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Couch update Wk 2.
Sorry Thinker, the Tigers and Sea Eagles tried.
1. Coach - PAR_CRO (In The House)
2. Mark - NZ_COW (In The House)
3. Baggy - NZ_DRA (In The House)
4. Rick - NZ_MEL (In The House)
5. Tailspin - PAR_DRA (In The House)
6. a - G/C_COW (In The House)
7. Newbie - G/C_COW (In The House)
8. Tigerholic - NZ_MEL (In The House)
9. Rocket - PAR_PAN (In The House)
10. christine - NZ_PAN (In The House)
11. Big Pete Bx - PAR_MEL (In The House)
12. Thinker - MEL(In The Outhouse)
13. BoozeMaster2000 - NZ_DRA (In The House)
14. Broncoswimmer - NZ_MEL (In The House)
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Streak Tables Wk 16
Ranking....Team...Winning Streak....Losing Streak
Only 2 teams have passed the top 4 test so far by achieving a score of 10.
Who the other two top 4ers are is anyone's guess, cause we know it can't include Parra.
1 SHARKS 11 0
2 STORM 10 0
3 EELS 8 2
4 BRONCOS 7 3
5 BULLDOGS 6 2
6 COWBOYS 5 0
7 RAIDERS 5 4
8 TITANS 5 5
8 WARRIORS 5 5
10 PANTHERS 4 4
10 DRAGONS 4 4
12 TIGERS 4 6
13 RABBITOHS 4 10
14 SEA EAGLES 2 9
15 ROOSTERS 0 9
16 KNIGHTS 0 13
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach it's ANZ not the SCG being remodelled. Take it up with the NRL.
Manly gave it to the Cowboys tonight. But another great QLD team prevailed.
"a" and Tailspin Congratulations to your Cowboys a truly champion team.
Big Pete and Fortress your Manly is back what a great game.
Coach did you not read the THINKERS stats? You are one unhappy person. Sydney is not the center of the world mate.
Perhaps a Queensland holiday would help you?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
95,000 expensive tickets does not need to equate to 50,000 super expensive tickets.
You don't get to quadruple the price of bananas just because there's a shortage. Such a Queensland attitude back then and still now.
SCG for the A+ English students was in reference to why this wasn't the alternative. It's not been condemned as far as I know. They still being games there and I don't hear the Swans claiming they should hold the GF there so the place will be open for hire.
Panthers get their home Prelim taken away two years ago because people tried to argue the not-enough-seats crap, now they somehow are ok to argue the opposite, that less is now better.
Too right I'm F&$%%in angy.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Shark fans, your team might well be minor premiers, but guess what, you don't get a home Prelim.
You are one of 6 teams, yourselves, Penrith, St George, Wests, Parramatta, and Manly. None of these teams regardless of whether they earnt a home Prelim or not, just don't get one.
The other 10 teams do.
Now you talk about a new Grand Final venue with only half the capacity of ANZ. Start talking NRL and no, the language of choice is not double-Dutch.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Greetings Coach
I was responding to your concerns about the people of Queensland not supporting a grand final. I said they would sell it out. You can't ask for more than a sellout.
Now you're talking about the size of the venue which is an entirely different argument.
I don't actually have a problem with the grand final staying in Sydney. I happen to think that if the NRL decide to use this opportunity to move 2 or 3 grand finals away from Sydney then Brisbane is a pretty logical place to host one of them.
The Broncos have won five premierships in 26 years (six in 27 if you count the Super League). Attendances at Broncos matches boost the total attendances for the competition every season. They are one of the very few profitable clubs in the competition. As a club they are on a par with Collingwood in terms of national recognition. The very lucrative broadcast rights deal the NRL has been able to obtain would be a lot less lucrative without them. The NRL distributes club payments equally so, in effect, the stronger clubs are actually helping to keep the less strong clubs afloat.
If another city gets a chance to host, then Brisbane has earned the right to do so.
And besides, The Thinker will be able to walk to a grand final instead of catching an over-priced flight and spending half a day trying to get from the centre of Sydney to Homebush and back.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Whether it's an entirely different argument or just one of the points I say do not sit well with me.
My 'balanced view' is this ....
#Bringing the game to all parts of the city and regional parts is a good thing.
#The Superbowl is played at a different venue every year and after all NFL is almost the same acronym-oly(?) as NRL.
On the other hand
#Brisbane don't have an ANZ size stadium. I'd be almost on board if they did, but they don't. Extend upwards and make it Australia's version of the Colosseum and I'd be impressed.
