Round twenty selections

North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Thursday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

While being a Sydney-based team is not without its challenges, it also comes with a few advantages. Take the Bulldogs for example - here we are in Round 20 and they've played just three games all season outside of Sydney. One of those games they moved by choice - taking a home game to New Zealand (and picking up a cheque for their troubles). Ten of their seventeen games this season have been at ANZ Stadium, plus another game at Belmore. They lost two of their three games away from Sydney, but they did beat the Storm in Melbourne. They'll need to find that level again to succeed on Thursday. While the Bulldogs have left Sydney just three times the Cowboys have left Townsville nine times, but it's when they play at home they shine. Eight games at home without loss, and there's been some big wins too. Their last home game was a four point win over the Sea Eagles, but that was backing up from Origin duty. They should be nice and fresh on Thursday night, and the timely return of Michael Morgan means this side can start focussing all it's energy on defending their title. That's Everest, but I'm confident they can scale Mt Bulldog on Thursday night.

Verdict – Cowboys by 8

Result - Cowboys 36 defeated Bulldogs 0

Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

Back in round three these sides squared off in Penrith, where the Broncos racked up four tries in the first half and stopped. The Panthers responded with 17 points of their own, including a field goal in the 77th minute (off the back of a Ben Hunt fumble - Déjà vu) to claim the win. It's difficult to know whether the Broncos fell asleep or the Panthers woke up - perhaps the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Last week the Eels targeted Bryce Cartwright with their big men but he eventually came out the other side. He's not a complete footballer yet, and you can see why Laurie Daley kept him out of the Blues squad for now, but he's close. He's very close. The Panthers as a team are much like Cartwright as an individual. Plenty of talent but very young. I doubt them this year but this group of players look set to create a nice little dynasty in the years ahead. Still, I'm here to talk about Friday night. The Broncos have struggled through their difficult period and while the win over the Rabbitohs wasn't perfect there was enough positives for me to believe they're heading in the right direction.

Verdict – Broncos by 4

Result - Panthers 31 defeated Broncos 12

Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday afternoon – GIO Stadium

The Warriors travelled all the way to Perth, played in atrocious conditions, played extra time and flew all the way home. Less than a week later and they're heading back to Canberra. Through all of that, the Raiders had a bye. While the forecast looks okay for Saturday it's raining in Canberra today with more to come on Friday. Those Warriors legs will be working mighty hard to get through the going this weekend. The Raiders forward pack is under-rated by most and I'd back them to match the Warriors anyway, but given the circumstances this game has all the makings of a good old-fashioned carve-up. I'm not sure how often the Raiders look at the NRL ladder but a win on Saturday gives them a spot in the top four. Actually I'm hoping they don't realise, that's just the sort of expectation that usually brings them undone.

Verdict – Raiders by 20

Result - Raiders 26 defeated Warriors 22

Gold Coast Titans vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday night – Cbus Super Stadium

Greg Bird shored up his title as the most suspended player in NRL history with another suspension last round - he'll be back next week to face his former team-mates at the Sharks. Despite having a busier casualty ward than most clubs the Titans have managed to pull together a strong seventeen. Their dominant victory over the Dragons was an almost flawless performance - a repeat of that and they win again. Just about everyone is waiting for the Eels to drop their bundle but it hasn't happened yet. This week the government had to step in and kick the Parramatta Board to the kerb - surely that's about as low as you can go. I stand and applaud the players that are still there and the coach doing all he can to hold this team together. If they keep this up until the end of the season I will stand and applaud some more. For the sake of their fans I hope they do, but a weekend on the Gold Coast is a risky proposition.

Verdict – Titans by 8

Result - Titans 34 defeated Eels 14

Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters – Saturday night – AAMI Park

I'll keep this brief - these sides played in Sydney in round 14. Tohu Harris played in the halves, and the Storm won 46-0.

Verdict – Storm by 19

Result - Storm 26 defeated Roosters 10

Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Southern Cross Group Stadium

You have to feel for the Knights. Last week they faced a top two side and were gallant in defeat. This week they face the other top two side. I'm not sure how much gallantry they have left in the tank.

