Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights – Friday night – AAMI Park
The Storm have a team list that's 23 players long so they'll be trimming that between now and Friday. I'm assuming Smith, Cronk and Chambers play until I hear otherwise – none of them gave any indication they were injured on Wednesday night. Cameron Smith made just four metres in Origin One with the ball under the arm, which tells you just how dominant the NSW forward pack were. Given the size and talent in the Storm pack he and Cronk should have a little more room to work with on Friday night. 1st plays 16th, and 1st are playing at home. Purple picks itself.
Verdict – Storm by 10
Result – Storm by 28
Parramatta Eels vs New Zealand Warriors – Friday night – ANZ Stadium
Two teams that don't know how to play for 80 minutes are playing each other, so prepare yourselves for a topsy turvy match with plenty of momentum changes. Both sides are notoriously inconsistent, but if there's one consistency I can rely on it's that the Warriors struggle all too often away from home. They haven't won a game in Australia this season and, somewhat surprisingly, this is just their second visit to ANZ Stadium since their 2011 Grand Final loss to Manly (when Keiran Foran was playing against the Warriors). Clearly you can't tip either of these sides with any confidence but the Eels did enough to get the win in round 12 and I'm tipping them again.
Verdict – Eels by 4
Result – Eels by 8
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Wests Tigers – Saturday afternoon – ANZ Stadium
The Dragons have won just one from three without Gareth Widdop but the statistics don't tell the whole tale. Those two losses were competitive and they happened to be against the top two teams (and the two grand finalists from 2016). Widdop has been named this weekend but it wouldn't surprise me if they waited one more week. These sides met in round five at this venue and in this timeslot and the Dragons won comfortably. Tedesco and Woods are set to return from Origin but even then this Tigers outfit looks far from settled. New recruit Lolohea slots straight into the halves with Littlejohn and that combination may take time. Dragons...comfortably so.
Verdict – Dragons by 10
Result – Dragons by 4
Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos – Saturday night – Allianz Stadium
Of all the games this weekend this is clearly the contest most dirupted by the Origin game. Six Broncos and five Roosters played on Wednesday night and we wait to see how many back up three days later. Napa, Pearce, Ferguson and Milford must have some doubts over them and there could be others. McCullough is an important inclusion for the Broncos and Hunt should be better for the run last week. The Chooks are a warm favourite but I'm with the Broncos here on the assumption that the Broncos back row of Thaiday, Gillett and McGuire all play. The Roosters haven't lost many games this year but they did get towelled up by the Broncos in round six, and the Broncos record at Allianz Stadium is a lot better than most would expect.
Verdict – Broncos by 4
Result – Roosters by 2
North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans – Saturday night – 1300SMILES Stadium
If Kevin Walters is looking for some up-and-coming Origin forwards (and he probably should be) then he should be watching this game to see how Jarrod Wallace and Coen Hess perform. I was sorely tempted to pick the Titans here, but I've been won over by the Cowboys back row (and solid interchange) in the end. Thurston has been named (almost) but you can't imagine he would play. O'Neill may be in doubt for the Cowboys but they have Hampton or Bowen on their list to slot in if need be. Peats may not back up for the Titans either, and he's a little harder to replace. I'm not particularly confident here. If you were considering the Titans don't let me talk you out of it.
Verdict – Cowboys by 4
Result – Cowboys by 12
Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders – Sunday afternoon – Lottoland
The bookies and everyone else are finding this game hard to split but I'm seeing green. The Raiders have a settled line-up, are close to full strength and daytime conditions help their cause. While I accept they lost to the Knights on a Sunday afternoon I'm assuming they took their opponent lightly on the day. I can't see them taking the Sea Eagles lightly. Looks like the game of the round to my eye.