#The NRL surely can't argue that the biggest stadium is the way to go, and then suddenly the smaller stadium is good enough. What about Melbourne hosting at the MCG? The curators wouldn't care because the other game would have been over 24 hours earlier.
#Last years GF was embraced by all, especially NSW fans.
Culturally there is a deep fascination with who the Premier will be. NSW fans care about the Grand Final even if their team is not playing. BBQs go ahead regardless. I don't believe Qld fans have the same fascination. Geographically it is impossible to put aside the us against them thing, and if two non Qld teams played at Suncorp, I don't get a sense there's be BBQs regardless. I just don't.
#My other point I'm yet to mention (possibly a whole different argument) is that Qld only want Suncorp to get the obvious home ground advantage. All the reasons put forward are just smoke, and no mention of this aspect in their sales pitch just tells me, it's really all about this.
Submitted by christine on
I'm currently on 81
Submitted by The Thinker on
Coach,
Penrith are about to enter a period (a window) where they can compete for a premiership.
Are you concerned that your team may have to play a grand final away from Sydney?
If you look at the grand final audience as a percentage of the population, there is clearly more interest in the game in QLD than there is in NSW - regardless of who is playing.
I went to (or we hosted) grand finals BBQs every year when I was a kid. That only changed when the NRL switched to a night-time schedule and we didn't have a public holiday the day after. It's as much a part of our culture as it is yours. The only difference is we would follow two competitions instead of one - because we had the Brisbane competition as well.
I'm all for Sydney keeping the grand final under normal circumstances - I don't think it should be shopped around to the highest bidder because there's a risk they'll end up playing in Qatar. Even if they decide to just play at the SCG I'm fine with that too.
But if they do decide to move it around during the renovations, I think a sensible thing to do would be something like:
SCG
Suncorp
SCG
MCG
I'm thinkering.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach as I've said before i'm happy for the GF to remain in it's traditional home of Sydney.
With Storm, Cowboys and Broncos GF contenders this year are you not demanding home game advantage?
A lot of fans here in SE QLD don't like the Broncos and have Sydney teams as their preferred club.
I have watched every GF for the past 30 years regardless of who is playing and so does everyone I know.
Submitted by a on
Here is the update for the people in the non tipping compertition
Islander 78
Dragonsfan4ever 71
BigPeteBx 70
That cuts the Islanders lead to 7 still anyone game but
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Panthers and Manly were forced to play finals away from home in 2014 because they were the rules.
Sharks will face the same this year because they are still the rules.
Teams will play where they are told to play. Fans will support teams at venues they are told the games will be played.
All this talk came about before last year's Grand Final. Two naive clubs who feel they would dominate Grand Finals for years to come. Both great sides at the moment but it just won't happen. The big game will be played wherever. Kay Sera. Two non-Qld teams play at Suncorp and I still say the ones who made the plans will feel their efforts badly backfired.
Hey, if it meant playing in a Grand Final, Panthers would play anywhere. If it's Suncorp so be it. I don't think they have any right to double the price though to equal the ANZ gate. That's a Semi Radradra view of the game that similarly leaves a sour taste.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
You see that bathroom size window too Thinker.
Panthers currently ride their second winning streak but this one can't finish at 2. Needs to be a 5 streak minimum.
Nathan Cleary and the team. Stay healthy, play strong.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach the NRL says where the finals are to be played in Sydney purely on ground capacity.
Not sure what Pepper Stadium holds but know that Manly and Sharks are around 20,000 max. No doubt in future this will be improved.
The Cowboys after winning a premiership have been promised a new stadium in Townsville funded by a joint effort of the Federal and State Govts.
Having 9 teams in the greater Sydney area means funds for stadium improvement are limited. So the main stadiums are being updated (ANZ).
Surely it's easier to get there from Penrith or Manly (car or public transport?) than fly from Townsville, Melbourne or Brisbane?
Remember it's the NRL. The N standing for National.
The NSWRL ain't the main game any more.
Submitted by Dragonsfan4ever on
I've tried before but dunno how to do it. I'm not a computer pro unfortunately. A couple of the members gave me and Mark steps on how to add a pic quite some time ago and yet I still dunno how to add a pic. I'm going good, yourself?
Cheers!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Penrith Park (Pepper Stadium)
Capacity 22,500
Record 22,304 (including moi) round 26 v Parra, 2003.
We also posted crowds that year of
19,676 v Manly round 8
20,280 v Warriors round 12
22,147 v Bulldogs round 16
22,227 v Roosters round 20
Bloody disgrace a crowd of this size was robbed a preliminary home final v Bulldogs two years back.
Pages