New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers – Friday night – Mt Smart Stadium
These sides met in round 10 at Penrith, and the Warriors flew the boxes and led 28-6 at half-time. Then the Warriors did what the Warriors do, and threw away a game that was almost impossible to lose. The Panthers did win (against my better judgement) in round 18 against a very good side, but they got the rub of the green in that game and only scored two tries in 80 minutes. Two tries against the Warriors won't be enough..
Verdict – Warriors by 8
Result – Panthers by 12
Canberra Raiders vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Friday night – GIO Stadium
In their last seven outings the Raiders have scored 18, 20, 20, 22, 24, 20 and 20. They get bonus points for consistency, but only got the two points twice in those seven games. So the only question I'm asking myself when it comes to this game is this – is 20 points enough to beat the Dragons? Well...in their last five games the Dragons have scored 10, 32, 10, 2 and 16 points. Those 16 points were against the 15th placed Tigers, and those 32 points were against the 16th placed Knights. In those other games where they struggled for points they played teams currently in 8th, 13th and 14th. In all three cases they were playing away from home. So in the last five rounds the Dragons have played the bottom four teams, and struggled. The Raiders haven't won for a while, but surely they're better than that. Is 20 points enough? Surely.
Verdict – Raiders by 8
Result – Raiders by 4
Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos – Saturday night – McDonald Jones Stadium
I hear people saying the Knights would be a frustrating side to support, but I could name quite a few teams that I would find more frustrating. Almost every week they give it a red hot go, and as a supporter I couldn't ask for more than that. I expect a tighter contest than most here, but I can't tip the Knights given their inability to win. They're close. They're very close, but I'm here to tip winners. Knights with a 10.5 handicap start looks tempting, but it's the Broncos for the win.
Verdict – Broncos by 4
Result – Broncos by 12
Gold Coast Titans vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday night – Cbus Super Stadium
I do have to keep reminding myself that the Titans did beat the Sharks in round eight, and that was in Sydney. I've reminded myself umpteen times now, and it's not making a lick of difference, and that's because I can't get that Sharks performance in round 18 against the Chooks out of my head. They were ruthless and brilliant, and it reminded me of the Sharks in the second half of last season. It may have been a complete bloody fluke, or they may be about to surge when it's a very good time to start surging. Watching this one with interest.
Verdict – Sharks by 10
Result – Titans by 20
Manly Sea Eagles vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – Lottoland
The Tigers don't buy Lotto tickets. They've played here 11 times and they've won once. That Tigers team that did win was an awful lot better than the team playing this Sunday. If Tedesco does get through Origin on Wednesday night he's not likely to back up here. Manly let me down last weekend but they won't be losing the penalty count 14-4 at Lottoland. In a competition where nothing is certain this is as close to a certainty you are ever likely to get. Disclaimer: most of my certainties this season have lost.
Verdict – Sea Eagles by 16
Result – Sea Eagles by 12
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs North Queensland Cowboys – Sunday afternoon – Barlow Park (Cairns)
I've been doubting the Cowboys in a post-Thurston world but the doubting ends here. In recent weeks the only teams to beat them are the teams running first and second. On both occassions the Cowboys were without Thurston, they were close (1 point loss to the Storm and a 4 point loss to the Sharks) and they were away from home. They are away from home in this game but they're closer to home than the Rabbitohs. Two weeks ago the Rabbits looked promising but it was clearly a false dawn. I suspect that lacklustre performance against the Chooks is what we can expect from the red and green for the rest of the season. If they can't turn up against the Chooks I can't see them turning up here. At least they get to enjoy some warm weather for a couple of days.
Verdict – Cowboys by 20
Result – Cowboys by 13
Wally Lewis - round nineteen selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- WARRIORS vs Panthers
- RAIDERS vs Dragons
- Knights vs BRONCOS
- Titans vs SHARKS
- SEA EAGLES vs Tigers
- Rabbitohs vs COWBOYS
Comments
Submitted by Mary S on
Hi EagleRocks , Fortress & other Manly supporters,
Congratulations on the effort your team put up in the last 20-30 mins to win their match today. You will be ‘over the moon’ with their recent progress and the substantial gain they have made in their position on the ladder. Currently the ladder shows 26 points for 4 teams (including Manly) and that should change to 5 if Cowboys succeed this afternoon. It will be an interesting race to the finals.
Submitted by pabdul on
I thought manly at home against a much lower team were average and the game could of gone either way DCE and the brothers T were the difference.
By the way Mary just a slight correction roosters with the bye are on 28 points but yeah it's going be a great run to the finals
Submitted by Mary S on
I wondered about the points for Roosters 'pabdul' - I went with what currently shows on the ladder on nrl.com.
Submitted by pabdul on
For some reason nrl.com adds the bye at the end of the round and FoxSport adds it at the beginning. You could of disagreed and I would of just created a new account to back me up.
Submitted by fortress on
disagree padbul sometimes u have to tough out a win, ur not going to win by 50 every week the tigers were good they played wel,l but the mighty eagles came on strong to prove they are a threat to win the title. your club does not win by 50 every week either mate,your welcome to your opinion but i disagree i thought the mighty eagles tough and gritty as ever.
one game to go folks ,wow what a run to the finals ,as i stated in my previous posts only 6 teams can win the title, the mighty eagles,the storm, the broncos ,the roosters,the sharks,the cowboys , with the saints and the raiders only 2 teams that can spoil the top 6 ..................
sadly the rest like for many years are only making up the numbers so from the home of the mighty eagles wishing all the great people on this site a very good evening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I reckon that 3 more wins for the BOYS will get us another few weeks come September. It'll be nice to postpone the usual Mad Monday date for a couple.
