Canterbury Bulldogs vs Brisbane Broncos – Thursday night – ANZ Stadium
If the media are to be believed we have two unhappy camps here, as speculation mounts that two of the most respected coaches in the game are struggling to keep their teams together. In a role where getting sacked seems to happen every other week, Bennett (30 years) and Hasler (13 years) have never lost their job. That speaks volumes. It looks like Hasler is under the most scrutiny at the minute, given the Bulldogs start to the season and that bafflingly poor performance against the Sea Eagles in round four. Perhaps the Bulldogs want to snap up Ivan Cleary before the Tigers get their claws on him. We will wait and see. If the Broncos are unhappy they aren't playing that way, with wins or very narrow losses against the top four teams from 2016. Every game they've been involved in has been the highest quality of rugby league we've seen in the round. They've lost as many games as they've won, but they look like contenders again in 2017. Their best seventeen will take to the field on Thursday, while Matt Frawley slots in for Moses Mbye in the halves for the Dogs. The Dogs failed to trouble the scoreboard attendant against the Sea Eagles and the Broncos are a sterner test than that. If they want Hasler as their coach they'll compete and lose, and if they don't this is a gap job. Des deserves an effort – let's hope we get one.
Verdict – Broncos by 8
Result – Bulldogs 10 defeated Broncos 7
Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles – Friday night – Allianz Stadium
In the last two weeks the Sea Eagles have scored 66 points and conceded only 8 against competitive opposition. I can't get a read on that form but I can't ignore it either. That said, Friday night is a true test. The Chooks sit at the top of the table, and appear to have regained the swagger that saw the tri-colours win three successive minor premierships. Jake Friend, Blake Ferguson and Kane Evans are named on the extended bench but whether they all make the final seventeen remains to be seen. The tricolours just look too good to me, but we better keep an eye on this game just in case the Sea Eagles are the real deal.
Verdict – Roosters by 4
Result – Sea Eagles 18 defeated Roosters 12
North Queensland Cowboys vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – 1300SMILES Stadium
Jason Tenmillionolo returns for the Cowboys and adds some much-needed beef to the pack. The last time he laced on the boots he ran for 231 metres and played for 87 minutes. He's come a long way from the promising youngster that was good for 10 minute bursts here and there. It sounds like a lot of money, and let's be honest it bl00dy well is, but he's probably worth it. Lachlan Coote is back too, and while his inclusion isn't quite as important, it does complete one of the best spines (1,6,7 and 9) in the NRL. Their last performance at home was one to forget. On Friday night I expect they'll give the people up north a performance to remember.
Verdict – Cowboys by 16
Result – Cowboys 20 defeated Rabbitohs 6
Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights – Saturday afternoon – Southern Cross Group Stadium
I fear the Knights have peaked already, and for them peaking was about half a kilometre short of base camp and a long way from the pointy end of Everest. They never looked likely against the Panthers and I'm expecting a very similar result here.
Verdict – Sharks by 30
Result – Sharks 19 defeated Knights 18
Canberra Raiders vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday afternoon – GIO Stadium
Before this season kicked off I spent some time reading tea leaves and poking at the entrails of a small animal, and on the back of that research I predicted that the Eels were a top four team this season. Now I may be sexy and popular with the ladies, but I'm also humble enough to admit that occasionally, once or twice a season, I get things wrong. Perhaps I was poking around inside the wrong animal – that can happen to the best of us. Well I'm not too proud to admit that I am the best of us and I was wrong. The Raiders on the other hand are giving their all, and my top two prediction is still within the realms of possible. Now the Eels may very well give us their best performance this season and if they do they'll be winning and I'll be wrong (again), but until such time as they bring consistent football week in and week out they are making up the numbers. They've fooled me twice...they shan't be fooling me thrice. Now...where did I leave that bandicoot?
