Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – Allianz Stadium
It's always risky to look at the form from one weekend in isolation, but I'm finding hard to look away from the performances of the Roosters (who were spanked) and the Rabbitohs (who spanked someone else). We could easily have a turnaround here – take note of the Rabbits seriously woeful record at this venue, and up until last weekend the Roosters form was vastly superior. But last weekend....yeeesh! No Napa, Cordnor, Pearce or Ferguson for the Chooks. Their pack is weakened and the Bunnies can name the same team that decimated the Panthers. Adam Reynolds delivered what Adam Reynolds does best...a kicking game. A spot on kicking game that had a little more variety than he has shown for much of the year. It was easily his best performance this season and a repeat of that has them winning again.
Verdict – Rabbitohs by 4
Result – Roosters by 2
Penrith Panthers vs Manly Sea Eagles – Saturday night – Pepper Stadium
On what basis has the universe determined that the Panthers deserves to be favourites on Saturday night? They were at best ordinary and at worst abysmal against the Rabbitohs last week, and now they take on a team that's been playing an awful lot better than the Rabbitohs. Daly Hyphen-Evans gets to make some sort of statement following his shock omission from the Queensland seventeen for Origin III. I understand the notion that the Panthers were embarrassed last weekend, and they'll be desperate to put on a better showing in front of their own. They're better than what they gave us last time around and I expect them to improve, but even then they're likely to fall short against a team that hasn't lost in quite some time. Even the games Manly probably shouldn't have won they have won. That's the thing about winning. Like losing, it's a little contagious. Manly are winning, Penrith are just letting everybody down.
Verdict – Sea Eagles by 8
Result – Panthers by 8
Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday night – AAMI Park
If ever you wanted to see an example of how the Origin series challenges some sides more than others look no further than this. The Storm have Smith, Cronk, Slater, Munster, Chambers and Glasby at Camp Maroon this weekend. The Eels are watching Origin on TV like the rest of us. The Storm are also getting by without the injured McLean and Welch so even their formidable forward pack is weakened at the minute. Clearly they can't be taken lightly, because this side has been taking on some of the best teams in the competition with key players missing and either beating them (Sharks) or nearly beating them (Roosters). I'm sure Bellamy has a plan to win this game and he has a team that know how to play to a plan, but with so many key men missing I'm leaning slightly to the Eels. The most important person on the park is probably Kenny Edwards – he can single-handedly lose this game for the Eels with his extraordinary moments of footballing lunacy. Providing he can limit his stupidity to less than 3 or 4 minutes the visitors can prevail.
Verdict – Eels by 4
Result – Eels by 16
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Belmore Sports Ground
I know Des Hasler signed an extension recently, but if the Dogs don't walk away from Belmore with two points on Sunday the Board would be thinking about calling him in for a chat on Monday. I like Des, and I think his players like Des, and for that reason I'm tipping them here. It's not a great reason to back a team, but I'm struggling to come up with anything else. The Knights had a really off day last round, and it wouldn't surprise me if they were much better here. Unfortunately though, their much better still tends to fall just short. The Dogs couldn't find four points on a rectangle at the minute, but someway, somehow they will graft out a win. An ugly ugly win.
Verdict – Bulldogs by 1
Result – Bulldogs by 2
Wally Lewis - round eighteen selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- ROOSTERS vs Rabbitohs
- Panthers vs SEA EAGLES
- Storm vs EELS
- BULLDOGS vs Knights
Comments
Submitted by Fortress on
Thanks tiger yes has to be done for the sake of the game we love mate hope ur well !!!!!!
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Agreed Fortress, there should be an independent audit group inside the NRL, all teams need to have player payments submitted before the end of February and then before the end of the trials period the results are published. No third party payments are to be included by the club, if VB want Cam Smith they approach Smith themselves, Any club over suffers the same penalties as we did last year, no comp points until compliant. Teams not submitting their book work are out on their ear, and amnesty for the remainder of this season, so set this up in the 2017 season and enforce it in the 2018 season.
Submitted by christine on
It's not the nrl that say they have proof it's the police that are saying they have proof ...
Submitted by christine on
Spartan warrior Good to see you get your tips in ...
