St George Illawarra Dragons vs Brisbane Broncos – Thursday night – WIN Stadium
Two teams that, on form, appear to be in a race to the bottom. The Dragons have a head start, while the Broncos have time to turn their ship around if they can. Right now I'm not sure how seaworthy the Broncos vessell is. I'm reminded of those boats they make out of strapped together beer cans for charity events. They do get three international forwards back on Thursday night, while the Dragons lose (I think) their two best forwards in Thompson and Frizell. The Dragons had everything to play for last week, and while they tried a few more things in attack against the Bulldogs, they still only managed 10 points. Given the leakage from the Broncos in defence of late (161 points conceded in five games) the Dragons may have more luck here. Clearly I have no confidence in either side at the minute, but I'm giving the Broncos one more chance (keen observers will note I've been saying that about the Broncos for at least a month).
Verdict – Broncos by 2
Result - Broncos 12 defeated Dragons 8
Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles – Friday night – Pirtek Stadium
I was all set to tip the Eels this week. Three important inclusions in Ma'u, Scott and Jennings, and the Eels hatred for the Sea Eagles runs deeper than most. A win here and they all but end the Sea Eagles hopes of a finals campaign. I thought all that would be enough, and it still might be. In the end, two things changed my mind:
- This isn't the Eels last game at Pirtek this season (and when that day arrives in round 25 the Eels will fly like Superman); and
- I had a look at the Eels line-up that beat the Sea Eagles in round seven (22-10). That team included Norman, Foran, Peats, Paulo and Radradra. This team on Friday night will not.
The Sea Eagles went close in round seven (they actually led until around the 70th minute). Given that their season is on the line, and their remaining games after this one look frightening, I've come full circle and I'm doing the Eagle Rock for one more round.
Verdict – Sea Eagles by 7
Result - Eels 10 defeated Sea Eagles 9
Newcastle Knights vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Saturday afternoon – Hunter Stadium
The Knights will win another game this season. Their draw isn't too bad and they still have their 'old boys' game...but they won't be winning this.
Verdict – Bulldogs by 20
Result - Bulldogs 28 defeated Knights 14
Cronulla Sharks vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – Southern Cross Group Stadium
A quick turnaround from an extra time draw for the Sharks and the Raiders are in a rich vein of form. There are many that think the premiership is a three-horse race, and the green machine would like nothing more than to knock off one of those three. When the Raiders are playing well they are a delight to behold, and I've loved watching their development this season. But (there's always a but), I can't tip them this weekend. They'll be packed to the rafters on Saturday night, and with the minor premiership on the line the boys in blue won't be losing their last two home games this season. Note that the Sharks did play the Raiders in Canberra earlier in the year, and it was a towel-up. This won't be a towel-up, but the Sharks can maintain their 'not losing streak' for another round.
Verdict – Sharks by 4
Result - Raiders 30 defeated Sharks 14
Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Saturday night – AAMI Park
I have an image in my head of Storm coach Craig Bellamy, dressed up as Elmer Fudd, hunting rifle in hand. "It's rabbit season". Inglis returns in the halves for the red and green but it's too late baby now it's too late...though they really did try to make it. The Storm don't need to work on their points differential, given the Sharks are on an odd number and the Storm are on an even number, but they'll be unleashing a wave of purple fury on Saturday night. A clinic.
Verdict – Storm by 40
Result - Storm 15 defeated Rabbitohs 14
Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors – Sunday afternoon – Cbus Super Stadium
Channel Nine must be annoyed. They've given this game to Fox Sports, which was a perfectly cromulent decision until the Hayne plane landed at the Gold Coast Airport. Suddenly the delays around the re-signing of Titans fullback David Mead make more sense. If Hayne plays (and he may not) I assume Mead shifts to one wing and perhaps Macdonald to the bench given his utility value and the possibility that Hayne does a hamstring the first time he tries to stretch out. This was going to be a big game anyway, but there's a whole other dimension at play now. Both sides are playing well and both sides are backing up from golden point games. Golden point has become habit-forming for the Warriors in recent weeks and this looks like the sort of game that could go the same way. They'll just about sell the joint out on Sunday afternoon, and almost half the crowd will be ex-pat Kiwis that now call the Gold Coast home. Shaun Johnson got the Warriors home when these sides met in New Zealand in round 17, but the Titans were asking passengers on the plane if they wanted to play in the backline for that game. They cobbled a team together and almost won. I think the tables turn on Sunday.
