Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos – Thursday night – Allianz Stadium
The Roosters won the last three minor premierships in a row, and they've won just three games this season. Their last win was way back in round 13, in atrocious conditions over the Tigers. Other than that they've beaten the team running last and the team running thirteenth. They're not just a shadow of the team they were in seasons past, they're a shadow of a shadow. Dark days indeed. Despite that, you've got to give them a chance on recent form. The Bulldogs only beat them by four points, and the Bulldogs beat the Broncos by 26. The Storm beat them in Melbourne by 16 points, but the Storm beat the Broncos in Brisbane by 42 points. And a 12 point loss to the Sharks isn't a disgrace either. The Broncos, with just two wins from their last eight games, are looking a little shadowy themselves. Thaiday, McGuire, Kahu and Reed are unavailable - that's (technically) four internationals, but the return of Gillett is an important one. I'm far from confident, but we've seen the Broncos with their backs to the wall many times over the years. More often than not, they fight back and find a way. If Waerea-Hargreaves was playing I'd be tipping the Chickens...but he isn't...so I won't.
Verdict – Broncos by 4
Result - Roosters 32 defeated Broncos 16
Canterbury Bulldogs vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Friday night – ANZ Stadium
These sides met in round 14 where the Bulldogs prevailed 34-16, and the line-ups on Friday night are much the same as they were back then. The Dragons have done little to show me they've improved. Since round 14 they've beaten a reserve grade Storm outfit and the Knights, but they've been dismantled on every other occasion. The Bulldogs were dismantled last week, but the team that dismantled them would have dismantled everybody. More on that later. With a loss here the Dragons can all but plan their trip to Thailand. I can't say the Dragons have been great in 2016, but the effort was there. Effort won't be enough on Friday night. Woof Woof.
Verdict – Bulldogs by 16
Result - Bulldogs 13 defeated Dragons 10
New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday afternoon – Mt Smart Stadium
Here's something you may not have noticed. The Warriors have lost their last three away games in golden point extra time to the Raiders in Canberra, the Sea Eagles in Perth and the Sharks in Sydney. They'll be happy they're back at Mt Smart where they usually produce their best, including their last two performances at home where they soundly defeated two top eight sides in the Titans and the Broncos. The Panthers are a top eight side currently - a win here and they probably move to seventh, while a loss sees them swapping places with the Warriors. A loss for the Warriors and they could quite easily drop to 11th. These sides played in Christchurch in round 10 where the Warriors started well but were no match for the Panthers in the end. The Warriors record in New Zealand away from Mt Smart is comically bad, so this is more like a real home game for them. That said, if the Panthers hold their form from last week they should prevail again. There are many ways to beat the Warriors (and sometimes they beat themselves). I imagine Nathan Cleary has had a chat to his Dad about a few of those ways.
Verdict – Panthers by 1
Result - Warriors 20 defeated Panthers 16
Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers – Saturday night – ANZ Stadium
When you are right 70% of the time you are going to be wrong 30% of the time, and I have a confession to make - I was wrong about Aaron Woods. I had him labelled as a bit of a pudding, probably because he looks like Baloo from The Jungle Book. This season he's racked up triple figures in metres gained every time he has played (including three Origins), and he's doing it the hard way. Three times this season he's run for more than 200 metres, and he was near his best with 183 metres last week. It's on the back of that effort, and the efforts of the lessor known supporting players in the Tigers pack, that the kids in the Tigers backline can perform. The Tigers are unlikely to make the top eight but it's not impossible. The Eels are done. Effort, and the flickering hope of finals football, will get the Tigers home.
Verdict – Tigers by 8
Result - Tigers 23 defeated Eels 8
North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm – Saturday night – 1300SMILES Stadium
While there was plenty of chatter here about the Panthers last week, the Panthers General Manager wrote an article about the Cowboys. Phil Gould described the Cowboys demolition of the Bulldogs as easily the best performance of the season. He described their first half performance as perfect football. That's high praise, and while they take to the field without their most important player they are yet to lose at home all season. In a way the absence of Thurston takes some of the pressure off them in this game. If he were there, and the Storm won, it would be quite a blow. Without him they know they have an ace up their sleeve if these two meet again in the finals (and that's looking likely). It's not often I focus on the wingers, and with good reason, but this game may be the exception that proves the rule. Winterstein isn't the tallest winger in the world and I expect Cooper Cronk to try and isolate him under the high ball. On the other flank Javen Bowen will need to contain Koroibete. The two Fijian wingers have notched up 27 tries for the Storm this season. In a game I'm finding difficult to split their finishing power could be the difference.