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Sa-wat-dee krup,
The action this week will be at a premium with the SOO decider shortening this week’s round. As always, Newbie is salivating in anticipation for Wednesday night. But before that happens, we have a grand total of 4 games to enjoy first. Let’s get into it…
Rabbitohs - Never thought I’d be saying this but with so many of our top players missing from the side this week because of SOO duty, I’ve got a sinking feeling my BBB might get rolled Friday night. Last week’s effort against the Sharks was woeful and I’m sort of grateful that it was on a Saturday and thereby not shown on GEM. I might’ve broken something in the house (maybe the TV) if I’d managed to watch the game. I just can’t see how we can bounce back fronting up to a Rabbitohs side who are basically going to be at full strength. Why oh why couldn’t we have had the bye this week? As much as it pains me, I’ll have to tip the Bunnies this week but more than willing to lose the tipping point should my BBB get up. D’oh!
Panthers - With Trbojevic out on Origin duty and Peachey back for the Panthers, Newbie’s brain is a wee bit befuddled. This could go either way. Manly did well last week in coming back from a sizeable margin to knock off the Warriors but the Panthers would be expected to bounce back from their flogging at the hands of the Bunnies. Did the Panthers just have one of those games or are they gone? Can Manly get through this without Jake or will the juggernaut continue rolling on? Man, this is a toughie. What the hell, the home ground factor and the bounce-back factor have me picking the Panthers. Not really that confident though.
Storm - The way I see this is pretty simple. The Storm were emphatic against a quality side last week whereas the Eels needed golden point to get over the line against the Doggies. No offence intended but that formline speaks for itself. Mind you, the Storm will be missing plenty of quality players but they’ve got the job done in previous SOO rounds so I’ll stick with the Storm Troopers here. Then again, I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if the Eels did a job on the Storm. Nah, I’ll stay with the purple machine at home.
Bulldogs - The Knights let me down last week and I was genuinely surprised they lost that one by 21. Can I keep picking them in games where they have half a chance? Methinks not. Unfortunately for all you Knights fans out there, I’m thinking the wooden spoon is coming your way. That in itself is not a bad thing though. Firstly, someone has to get it and secondly, it provides “encouragement” to get the hell out of that hole. The Doggies have some big names out, Des is under the pump but they’re playing at Belmore. Shades of glories past? The Doggies should get the chocolates here but you never know with this game.
OK kids, good luck with your tipping and may your team win by 40 points! Until next week people. Cheers.
P.S. Can a stupid person be a smart-ass? Hmmm…
Submitted by GaryChesterUK on
Hi folks.
Any of you watching Super League this season? Castleford are top and playing some great rugby, throwing the ball around and scoring some exciting tries! Well worth a watch!
Submitted by Mary S on
Mr Thinker,
I was not able to enter my pick for Mr 'a's comp on the appropriate page - could you enter me in for Bulldogs this week please?
Submitted by pabdul on
thinker i was wondering who wally is tipping tonight. wwos has him on the roosters and you've got him on the rabbits.
i know he's the king but he needs to sack his royal advisor.
Submitted by lillychino on
Hi
For some reason I have no comment box on the a comp page. I have used up all my tech skills but no success. So I am posting my tips and margins for the a comp here.
I have never done margins before so here's hoping!
Good luck to Rick!
I have enjoyed the competition! Thanks Mr A!
Rabbits by 6
Sea Eagles by 4
Storm by 18( Gotta have hope!)
Bulldogs by 6
Submitted by a on
Thinker there is no box on my comp page can you please fix it
Submitted by The Thinker on
Apologies to the A Game competitors...I have fixed the issue and you can add your tips there.
Christine and Lillychino,
Your tips are noted.
Pabdul,
I'll try and check on the Wally anomaly. He might be the the King but even he's not allowed to tip both teams.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I suppose it would be another stone cutters if the King was allowed to tip both sides.
Submitted by Wally Lewis on
Roosters for me tonight. Sorry about the mix-up. Fat arthritic fingers.
Submitted by pabdul on
wise choice your highness
Submitted by a on
Hi Wally Lewis nice to see you comment I hope there is more to come in the future
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Correct there "a" - good to hear from legends and get a few blasts from the past.
Cheers - Big Pete
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Howdy Fortress - I was wondering if the new signing from Eels/Cows was training there as yet. We have Panthers out at Pepper and Salt.
We'd be used to the salt in the sand over our way.
