Round nine selections

Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers – Thursday night – Suncorp Stadium

The Panthers were pre-season premiership favourites but have won only twice this season, and only against poor opposition. We salivated at the potential of this Panthers backline but they've scored only ten tries in those six losing games. Something is missing. Trent Merrin has earned himself another Test jersey but he's missed 14 tackles in his last three games. He has some (bad) company in that Panthers pack as Campbell-Gillard and Peter Wallace have been found out in defence in recent weeks too. I expect the Broncos to focus on that, with Milford and Nikorima ready to expose the Panthers right up the hi-diddle diddle. The Broncos have had an extra day to prepare and are preparing at home. The logical tip.

Verdict – Broncos by 8

Result – Broncos 34 defeated Panthers 18

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles – Friday night – Allianz Stadium

Note that the Rabbitohs are playing this home game away from home, although Manly fans are notoriously poor travellers so the Bunnies should have the majority of the support in the crowd. The shoulder charge by Burgess (George) was deemed worse than the shoulder charge by Burgess (Sam).  George takes a seat on the sideline as a consequence. Manly have surprised most of us (especially me) with the quality and consistency of their performances this season. I have to accept they'll turn up to play...and they're good enough. The Cherry-Evans/Green partnership in the halves is working, and their fullback has slotted in to fill the space once filled by Brett Stewart. The local lad looks like he'll be wearing the number one jersey on the northern beaches for the next decade. This is a football team, and I'm tipping them here.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 4

Result – Sea Eagles 46 defeated Rabbitohs 8

North Queensland Cowboys vs Parramatta Eels – Friday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

All eyes will be on the Cowboys line-up on Friday night, with Jonathan Thurston named on the extended bench. Rugby League may be a team game, but Thurston is among a handful of players that can make a mockery of that truth. I've tipped against the Eels in their last two victories and I'm taking them on again. Surely I'll get it right...eventually. Coen Hess has replaced Gavin Cooper as the Cowboys try-scoring back-rower – he's racked up 6 tries in 6 games. With that in mind, the Eels will be watching Hess like a hawk, so it's probably time to back Gavin Cooper in try-scoring markets. It's so darn crazy it just might work.

Verdict – Cowboys by 4

Result – Eels 26 defeated Cowboys 6

Gold Coast Titans vs Newcastle Knights – Saturday afternoon – Cbus Super Stadium

15th plays 16th but fans of both teams can, at the very least, appreciate the efforts of both sides. While both are competing against superior opponents, the Titans do appear to have more upside.The Titans forwards look set to dominate, and one has to assume that Peats, Taylor, Roberts, Hayne and Elgey (off the bench) can create enough try-scoring opportunities on the back of that.

Verdict – Titans by 10

Result – Titans 38 defeated Knights 8

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – ANZ Stadium

For some time I've had doubts about the ability of the Bulldogs to cross the stripe. Thus far in season 2017 they are averaging a snifter more than 15 points per game. That's not enough, particularly against the Raiders who are racking up (on average) 25 points per game. That's a lot of points for a team who have lost as many games as they've won, and the Bulldogs haven't scored 25 or more points in a game all year. You score more points than your opponent and you win folks...it's not rocket surgery.

Verdict – Raiders by 8

Result – Bulldogs 16 defeated Raiders 10

Wests Tigers vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday night – Leichhardt Oval

Aaron Woods has announced when he will make his announcement (I'm disappointed he didn't announce when he was going to announce when he will make his announcement but I'm hard to please). I suspect he's holding off until after he has played this game at his 'spritual home'. Given that, I'm expecting a bit of a battle here and I've got this game pencilled in as the match of the round. The Sharks will be keen to win after the shock loss last week, and the stripey cats could step up for Woodsy. The Sharks are clearly the better team and I'm tipping them, but I'm expecting a closer contest than most.

Verdict – Sharks by 4

Result – Sharks 22 defeated Tigers 16

New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters – Sunday afternoon – Mt Smart Stadium

Where the bloodity heckity heck are my team lists for the Sunday games? Sheezus McSneezus won't somebody think of the Thinker? Anyhoo...the four teams playing on Sunday are the same four teams that played on ANZAC Day, which seems fair. And I think it's fair to say that the two ANZAC Day games gave us the highest standard of NRL we saw for the round – perhaps everyone just lifted given the occasion. Now these sides have to lift again, and I'll take a little punt on the Warriors having a little more to play for this weekend. They're at home where they are an entirely different proposition and there is an ANZAC Test coming up.

Verdict – Warriors by 2

Result – Warriors 14 defeated Roosters 13

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Melbourne Storm – Sunday afternoon – WIN Stadium

Again no team lists are available at the time of writing so I'm shooting fish in a very dark barrel with this prediction. One thing I do know is that Gareth Widdop is out for six weeks. I can't say that means the Dragons can't win, but it certainly makes it an awful lot harder. As for the Storm, they are a pretty predictable piece of machinery regardless of who laces on the boots. I may be in the dark, but it's dark purple.