Verdict – Raiders by 8
Result – Sea Eagles by 1
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers – Sunday afternoon – ANZ Stadium
The Bulldogs would be thankful that Hopoate has agreed to play on Sundays because they need all the help they can get, particularly if Brett Morris can't overcome his Origin niggles. In their last five outings the Dogs have averaged just 13.5 points per game and this is their primary issue they need to resolve. The Panthers have made some pretty significant changes to their line-up – Moylan moves into the halves alongside Cleary and Mitch Rein starts at hooker for the injured Peter Wallace. Whatever the line-up, you know the Panthers have points in them, and the return of Josh Mansour on the wing doesn't hurt either. The 4pm kick-off lends itself to expansive attacking football too, only bolstering the Panthers cause. Dogs vs Cats. Meow!
Verdict – Panthers by 4
Result – Panthers by 38
Wally Lewis - round thirteen selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- STORM vs Knights
- EELS vs Warriors
- DRAGONS vs Tigers
- ROOSTERS vs Broncos
- COWBOYS vs Titans
- Sea Eagles vs RAIDERS
- Bulldogs vs PANTHERS
Comments
Submitted by The Thinker on
Greetings football fans,
Usually I'd be publishing my previews and tips today, but with State of Origin tonight I'm holiding back until tomorrow. Hopefully we'll know a little more about team line-ups by then.
Note that the first game in round 13 isn't until Friday night.
All the best, and enjoy your State of Origin football.
Submitted by Dragons-fanboy on
Thinker, just found this out, you forget to add up my results from round 12. Just clarifying that to you. Not sure if you forgot others too.
Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by The Thinker on
Thanks for letting me know Dragons fanboy....sorry about that. I've updated your total now.
I don't think there are any others but if anyone thinks I've made an error with the scoring just let me know.
Submitted by Johnny Awesome on
Hello all,
Mr Thinker, I agree with your comments, there is a huge difference with Gallen and Farah gone, better atmosphere. In fact, the Blues looked more passionate than I can recall in a long time. Einstein said that insanity was doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Finally, the penny has dropped with the Blues and they have got the mojo going. How good were Tedesco and Fifita? Only Fergusson had a bit of an off night, but he’ll be better for the run. O’Neil and Myles had an off night, didn’t help with JT missing. ‘She who must be obeyed’ said during the game last they were missing JT and Qld were silly not to find a spot for Slater. In saying that, how good was the Blues goal line defence? The Maroons had a jolly good go, they weren’t disgraced. By the way Mr Thinker, have you heard that Paul Gallen has offered his mentoring skills to QLD for the next game?
Cheers from Mr Awesome.
Submitted by a on
I think Myles and O'Niel should boteed from the next game I think Slater and Homes should be included and JT should be back too
Submitted by lillychino on
Hi
Having trouble today finding the comment box for the a competition. Have tried to re log in but no difference .
So my pick for the a comp is Storm this week round 13. I will try again later to put my choice in the a comp comment boxes . Hope this works.
Submitted by a on
Thinker can you please fix up the box for my comp because it seems like there's no box for the comp
Submitted by The Thinker on
lillychino and 'a'
Apologies....I've opened up the comments on the A Game comp now.
All the best
Submitted by Taka on
Hi Thinker,
Looking for this round. My tips for this round:
Storm by 8
Eels by 4
Dragons by 14
Roosters by 4
Cowboys by 6
Raiders by 10
Bulldogs by 2
Go my mighty bulldogs...!!!
Thanks.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Well the Blues came to play football not to fight and lookit what happened.
Shame to think you could have done this years ago.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
As the thinker pointed out. Mind set change without gallen in there.
Submitted by michcol on
Well said Mark ....totally agree with you ....
Submitted by a on
Here are my tips
Storm by 18 I think the Storm should win and win easy
Eels by 4 I think the Eels will win in a close one here
Dragons by 10 I think the Dragons are going to go back on track with a win over the Tigers
Roosters by 1 I have no idea
Cowboys by 6 I think Cowboys can win
Raiders by 2 I think the Raiders will win in a thiller here
Panthers by 2 I think the Panthers will win in a thiller here
Submitted by KellysLoot on
Hi all, my tips
Storm by 6
Eels by 8
Dragons by 8
Roosters by 4
Cowboys by 6
Raiders by 8
Panthers by 4
Submitted by Fortress on
Good evening folks well after the great win by the blues last night,here are my tips for round 13 !!!!!!!!!!!!