I think DCE will set us on our way against black cats. He'll have a good reason to show his worth this year, not next.Thank heavens Saturday isn't the 13th.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Evening Doggie & Awesome J - yes lads, fair dinkum brass monkey weather. Minus 5 this morning. I can see why Bro Pabdul thinks I'm into The Man Shake. Not the Merve stuff, but The Shakin Stevens stuff.
Cheers - Big Pete
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Gee Pabdul - people get around.
I recall Steve L with blonde hair in his day - wasn't it. I knew a couple of fellows/supervisors from Carriage Cleaners Fleet Presentation - years ago, before I left.
I'm sure Brandy will light up.
Keep well - Big Pete
Submitted by pabdul on
yeah pete blond hair dirty little bugger bit like gary freeman.
the ol flammin brandy. id rather a flammin moe.
cmon baby light my fire hummin
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Cornish should have been binned for that. That's a paddling.
Submitted by tigerholic on
Is Ashley Klein a useless turd of a referee or what. How was the Burgess play the ball, the last play the ball that saw no penalty forthcoming.
Souths, where is the form from last week, if the Roosters score first then it's game over. Rabbits are all over the place without any purpose
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
How was that not just a play on for Reynolds to score. Some BS reffing from him. Checkin is just as abysmal. Ref try coming up in about 2 minutes.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Send a freaking rooster or two off and stop this crap.
Submitted by Fortress on
OK baggy for the first time we agree i guess we are in agreement for god sake the police have evidence OK where is it they have been going on about it for a year now and we were cleared on all counts last time,this is a beat up its not because its my club look at the reports read the allegations I mean come on the game is on its last legs in many aspects and don't get me wrong alot to love bout the game as well but just throwing up crap with no fact or real evidence what do you get I will tell you all what we get hogwash and when we are cleared i hope the NRL go after these maggotts!!!!
Tough win for roosters pabdul but a lot out so a dam good effort !!!!!
Must go cheers enjoy the weekend everyone!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Fortress on
What do you mean big Pete when u say DCE will show his worth this year not next year bit confused and shocked at the comment can u please explain mate thanx!!!!!!
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Not on fire Bro Pab, mo not anywhere near Merv's - Fortress will love what I've got to say.
Just came back from a couple of sherbs, part watching the match tonight and seeing some guys who have been working with us, at my workplace - off, as they leave to return to yours in P/matta.
Came past the local, up on corner from me and woe and behold, Eagle Rock was pounding out through the speakers. Hummin again mate.
Your guys hung on and of course scored first.
Souths like real rabbits mate - all over the paddock, like many here around our countryside.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Fortress read it slowly mate..........dont be shocked, it has bloody happened before.
DCE will show his real worth and value this year (as in now), to Qld selectors, now he hasn't been picked. No need to wait until next year for them to have second thoughts, as I feel, as a mate said, that others picked that side other than Kev. Walters. Have you ever thought back at politics in Qld based clubs and where DCE was heading, but never landed.
Sorry you very close maroon supporters, but there is evidence to assume others didn't want DCE in.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
I know how you feel Tigerholic.
Souths all over the place and had Chooks been at full strength, they would have been flogged.
Looking at the draw going into final rounds - Souths might be lucky to win one or possibly two games.
Submitted by pabdul on
just got back from the game its a different game when for souths when the opposition can tackle. great win by the only foundation club to play every year of the competition.
special mention to newbie if u go against your team you get what you deserve.
as hot chocolate once said everyones a winner.
Submitted by christine on
Fortress when foran came back into Australia from new Zealand the police meet him at the airport & seized his phone so ask yourself has kerian foran got any thing on his phone to do with manly still , i'm not saying they do but ask yourself the ? ok that happened when he came here to see his kids & have talks with des hassle & I read that article here on the thinkers website that the police had seized kerian foran's phone at the airport because of his involvement with eddie hasson & his gambeling problem , don't shoot the messanger i'm just reminding you of an article that was on this very site about it I think it was april & i'm not picking on your team or you in fact I have tipped manly this week ok ...
Submitted by christine on
Spelling police give me a break please ...