Verdict – Storm by 10

Result – Storm 34 defeated Dragons 22

Wally Lewis - round nine selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

  • BRONCOS vs Panthers
  • Rabbitohs vs SEA EAGLES
  • COWBOYS vs Eels
  • TITANS vs Knights
  • Bulldogs vs RAIDERS
  • Tigers vs SHARKS
  • Warriors vs ROOSTERS
  • Dragons vs STORM

Comments

Fortress's picture

OK I got ur point no problems,but surly you can understand where I'm comming from,yes focus on your team to why they lost that's a coaches job.

But u must also praise the winner as well Madge and burgess not once mentiond how well manly played its like come on they just thrashed ur mob by 40 ,to the viewer its sour grapes ,to the media its OK so if u played better u say u would of won I'm sorry to say this but pound for pound the eagles are the supirior team if both at there best neutral venue we still win more versitile in the forwards much quicker back line and our halves have a decided edge.

That's my opinion OK cheers

Fortress's picture

Hey johnny awesome I get it from the one who must be obeyed so performance is important maybe you have to be more versitile lol.

Haaaaahaaaaaaa hope you've got a sence of humor mate chat soon. Awesome have a good one mate slow at first them pick up the pace talking bout footy OK train hard mate !!!!!

a's picture

Knights are doing pretty good

Baggy_Gee's picture

I can guarantee that Paul Green said nothing about the BOYS last night either. But that won't help or detract from our prep for next week.

mark ashford's picture

BAGGY what a performance from your Eels.
If they can keep that up mate, you will be there when the bell is ringing.

Fortress I feel your pain but rarely do opposition coaches praise the winners. Just be happy with the win mate it's a big scalp.

Fortress can I suggest you move to QLD and become a Titans/Broncs/Cowboys supporter just for a little while.
Pretending of course.
See how the #9 team treat us, and not much better on fox.
No wonder SOO has become such a battle.
NSW based media are so biased it's not funny.
The funny part is QLD has won 10 out of the last 11.

mark ashford's picture

Mary S
Great to see you here and regularly commenting.
We love ladies on this site.
From your posts I take it you are a Cows supporter.
Correct me if I'm wrong (would love to have you as a Broncs lady)
Not taking anything from the Eels, they were dominate, but you had 4 major players out and that will hurt.
Whoever you support I'm hoping you are a Qlder for SOO.

pabdul's picture

you got to be kidding me the most bias media is on foxsports is called queenslanders only . its more one sided than john lennons double fantasy album i called it rednecks revisited.

Baggy_Gee's picture

There were still 17 first graders on each team, we were missing some major ones as well.

mark ashford's picture

Padbul
Most times you are a very funny man.
Us Qlders rednecks have a right to a say.
We only have "red necks" because of the beautiful sunshine up here.
We also have red noses and the highest rate of skin cancer in the world.
But your NSW centric commentary wears a bit thin at times.
Try Simon & Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence" that's what we get.

pabdul's picture

i guess when you pay one player so much money and get injured your going to lack depth thats a choice the cowboys made

mark ashford's picture

BAGGY I'm not taking anything away from your win. It was a lesson in dominance, hard running and defence.
Your boys won convincingly.

mark ashford's picture

Titans have just recorded one of their best wins ever with a 38/8 win over the hapless Knights.
Are they a contender?
Where to now for the Knights?
Anyone with a comment?

pabdul's picture

yes mark you do have a right i like your redneck reasoning. i love qld.
we love your players so much we even had stamps with your players on them but the problem was we didn't no what side to spit on.

mark ashford's picture

Padbul
Don't come to QLD mate, you say you love it , but we'll show you where your spit belongs.

Baggy_Gee's picture

Not sure about what a dunking of the Knights equals, but they did do a good number on them, especially in the last 13 minutes which were the only time I got to hear the call. They really did sound sharp on the ABC though.

pabdul's picture

i actually used to follow qld. artie was my hero and thinking origin was a one off and coming from England i stuck with them. until a close mate got picked for nsw and he convinced me that i should follow where i live so i did.
he played for the broncos and still live in qld.
no matter what anyone says i love qld.

Baggy_Gee's picture

Micky Di Vere didn't get a game in Origin did he? Shame he was pretty good to watch in full flight.

pabdul's picture

pretty sure he played origin for nsw

mark ashford's picture

Padbul
Sounds like your a cross hitter/ cross dresser/ cross who do I support
C'mon who do you support.
QLD is a safe bet.
I guess you live in NSW and are a bit confused.
Stay with the Maroons mate, you can't go wrong.

a's picture

Bulldogs just won

Baggy_Gee's picture

No confusion at all NSW is the only logical choice. Really going to be a beating of those old grub lead QLD'ers.

pabdul's picture

i think ill stick with nsw i dont like Japanese owned golf courses

pabdul's picture

i think ill stick with nsw i dont like Japanese owned golf courses

mark ashford's picture

Mick de Vere played 5 games for NSW at Origin level.
He also player in premiership winning games for the Broncos
Overall a great player.