Verdict – Raiders by 14
Result – Raiders 30 defeated Eels 18
Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday night – AAMI Park
Plenty of people will be thinking of tipping the Panthers on Saturday night, and I don't blame them for a minute. But there is one important statistic you need to remember above all others – the Panthers have never won a game at AAMI Park. Sure they've been competitive at times, they've even been a touch unlucky a few times, but they never win. Tipping is about finding the winner, so the winner is...
Verdict – Storm by 7
Result – Storm 28 defeated Panthers 6
New Zealand Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans – Sunday afternoon – Mt Smart Stadium
Last week I pointed out that Foran was named for the Warriors but almost certainly wouldn't play (and that the Dragons were specials). This weekend he's been named again, and although our potato friend has doubts I'm quite certain he will play this time. That doesn't make the Warriors specials, because they never are, but I am tipping them for once. This is just their second game at Mt Smart for the season, and their first was played in apocalyptic conditions against the Storm. This is easier.
Verdict – Warriors by 10
Result – Warriors 28 defeated Titans 22
Wests Tigers vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Sunday afternoon – ANZ Stadium
Note the neutral venue tipsters, negating any advantage the Tigers may have gained if this game were taking place at Leichhardt or Campbelltown. The Tigers showed some spirit last start before the ever-professional Storm pulled away when it counted. That was better, but can they repeat the effort, and even then, is that enough? Littlejohn moves into the halves in the absence of Brooks while the Dragons name the same side that won convincingly over the Warriors. If you shop around you can get $1.80 for the Dragons and that's good shopping. Shop responsibly.
Verdict – Dragons by 8
Result – Dragons 28 defeated Tigers 6
Wally Lewis - round five selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- Bulldogs vs BRONCOS
- ROOSTERS vs Sea Eagles
- COWBOYS vs Rabbitohs
- SHARKS vs Knights
- RAIDERS vs Eels
- STORM vs Panthers
- WARRIORS vs Titans
- Tigers vs DRAGONS
Last one on the Couch competition
For those of you looking for the Coach Potato competition you can find it in the Lounge section of the website. Just click on 'The Lounge' tab at the top of the page, or you can find it here.
Comments
Submitted by christine on
Coach leave it alone now your doing it again .
Submitted by a on
Thank goodness my house did not get damage well apart from a few trees of course but Foxtel seem that get damage
Submitted by christine on
"a" we've had a few storms brewing on the website while you've been busy with the cyclone ...
Submitted by mark ashford on
Re Christine....Coach if you call her a 'hypocrite" one more time then so help me I'll drive down to Western Sydenery and poke you in the nose.
Padbul loved your story about sign on day. I guess I would have been one of those running into the tree!!
Bid Pete BX so good to hear from you. Manly is going well.
DCE is firing and so are the rest of the boys.
Did you get any of the back end of Debbie?
We've had a real flogging up here in QLD and northern NSW copped more than they should have.
So sad about the deaths and loss of property.
As Australians we will band together and get through this.
"a" and "tailspin" seem to have survived ok. thank heavens.
Remember to help your neighbours if you can.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Your not wrong there Christine.
The Mark/Spud (not Carroll) Cyclonic Affair.
Cheers and keep well - BigPete
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Thanks North of The Border Bro (Mark).
Nice to see your name in lights these days. I was blogging away during off season, but not as much as a few, as mostly EPL and A-League was going on and not many get thrills out of that. I do with A-league, as Sky Blues (Sydney FC) have the championship already wrapped up and after this round - 17 points clear on the ladder.
Yes Manly are finding their way, with what I also feel have the best yet to come. DCE is leading well. Your boys let me down this week, as it is the only loss I've got in Round 5.
No backwaters here from Debbie, but we will get rising rivers from what comes down from overflowing Qld Dams. Just watching the 7 National News and shit it is heartbreaking seeing families with furniture/carpet tossed out of their pride of place.
I can now sympathise with The Caribbeans/Florida/New Orleans USA and so forth, with the tornadoes they get.
Yes Aussies band together (they do it well) and I see it here with SES volunteers I know with floods and bushfires.
Keep well and in touch
Big Pete
Submitted by Coach Potato on
So threatening violence is all part of playing the victim?