Verdict – Sharks by 34

Result - Sharks 36 defeated Knights 4

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – ANZ Stadium

While the late withdrawal of Benji Marshall last week probably cost me a perfect round (grrrr!) this is the perfect game for a milestone. A milestone it may be but I'm not convinced he'll get the result he would be hoping for. The Tigers are fresh from a bye and they welcome back their trio of Origin stars. On a wet track I'd give the Dragons a chance but that doesn't look likely at the minute. Dry conditions and a daytime schedule lend itself to the Tigers dynamic style. I can't see enough points in the Dragons to stay in the contest. A win for the Tigers and they're on the cusp of a finals berth. Sorry Benji.

Verdict – Tigers by 10

Result - Tigers 35 defeated Dragons 12

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles – Monday night – Allianz Stadium

I was surprised when the Bunnies didn't challenge the Greg Inglis suspension, and then it dawned on me - perhaps they've given up. I think they need to win the last seven games of the season to get inside the top eight. That means beating the Sharks, the Bulldogs, the Warriors in Auckland and the Storm in Melbourne. Perhaps they've given up. The Sea Eagles clearly haven't. They'll take plenty of positives out of that extra time victory over the Warriors in Perth, and I expect them to carry that momentum through Monday night. Right now you can get $1.75 about Manly on Monday night. I'm tempted (gamble responsibly).

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 8

Result - Sea Eagles 20 defeated Rabbitohs 12

Wally Lewis - round twenty selections (in bold)

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

  • COWBOYS vs Bulldogs
  • BRONCOS vs Panthers
  • RAIDERS vs Warriors
  • TITANS vs Eels
  • STORM vs Roosters
  • SHARKS vs Knights
  • Dragons vs TIGERS
  • Rabbitohs vs SEA EAGLES

Comments

newbie from perth's picture

Hi Dragonsfan4ever,

If you want to add a picture, this is what you do:

1. Sign in (obviously)
2. Click on "My Account"
3. You should then see "View" and "Edit" buttons next to each other. Click on "Edit"
4. Scroll down until you get to the section where it says "Picture"
5. Click on "Upload picture"
6. Go select whatever picture you have in your computer and you're good-to-go!

Easy-Peasy. Happy Days! Hope it's a good one. Will wait with great anticipation. Cheers.

a's picture

Okay Dragonsfan4ever it's fixed

BigPeteBx 85

Islander 84

Dragonsfan4ever 81

Thanks for pointing that out

a's picture

I hope JT is okay good win for the Cowboys

mark ashford's picture

Hey Dragons fan, Newbie's advice is spot on but first go to your teams website or google pictures (type in NRL Dragons) select a pic you like and save it to "my pictures" on your computer.
then follow the advice above. If you still have probs let us know.
I too struggled with this for a while but it seems important to have the pic in "my pictures" or maybe just easier.

fortresseagle's picture

very good perfermance by the cowbys,but the bulldogs were pathetic......could not hang on to the ball with that effort they wil;l be fightuing to make the 8.

the commentery on channel 9 is so boring surely they can find a better replacent for the great man rabbits warren and phil gould can someont tell him to shut up i mean he always states the obviouse and brad fitler looks like his on the wacky tabacky............surely they can find better we need some energy someone to call the game not teklling us what dinner he had the night before or what colour of underwear he is wearing i mean phil gould dear oh dear.

comming to you loud and proud the fortress eagle of brooky!!!!!!!!!!!!

Coach Potato's picture

Thanks Pete, Bozo was 18.
Brasher also 18.
Thurston 19.
Fittler just 17.

Funny we just couldn't think of any ordinary players starting at this age though huh?

mark ashford's picture

"a" , tailspin and any other Cows fans out there take your hats off to the boys.
Haven't seen that sort of dominance in a game for a while.
JT off the field for most of the second half and still the points came.
Dogs no easy beats (God I loved that band) in top 4.
In a well beaten team I must praise Josh Jackson. If he's not one of the toughest defenders (and attacks well) I've ever seen then I must be going blind.
Des was a hot head player and seems to coach this into his team.
It's 2016 and that just doesn't work any more.