Submitted by fortress on
yes christine foran and hanson were delt with but not harshly enough .we were cleared of everything by auditors everything now another beat up to destry the manly brand they wont win the low life scum and now we should audit every club from top to bottom a clean up then we can all get on with life and the footy christine its crippling the game i wont stand for rorts or criminal activity weather its my club or anyone elses because why win a cheat let them audit every club and lets get on with life and footy for god sake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by fortress on
and christine you tipping the mighty eagles a wise choice i would say but penrith are desperate i just dont think that will be enough for them daley cherry evans and the boys to carve them up and maybe end there finals aspirations for 2017 and on the sidelines with u know who christine chat with u soon mate hope ur well but ur a a stong lady never give up keep the passion and the spirit bcause without it we have nothing christine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by a on
Yes Foran was invovled in match fixing I say
Submitted by christine on
Fortress I agree they should audit every club with a fine tooth comb but they are doing deals outside of the clubs off the books so how are you going to stop that to me it says the nrl haven't fixed anything they've just made it all a bigger issue so clubs & teams now do things in secret or off the books so auditing them isn't going to really solve anything , remember when dave taylor got his boat that was a deal separate to the salary cap & scott prince's house that was too so how are you going to get it all to stop really you can't they just find other ways around doing it ...
Submitted by christine on
The nrl should say no matter how good a player you are there is a limit to what you can get paid as a player & stick to it because it's never enough they just want more & more & if they don't like it then go else where ...
Submitted by christine on
I was listening to terry lamb being interved the other day & they asked him how much he was given when he played & he said $5000.00 so given how much they get now it's a joke yes the dollar value was different then but it's gone way to far & they still want more ...
Submitted by Fortress on
No big Pete disagree with u mate DCE has always showed his worth form half in the comp now and has been great in the past for a young man has had to deal with disgusting morons who hate and critics and he has risen above all that to shine playing magnifently and so is our team so big Pete sorry mate like you and all totally disagree with u OK !!!!!
The mighty eagles to hopefully crush the black cats and end there season go gettem boys!!!!!!
Submitted by pabdul on
DCE is in great form and thats to do with a pack going forward just as much as his skill. Theres nothing between cronk Pearce & the cherry. But the only reason hunt got a start wasnt because he's better but because of his utility value.
by the way christine that 5k was correct at the start but lamb finished on more than most by the time he finished up.
and lamb left to coach the tigers and the dogs took him back and are looking after him.
Submitted by christine on
Pabdul I was only quoting what Terry Lamb said in the interview of course he would have finished up getting paid more ...
Submitted by pabdul on
christine i saw the same interview on league legends. what i was trying to say is terry lamb was one of the highest paid players of his time so its irrelevant to compare what he earned when he first started.
Submitted by Fortress on
The most shocking referring performance in 4 decades 14 penalties to 4 one of Penrith try was a blatant off side and knocked on in the in goal all the commentators said it was a disgraceful decision the referee henry henanaria the dog of all dogs gifts this dump of a team who had 10 more penalties a no try we defend for 60 MTS of the game and we lose by a try the mighty eagles defence was magnificent so much guts that's why we can win the title and that's why this inept dump of a side who was gifted this game will not what a farce what a joke where is rugby league going !!!!!!!!
We will still be in the top 4 with the tigers next week at brookie but if I was a betting man if parramatta beat the storm than they will make the 8 and thank god Penrith won't please go and watch the game and see for yourselves this rubbish disgusting trailer trash referee.
Love my eagles will be back next week don't anyone worry about that goodnight!!!!!!!
Submitted by pabdul on
thinker
when good teams get surprisingly spanked like the roosters and panthers they cop it all week from fans media and especially at training. they come out the following week to prove a point and inevitably they usually win and the ones that tip against them get spanked.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Well I had a feeling, only need the BOYS and Knights to stand up and it'll be a good good weekend.
Submitted by pabdul on
baggy
first Nathan brown coach of the year then the knights to win at belmore.
your making about as much sence as a james reyne lyric.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Well way out west................. they can do the job tomorrow afternoon. And Nathan is definitely up there with the contenders, like Marlon.
Submitted by pabdul on
so brown got the dreaded spoon last year and he's odds on to defend his title.. yeah i can see your reasoning.
Submitted by Fortress on
Yes baggy u better hope henry dog pannierra doesn't referee ur team at the death and stops ur side from making the 8 then it will be a very good weekend won't it but then again u support parra what's the matta and mewcasle pabdul fair dinkum what meds is this bloke baggy on don't worry baggy we will be there but ur side still has a long way to go win lose or draw tonight good luck to your side and newcastle far out what a joke !!!!!
Submitted by Fortress on
So they beat the storm with half there team out woopie do I say !!!!!!!!!!
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