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
Submitted by christine on
Well done coach & mark if broncos had won you would be giving coach heaps , I also took broncos so I can't talk i'm not real happy that broncos lost but a loss is a loss so well done on your win coach & footy chick & who ever else took panthers .
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Have a good night Broncos. Back to ya stinkin stables.
Don't forget to kick that barn door.
Gotta love Bragging Rights Day!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Plus noone christine. Only two of us.
Submitted by St.George Illawarra Dragonsfan4ever on
Hello everyone, I'm Dragonsfan4ever. I've changed my name a lot. I've given up on putting up a picture. And thinker thank you so much for your help and also thank you to newbie and 'a'. But I have just given up. Thinker I don't see any my account anywhere on the top right. All I've seen is Sign In and register. I'll just keep on commenting on this site to interact with everyone here and to put my tips in under this name for the rest of this season. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by St.George Illawarra Dragonsfan4ever on
And also I just want to congratulate the Panthers on a brilliant win over the Broncos. Coach Potato, your team really deserved it tonight. I'm disappointed that I got the tip wrong. But anyways hope the mighty red V team the Dragons will beat the Tigers on Sunday afternoon, should be a great day and we should see a great game on Sunday.
Submitted by mark ashford on
OKAY I apologise for my previous rant.
Panthers outplayed the Broncs tonight.
With a bit of refs/bunker help.
Congratulations Coach and all other Panther supporters out there.
Game was there if the Broncs wanted it.
Pretty disappointed with our forwards.
And where was Hunt and Milford.
If they're supposed to be the halves of the future Maroons then God help us.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Surprised noones really mentioned, but shit Penrith played solid tonight.
Probably a tough pill to swallow huh? Those horse tablets are bloody big I hear.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Hmmmm, three weeks, if the Cowboys can win without him it's a great time for him to refocus and get healthy, if the drop a few games he won't get he break his body needs. He's looking very tired and drawn
Submitted by St.George Illawarra Dragonsfan4ever on
Yes, Mark I gotta agree with you there, you did get some very unlucky calls from ref/bunker, but what can you do, that' s footy. Sometimes, things just don't go your way in rugby league just like my team the Dragons at the moment.
Submitted by EagleROCKS on
good game and I went with the panthers this week,
Have a great weekend, and some more great footy games/
go the Eagles//
EagleROCKS
Submitted by St.George Illawarra Dragonsfan4ever on
I'm intrigued to see how the Cowboys go without Thurston for 1-3 weeks. They did well without him on the field against the Dogs, but don't forget, it was already a big scoreline in favour of the Cowboys when he came off, but still to continue the dominance without him was impressive. They've got the Storm next week, going to be very tough without him for a full game against a team like the storm. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by The Thinker on
Coach,
Panthers were good tonight, but they're traveling to Auckland next round in what I think will be 8th vs 9th. If they don't win that they're outside the eight again...with the Tigers and Sea Eagles right on their tail.
I still have the Broncos finishing the season on 32 points...with the Panthers on 28-30. They may have to come up to Brisbane in the first week of the finals and do it again.
At least they know they can.
Submitted by St.George Illawarra Dragonsfan4ever on
That's if Thurston doesn't play next week. You ever know, it's JT, he may risk to play against the Storm even if he'll definitely not be 100% next week.
Submitted by St.George Illawarra Dragonsfan4ever on
Never*
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Thanks for the pats Mark.
As Ali G would have said Reeeespect Mun.
I know a few calls went our way.
Enough of the calls that it could have been closer? Maybe.
Enough to give a different result? Maybe not. I think we were shutting enough plays down to win two games.
The thing is, the Broncos were meant to hand out a hiding tonight, and instead they copped one.
Broncs are in serious trouble heading towards September.
Not resembling the team from the end of last year and start of this year at all. They need 2 out of 6 to make it, and a fair chance of not doing that.
What is up? Not sure but I wouldn't be surprised if losing games has led to disharmony. Happens to all losing teams. Just starts with one comment at training under ones breathe, someone else hears it, and the blame game begins. Tonight they didn't play like a unit, and trouble in Red Hill might be what's up.
Travelling to play the next two Thursday's in Sydney. Doesn't get any easier.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Bronx could also end up travelling to Penrith Park come September.
It's more likely than your forecast, Thinker.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Still no Rocket huh? How bout a little ditty?
...Well I think it's gonna be a long, long time
till touch down brings him 'round again to find
their not the team they think they are at home
Oh, no, no, no, so where is rocket man??...
