Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys – Thursday night – Southern Cross Group Stadium
I'm assuming, and it's an important assumption, that Thurston won't be playing on Thursday night (tipsters take note that he's named on an extended bench). Michael Morgan reminded Origin selectors he was available with a scintillating performance against the Bulldogs – having Granville and Coote makes a world of difference. I expected the Cowboys pack to struggle against the Bulldogs but I was clearly wrong. This week they have to step up once again and they'll take confidence out of the performance last week. They're in this, but back-to-back away wins against big packs seems a big ask to me. Given their overall record at Shark Park (33% win rate) I'm leaning, reluctantly I have to say, to the home side. The Sharks aren't playing anywhere near their best but they keep doing enough to win. If they improve Paul Gallen could be lifting another premiership trophy. I did a little vomit in my mouth as I wrote that. Bleugh!
Verdict – Sharks by 4
Result – Sharks by 4
New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Friday night – FMG Stadium (Waikato)
The Warriors will be pleased to be home where they've won their last three games and lost only once all season, although home for them in round eleven is in Waikato and their record in New Zealand away from Mt Smart isn't flash. These sides met in round four and the Dragons won convincingly but a few things have changed since then. Foran pulled out of that game during the warm-up which wouldn't have helped. Let's assume he gets through the stretching drills this weekend. Matulino is a very handy addition on the Warriors bench given the Dragons formidable forwards. No Mannering though...which is a concern. The round four Dragons included Widdop, Dugan and Aitken, and what's left of their backline needs to find a way to score points. They were arguably the better side against the Sharks in round ten but couldn't win. Scoring points has been an issue for the Dragons in recent seasons and I'm concerned they may be drifting that way again as the season wears on. That said, I'm tipping them in what is apparently an upset. I think that Dragons pack will simply bulldoze over the top of the Warriors on Friday night. Paul Vaughan should, on form, be wearing an Origin jersey this season – but for which team? He was born in Canberra, played all his junior footy in Canberra and started his professional career with the Raiders. I better give Kevvie Walters a call – I may have found Queensland a very good prop forward.
Verdict – Dragons by 4
Result – Dragons by 16
Brisbane Broncos vs Wests Tigers – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium
The Wests Tigers have won just five games against the Broncos in their history but, rather surprisingly, four of those wins were at Suncorp. If they win again they'll be winning without Mitchell Moses whose transition to the Eels starts this weekend. The other big three have been named. Jimmy the Jet is back for the Broncos and Ben Hunt has been named on an extended bench. I'm sure Hunt would like an opportunity before the Origin squads are named so don't be surprised if he gets the call up. The Broncos have lost just once at home this season – to the Cowboys in extra time. Better teams than the Tigers have walked away from Suncorp with their tails between their legs this season. I expect the Tigers (who do have tails) will be doing the same. I mentioned it somewhere in the comments somewhere but I'll mention it here too. Matt Gillett is the best forward in the game right now. I exclude Cameron Smith from the group I define as 'forwards' on a technicality. Smith is however, the best accountant in the game...ever (apologies to Geoff Toovey).
Verdict – Broncos by 10
Result – Broncos by 36
Gold Coast Titans vs Manly Sea Eagles – Saturday night – Cbus Super Stadium
Last week the Titans conceded 36 points to the Melbourne Storm and they still won. It was an astonishing scoreline for a couple of reasons. Firstly, teams don't score 36 points and lose too often (that's the third highest losing tally ever) and secondly, the last time the Storm conceded 38 points or more was way back in round four of 2014. Now this wasn't some Origin depleted Storm side either, and for that reason the Titans have to come away from that game feeling ten foot tall and bullet proof. Manly flew the boxes against the Broncos shortly thereafter but then went back into the boxes for the last 65 minutes. They back up from an away game in Brisbane with an away game on the Gold Coast. Would they stay up here for the whole week or travel home in between? Either way it's a logistical challenge. Tom Trbojevic is unavailable and he isn't the be-all and end-all of the Sea Eagles attack but he's a very important cog. At Brookie this would be a toss of the coin decision, but on the Gold Coast it's the Titans for me.
Verdict – Titans by 8
Result – Sea Eagles by 20
Parramatta Eels vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – ANZ Stadium
I used to have a bit of a theory about the Raiders – that theory being they usually lose when everyone expects them to win. They reminded us last weekend that the theory still has legs. Whether they respond to that wake-up call with a more typical Raiders performance this weekend remains to be seen. The Eels are without Corey Norman for a while, but this is still a competitive side and there are some handy inclusions this week in Bevan French, Beau Scott and Brad Takairangi. The other big inclusion is Mitchell Moses with a mid-season switch from the Tigers to the Eels. He's named on an extended bench but it wouldn't surprise to see him thrown straight into a starring role. In any case I'm with the Raiders and a form reversal, and a big game from Josh Papalii for his club and the Origin selectors. If both teams bring their best it's the game of the round.