Verdict – Storm by 7
Result - Storm 16 defeated Cowboys 8
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canberra Raiders – Sunday afternoon – ANZ Stadium
The Bunnies have named a cast of thousands on the bench which should boost the attendance figures at Tumbleweed Stadium this weekend. The red and green have all but given up, and those left in the crowd are rusted-ons that are there through thick and thin. They look thin. The Raiders have the top four in their sights and they deserve a finals berth this season. Well done Ricky Stuart...you cranky b*stard.
Verdict – Raiders by 18
Result - Raiders 54 defeated Rabbitohs 4
Manly Sea Eagles vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Brookvale Oval
Talking about the Knights makes me sad. I simply don't want to talk about it, instead I'll close my eyes and pretend it's 1997.
Verdict – Sea Eagles by 32
Result - Sea Eagles 36 defeated Knights 16
Gold Coast Titans vs Cronulla Sharks – Monday night – Cbus Super Stadium
Irrational this may be, but it wouldn't hurt the Sharks to lose a game before the finals series. The Titans are a sneaky hope here, but I have to remind myself of their clash in round six when the Sharks lost both Maloney and Lewis early in the game, and Andrew Fifita in the second half...and they still found a way to win. Finding a way to win has been their thing since round three. Greg Bird returns against his old side, but he's the sort of goofball that will try too hard, overplay his hand, and give away silly penalties. Someone will beat the Sharks eventually, but we may have to wait until they take on a team with a bigger boat.
Verdict – Sharks by 4
Result - Titans 18 drew with Sharks 18
Wally Lewis - round twenty-one selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- Roosters vs BRONCOS
- BULLDOGS vs Dragons
- Warriors vs PANTHERS
- Eels vs TIGERS
- Cowboys vs STORM
- Rabbitohs vs RAIDERS
- SEA EAGLES vs Knights
- Titans vs SHARKS
Comments
Submitted by mark ashford on
Chris, that could be a good bet mate they are going well.
If you enjoy this site I for one would like you to stay.
Try and ignore the comments that upset you and just post your footy talk.
Like you I enjoy coming here. I consider everyone here a friend.
Coach likes to stir us up and that's great...keeps it interesting.
Enjoy the site Chris like I do.
A couple of pages ago you were posting jokes, great stuff, keep it up.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Fortress, Tailspin was just having a joke, between him and me, lighten up mate your Manly are winning.
Can Manly keep it going and beat the Eels...I think so.
Will Nate and Jamie be back? Your teams looking good.
Submitted by fortresseagle on
I'm sorry thinker but I hate that word levelled at my club ok let's keep it clean ok tailspin it's fine to hate my team but no need for ugly 4 letter words it makes you look bad buddy.
All sweet mark yeah going well but we have to keep winning hope for you your mob gets up this week I think they will.
Great evening everyone ..... Fortress eagle of the mighty sea eagles !!!!!!!!!
Submitted by tigerholic on
Christine
I was being serious when I asked for Robbie's autograph, I thought you may have been able to use your contact, anyway don't worry about it.
Submitted by christine on
Mark I think it's time for me to go people are getting pissed off with me on this site , they don't actually want me on here & even though the thinker said there is a spot for me on the tipping ladder if I want it the thinker keeps deleting my comments so I think it's time & this morning I was annoyed because all we've heard for days is panthers & broncos no I was going to stay but seeing I've read some of the comments I've read & the fact I've been on this site for years now I hope your all happy i'm going .
Submitted by christine on
People with ms get bad depression & I've got a bad dose of it today & you guys aren't helping it so thanks it's my life your screwing with not yours & thanks thinker it's obvious who side your on & that's were the money is good luck to you .
Submitted by mark ashford on
Chris I don't think Thinker deleted any of your posts. I've read heaps of them.
Anyway mate take a breather and come back when you are ready.
Submitted by christine on
Thanks you deleted my comments again do you know apart from looking after myself & my father since my mum died other than doing the shoping so I can cook the only other outlet I''ve got is this website & you have all taken that away from me now I've got nothing thanks for being so un caring & selfish .
Submitted by christine on
Mark the comments may not have disappeared from your screen but they do from mine & I told you I didn't want to leave the site but you all seam to want me to such as tailspin rocket ryan & I was on here before all of those guys so no wonder people are leaving the site , I can't even finish the season without criticism thanks & thinker I don't see you deleting there comments only mine .
Submitted by christine on
It's no wonder johnny ray & guru craig left but good luck mark you & coach & footy chick can rule the roost now , "a" see ya It was nice communing with you while I have I no longer have my home away from home on this site .