Coach Potato's picture

Kills me to agree with a Manly fan, but yes good point Fortress.
The whole commentary team needs an overhaul.
Another station needs to challenge Channel 9 for rights.
The bloody players break contracts, why can't TV stations?

The footy show, such a disgraceful excuse for a football programme is an embarrassment for any serious fan and also needs to go.

mark ashford's picture

Fortress if you thought the 9 commentary was off ( and yes I'm sick of Rabs arguing with Gould about crap) while the game goes on.
On fox tonight it wasn't much better.
I know Vossey is a NSW man but he kept saying "here come the dogs" or "the dogs just need a try" etc.
Rarely did he praise the Cowboys on what was a near perfect game from them.
The only time Voss praised the Cows was in the after game wrap up.
A 36 nil flogging what else could he say. Gas was much more balanced in his comments.
The following statement is meant for those south of Tweed Heads and north of Eden.
You scratch your heads about QLD passion. Club or Origin.
We cop a flogging to nothing when it comes to #9 or Fox commentary.
It's all Sydney Sydney Sydney.
We can't do anything about the commentary, so we just beat you on the footy field.
Lets be honest Wally and Darren rarely get a say and Wally has become a woos (afraid of losing his job)
It's not easy being a QLDer....what who am I kidding it's sensational.

fortresseagle's picture

kills me to agree with you cach the commentry is as exciting as watching the grass grow.get people that have passion for the game and commentate the game not there life story.

the footy show good for a laugh but most of it trash and tacky i cant understand why there is so little talent and the industry is void of new ideas.

have a great evening everyone ......................the fortress eagle

mark ashford's picture

Coach I stopped watching the "footy show" 10 years ago.
It became the Marx Bros -v- the Three Stooges -v- the Three Idiots etc.
A 90 minute show with maybe 30 minutes footy and the rest nonsense.
Vautin (who I used to admire) is an embarrassment.
No wonder Sterlo bailed, only one with some integrity.

fortresseagle's picture

yes mark A ,fox is better but just cant understand why we cant find better surely there is ..........dont get me wrong gould has a great knowledge of the game but he never stops my god he must still go on in the add breaks and who seriously wants to know his kfc visits and his choice of undies.

new ideas needed fresh talent so we dont start to switch it off................................nighty nights everyone ..................fortress wings and all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Coach Potato's picture

Yes I know, another bloody Manly-ite but wasn't Rex Mossop great.
Wasn't always the most accurate, but took his commentary and his footy super serious. Didn't try to be an entertainer. Didn't have any on-air agendas to influence changes to the rulebook. Just called the game and was widely respected.

mark ashford's picture

It's midnight here and I'm an old man and going to bed.
Just wanted to say to all that post THANK YOU for the fun and entertainment.
Keep the faith, love your club and keep your passion.
Fortress you've done well mate...keep it up.
BigPete why can't we talk about things not related to footy?
Thinker hasn't barred it. So keep it coming.
Digger and any other new comers, you are all welcome, the more opinions the better this site.
Good night all from QLD

Coach Potato's picture

We all crap on on this page especially me.
Don't think I should have to walk on egg shells to mention that.
All I said was that it sounded like Pete's.

PS
It"s Here!!
Halpy Bragging Rights Day!!

Coach Potato's picture

***Special Bonus Last One On The Couch Survivor Challenge***

To all players still left standing, be the first to correctly answer this sporting trivia question, and you have immunity for this week.

You go through, regardless of whether your team wins or not.

Correct answer being my answer.

Q? Where is next Winter Olympics scheduled to be held?

BigPeteBx's picture

Morning Coach and Tippers.
Sth Korea 2018 but the place is something pronounced like (Pong Chang or Pie ong chang) - along those lines mate.
Prime 7 with their Olympic adverts often show the future games at the bottom of their advert.