Verdict – Raiders by 4
Result – Raiders by 6
Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers – Sunday afternoon – McDonald Jones Stadium
The Panthers realise they have to turn up to play on Sunday afternoon, given the Knights astonishing win over the Raiders in round ten. Mind you, the Panthers are a $1.28 favourite, and that's skinny for a team running 14th playing away from home. While I won't be backing them I will be tipping them. A standing ovation for the Knights and their victory last weekend...and how good are their fans for continuing to push through the turnstiles? You can only applaud their effort and resilience. Winning two in a row isn't beyond them, but a competitive loss looks more likely.
Verdict – Panthers by 4
Result – Panthers by 10
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Sydney Roosters – Sunday afternoon – ANZ Stadium
Everyone: How good were the Roosters last weekend?
The Thinker: They were good. They were very good.
Everyone: What was wrong with the Bulldogs last weekend?
The Thinker: They were wrong. There were very wrong.
Verdict – Roosters by 20
Result – Roosters by 6
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm – Sunday night – NIB Stadium
There are no shortage of teams with a poor record against the Storm, and unfortunately for the Bunnies their record is close to the worst. 26 times they have met for 22 purple victories. Sadly for the Bunnies the Storm are coming off a loss, and I almost never tip against the Storm if they are coming off a loss. I mentioned earlier how rare it is for the Storm to leak as many points as they did against the Titans, and Bellyache will be drilling them on their defence all week. With the ball in hand the Storm were fantastic. Providing they hold their form in attack, and improve their defence they are close enough to a good thing. I can't possibly take $1.28 about the Panthers when I can take $1.38 about the Storm. Gamble responsibly.
Verdict – Storm by 16
Result – Storm by 8
Wally Lewis - round eleven selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- SHARKS vs Cowboys
- WARRIORS vs Dragons
- BRONCOS vs Tigers
- TITANS vs Sea Eagles
- Eels vs RAIDERS
- Knights vs PANTHERS
- Bulldogs vs ROOSTERS
- Rabbitohs vs STORM
Comments
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
What about Serendipity where you and Pete are the two halves of that dollar torn in half?
Submitted by pabdul on
haha very funny baggy.
going by our chats i think we'd be better off on Gilligan's island with ginger and mary anne.
besides mrs howell probably went alright as mr howell could of had anyone but wad infatuated with lovey.
im pretty sure pete is bx not bi.
Submitted by Taka on
Hi The Thinker,
Here is my tips for round 11;
Sharks by 2
Warriors by 8
Broncos by 14
Titans by 4
Raiders by 20
Knights by 6
Bulldogs by 10
Storm by 8
Thank you.
Submitted by Spartan Warrior on
Greetings from the Spartan Warrior,
When the offer of surrender was refused by King Leonidas, Xerxes warned a thousand nations of the Persian empire will descend upon you. ‘Our arrows will blot out the Sun’.
Leonidas replied: “Good, then we will fight in the dark”.
In rugby league, the first step to victory relies on defence. In Sparta, defence against adversity began at home. The land itself is inanimate and on its own the land is barren, but it is the families, the women and children that bring life to it.
As in life, as in sport, as in rugby league, real growth begins at home. The families that support rugby league in both the cities and the country areas must never be taken for granted. These families are the seeds to success.
The Spartan Warrior has spoken.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
You missed my point, Kate beckinsdale gave her phone number to John cusack, but only half of it. The other half was dropped into a charity bucket. End of the movie they get the two halves together and end up reconnecting. Like you and your long lost brother Pete.
Submitted by pabdul on
sorry mate never saw the movie and when you said john cusack i realise why.
even the spartan warrior was making sense. he's on about arrows blocking out the sun. i think he's trying to tell us how the amco cup started
Submitted by a on
What are you talking about Spartan
Submitted by christine on
"a" notice Spartan doesn't put in tips because if he did we would know weather it is coach or not ...
Submitted by Spartan Warrior on
Greetings from the Spartan Warrior,
Master a, the success of any sport begins at the seeds that are planted, the roots that develop from those seeds, finally the foundation. Good soil reaps a fine harvest both in the city and the country.
The seeds are the young children learning to play the game, the roots are the families that support it, the foundation is the fan base men, women, children. Without this structure, as in Sparta, the kingdom will suffer.
The Spartan Warrior has spoken. I bid you all adieu.