Submitted by Coach Potato on
"Like sand through the hourglass, so too are the Days Of OurThinker Lives" ...
Submitted by christine on
Thinker you've done it again stop deleting my comments , tigerholic you join in with them wanting me to leave the site & then you have the hide to ask me to get robbies autograph for you , you've got to be joking next you'll want mark o'niels as well .
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Goodbye goodbye to leave you have to stop posting comment.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Goodbye goodbye to leave you have to stop posting comment.
Submitted by christine on
Pleased with yourself coach that i'm going & to think I defended you when you were going as mark said you are a bully that has nothing nice to say & I only wanted to win the couch comp so you had to pay for the beanie .
Submitted by christine on
thanks rocket ryan I was on the site before you .
Submitted by mark ashford on
Chris I've just done a count from page 1 round 21. You have posted 55 comments and none of them have been deleted.
I've read them all. Is there something wrong with your computer?
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
And now unfortunatly your leaving close the door
Submitted by christine on
in fact rocket ryan you might be one of the people that was threatening me before I know rick was one of them & thinker if you allow them to continue just so you get paid i'm sure the police will want to hear about you allowing cyber bullies on your site , I know a few police too .
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach ...stop it
Submitted by christine on
rocket ryan stop being bloody rude to me & mark there is nothing wrong with my computer they are deleting the comments I post .
Submitted by mark ashford on
Does anyone still eat fruit loops for breakfast? I've tried.
Submitted by christine on
without on the website there is 130 comments with coach 430 comments posted.
Submitted by christine on
mark you got something to say to me then say it you coward .
Submitted by fortresseagle on
Let's talk footy everyone please come on surly we can debate footy enough of this immature stuff everyone loves there club so let's talk footy.
Sharks going for 16 th in a row not many people on here giving th credit a magnificent performance by them against quality sides take my hat off to them. I think they will win tonite by 7
Good evening folks let's cut out the trash and tripe and talk footy have a go it's ok but stay on the footy for the love of the game.
Fortress eagle MiGHTY !!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by christine on
hope your proud of yourself mark for taking part of getting rid of me today from this site , I thought you were a better person than that but i'm obviously wrong .
Submitted by fortresseagle on
Christine no one really knows anyone on this site. Just post to who you want to post to don't worry bout it ok. You are getting to personally involved with some on here it's making you upset just go on stay on here and answer to people who you want to answer to ok your fine. Coach is coach just accept him how he is sucking up to him tiger Hollic doesn't look good mate I have nothing against you buddy but everyone leave him alone when he wants to comment he will . Look if we all supported the same club we would have no competition and no footy sites and no rivalery so get over it everyone and get on with life and supporting your club for god sake everyone grow up let people be themselves and respect.
The Olympics opening ceremony this Friday nite it should be something else but before that the mighty eagles continuing there quest for a finals spot when the take on parramatta 5 in a row is on the cards who would if thought gutsy gutsy gutsy never say die eagles!!!!!!!!!!!!????
Submitted by christine on
thinker how can I delete my user name & email address from your website ?
Submitted by christine on
I don't support this website any more or the people on it .
Submitted by fortresseagle on
Rocket don't like them I love weetbix or cornflakes with a banana,
Sometimes eggs with mushrooms and tomatoes and a big glass of mixed breakfast juice yummy .
Good game tonite in store enjoy it everyone .... The fortress eagke
Submitted by mark ashford on
Chris I've tried to be nice, just not sure where you're coming from.
Anyone tipping the Titans tonight?
Should be a good game.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
christine just making light of things.
How you are coming to these conclusions is anyone's guess. I am allowed to defend myself surely when people accuse things without any evidence.
Many a time you have thought that because I had a different opinion than yours and I said so, that I was in some way having a go at you. Nothings further from the truth.
As far as a bunch of males butting heads, well that's just all it is. As long as noone is calling names, the barbs about each other's team could go on forever and remains harmless fun.
Hope his explains the psychology of this site a bit better. If not then I did my best.
Are you putting in a couch tip before you go?
Submitted by mark ashford on
Well said Coach. No one disrespects you, Christine on this site.
Hope you can see it that way.
My last comment on this.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Titans having a real dig. Refs not helping. Send off was silly.Interesting second half coming up.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Christine,
It's up to you if you want to leave. I'm just a guy tipping football games, but I hope you are okay. There are so many comments on here it's difficult for me to know what the heckity heck is going on quite frankly.