Cheers and have a gooden

Big Pete Bx

BigPeteBx's picture

Yes Coach -
Rex (Moose) played the game and for Aust - both league and union, I seem to recall.
He was good, he was great, he is a legend.

Johnny Tapp was good with calling hore races.
I liked Denis Commetti at Olympics and C/Wealth Games.
These guys made you feel as though you were in the actual race.

Need to find a new breed of commentator. Actually Faran Hotham ex 2BS Bathurst Sunday RL caller went to FOX or SKY was good.
Dont know where he is these days.

Cheers - Big Pete

BigPeteBx's picture

Yes Mark - I was the same but took me longer to switch off until I got sick of the repetitive stuff and the crap nonsense that went on.
Embarrassment to the code.
Besides, often late at night and us "old fellas" need our beauty sleep before work, the next day. Different if you have a Friday off, to get over the show.

a's picture

Hopefully Cowboys beat Storm next week

Johnny Awesome's picture

Hi Christine your Dad maybe a tad older than me then.. He may remember the 1965 Grandfinal against Soyths which was the final game for Norm Provan?

BoozeMaster2000's picture

And there I was crapping on about Bulldogs having a chance at doing the Cows. That is why you should always listen to the thinker, and never, EVER trust your gut feelings. From now on, even if he told me to tip the knights against the Sharks, I’d believe him.

christine's picture

Johnny Awesome my father has mentioned norm provan on more than one occasion , he says norm provan should be an immortal .

The Thinker's picture

Coach,

Here are the five youngest debutants ever - all five debuted before they turned 17:

Ray Stehr
Jack Arnold
Jordan Rankin
Frank Burge
Adam Ritson

There are players that start young that didn't become greats...we just don't remember them because they didn't become greats.

fortresseagle's picture

Big Pete Rex mossop was a legend one of a kind, I remember meeting him at brooky I was very young mum took us to the game.

The public perception was that he was a very hard man with no sence of humour. Me and mum and all of us couldn't stop laughing he was very funny and a very nice man.

Sad how the media judge people they paint a picture of a person in there professional life, but don't really know the real person behind the glare and spotlight of professional sport they quickly put them in a box and say that's how they are when the real character is not seen in the public eye. Rex was tough on field and in his opionions I've watched many of the that mum and dad have of his games and commentary .

But away from all that mum said he was a funny character very intelligent with an incredible sharp mind. Very unique there will never be another Rex mossop.

For the league I think ray rabbits warren is the best ever when u retires I would like to see someone with a sharp wit someone who is on the mark sence of humour but not brag on about himself and too biased of opinion, as a commentator you have to be as particial as you can some of these commentators seem to tell you who they support which is fine as a fan spectator, but in the commentary box it sounds like ok we understand but your not there fir that fir example phil Gould who rambles on about nothing to do with the game we are watching clearly biased to the teams of his choice and puting the viewer through a boring and over the top dribble . He has knowledge no doubt but my god sometimes he needs the duck tape.

Sharp wit , colourfull , strong voice
Unbiased understands the games and makes thus viewer believe we are there that's what I believe makes a great commentator,plus his support cast needs to be up with it as well , the ones we have now seem to be on the wacky tabaccy or they are half asleep as boring as a brick wall .

Have a great afternoon everyone .

Fortress of the mighty eagles!!!!!!!!!!!!

tigerholic's picture

Giddy Coach

I'll take a guess and say Pyeongchang-2018

Islander's picture

@BigPeteBx sorry mate, lots of respect for your club but I'm a Roosters fan. Not going too well this season but we'll bounce back.
My second team is the Eels. Other than that just love a good game of footy, no matter who is playing.
Cheers mate.

Islander's picture

Had to change my profile photo, don't ever want to be mistaken for a Maroons fan ever again.