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Extremely dissappointing night for the broncos I'm still stunned didn't we make you look good coach i called the police at halftime i was sure you had found the bunker and taken over cause it was all your way.
Could you and tigerholic advise how to accept losing all the time because I'm not used to it where to from here for my team bottom of the eight or worse we have massive problems our defense is not right in attack the pass poorly read and going to ground there appears to be some panic to stick to set moves that aren't on instead of taking the game on and playing on instinct the worst part is having to delete all the sprays i wanted to serve up to you coach now I'll have keep them to next year.
Keep laughing coach i like to see you happy.
Submitted by a on
Yes Broncos still may miss the finals
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Ahhh Rocky Road, done by the Chocolate Soldiers.
How nice to see your bleary-eyed sleepless comment.
Sorry, but you forgot to give any credit to an outstanding performance by Penrith. Readers want to read fair comment on this page. How about you fess up little cry baby
Submitted by Coach Potato on
The great rule about bragging rights is, it's allowed to go on, and on, and on, and on .....
Submitted by Coach Potato on
C'mon Thinker.
Surely they were better than a measly four word summation including the adjective - good.
Submitted by Islander on
Solid game from the Panthers as a team but how good is Nathan Cleary. Played like someone who has been doing it for a decade, cool head on some very young shoulders.
Definitely one for the future.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
The future is the present, Islander and he has 14 years to be as old as Cronk, 15 to be as old as Thurston.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
The so-called Summer Olympics has only ever been held in Australia.
1956 November 22 to December 8.
Very late Spring start but finished in Summer.
Because of quarantine regulations, the horsey events were held in Stockholm, Sweden June 11 to 17. Middle of Summer.
Sydney 2000 went from September 15 to October 1. Not far into Spring. Not really a true Summer Olympics but temperatures were like Townsville every day, so made it seem not so bad for the purist.
Rio, Brazil 2016.
August 5 to August 21.
Not even Spring.
Definitely still Winter.
First time ever. Don't think it's right.
Nothing about the weather, it gets hot in the Northern Hemisphere Summer too. It's about money. Northern Hemispherian IOC big wigs can't cop that they would be watching the Olympics in their Winter, so instead they ask that it be in the Northern Hemispherian Summer.
Kinda stinks but they're the veges the plate and our choice is to eat or not eat.
Well done to christine for picking this up, even though by accident.
The first imaginary immunity pin is yours. Wouldn't it be great if the Tigers lose and your immunity was worth it? I guess there's got to be a chance.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Good morning E/Rocks.
Hope all is well on the Nth Shore.
As much as I like Penrith with their administration, organisation, coaching and academy set-up and now buying power for players, I didn't pick them this week, especially up in Bananaland. That is two up for A. Griffin - especially this one at the former Bronc's home base.
I felt it would be close and took a margin of 2-4 pts. Little was I to know that Broncos would play like busted rectums, or something definitely wasn't going right.
With a point score diff like that, they played like something.
Keep well mate - Big Pete
Submitted by Coach Potato on
* Southern Hemisphere Olympics only ever previously been held in Australia meant to say
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Yet another comment which reads Broncos played bad and that's why they lost.
Broncos played exactly how they were allowed to play by the Panthers. Get facts right people.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
A later response to this E/Rocks - going fine. Very, very windy weather here. Yes, Penrith were rock solid last night. Bronco's lost heir direction and yes, we all get a caning by refs, some time or another.
Not picking on refs, but gee our boys have had their share of it and often not fair (share).
I'm a lot better than those ones on the Jetstar flight, that was diverted to Bali. I said to one of the guys where I work, we'll have to order some of that brew for our next Christmas lunch, but then retracted the statement - not at Christmas.
Cheers - Big Pete
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Let's not forget Blake dropped the ball over the line inside 10 minutes with a simple draw and pass play that absolutely tore Broncos defence to shreds.
Keep it up Broncos and extended fans.
My crisp, still warm, newspaper says you can't change a thing.
Submitted by a on
Broncos defence was awful
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Good stuff Mark A on the Add Picture notes.
Must be pre-saved in My Pictures on your personal computer hard drive/disk, as the picture/logo/motif cannot and will not upload direct from a Third Party (NRL in this instance) site.
Good stuff again - nice to see tippers helping others on these occasions. Goes down better than dishing it out in bucket loads and not necessarily chaff buckets either.
Enough said here already, but mate - that scoreline last night. I thought the match would be tighter and A. Griffin certainly has the wood on his old club now.