Submitted by christine on
"a" ignore it , it will go away ...
Submitted by a on
Here are my tips
Cowboys by 4 I think the Cowboys will win back to back against the Sharks
Warriors by 2 I think the Warriors will win in a thriller here
Broncos by 14 I think Broncos will win easy here
Titans by 2 I think Titans will win in a thriller here
Eels by 1 I think the Raiders are hopeless here
Panthers by 12 I think the Knights will never ever win back to back
Roosters by 4 I think the Bulldogs miss Renyolds too much
Storm by 6 Storm never ever lose back to back games
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Hey Pabdul - r u on a few days off or something Bro.
I was speaking to East Leagues the other day - fair dinkum as I phoned for some goods that I get each year for ones I work with............thought of you and Bunny and Artie - both worked there. I think Artie was the chief food tester there, or so the joke goes.
Russell F wasn't allowed in due to his glowing locks. Bloody good at rah rah he was as well. Something about it, maybe the style, but I liked Johnny Brass (he was awesome, but not the one we know from here), as well as ones I mentioned before.
Cheers mate and keep the dream alive!!!!!!!
Big Pete
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Baggy/Pabdul - Big Pete is balls and all - not bi.
Never forget when I was in Townsville years ago on my first visit there. We went to a pool den, as my mate was a bit of a gun snooker player from here. There was a TSI called Charlie wearing a pink t-shirt and on the back it had printed - "What a night I had with Tracey". Of course it reflected back to Cyclone Tracey.
So Alan Hale aka as McHale (from navy days with PT73) would be proud of Pabdul and the mention of the lovely island where Bob Denver was the village idiot.
Cheers - Pete
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Never fear young Baggy - Pabdul and I connect like friends and others here. Good to see on the site, as I cant seem to come to grips with that medieval shit that the Spartan keeps banging on about.
I know who he is, as for the short time I've been here, his body language is identical to that of the long lost Mulgoa Spud, shooting arrows (NOT Little Arrows or any Leapy Lee stuff or humming either) into the rumps of those who don't need it.
Cheers mate and beware of The Raiders, as Spartan might be their water boy.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Padbul
I'm glad you saw my ad in the CM.
Only there were a couple of typos and a glaring omission.
They missed the part about "miss Australia" and the age requirement 20 to 30 was also left out. As a 60 odd year old I'm demanding my money back.
Saw a news item today where the coppers had seized a quizzellion of drugs. Was it at Spartan Warriors house? only time will tell.
Personally I preferred Achilles although some people said he was a bit of a heel.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Yes Pabdul - Spartan might be reliving Amco Cup, but to this day he never acknowledged how our mighty Western Division cannon-balled the Chocolate Soldiers into Leichhardt Oval.
I even put him onto the book that was published by Ian Heads and released a couple of years ago now. Good reading it is.
But typical of his manner - never even gave it a thought of thanks.
Let him go play Thor or Ben His with himself and may the chariots horses, pass over him peacefully.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Hey Mark - was Achilles a bootlegger as in illegal spirits trade.
Take nothing from The Bootleg Family..........they made great music to have a swill by.
Keep well "old" son.
Big Pete
Submitted by mark ashford on
Can't believe you guys are still talking about the mashed potato man.
Surely he's done and gone.
Coach if you're still posting here under false names, why not grow a set and declare yourself.
You never had a problem being offensive....so why hide?
Submitted by mark ashford on
Big Pete
"Your mama don't dance and your daddy don't rock"n"roll"
The bootleg family yes man. Although I don't think Achilles had anything to do with them.
Unless any of them did their "Achilles" while dancing.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Enough nonsense.
Back to the footy.
Sorry "a" but I have tipped the Sharks to get over the Cowboys.
Warriors to sneak home over the Dragons.
Broncos to have a good win over the Tigers
Thought about this one for a while but the Titans to sneak home over the Sea Eagles (sorry Fortress and Big Pete)
Raiders to overcome the Eels.
Panthers to get another win over the Knights.
Roosters to get over the hapless Dogs.
AND Storm to redeem over the Rabbits.
Good luck to all your teams!
Submitted by Johnny Awesome on
Hi all,
All good Big Pete, catch up next time at the footy. Still not sure regarding my tips. Mr Thinker has actually got me thinking. Fair dinkum, he's rubbing off on me. Not sure about some his choices this round so I'll hold off till tomorrow before they go in.
Cheers from Mr Awesome
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Mark A -
Out of the car longhair.........hmmmmmmm, no nonsense in this mate.
Good to have a some friendliness that abides here on Thinker site.
Better than what was with the SourPuss Panther.