Verdict – Titans by 4
Result - Warriors 24 defeated Titans 14
Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys – Sunday afternoon – Leichhardt Oval
Luke Brooks is out for the Tigers, but Jason Taylor can't find a place in his heart or his team for Robbie Farah. There's some speculation he may end up at the Rabbitohs next season. Like sands through the hourglass et cetera et cetera. The Cowboys have, but for one winger and one future immortal, named their strongest seventeen, and $1.45 for the Cowboys looks okay to me. Make sure you tune in if you can. If the weather is fine a footy game at Leichhardt on a Sunday afternoon is about as good as it gets.
Verdict – Cowboys by 10
Result - Tigers 26 defeated Cowboys 14
Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters – Monday night – Pepper Stadium
Rightly or wrongly, I'm trying to get a read on this game based on these sides performances over the Broncos. The Panthers beat the Broncos 31-12 in Brisbane two weeks ago and last week the Roosters beat the Broncos 32-16 in Sydney. On that alone, there's probably not much between the sides. These sides met in round seven where the Panthers prevailed 20-16. It was three tries apiece that day and it was the goal-kicking of Jamie Soward that proved the difference. That Roosters team were missing Pearce, Cordnor and Taukeiaho and it's clear the Roosters have gradually improved as the season has progressed. The round seven Panthers included a number of players that we won't see on Monday night - Soward, Te Maire, Hiku and McKendry, although they have unearthed a rich talent in Nathan Cleary since then. Perhaps goal-kicking proves the difference again - Cleary vs Taukeiaho - I can see Cleary now the rain has gone.
Verdict – Panthers by 2
Result - Panthers 38 defeated Roosters 18
Wally Lewis - round twenty-two selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- Dragons vs BRONCOS
- Eels vs SEA EAGLES
- Knights vs BULLDOGS
- SHARKS vs Raiders
- STORM vs Rabbitohs
- TITANS vs Warriors
- Tigers vs COWBOYS
- PANTHERS vs Roosters
Comments
Submitted by Coach Potato on
No worries Fortress, but I suggest try the grandparent rule. If you write something you wouldn't say to a grandparent's face, just press delete.
Panthers wish you luck Friday
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach we don't need this sort of comment.
Fortress meant no harm, just saying Chris was acting like a Mom looking after some of the posters
Shit stirring earns you nothing Coach.
Ignore it Chris. just Coach trying for a bite.
Just comment on the footy mate .
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Sometimes coach a ten of clubs will take a trick this is one of those times
Broncos sorry johnny awesome
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I forget my own rule sometimes I know, but mostly I try
Submitted by tigerholic on
Ah Thinker, Leichhardt Oval is the sacred ground of my beloved Tigers. I can see where you draw your conclusion from that the Cowboys will win easily but I am going to have to disagree and give my team a big chance.
We still have some strike power and Robbie has not been missed in attack and with Brooksy out we will still be competitive, Tedesco, Moses, Simona, Nofoaluma, Naiqama, some solid defence Woodsy, Taylor, Sue, Lawrence, off the bench Seumanufagai and Grant we are a big chance.
I am far enough away from the top of the table this year to let the handbrake off and go for a few roughies, although I must draw the line at taking the bunnies against Melbourne.
I don't mind if you now feel the need to change your tip boss man:)
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Yes, Rocket, I conceded as much that it could "do the trick", but a ten is still no right bower.