The mighty eagles
The warriors
The bulldogs
The tigers
The broncos
The cowboys
The storm
Good luck everyone !!!!!!!!!
Submitted by mark ashford on
Baggy the Blues last night were a team committed to win and win they did. Qld had no answer to their attack it was relentless.
I do believe the Thinkers observation of Gallen is 100% correct.
He came to bash and hurt because of his record at SOO level.
And his team followed him.
Bord Cordner, a tough player led the Blues to victory through skill.
Andrew Fiffita must surely take the mantle of the best forward in the game. He was relentless, Qld had no answer.
I have to congratulate the Blues and their supporters.
I'm gutted by the result, but there are 2 games to go.
It's going to be tough for the Maroons to come back from here.
Having said that Qld has won 11 out of the last 12
A couple of series wins by the Blues will reignite the rivalry.
Don't get too cocky you Blues the Qld selectors are working around the clock to find an answer.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I have the answer, no farewell tour for jt, pick the best player in the position, and cram that stupid incumbent rule deep in the cavity of the selectors. That will give you and the "Billy Moore's" a prayer in Sydney. We have this series sown up.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Baggy
Sorry you seem to have a problem with the incumbent rule.
NSW did it for ages and failed.
Qld did it as well and succeeded.
JT is thought to be the best player in the world and should get another shot if fit.
You may think you have the series "sown up" but Qld won't lie down.
Submitted by christine on
Mark your right with what you said in your last post I agree with you whole heartedly on that ...
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
It's not a problem if the incumbent is the best player, it's when there is someone else who is playing better. Farah was the incumbent and Peats outplayed him all season and then proved on the night he was the right choice. Morris had a great game but he isn't the current best winger in the comp NSW could pick so why was he there? Same with Dugan coming back from a busted cheek, Fergerson has been good, and so has Hayne, but still on the fence with both. Woods didn't set the world on fire, not did that Manly kid, but he is young and a potential future player so kinda happy there. Pick on form and let the players prove their worth.
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Sa-wat-dee krup,
What a cracker of a game on Wednesday night eh? No doubt plenty of you Blues supporters are feeling happy. Must admit, the Blues were freakin’ awesome, especially in the second half. At the pace the first 40 mins was played at, I was thinking whoever was the fitter of the two would win the match. Turns out it was the Blues. Big Men! Big Hits! Big Game! Man, I love football. OK, let’s get into it …
Storm - Yes, the Knights are improving and yes, I’ll assume the Storm have guys backing up from Wednesday night but this will be just a tad too high a mountain for the Knights to climb. Storm Troopers for me.
Eels - The Warriors did beat the Broncos last week but the Broncos were missing a lot of class. The Eels had a nice win against Souths and if they take that style of play into this game then I see a repeat result coming their way. Baggy’s BOYS to win this.
Dragons - The Tigers have lost their last 3 and this week it should grow to 4. The Dragons simply have too much class for the poor ol’ Tigers I reckon. Dragons to do this easy and comfortably.
Roosters - With both sides having loads of players on SOO duty Wednesday night, not sure what their coaches will do regarding backing players up here. Assuming most or all are rested (haven’t had time to get online and check but pretty sure Mitchell more than likely won’t play considering the knock he got Wednesday night), I reckon this is a toss of the coin. Because I love my BBB, I’m tipping the Roosters here.
Cowboys - I know a lot is said on how the Cowboys fare without JT in the side and I’ve been sucked in and tipped against them in those situations and come unstuck but whether he’s in or out this week, I’ll go the Cowboys, purely because they’re at home. Giddy-Up!
Manly - The Raiders did beat my BBB last week but were far from convincing. They should have smacked us silly but they didn’t. That has me thinking. Manly are actually pretty handy, love tossing the footy around and they’re at Brookie. I reckon their form currently is a bit better than when they beat the Raiders a month ago. Yeah, Manly for mine.