This place keeps getting funnier.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Get in the car and drive then.
You are a hypocrite yourself if you think it's all good that you bag a team after a loss, but it's not ok for me.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Hi Big Pete
Yes my boys let me down too. And no doubt many other punters.
Des is an amazing Coach, I should have seen it coming.
All that nonsense in the media about him about to be sacked.
Seriously would you sack Dessie whichever club he coached?
Pete where is our Manly tragic mate who likes to take on Coach?
C'mon I cant do it on my own.
Submitted by mark ashford on
You bag a person Coach, who as we all know is a vulnerable person.
I repeat my call you are an uncaring bully who should apologise to Christine.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
When people are being hypocritical, what is wrong with saying so?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
how is pointing out hypocrisy anything to do with bullying behaviour?
Submitted by a on
Yep I read them Coach Can I give you some advice while I appreciate what you do there is really no need to fight with other people like Mark and Christine and other people are not hypocritical they have a right to comment they are entitled to Ha e their own opions you just can't call it bullshit just remember this okay Coach and let's get back into football
Submitted by Coach Potato on
what is this uncaring rubbish?
Just because christine tells of her medical condition, doesn't mean everyone else must be in perfect health.
Submitted by mark ashford on
What because Christine came to my defence she is somehow a hypocrite?
Post your address, fool and I'll give you a visit.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
bullshit, rubbish etc,
They are just words that say I totally don't agree.
It's nothing to do with the person.
It's not agreeing with what they said.
And everyone else seems able to do that right?
Why am I not allowed?
Submitted by pabdul on
just got back from anz. who would of thought that manly v dragons would be a blockbuster in rd6.
cant wait for anzac day when the mighty roosters play the in form canberra rejects.
Submitted by a on
As I said before Coach no one is a hypocrite Christine is allowed to defend Mark it's really disappointing that it had to com to this back on my visit I really want to talk about football please don't break a friendship with any of us please
Submitted by Coach Potato on
For an English expert you sure have trouble reading.
The context of my comments were in reference to people being able to say what they want, but somehow when I do the same it's bullying.
If that's not hypocrisy, then the dictionary is mistaken.
Post yours and save yourself a trip.
Submitted by a on
Well because it's not Coach I think your the one being a hypocrite
Submitted by a on
Also can be please get back to normal before the Thinker gets us into trouble we don't want to be sin binned so for the love for god just get along
Submitted by mark ashford on
We all know Christine is a special person on this site.
She has been here from the very
beginning.
Not only is it important to have female posters here but we all know she has serious medical problems.
We should all be supportive of Chris and welcome her posts.
Nothing she has said is hypocritical and you Coach should be ashamed of your continual bullying.
If I had a choice I would take Chris over 20 of "Coach's' stats, "Who's left on the Couch" etc.
Show your kind side Coach if you have one.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
What the hell do you know of everyone else's medical conditions on this page? Only one has told about theirs. Who's to say that her condition is worse than someone elses?
Submitted by mark ashford on
"a" and Tailspin welcome back here and so pleased to hear you have not suffered too badly with "Debbie'
"a" I'm only defending Chris as I think Coach is a dick etc in his calling her on many occasions a hypocrite.
Chris has supported you on many occasions, don't forget that.
Submitted by Johnny Awesome on
Hi all Mr Coach Potato is not fighting with anyone. He is just expressing his views as he did with me and my chook raffle. You have to remember he could start an argument with a statute in museum but guess what? He can't tip. When it comes to tipping he hasnt got a pot to do a wee in or a window to throw it out of. He is clueless. But clueless as he's ok. Just look at yourself as a charity worker to help him and you are coming to add a cup of water to his soup. I can't help but like the bugger. Cheers from Mr Awesome
Submitted by mark ashford on
Well there you go. Coach has shown his ignorance.
We all know and so do you Crunce Mashed that Chris suffers from an advanced form of MS. and suffers badly from it.
No compassion Coach? Or do you suffer from some sort of brain malfunction you haven't told us about.