Submitted by tigerholic on
Giddy Fortress
I am sorry to say that the Eels will end the run of your beloved Sea Eagles:(
Submitted by fortresseagle on
Plus I won't be getting involved in people's personal problems ever again , every rim I do I get attacked no more. Fair dinkum every time Christine has a problem on here I try and be nice then I get attacked well no more.
Let's all talk footy please that's what were here for footy footy footy footy the finals and all the great games comming up .
God u would think this is the young and the restless or dr phil .
If you don't wanna be on this site leave if you wanna stay stay, no one owns this site it's a public footy forum so let's get on with it and talk football !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great and a big hello to all you mighty sea eagles fans out there were keeping the dream alive come in boys go get em ,
Fiortress eagle of the mighty sea eaglessssssssssss
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Shit I was defending her and all mothers out there.
What does it mean? Fortress seems to dig these holes for himself, and then for others to say it's all my doing for pointing it out. Some people
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach 'try' to annoy me.
We all know Chris is a bit sensitive.
Submitted by fortresseagle on
No worries tiger Hollic it's your opinion and your welcome to it.
I think we will thrash parramatta I think we won't make the same mistake we did last year and take them litelly. We are in form and now 5 in a row I'm very very confident of a win parcell very good hooker myles back great solid team this could be ugly for parramatra
Go the mighty sea eagles!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by tigerholic on
Fortress
Is Jamie Lyons playing
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Fortress kinda reminds me of that guy you know that's always swearing, and then in the wrong place and time, one slips out and he says 'ooh Fuck, sorry!!"
I realise he means no harm, but when there's a slip, I think its better practics to quietly point it out, then to just let it slide.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I actually actively ignore all the other noise. Easier in the long run. I do think that the BOYS will get up over manly, and it will be all the more sweeter with our second stringers for our second string team. We do lack the depth that some teams can boast, but the young guys will do the jersey proud and earn that spot for next year.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
If Lyon is playing then the Olympic Diving event might have been brought forward a few days!
Submitted by mark ashford on
No more rubbish!
i'll make 3 predictions
Broncs to thrash the Dragons
Eagles to thrash the Eels
Roosters to thrash the Panthers
Why
1 Broncs. will need this more than the Dragons
2 Eagles on a roll and Eels hearts broken
3 Roosters have got their game on at last...goodbye Panthers
let's see if I'm wrong.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Benji went to Rugby, wasn't gone that long and was never the same.
Hayne having rings run around him by Native Fijian Rugby players recently tells me he has lost some spark. Make no bones the next two weeks of Rugby Sevens in Rio will cut him deeply not having what it takes to be there. Playing NRL must feel like accepting a job back that you had already quit.
Good luck to Titans if it's a back end deal. History says any club that offers such a thing has the current year to win the comp else it's curtains. The player group gets ripped to shreds the next year and your club is back on the slippery slide.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Panthers played Roosters on a Monday night earlier in the year.
300 fans finished work and got out to Allianz, made up about a quarter of the total crowd figure, and got their team home.
How many Roosters fans and their 2nd last team are coming West next Monday?
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach couldn't agree more. Who is the poor smuck (who is probably playing well) replaced by Hayne.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Are you a bit frightened of the Roosters Coach? Doesn't matter how many fans turned up, just matters who wins!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Talk about needing it more.
Broncos need this to count like the third attempt of tthe long jump, after the first two were fouls.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I think he was making a damning inditement on the state of Thursday and Monday night football.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Mark, I think the team that struggles to win a game has the most to fear. You can include your Broncos in that category.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I said it a while ago that something was up at Red Hill. This story from early April, I missed, but it all starts to make sense why on field form is so bad. Seems Maguire was the one who dobbed in a bulk of the curfew breakers making them ineligible for Origin, my thinking is, to better his own chances of selection. Where there's a rat there's no trust. Where there's distrust amongst a playing group that's not great.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/broncos-in-locker-room-scuffl...