Bulldogs - Yes, the Doggies have lost 3 in a row but they might just break that losing run this weekend. The Panthers have beaten the Warriors and Knights and then had a week off but I’m not getting excited on where they’re at and how they’re getting it done. Something just not right. The Doggies were a bit unlucky last week against the Sharks and only lost it 2 mins from time. That might stir them up with enough belief to get up in this one. Doggies for me. Woof! Woof!
OK kids, good luck with your tipping and may your team win by 40 points! Until next week people. Cheers.
P.S. Do prison buses have emergency exits? Hmmm…
Submitted by Fortress on
For a young man in his first origin game and this is not just me saying this but great experts of the game Jake turbo was great,he handled the occasion like a seasoned veteran once again a poster on here does not go on fact,does not watch the game properly and his hate of my club is there for all to see,yes we all have our rights to our opinion me,him,and everyone else but not when its based on hate and bias its written all over his posts and his club are on there last legs fair dinkum !!!!!!!!
Mark your a champion bloke a gallant person in victory and defeat and u always state fact that's what I like about ya not a hated bone in your body love your work mate!!!!!!
Good evening to all !!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by christine on
My tips for rd 13 are as follows :
storm
eels
dragons
broncos
cowboys
raiders
panthers
have a great weekend everyone
Submitted by a on
Yes Myles is out of the next Origin thank god cause he played terrible
Submitted by tigerholic on
Hey Fortress
How far away is Tom from playing again, NSW need too find room for him in the side, what do you think.
After Teddies game you would think he would keep his spot but maybe if Dugan was injured put Tom Trovovyich(hard name to spell) in there somewhere.
Submitted by Johnny Awesome on
Hello Mr 'a' don't be too hard on Myles. He has given many years of tireless service, great guy and a passionate Qlder. He may have seen his last game, but that guy deserves a pat on the back as well.
Cheers from Mr Awesome
Submitted by Dragons-fanboy on
Alright you're welcome Thinker checked most of them, they were updated.
Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by christine on
"a" originally I tipped cowboys for your A game comp but if it's not to late can I change my tip to dragons & if it is to late I will stick with taking cowboys but let me know please "a" ?
Submitted by christine on
Thinker can you also let me know if it's to late to change my tip for the A game comp please I originally tipped cowboys but I know want to tip dragons but if it's to late I will stay with cowboys so can someone please let me know who i'm taking before the football starts please ???
Submitted by Johnny Awesome on
Hello Mr 'a' Melbourne for me tonight in your comp please.
Cheers from Mr Awesome
Submitted by christine on
Thinker "a" will give me the green light to change my tip for the A game comp from cowboys to dragons if you say it's ok so can you please let me know if i'm tipping cowboys or changing my tip to dragons please thinker or tlh so I know ???
Submitted by christine on
"a" the thinker isn't responding so I don't know who i'm taking if it's cowboys or if it's dragons can someone please let me know before the game starts please ?
Submitted by mark ashford on
Baggy
You're a hard marker mate.
From what I saw of the game couldn't fault any of the Blues.
Can only agree re Woods but I've never rated him.
He's a huge bloke and should do more. Fiffita, Klemmer and Frizelle were stand out forwards.
That sort of dominance has never happened in Brisbane before.
Maroons need 3 Taumalomos up front but he's declared himself a kiwi.
Qld will be scratching their heads about how to pull this one out of the fire.
Submitted by Fortress on
Yes tiger tommy turbo is a future great ,if not great already.
If fully fit would be in the team breaks takles at will,speed ,skill wonderful football brain for one so young a phenom!!!!!
Yes I agree hopefully he will be back soon from what I've heard down at the club won't be long.
Tedesco was outstanding the other night its a shock the tigers didn't keep him a super fullback much like tom turbo ahead of his time.
The turbo brothers,tedesco ,these young players light up the stadium there are many others who not are only the future of the game but behave just like role models should.
Chat soon tigerhollic buddy ur club will come good be with them through thick and thin that's the mark of a true passionate supporter mate!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
It's not that I'm a hard marker, it's just I'm a believer in youth. Your right, everyone bent the line except woods, and the defence was superb. Just believe that there are great young players that deserve a crack and rebel against wheeling the same old same old out because it is a winning formula.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Fortress
Don't worry about Baggy. Tommy Turbo went well.