You can always just visit the site without adding comments and you can visit the site without signing on...there are thousands of people doing that every week.
That way, you won't be upset by what people may or may not be saying to you.
And no....I'm not deleting any of your comments. They are all here.
If you wish to delete your account you can do the following:
* once you are signed in, you should see in the top right corner of the screen some text that says 'Hello christine'. Click on that. This will take you to your profile page.
* click on the word 'Edit'
* scroll down to near the bottom of the page until you come to a red rectangular button called 'Cancel account'. Click on that.
For those watching the Titans v Sharks....of course the Sharks are the final leg of a five leg multi-bet for me. It's the kiss of death I tells ya.
Titans....good things.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Evening Fortress -
our guys slackened off yesterday and that is not good, because a much better team than Knights will dispose of them. Eagles should have done what Raiders did and take not prisoners.
We have better to come and just need to make the 8 and then its on.
Mate - check it, but I think Prime7 Network is showing 2016 Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony at 6am on SATURDAY morning.
I'll back Pele (The Great Brazilian Football/Soccer player to light the cauldron, as last receiver of Torch Relay.
Cheers and keep well - Big Pete
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Evening Doggie.
Yes Tony's brother Bruce is married to one of my Oberon cousins.
My brother played 1st Grade with Charlo's years ago, but the Under 18 was a cracker jack team in its day.
As with Manly and as I said to Fortress last week, its week by week with me. They slackened off and took the foot off the pedal yesterday.
Cant do that when/if points for and against, could go against you.
Cheers mate - Big Pete
Submitted by a on
Please don't go Christine
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Hello Mark - catching up on your Saturday arvo post.
Dont know about Foran returning to Manly. Opportunity might be there, but he has to overcome his health issues and anxieties.
I have a feeling that if Snake leaves (to go and join brother Glen) Foran "might" return, but that depends on Des at The Dogs (not greyhounds either), if he still wants to take him to Belmore.
I'm not a golfer either Mark, I played a lot of cricket in Summer yearrrsss ago. Hit a ball like a golfer but mainly a open bowler.
Roar have done well over the A-League seasons. Never fear, Spurs had their best season in many years in the one just ended. Take em back on as a following thing, its only an interest mate. I'm an EPL tragic.
Cheers and keep well - coolish here today and cloudy with showers. Rain expected for most of this week.
Submitted by mark ashford on
What a game Titans/ Sharks. Both teams throwing everything at each other. A draw was a fair result, couldn't separate them.
Shows the Sharkies can be beaten, a bit of hope for the other teams come
finals.
Sharks v Raiders next...can't wait.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Evening football fans
I've updated the tipping comp. No perfect rounds this week with the draw but quite a few got 7 from 8. Not a lot of change at the top of the comp but things have gotten even more congested. There is quite a pack of tipsters in contention this year.
That solitary point could prove very interesting at the end of 26 rounds - will that draw cost the Sharks a minor premiership? Will that draw be enough to win the minor premiership? And that point for the Titans could prove the difference at the other end of the top eight too.
And how good have the Titans been this year? Their casualty list at the moment is longer than anyone. Amazing.
Submitted by tigerholic on
Giddy Folks
My last post for today, it was a cracker of a game and for a fleeting moment I dreamt of a perfect round, not to be.
From tonight onward, I suggest to everyone that if you want to leave this site, or you want to stop reading posts, or if you want to stop posting comments, or if you have taken offence to something that was written on a weetbix card, just go ahead and walks away.
Thinker and TLH, I love this site like so many others and I look forward each week of footy, lets put the days of our thinker lives to bed and start a fresh with talk of round 22, sorry about your multi Thinker, why did you not cash out?
Cheers
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Good evening Christine - as I said to Fortress a few weeks ago -IGNORE what you dont want to get involved with. Partake in what you see as good and constructive, even if its constructive criticism.
The boys have been at each others throats, since I joined the site.
You don't need to get involved, as it will only make you feel the worse for it. I've had 120 posts come into my home In Box, just today.
I forget to un-check the Notify box - sometimes. I guess in some situations, it is good to see before logging into the site.
That way you know what you really want to see and contribute to.
Walk away from the rest. You're too nice to just walk out of it all. Its been a good company for you also. There is a couple that post/remark/offend that at times suffer tunnel vision, let them be to themselves.
I try to get on with all, but being a Manly fan/tragic - many aren't going to like, or listen to me anyway, so why waste it, I say.
Cheers and keep well - hang in there and stay with us.
Make your final decisions when this NRL season is over.
Besides, we'll all be lonely during the off-season and that is why socially we all need to mix and also find ways and conversations to touch base during the off-season.