Submitted by christine on
Coach just want to say thankyou I appreciate it ok & yes I can be a bit sensitive because stress & ms don't mix it actually makes my ms worse but I can over look a lot of crap too believe it or not & I wouldn't say I was mothering anyone on this site more just keeping a few in check ie: mark & you , so again thankyou I do appreciate it coach .
Submitted by a on
My one think Titans can make the top 4
Submitted by a on
Sorry let me put this better
Does anyone think Titans can make the 4 with Hayne
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I think the Dragons showed plenty of signs last week they will trouble the Bronx. Not least of which is no Frizzell. No telegraphed balls for his to run on to. No go-to man. I think that's an attacking plus.
Submitted by doggie on
Hi fortresseagle. About tom trevo whatever. Last 2 weeks I've heard plenty of commentators and good judges calling on meninga to pick him for kangaroos at end of year. I agree. I s he NSW?
Submitted by doggie on
Sorry fortress. I don't know the spelling of his name. When I read it I realized it sounded stupid.
Submitted by doggie on
I mean my post was stupid not his name. Going to bed now. Too many frothies.
Submitted by fortresseagle on
Totally agree mark the mighty eagles and your mob specials for this weekend it coukd get ugly for the rorters and drag queens.
Christine with all due respects I think ur using my post to make me look bad u have done thus in the past no one on this site has been as nice to you as I have ok . U can overlook whatever u like but I was only speaking my mind for god sake we all have problems if I wanted to come on here amd tell u mine it would take a decade.
I think u should understand this is not a dr phil club orca lonely hearts club it's a footy forum it's great u love coach and mark but please don't use my good nature to better yours please.
Enough no more from now on I post to people I want to post to ok please of u don't like me or my club the feeling is mutal I will only be talking footy from this post forward ,
Thankyou and good evening !!!!!
Fortress eagle mighty and proud!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Ah well, at least we all still hate Judas Lyon more than the formerly great Jamie Hayne. Close run contest, but at least he is on the Gold Coast. Could've been worse.
Submitted by fortresseagle on
Yes baggy pants could of been worse playing for your basket case club the board off to jail where they belong god my heart bleeds for your rorting inept try hards.
HaaaaaHaaaaaaaaaaa
Go the mighty eagles no mercy boys go kill em !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Fortress what can you tell about the rats within taking payments to lose games. Are they all ex-players eg Foran, Watmough, or are they still taking the field.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Wollongong weather tomorrow - same as today, same as yesterday. More rain.
Geez Broncos there are enough of your players that can't catch the ball in the dry.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Coach that story is mmm breakfast radio bullshit would you like to buy the story bridge off me cheaply?
Submitted by fortresseagle on
yes coach defending your mates again fair dinkum you wil;l never give up why dont you buy auntie christine a book on footy then maybe we can all get back to talking about the football fair dinkum i know u and christne are pllaying games both want to get ris of me wekll guess what coach im here to stay at leasdt i talk football its a footy forum we all have problems ,issues sickness but i dont come on here telling the world keep personal stuff out.
if baggy pants wants to bag my teaM OUT THEN HE WILL GET HIS TEAM BAGGED OUT BY ME,WHAT ARE YOU HIS VOICE BOX IM SURE HE CAN DEFEND HIMSELF COACH.
look coach if you dont mind please dont post back to me again ok this is a requst from me i hope u can respect that.
no more personal problems its a footy forum TALK FOOTBAa very good evening to big pete,eagle rocks and mark ashord and rocket and all the great footy lovers out there.
my specials this week the mighty eagles to crush em,the brocos to end the dragons season and the cowboys and the sharks to also have wins .
nighty nights everyone were keeping the dream alive its the power of the dream that brings us here eagles forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hi everyone,
Yet another early start to this weekend’s round so let’s get into it…
Broncos - I might have gone the Dragons here in normal circumstances but with 3 coming back I might just tip the Qld’ers here.