Submitted by pabdul on
I don't know where you got 50 from but against the tigers you should of won by more it may be the difference in for and against where a team ends up between 2nd or 6th
Submitted by johns snorts coke on
Hey Fortress, you are the one that started on me, I don't take any drugs, don't even drink mate. And again, learn how to use, commas, full stops, etc. Go the Broncos.
Submitted by fortress on
padbul i said u cant win by 50 every week mate, ok we won it was a good game the tigers cam to play and we out played them thats the crux of it,looking forward to a great clash coming up betweem both our clubs two heavyweights for the title,the roosters are going great guns as well should be a hum dinger mate are u going to the game it would be great to meet u ,and would even shout you a pie and drink with tomato sauce as well.
chat soon padbul keep the passion and the strength buddy, in the famous line of a great english comic, your awful but i like ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Steel Panther on
How was the refereeing this week Fortress?
Submitted by pabdul on
Hey snorter
A broncos supporter and you don't drink that's gonna hinder our friendship. Glad you don't take drugs. Why don't you call yourself Coke Zero?
Submitted by fortress on
how was the refereering last week mr steel panther,it was for both sides today not like the rort we saw last week so goodnight having dinner with my stunning lady in gods country !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
goodnight !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Johnny High can't be coke zero, he has taste. Not in his choice of football team but you can't win them all. What's this one more win nonsense fortress, your guys need to keep winning to stay anywhere near 4th. 30 points to make the eight this year.
Submitted by fortress on
i love it padbul you have out done yourself u chooky................or could we call him zero tolerance on this footy site what a load of hog wash just read his posts he cant put two words together fair dinkum padbul he must think we we came down the last shower!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Let the happy meal your mother is picking up for you make you smile fortress. Enjoy.
Submitted by a on
Good win for the Cowboys
Submitted by The Thinker on
@BigPete
Apologies for the late reply...I've been on the road.
As a child I supported Manchester United, but I honestly don't support a team in the EPL anymore. I'm happy to watch a game from time to time, and I get hooked on the World Cup every four years.
Beyond that, I don't watch it like I used to....I actually prefer playing it. Played for 20 years. Handy but not professional enough to turn professional...loved it though.
Submitted by a on
I can't seem to post a comment on my comp but I think Mary S got 3rd place the Thinker just needs to confirm it
Submitted by Tailspin on
Go the cowboys, still in there and improving.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Good evening Fortress/Pabdul.
The great English comic also said Hey Honky Tonks.........wouldn't have been Dick Emery would it. As I said a few weeks ago, Manly has Dragons next week, then Storm in Melb and Chooks at Brooky. Coincidence after that, Tigers at Leichardt Oval.
Points are points lads and we need to improve for and against in case of being stuck with others.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Thanks for reply - no probs in delay mate. How is Willie N going?
Humming................is he still on the road again.
Yes, Man Utd are my boys and always have been. Once in the blood mate, should remain in the blood, even if just slightly.
Even the great Pabdul still has it and he played mostly R/League.
I also love World Cup and Brazil, that goes with it. Such a creative nation for footballers and skill/technique.
Keep well mate and have a good week.
Big Pete
Submitted by The Thinker on
Greetings football fans,
I've updated the NRL ladder and the tipping competition. Quite a few of us got four from six in round 18, a few of us got five from six, but only one of us got a perfect round.
Congrats to Rocket Ryan....well done sir.
I'll have the round 20 page published as soon as I can and will have my previews and selections posted by Wednesday lunchtime.
All the best
Submitted by pabdul on
Yeah Pete dick emery it was. Just like Britains domination of music in the sixties they produced amazing comedians with their own shows in the seventies.
Apart from Emery there were greats like Benny Hill morcambe and wise and the two Ronnie and my fav as a kid the goodies. Goody goody yum yum
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
My first soccer coach got us all to watch Man Utd when played as a youngster. At the time they were the pinnacle of team work and I became a band wagon fan. Same as geelong in the afl, was told to watch Abblett snr as he was the epitome of what a complete footballer was. Followed both ever since with various levels of interest.
Submitted by Hardyards on
Great morning punters,
Seems the rest of the Rugby League world has finally realised we are still a team without our two Captains. Third win in a row with out them for, umm ever I think.
On a beautiful sweltering winters day, our big boppers more then matched the Burgess boys, and from a try down went on to dominate the first half. I'm guessing Greeny will have them running on the beach to gently remind them of the high handling errors both teams displayed in the second half.
Hopefully we sustain the same enthusiasm against the Warriors next week for the full 80 Min and preserve our position as top four contenders!
Hurry up next weekend, this sitting around waiting for more footy is exasperating!
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Hardyards....your lads can have the week off this week and you'll still beat my mob the Warriors. Expect you to put 50 on them this weekend!!
Submitted by Hardyards on
Hey Steel Panther,
I don't think anyone should take the Warriors for granted, on their day they can match any team I believe. Sorry to hear about Shaun Johnson’s season ending ACL tear mate, would always rather full strength sides playing. I get a little apprehensive if the Cows get points early; they can sometimes switch off and get rolled. Fingers crossed for a good, clean hard game mate.
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