Submitted by Johnny Awesome on
Goodnight all, catch up later, remember this is a pretty good forum, thank you Mr Thinker, stay light. It's time for me to put out the fire and call the dogs cheers from Mr Awesome.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Evening football folks
Looks like the sooner I put this round to bed the better. I've updated the tipping comp and the NRL ladder. Congratulations to our top scorers in round five – SeaEagle47 and BigPeteBx who both scored 7 from 8. SeaEagle47 also took out the little side competition following on from his perfect round in round four. He picks up an NRL cap for his trouble – probably a Manly one but I'll try to track him down and confirm.
Keep your eyes open for another extra little competition in the weeks ahead. I'll have a couple of State of Origin caps to give away.
I'll have the round six page published soon and will have my previews and selections published by Wednesday at the latest.
And remember what Bill Clinton once said – there is nothing that is wrong with rugby league that can't be fixed by what is right with rugby league.
Goodnight and peace be with you all.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Hey Mark A - if I'd have read Pabdul's post about the weather at ANZ, I would have changed my tip, because Bulldogs love the mud/wet.
Broncs love the sun and sand. Des knows how to turn a team around. Has been good at it. quite often!
I wouldn't sack him and he wasn't sacked at Manly either, he only signed another contract, supposedly before a grand final (g/f) and didn't let the "cat out of the bag", until post g/f.
Fortress Eagle gone missing in action. Haven't heard a word from him.
I know he would be copping it now, especially after Brooky having a name change, but that was part of contractual obligations to Lottoland.
Maybe, just maybe, Thinker can send him an SOS to get off the beach or away from the optometrist and into some real sand and surf in NRL Thinker Banter.
We've got the Drags this week and you guys another revenue raiser with Thurs/Fri night game against Chooks.
Good luck Champ.
Keep well and beware of the high tides around Gold Coast and Nthn NSW water flows.
Cheers - Big Pete
Submitted by a on
Yes I think it's great that Christine is on the site I love to have females on the site they are great people she's a great person.
Submitted by christine on
Thinker I would appreciate it if you could do anything to stop coach provoking me & others on your website ?
Submitted by Fortress on
Hello everyone out there in footy land hi to big Pete,mark ashford,rocket ,Christine .coach and all the rest .the mighty eagles soaring stunning gritty win over the chooks the last 3 weeks have been fantastic keep it up boys and well done Trent . sending out all the best to the people suffering from the cyclone my heart goes out to you all ."a" and all the rest of you up there hope your all safe and well I guess sometimes footy isn't so important when we have a tradgedy like this stick together everyone we are all thinking of you ,we do what us Aussies do best lend a helping hand.
Big Pete and mark good to hear from you both big games comming up this week we have the drag queens and mark you guys have the chooks 2 blockbusters.
Coach its only early in the season you guys have a few out but your mob will be there when the whips are cracking,I like footy talk coach your good at that let's stick to footy and may the best team win we all have an opinion and we all support the greatest game of all.
Christine hope your well keep strong.
So from the golden sands of manly beach this is the fortress of the mighty sea eaglessssssssssss
Submitted by christine on
Coach i'm no more of a hypocrite than you are a control freak ...
Submitted by a on
Yes coach you the hypocrite not Christine she's amazing she been on the site longer than you
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Back to my week 5 theory.
Here is the wrap.
For the uninitiated my theory is that teams 1 to 4 after week 5 will usually make the semis. 90% success rate. 36 teams of the last 40 (so the last 10 years worth of this stat) have played in September.
Congrats to September bound
1. Melbourne
2. St George - Illawarra (??!)
3. Sydney
4. North Queensland
Paul McGregor's job seems to be as safe as a house right now.
What a difference an off-season can make.
At the other end, my theory holds the same amount of water regards the bottom 4 teams after week 5. They rarely make the semis. Likewise 90% chance of now missing the semis.
The only result that could keep the Bulldogs out of the bottom 4 was a Warriors win by 6 or less. Warriors by 6, got them out by a single point.