Submitted by christine on
Coach there playing dragons at anz immunity may be mine to keep a bit longer yet well see how it goes .
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Yes Mark - Easybeats were a great band in their day.
Stevie Wright no more - deceased now.
He did some "medical" time here in my home town at the railways.
I wont say easybeats in other footy areas, as Coach might just add his threepence worth and Show Me The Way To St Louis will be a thing of the past.
Keep well - rounds are ticking down - Catch a flight with me me Eagles mate.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Sorry but Bragging Rights lasts longer than a day big fella.
Not even 12 hours on and love that people want it all to stop already with still about 8 long months til they meet again.
Bragging Rights Rule #2.
When people say stop, just do the opposite.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Yes well done christine. Put your feet up and enjoy the game.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Great Coach!!!!!
Good to see the Mountain Man and The Manly Men agreeing - on something.
Maybe, the NRL should bestow a scholarship for up and coming "young" announcer/commentators in honour of The late Rex Mossop and get some real energy back in the microphone.
Rex was great - The Moose that Roared.
The legend lives on!
Cheers and keep well - don't get blown away because high winds are predicted.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Coach,
How much credit do you need me to give the Panthers here?
The Cowboys beat a top four side 36-0....and you haven't mentioned them once.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Umm , they're not my team Thinker.
It's not my job to give analysis on every game. That's your lot.
Yes Cowboys were bloody awesome but let's compare Thursday and Friday.
Noone is saying how the Bulldogs lost because they played so badly are they? No that's right.
What I add Thinker is balance.
If not for me, all you would hear was that the Broncos were dudded or played badly.
Thanks for helping me illustrate Thinker.
Great work.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Ouch & Katchingg!!
Submitted by Steel Panther on
I was accused of being a Panthers supporter so does that mean I qualify to join in on "bragging rights day?"
There' s a lot of comments about the two teams meeting again in the finals but the way Brisbane played last night they'll be lucky to make the 8.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
That's right SP, Broncos shouldn't just expect to notch up 2 points against lower teams. Eg I'm sure they had allocated themselves 2 last night before kickoff.
Early days SP, but the writings on the wall that Nathan is a better player than Sea Eagle/Rooster/Warrior father Ivan. One thing I know is if handshake genes passed on from father to son, then boy this guy could be big. What I mean is , I shook Ivan's hand one day, and never have I had a guy squash my hand so bad. Hands like a bloody metal vice. If my hunch is that Nathan has the same super strong hands, it could have a lot to do with why his defence is so good.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Oh and Thinker, when querying my lack of comment on a game that involved teams I don't support, you must have known that you hadn't said a thing about Thursday yourself - and still haven't . A game involving a team that you do support.
Batter, batter, batter schwiinnnggg!
Submitted by The Thinker on
Exactly Coach....I've said more about the Broncos/Panthers game than I have about the Cowboys/Bulldogs game.
Back to my original point. How much do you want from me?
Submitted by a on
Yes Cowboys will win back to back
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Yes Coach - Ivan certainly gives a good solid hand shake, I must say.
I also met him two years ago at Bx Panthers when the 1 of 5 matches were being played here.
They have a "concert" type night on the the night before the match, where special player of maybe past speaks, current player or capt or coach (not Potato - yet), possibly club manager and also a comedian. The night I was there, Akmal was the stand-up and bugger me, he had the place in hysterics.
Cheers - Big Pete
Remember also that , Ivan Cleary also played with North Sydney Bears - I'm sure of it.
Submitted by Anonymous on
Jesus coach don't get too ahead of yourself I've got a soft spot for the panthers but there is a long way to go.
Don't have a sook when they get knocked off by one of the better teams
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Afternoon SP.
Never rule Bronco's out as they've been too cunning over the years and made the grade.
I feel their hardest game, before semi's, will be against Storm in Rd 25 in Melb.
If they cant see beyond their noses, they don't deserve to be there. It will come together and pity us if they make the 8 and then peak.
Cowboys have hardly put a foot wrong and they could fall from grace under any circumstances. They need JT to guide them, so we'll see what the next 3 weeks brings.
Submitted by christine on
I just hope they don't replace rabs with vossy he's no rabs in my opinion for what it's worth .
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
U never know Christine, what they do to keep their faves with Nine9.
Vossy was once there, but no longer.
Ray Hadley might get a call up........never know.
I didn't mind former Bathurst boy at ABC, in David Morrow.
He is an ex rugby (rah rah) player, but still liked to call footy matches.
Keep well - Big Pete
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