Baggy_Gee's picture

Yes he was, glad he got some time in the origin sun.

pabdul's picture

de vere was a great player and goal kicker i think he tried to make a comeback but injuries got the better of him

mark ashford's picture

Paddy & Baggy
The Japanese have given up their ownership of most QLD golf courses.
The Chinese have purchased most of Sydney's available real estate.
Would you like to learn Chinese or come to QLD for a nice relaxing game of golf?

pabdul's picture

ah no fink so

Baggy_Gee's picture

That's always a pity that any players career and livelihood is cut short by injury. Here's hoping that everyone running around this weekend are safe and looked after.

mark ashford's picture

Enough of this fun banter, I'm getting old and need to go to bed.
Thanks for the fun comments.
Good luck to your teams hope you get a win!

pabdul's picture

u got a point there paying big bucks down here i could buy a really nice caravan and all the straw i can chew.

Baggy_Gee's picture

I live in QLD and I know the board of one of the two golf courses near me. They aren't Japanese. But not a fan of most of the players, coaches, and admin of QLD.

pabdul's picture

baggy i was only stirring
i bet not many qlders know how to spell romans go home in latin either

Baggy_Gee's picture

Romances eunt domus

Baggy_Gee's picture

Stupid auto correct, romanes eunt domus

pabdul's picture

plural is romani........ni
write it out 100 times if its not done by sunrise ill cut your b@lls off

The Thinker's picture

De Vere is perhaps most famous for having his head staple-gunned on live television when NSW tried to fix up a gaping head wound on the fly.

He also retired from rugby league to have a crack at athletics (from memory 1500m but that really is a stab in the dark).

Came back to the Broncos very briefly after that, but found it all too hard by then.

Still works for the Broncos to this day...and for those in Brisbane, the Carina Leagues Club.

pabdul's picture

i remember the staple gun incident and if i remember he kicked 9 maybe 10 out of 10 in a game v cowboys but not like the great dave brown he took the easy oned as well

a's picture

Who is De Vere

Baggy_Gee's picture

Really? I remember him making a great cover tackle that saved a certain try. just hit the legs and bundled the poor sap he hit over the side line. Just a great competitor who didn't give up. I'd be proud to have him in my team.

The Thinker's picture

Well said Baggy. He was a great defender in the centres in the mould of a Matt Cooper.

And he was a great team man who never had off-field issues. It's why he's still with the Broncos now.

You'd be mad not to have him in your team.

tigerholic's picture

Morning Folks
Some interesting results thus far, Tigers cam very close to beating the reigning premiers and may have done it without the injuries.

What does everyone think about the crowd at Leichhardt Oval booing Woods and displaying a banner that labelled him a dog.

For me I'm over the disappointment and even though I was devastated to hear he was leaving, in the end it is about the $$$$ and he is no different. I thank him for his service to the Tigers, he doesn't deserve to be treated like a criminal because he made his decision to move on.

Baggy_Gee's picture

Sad about the Dogs and Sharks, both games were nicely in the balance only to go against me at the end of 80. BUT GOOD NEWS Coach. The BOYS got you your first point this week.

pabdul's picture

it was a very clever 2 meaning sign which had a greater effect than tedesco is a chicken.
the way things are going in 2050 in the nrl museum the main attraction will be a wax model of corey parker in a glass display cabinet saying underneath this was known as the one club man

Baggy_Gee's picture

I think the Woods thing is like the Foran drama at the Eels. He was brought/retained by the club as a key brick in the wall of the rebuild. I agree we should not boo a player for choosing to look after themselves financially. But the timing, the circumstances, the fact that it's mid freaking season, and with him leaving he is taking up space for the next generation to get valuable game time would be why it's come to a head. Foran was lucky he left the country immediately after dogging us.

Johnny Awesome's picture

Hi all, I agree Mr tigerholic, fairdinkum, Woods is still putting in and doing his job. I have a distate for booing in general. When I attend the Raiders games here in Canberra, I always acknowledge with a clap [including the Viking one hey], the opposition team when they come out. Seriously, we go to a game to enjoy the greatest game in the world, and I want the opposition there to see a game of footy. I can understand the fans getting upset about dud performances like Souths the other day and when youve forked out some hard earned cash to see that debacle, well a bit of frustration can be excused. But to boo a player who is still having a go but has made a family and life decision, well thats pretty ordinary. Cheers from Mr Awesome

Baggy_Gee's picture

Along with Steve Menzies, Nathan Hindmarsh. All great players of very rare character.

Baggy_Gee's picture

I'm sorry about that Viking clap, a quick trip to the doc should clear that up Jawesome.

Johnny Awesome's picture

Hi all and hello Mr Thinker, talking about players from yester year, does anyone remember Phil Blake? He was a great all round utility player and kicked off his career with Manly in 82'. He was quick little bugger and a terrific reader of the ball. Talking about great defenders though, how do you go past Geoff Toovey? he had more guts than you could on a fence and pound for pound as tough as they come in defence and play in general Cheers from Mr Awesome

Johnny Awesome's picture

Hello Mr Baggy Gee, don't be sorry about the Viking Clap. Been to the doc, he told me, I had to raise my arms higher when doing it, helps the blood circulation in my old age. Guess what it worked. In regards to your grammar regarding my name, well just remember an empty bucket makes the most racket. Cheers from Mr Awesome

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