Manly - can you believe it? The Sea Eagles are finding their mojo and looking like playing finals footy. Whether or not they make it is another thing but getting another 2 points this weekend will definitely help their cause. Based on what I’ve seen of late, I’d have to be tipping the Boys from Brookie in this one.
Dogs - the poor ol’ Knights just can’t seem to get their act together can they? They’ll come good sooner or later but not against the Doggies. Mind you, the Doggies aren’t convincing me lately and I don’t think they’ll run away with this one even though the line as I tap away is around the 16 point mark. I’ve a feeling it might be a bit closer than some may think. Doggies for me.
Sharks - last Monday’s game against the Titans obviously proves that the Shire Boys are not unbeatable. Well, they weren’t beaten as such nor did they lose, so you be the judge. Raiders keep impressing (Ricky must be feeling a lot happier these days) and they’ll give this one a real shake. The Sharks confidence might’ve been shaken too after the Titans clash but got a feeling it might’ve given the Sharks a serious wake up call. In theory they should win this but not dismissing the Raiders at all in this one. I’ll stick with the Sharks at home.
Storm - gee, the Storm Troopers are giving the Minor Premiership race a real nudge aren’t they? I bet there are some nervous Sharks fans out there at the moment. From what I’ve read about last week, the Rabbitohs were very, very ordinary. Some reports even mentioned the word “disgraceful”. Hmm, things are looking pretty bleak for those Bunnies at the mo. This should be a no brainer, Storm for me.
Titans - how unlucky must the Titans be feeling after last week? Fine effort to nearly pinch the chockies from the league leaders and all credit to them. Warriors proved it was a case of 3rd time lucky playing extra time golden point but can’t see them being so unlucky as to be involved in a fourth straight. Titans should have just a little too much class at Cbus this week.
Cowboys - OK, the Tigers have been pretty good in the last fortnight but they weren’t up against sides with quite the same quality as the Cowboys have. Tigers love playing at Leichhardt but the Cowboys should be riding out of town with the 2 points.
Roosters - Did the Mighty Roosters play a great game against the Broncos or were the Broncos rubbish? I’d like to think the former. We’ve had a nice long break since last Thursday night so no excuses and we should be well rested and fresh. The Panthers from Pepper will be peeved at losing that golden point game last week and might want to get some frustration out of their system and guess who fronts up to cop it! The Panthers have more to play for than we do and will be desperate for the points. Having said that, I’m gonna be really stupid here and tip my Beautiful Bondi Boys to make it 2 in a row. Yeah, yeah, I know I’m crazy but just like them, I have no chance of winning the comp and nowhere to go but upwards on the ladder. Stranger things have happened my friends. Shades of “The Twilight Zone” maybe?
OK kids, good luck with your tipping and may your team win by 40 points!
P.S. Can atheists claim on their insurance for an act of God? Hmmm…
LAST ONE ON THE COUCH
Coach, I think I might be kicked off the couch this week. Not feeling confident at all. I basically have 2 games to punt on and one of those I’m not sure about. Let’s get the pain over and done with as soon as possible and go with the Broncos this week please. Thanks mate…
Submitted by EagleROCKS on
hey there folks its eagle rocks back again!!
Before i go into my tips, might i say that i agree with the fortress this is a footy forum why bring in personal stuff we all have probs.Plus if you wanna bag our team then be ready to be bagged back yourself end of subject.
my foorty tips are:
eagles
broncos
dogs
sharks
panthers
storm
cowboys
titans
thats my tips for this week the eagles will rock on!!!
Submitted by Dinortchio on
Hi Guys , I Want to bet 1000 $ in one or two of this round so
which is more safe ?
Thanks u
Good Luck
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Fortress , Eagle and other users of that phone,
Can you see it you that can't take a bit if stirring.