The last 4 sadly show as
13. Warriors
14. Titans
15. Knights
16. Tigers
#Bill C would have taken one look at this site and said Blow That
Submitted by a on
On another note you know how we love to have competitions well while the power out I thought of one yes I did I was busy do you want to know what it is
Submitted by Coach Potato on
#Hypocrite.
Statistically one of the least comprehended words in the English language.
Thinker.org - Exhibit A.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Well, well, well - look what The Chooks rounded up.
Where you been hibernating at Fortress?
We never met in off-season mate, Corso or The Golden Sands.
Guys starting to put things together and then along comes SoO 1.
But if we hang out, it will be interesting to see what makes up the NSW side first match.
Where's Eagle Rock these days, or was that you under two names Fortress. Lets not start that again, ay Coach.........no, you didn't start it, but I think you had the money on what was going on and brought it out in the open.
Good to see you here again Fortress......I try to post when I can, but with heaps going on, weekends are the better,
Cheers - Big Pete
Submitted by pabdul on
hey coach i have a week 5 theory.
if your in the bottom 4 tipsters you are 90% less chance of getting on with everyone.
Submitted by christine on
"a"& mark & big pete & fortress glad your back fortress just to up date you all there is still no treatment for my ms available yet in this country & instead of being made by my o t to get a wheelchair my neuro has said they don't want me to use one they want me to get a scooter instead because I may not have the strength in my arms later on to use a wheelchair but hopefully that's a long way off , I can still walk & drive & coach keep your comments to yourself I don't want to hear from you at all you've done enough damage & if you don't have anything nice to say to people then say nothing coach it's not that hard .
Submitted by a on
Yep Me Christine Mark Big Pete and Fortress all have the right to comment and there's nothing you can do about it Coach so can we get back to normal and be friends
Submitted by christine on
You really are your own worst enemy coach seriously whats wrong with you that you have to pick on someone with a disability & a condition that stress makes worse , get a life coach stats aren't everything stats are meant to be broken , mark & ''a'' are right I've been on this website since it first started & I don't have to put up with garbage from you .
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Not being healthy doesn't mean you can say what you like either.
I contribute just like others do.
When I copped it from others after Panthers went down, did you think they were bullying me? ... No?
Why not? Its the same stuff I say?
If I think that's pretty hypocritical, than damned if I shouldn't say so.
Submitted by a on
Yep I agree with you Christine to Coach and other people who pick on Christine cause she has a disability Inthink I will confess that I have one too I have autism yes this is not joke I being serious so you see Chrynot the only one with a disability remember this I have one too
Submitted by christine on
Guys ( mark , ''a'' , big pete , fortress ) thanks for all your support I really do appreciate it .
Submitted by a on
Thanks Christine and remember what I said up above that she's not the only person with a disability just remember I have one too
Submitted by Coach Potato on
When have I ever picked on christine?
I said something she said was hypocritical.
How is that picking on someone?
let's not forget. We're all human. We all be dust sometime. Not just one of us.
Submitted by pabdul on
my first post was telling the coach im a fan but he twisted my words and made me sound homophobic and that was in the first week. but i haven't heard him say anything directed at anyones disabilities he's just saying things directed at their comments. i deal with worse everyday at work. just give it back its only words and if its getting to hot use the kitchen door.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
For God's sakes. Finally someone who sees what's going on around here.
Been feeling like a westerner in an Egyptian courthouse til now.
You're a friggin Rooster an all, but I'll take it.
Submitted by christine on
"a" which cyclone is worse this one your in now or the one you just survived ? because I've only just started & sorry to hear " a " you've got autism but the ndis is coming even for people with autism , i'm now on the ndis people with my illness & there is a lot of us with it some worse than others & some not as bad even though all types of ms are for the rest of your life you can never get rid of it people with conditions like torrets & autism will be eligible for the ndis depending on where you live ( which state ) & degree of condition but they assign you an assessor who you have to provide medical proof to them from your doctors but if you qualify you will be given funding so the government pays for things to help you not your family but they don't pay for everything of course "a" ...
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