Big Pete
Submitted by Coach Potato on
The up-to-the-minute Golden Point table
Since Golden Point replaced the draw in 2003, the aim has basically been to avoid doing worse than the one point that the old system would have given you. So here are the teams in order of doing best at getting a draw or better.
# Club P W D L %(draw or better)
1- BUL....11.....8...1....2..........82%
2- BRI..... 14.....8...3....3.........79%
3- MEL ....9......5....2....2.........78%
4- SOU.....15....7....4....4........73%
5- PAN.....14....8....2....4........71%
6- CAN....13....8....1....4.........69%
7- CRO.....18....9....2...7.........61%
8- ROO.....10 ...4....2...4........60%
9- COW....14...7....1....6........57%
10- NZ.........13....4....3....6.......54%
11-G/C .......12...5....1....6.......50%
12-MAN......7.....2....1....4.......43%
13- DRA. ....13....4....1....8.......38%
14- PAR.......13....3....2....8.......38%
15- NEW.....12....2....2....8.......33%
16- TIG........16....4....0...12......25%
Submitted by fortresseagle on
Yes big Pete but we had a big lead scored 2 tries in the second half don't want injuries or suspensions so the boys were smart the game was over mate.
Still a great performance all round 4 wins on the trot have to say a great effort now we have the eels should win heading into the final 4 games come on boys keep it up.
Big Pete agree with you bout Christine you can't get to close to people on this site. Just respect each other we are all going to have a go cause we love our clubs but understand Christine everyone is different everyone walks to a different beat, this is footy not lawn bowls .
We all have.a go at each other but when it comes to the crunch we all have something in common we all love our clubs , we all love this great game and we don't really hate each other it's just part of the fun and banter it's rivalery and it takes us away from our problems and the boredom we can have.
I think the thinker site is great. It gives us a chance to express our opionions and thoughts and while we all agree to disagree sometimes we can still respect one another because at the end of the day it's a game it's not the end of life.
Keep the passion , keep the fire and shout loud and proud for your teams everyone.
And go the mighty sea eaglesssssssssssssssssssssss
Submitted by fortresseagle on
What a game the streak is over for the sharks but they didn't lose very close very dramatic indeed well done both clubs.
Round 22 comming up it gets more dramatic every week games that could decide the final 8 WOW bring it on Go the MIghty Eagkes ........!!'!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
For me it might not be 16 straight wins, but It's still 16 games undefeated. Until someone actually beats them, the streak is still going in my books.
The draw could have won them the minor Premiership but how cruel that a minor premier can't have a home game because their capacity is only 22,000.
Who gets to travel to Melbourne? At this stage it,'s Canberra.. Should Canberra get a home final week 2 if they lose? Currently the rules say yes, even though they themselves only have a capacity of ,25,000 ?
Home grounds is gonna be the hot topic next month for sure.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Parra are not meant to keep up with Manly on Friday, but I think it could be interesting knowing that Watmough would have passed on what he knows about Manly in the last couple of years, Foran no doubt passed on what he knew before round 7 @ Brooky, and still there's Gutherson who now gets the ball every set. Will be interesting.
Submitted by fortresseagle on
Welcome back coach but strangely I never thought you left,anyways you make a good point yes those eagles players could give parramatta some inside info on tactics to play us , just like any players from any clubs that leave there team and play somewhere else. Though some new players have come in,and the coach has changed some new structure though some similar,
Look you would have to say that the eagles would win this in a canter, last year it was parra that stooped our winning run from nowhere , incredibly same situation only this time not at brooky but at parra stadium.
I think a lot of those players remember what happened last year and I think with that and we are on a roll for mine if the eagles skip away early than we could see a blowout.
In my mind I think the two games that stand out as threats to our chances is the storm game at brooky, and the panthers game at Penrith park,
In not saying the dogs and raiders will be easy , but if we beat the eels , the dogs are up and down and the raiders play us at brookie not in the cold in Canberra.
It's not going to be easy I know, but then again if you look at the draws of the other teams fighting for the top 8 some of them are extremely hard as well,
So it's going to be very interesting look I'm proud if the boys they are really giving it a go and whatever happens it all looks great for 2017 and beyond lots of great young talent to hopefully deliver another premership,
Good morning to all !!!!!!!!!???
Fortress eagle must fly chat later!!!!!!!?!??????
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Thanks for the Thinker. I'll apply, can't do any worse than the last mob and probably a lot better, I like keeping everything above board. I'll keep you posted with my job application process.
Pages