Submitted by pabdul on
sorry old man ashford u could tell them if they last a year you can get them a spot on the thinkers site. youll be almost sponge worthy
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Johnny A - don't go thinkering too hard mate.
We don't want a brain snap. We get some of that here you know.
I check some sites for odds and then I make a plunge for my tips to go in.....that is, when I arrive home, the afternoon they are due.
Nice and fresh up this way mate.
Submitted by Johnny Awesome on
Hi all,
Just wondering has anyone got any thoughts on a Perth team? Talk has it that it may be a possibility in 2020 or 2021. I'm sort of wondering where the first grade players will come from. We've got Newcastle rebuilding, Titans are three quarters way there. Let's face it there's heaps of talent but it takes at least three years to start being competitive. Brisbane and Melbourne have been the only exceptions.
Cheers from Mr Awesome
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Hey Pabdul - my apologies on poor old Gilligan and when I quoted McHales PT73.
That was Ernie Borgnine like a movie he starred in and the song.....start humming mate.
Strike One, two three and your out in the Oldddddd Balllllll Gaaaaammme.
Borgnine played a good part in Convoy as Sherrif Lyle.
What about Jackie Gleeson in The Honeymooners and BJ and The Bear.
Cheers Little Buddy - gotta move, but I'll Be Back.
Big Pete
Submitted by Johnny Awesome on
Hi all,
Haven't been travelling too well with my tips lately Big Pete. Yep my current tipping could bring a tear to a glass eye. Time to take a bit more stock methinks.
Cheers from Mr Awesome
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Hey Awesome J - on Perth team.
I had a chin wag about this months ago. Western Reds were here before, around same period that Adelaide had a team in our comp and then became defunct. Couple of Oberon boys were over there and were playing for them.
I'd hate to be paying all the air fares for their participation.
I know they love their soccer and afl over there and are crying out for NRL matches. Will be interesting to see, as to where they get their players from.
Submitted by Johnny Awesome on
Hi all,
Players of NRL standard, exactly Big Pete. There is heaps of talent but it takes time to get them blooded. On another note finances play a big part. You have two clubs owned by the NRL that deserve an Independant owner. It's hard to sell a club these days. I'll tell what might work, if you bring in an extra team bring in 4 instead and create a two their system like English soccer.
Cheers from Mr Awesome
Submitted by mark ashford on
Padbul
If they last a year they are more than "sponge worthy" what the hell does that mean. Have you been visiting with Spartan Warrior?
Submitted by Johnny Awesome on
Dearly me, I meant two tier system. Looks like the spell check works on this phone, but my eyes ain't. Cheers from Mr Awesome
Submitted by Johnny Awesome on
Fairdinkum now the spell gave me dearly not deary. Cheers from Mr Awesome
Submitted by pabdul on
ashford u obviously never watched seinfeld cant say on here look it up.
Submitted by Johnny Awesome on
Hello all,
Mr Pabdul, I wasn't a fan of that episode. One of my favourites was the soup nazi one.
Cheers from Mr Awesome
Submitted by pabdul on
yeah jawesome that was the best episode.... jambalaya
Submitted by pabdul on
ashford the spatan warrior has inspired me.
im getting a dog soon and im going to call it king leonardis
Submitted by mark ashford on
Well I was never a Seinfeld fan. Gotta say I was never a fan of American Sitcoms so you got me there Padbul but still have no idea what you meant.
We follow the Americans in all respects like sheep what a shame.
Look at our free to air TV programs just American copies.
I prefer British crime dramas or travel programs.
So called "realty programs" copied from American tv are taking over our free to air tv.
Bit of a shame we have to copy something poor, when we could do our own thing here but better.
Submitted by pabdul on
first im surprised your still awake and second british comedys rule.
on the buses. fawlty towers. are u being served and so on and yes ....im free
Submitted by mark ashford on
Padbul
I doubt any council in Australia would give you the right to own a dog.
RSPCA has spoken and you are barred. The name did it.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Paddy - I told you to keep the Irish out of it.
No dogs!!!!!
Should have just told Mark A that you were getting a pony, there wouldn't be an issue with it.
Submitted by pabdul on
sorry im lost pete...please explain
Submitted by christine on
"a" I just put my tip in for your A game comp in the lounge i'm tipping storm this week ...
Submitted by christine on
Guys remember the rspca is against animal cruelty & so am I ...
Submitted by Mary S on
Paddul - you are probably expensive - not free. I agree that the Brits certainly do the best comedy by far!
Have a good week everyone and luck with your tipping!!
Cheers,
Mary S
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Sorry Padbul,
It would have been confusing, as you didn't mention dogs/woofs.