The Trbovevic boys will be champions for Manly and NSW.
Nate Miles came back from injury to play for Qld.
He has been outstanding for Qld and now Manly.
Hey that grub Gallen, who's supposed to be a boxer hit him twice and Nate didn't even blink.
Qld needs to look at their forwards. I thought Napa would excel but maybe needs another game or two at origin level.
Sammy Thaiday is coming to the end as is Cam Smith and a few others.
It will be hard from here for Qld, but hey we never give up.
Maybe we should change the name of the Qld team to Queensland's Spartans Warriors.
Submitted by mark ashford on
OK Baggy
Who would you have replaced in the NSW team and with whom.
I think they all did well.
It was the first SOO game I've watched where there was no dirty play.
The hit on Pierce was pretty ordinary but only a fine has been imposed.
Without Gallen you may just win the next couple of series.
And good luck to you. Play football and you win.
Submitted by Fortress on
Totally agree with your mark Ashford spoken with fact and passion mate,your mob are not out of it yet u can never ever right off champions,the turbo brothers are the new breed of footballers the modern era's phenoms magnificent !!!!!
Nate Myles has been a legend for qld all the critics have no idea.and has been great for the mighty eagles this year mate.
The blues are one up but it ain't over yet buddy we all await to see mark !!!!!!!!
Submitted by a on
Christine just for an update I've just sent the Thinker a email about your attempt to change your top I will let you know about the rules for changing tips ASAP
Submitted by Johnny Awesome on
Hello all,
A quick question Mr Thinker. I was going back through some of the older pages. I had a little time on my hands last night after cooking for 'She who I not only must obey but also obey'. I noticed the pages went back to the start of the 2016. Now, I only had a wee bit of time so it wasnt a readathon for me, but I was wondering, how much of the past posts do you actually keep? Do you keep an archive somewhere? You brought up some stats on your previous State of Origin picks and being a thinker, you would have a pretty good memory, whilst my memory is about as useful as hole in the fence. Just curious Mr Thinker, seeing you've got pages going back to the start of 2016 but not further.
Cheers from Mr Awesome
Submitted by christine on
"a" The thinker said he is okay with people to change their tips as long as it is before kick off game 1 so next to my name it now says cowboys or dragons so does that mean i'm now down as changing my tip to dragons from cowboys or not ?
Submitted by a on
I think your tipping Dragons
Submitted by a on
I think your tipping Dragons
Submitted by christine on
"a" Thanks "a" & thanks thinker good luck with the rest of your tips everyone ...
Submitted by a on
I think the Thinker keeps all his pages from the pervious years so we can look back on the periovs years
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Gidday Johnny A. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page you'll see the link old tips. Tips go back to 2011. If you check out 2012 you'll see some familiar faces namely "a", Newbie, Rick & myself to name a few plus you'll note the minimal amount of comments compared to today..how this great site has evolved over the years.
Submitted by a on
Yeah you should look back on the this site grew Johnny A this website started In 2011
Submitted by pabdul on
Boyd Cordner 2
Queensland 0
Submitted by christine on
Steel panther minimal comments back in 2012 on the thinkers website compared to now , go back & look at earlier on this year & last year when the person who shall remain name less due to no more air time was posting comments & they were all stats & dribble ...
Submitted by Johnny Awesome on
Thank you everyone. I'll check it out Mr Steel Panther. I initially could only get back to the start of 2016. Obviously not reading it right on this tiny phone my big clumsy fingers type on. I am interested in Mr Thinkers site and how it developed. I'm getting close to 1 year membership now and it is the only site I take part in. As you know I'm probably much older than most of you and Mr Thinker himself. Previous sites just had rubbish strewn around. Mr Thinkers site is something special hey. Yes Mr Steel Panther, Mr 'a' and Christine sometimes it interesting to go back in time before going back to the future. Cheers from Mr Awesome.
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