We all pay out on each other's team constantly, buut if anything gets said about Manly, suddenly you are being attacked by haters.
If these constant feelings of paranoia continue, I seriously would see someone about it. (That's not having a go at you, just concern)
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Dinortchio ,
# How much you bet, doesn't affect who you bet on. The risk is yours
# Betting on NRL is riskier than driving a car
# I come last every year in the tipping, so don't believe a word Isay
Submitted by Steel Panther on
The rot set in for Konrad back in early 2014 when he filmed himself receiving oral sex in a car with a high profile tv actress. "Somehow" the video was leaked on to social media. Konrad was censured and fined $5,000 by the club. An ongoing regular thing for Konrad was he would return to pre-season training overweight. He still looks like he could drop a couple of kilos. Watch him...he makes a run then the next thing you see is him down on his haunches gasping for air. Or he feigns an injury in an attempt to get his breath back. I acknowledge though that on his day he can be a game breaker but like other players Carney, Fergusson, Monaghan to name a few sometimes a change gives a bloke a new lease of life. Simply put the Warriors just lost patience with the guy.
Submitted by tigerholic on
Fortress, you didn't say hello to me, am I on the footy outer with Coach. I can see the Titans playing finals this year, I can't see then in the top 4. Hayne will take some time to gel with the team.
How long before he decides that he has had a new dream, he wants to win the Siberian Basket Weaving Championship in 2017, never been won by an ex -NRL, Ex -NFL, Ex - Rugby Sevens, ex-half decent player.
In saying all that, if he had of signed with the Tigers, he would be top of my list. Good luck to everyone's teams this week.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
# The ultimate would be for Hayne to turn to boxing and challenge Mundine. (Why did my spell corrector want to write mundane?) Anyway these two are the biggest wanna be's ever to lace up. Bloody knock each other out.
# No worries christine although not good to be nice to each other, means we are ganging up. Would that be right Fortress?
Submitted by a on
Yes it will be hard for them
Submitted by GaryChesterUK on
I'm not part of any comp I know, but my pics this week would be:
Broncos by 12
Sea Eagles by 4
Bulldogs by 20
Raiders by 1
Storm by 24
Warriors by 2
Cowboys by 8
Panthers by 2.
Dinortchio my advice would be to make sure the Storm are putting out their best team them back them on the handicap. Currently -16 in the UK at about Even money (2.0) - on recent form they could beat The rabbits by many more than 16!
Submitted by fortresseagle on
No tiger Hollic I will talk to you look mate I know we have had our differences in the past but it's good to know we can agree to disagree about things right . All I've been saying is this is a footy forum and personal issues should. E left out.
Can u imagine if we all came on and went on about our personal problems. Our sickness I mean we would turn this site into dr phil .
It's a footy forum , people can hate me and hate my club it's fine but when someone gets on and wants to bag out my team than they should expect to be bagged out back.
Too many personal issues ,I don't know anyone on this site but I come on to talk footy sick of defending myself.
If people want to stay then stay if people want to then go it's just. Been like a soap opera ,
It's a footy forum all I've said is talk footy . But if I'm nice I get attacked and if I'm ruthless I get attacked so u can't win.
Football is the topic here let's talk footy that's it , anyway em that's all I've been saying tiger pic.
Good luck to your team I know I e tipped the cowboys. But it could go anyway tigers very tough to beat at home I thought bout it for a long time. Just think the cowboys after there loss to the storm may be hard to beat , but that does not mean your mob can't win Taylor should bite the bullit and let farah play he is a great player can turn a game in your favour.
Just like my team the mighty eagles we both have our clubs seasons on the line if they.both get up well u never know we could meet in the finals you never know any way tiger have a great day,
Keep the passion and shout loud and proud!!!!
The fortress eagle ready to fly !!!!!!!!!
Submitted by christine on
Fortress from now on you don't mention my name anymore your only stirring me & other people on this site just leave me out of it you don't respect me or other people on this site .
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