Ok - lets see if this is any better.
Padbul - short Pad = Paddy.
Paddy is Irish.
Irish Setters, Irish Wolfhounds etc = Dogs.
Mark follows Broncs = Pony's
I probably should have just wrote - how has Petersham been for you.
Big Pete
Submitted by pabdul on
are you free big pete ....im free
are you free mr ashford...im free
are you free mary s... no shes priceless
thurston dosent travel for no reason
Submitted by pabdul on
ok now were on the same twin thingy.
i start Petersham next week and i promise to keep u posted. not that its a biggy but is pabdul that hard to spell ive been called padbul probaly a cool hang out for cows piddel now thats just taking the piss. pimpal weve all been there. Rudolph the red nose reindeer no i just made that up. i think its like an optical illusion
Submitted by Tailspin on
Hey everyone, my hat is off to you Thinker for last weeks effort, but hoping you have a few wrong this week.
Cowboys were back in form last week, jesus doesn't Granville and Coote make a difference. Even without JT, I'm backing the boys to win by 4
Warriors at home and hurting from their second half performance last week will win by 10
Broncos by 50+, Tigers are gone.
Titans by 8, wow, how good were they against the Storm, with a very depleted injury ridden side.
I'm going the Raiders here by 6 but with no real confidence.
I really want to back the Knights here, thinking their confidence will be high sky, but on the same token, the Panthers will take a lot out of their come back performance against the Warriors and on paper you have to go with the Panthers by 4
Roosters by 14
Storm by 18
Hope you all have a good weekend of footy
Cheers from Tailspin.
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hi everyone,
Just pick ‘em quick and go with the gut? A lot of good that did me last week. Aye Carumba! Well at least I feel content in the knowledge that I’m providing a good foundation for the tipping ladder. More than happy to be down the bottom propping everyone else up. Nah, seriously, having great fun this year (as always) and always look forward to the challenge. That being said, let’s get into it …
Sharks - as good as the Cowboys were last week, Cronulla were pretty good knocking off the Dragons and are ticking along nicely. Sharks for me.
Dragons - the Dragons have lost 3 in a row against top notch opposition and are due. That’s good enough for me.
Broncos - the Broncos came back well last week to knock off Manly and the Tigers were rubbish against the Bunnies (how wrong did I get that one eh?). Can’t see anything except a Broncos win here.
Manly - the only question I have is whether the Titans can replicate last week’s effort again this week. I’m thinking Manly might just address whatever the problem was in their 2nd half fizzle last week and get back in the winners circle. Sea Eagles for mine.
Raiders - Crikey Moses! I’m actually finding it hard to decide in this one. Both got beaten last week, one by the bottom side and the other an absolute flogging. Toss of the coin for mine. What the heck, I’ve got a 50-50 chance of getting this right. I’ll go the Raiders.
Panthers - honestly, I think the Panthers have the better chance of stringing together 2 in a row than the Knights have. Mind you, knocking off the Raiders was pretty impressive in my view and kudos to the Knights for that. I’ll stick with the Panthers in this one but confidence level only so-so.
Roosters - after last week’s efforts from both of these sides, only a madman would tip against my BBB. Roosters all the way and all day. Begurk!
Storm - how the hell can the Storm score 36 points in a game and still lose? Mama Mia! Can’t imagine they’d let that happen again this week. Yes, the Bunnies did well last week but this will be much tougher. Only query is how the Storm will handle NIB over here in Perth. Can’t remember how they travel here but I do know that Souths don’t mind the place. I’ll go the Storm Troopers to get back on track.
@ BigPeteBx …. Good to see someone interested in (and mentioning) the upcoming FA Cup Final. Newbie hasn’t missed watching an FA Cup Final in 40 years. Yeah bro’, that makes me extremely ancient. Young in heart and attitude but old numerically. Newbie’s been a Gooner (Arsemal) man since he was 14 years old and truly believes the boys will knock off Chelsea. I’m hoping for a 2-0 or 2-1 result. Bring it on!
@ Spartan Warrior …. I get it mate. Sorry guys but I’m lovin’ the insightful dialogues put forward by the SW. Give me at least one post like that each week and I’ll be content. Thank you Sir!
OK kids, good luck with your tipping and may your team win by 40 points! Until next week people. Cheers.
P.S. If a baby's leg pops out at 11:59PM but his head doesn't come out until 12:01, which day was he born on? Hmmm…
Submitted by newbie from perth on
D'oh! Just realised I've made a typo by telling everyone I'm an Arsemal man. Actually, truth be told, I'm an Arsenal man. Bloody typos! Hope that's not a portent of bad things to happen...
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