Take care everyone and enjoy the footy.

mark ashford's picture

Islander there's nothing wrong with being a Maroons fan.
Nice colour on the left of your Fiji pic by the way.
BigPete where can I get a copy of those "hore races"? should make intriguing watching.
Brandy Alexander's commentary on Fox is unbiased. He is worth listening to.
Just watched a replay of a 2007 Broncs/Panthers game absolute cracker. Panthers won by a point in extra time Pete Wallace 45 metre field goal. Lots of great players in both teams sadly never to be seen again.
Hope tonight's game is as good. Different result of course.

Johnny Awesome's picture

Yep Cristine I agree that Norm Provan should be there. Out of the current eight chosen immortals I agree with 7 of them. The last one inducting Andrew Johns was not right in my view. He is the only immortal who advertises his immortal status. Every other immortal has been humble. Norm Provan, Graeme Eadie, Ken Irvine, Dally Messenger, ust to name a few should have been there long before Johns. Cheers Mr Awesome

BigPeteBx's picture

Yes Fortress - a legend he is and still is.
As I said on this side before, I met Rex back in the late 70's at Mackay (Qld) at The Federal Hotel.
In The Bistro with George Asang - they were making that Tooheys advert for TV with the marlin fishing.

Can still see the man now -visually.

Cheers and have a nice weekend.
Big Pete

Coach Potato's picture

BigPeteX and Tigerholic, thanks for your responses.

Although you are wrong.

Everyone left standing is still in with a chance at immunity.

Q? Where is the next Winter Olympics being held?

BigPeteBx's picture

Sorry Mark - skipped the S, didn't I.
Oh well - I've seen worse done.

Cheers - Big Pete

BigPeteBx's picture

Coach - again, if I'm allowed with correctness - PyeongChang (Sth Korea) 2018.

Cheers - Big Pete.

Dragonsfan4ever's picture

Thanks Newbie. I'll follow your steps. This may not be important but I'm currently using my phone. Cheers!!!!!!!!

Coach Potato's picture

As long as you are the first to answer correctly, then you have immunity. Nothing to do with spelling or pronunciation. It's not an Asian city.

BigPeteBx's picture

Dont be sorry Islander - we both had Bozo iplay under the colours of our clubs.
So r u a NSW Chook or support from elsewhere.

R u doing a Semi Radrada and Jarrod Hayne with that emblem or r u a fair dinkum lover of The Mud Water.
Not a bad drop, but numbs my lips.

Cheers - Big Pete

BigPeteBx's picture

Sorry Islander, but I guess I could have said Hawaii.

Dragonsfan4ever's picture

Thanks mate. Using my phone by the way. Anyways I'll follow hid steps.

Dragonsfan4ever's picture

Thanks mate. Using my phone by the way. Anyways I'll follow hid steps.

Dragonsfan4ever's picture

Thanks mate. Using my phone by the way. Anyways I'll follow hid steps.

Dragonsfan4ever's picture

Thanks mate. Using my phone by the way. Anyways I'll follow hid steps.

Dragonsfan4ever's picture

Thanks mate. Using my phone by the way. Anyways I'll follow hid steps.

Dragonsfan4ever's picture

His*

Dragonsfan4ever's picture

Thanks mate it's still anyone's game I'm pumped to find out what the end result will end up like. And also congrats on the big win from the Cowboys last night. That was a really impressive win. Cheers!!!!!

Dragonsfan4ever's picture

Thanks mate it's still anyone's game I'm pumped to find out what the end result will end up like. And also congrats on the big win from the Cowboys last night. That was a really impressive win. Cheers!!!!!

mark ashford's picture

Panthers/Broncos only an hour away. Can't wait for this game.
Please don't let Coach continue his "bragging rights"
Broncos must win this one.
Darrius to have a blinder. Parker even better.
Just hope the refs or the bunker don't ruin it.

a's picture

Are you having trouble submitting Dragonsfan4ever

christine's picture

Coach rio

The Thinker's picture

Broncos heavily backed tonight - into $1.28.

I think they'll win, but I'm surprised by the weight of money.

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