Round twelve selections

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Parramatta Eels – Friday night – ANZ Stadium

Robbie Farah has a point to prove this weekend, but so does Mitchell Moses. His transition to the Eels wasn't smooth but it wasn't a train wreck either. He'll be better for the run I have no doubt. What I do doubt is the Rabbitohs in attack, as the Bunnies have been kept under ten points in five of their last eight outings. If you can't score ten points you can't win football games...usually. The Sharks are the only team to have kept the Eels under ten points this season, and the Sharks defence is a tougher nut than the Bunnies. What's more the Bunnies have had less days to prepare for this game, coupled with a trip back from Perth. The Rabbits may be favourites with the Bookies but not with me.

Verdict – Eels by 4

Result – Eels by 6

New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos – Saturday night – Mt Smart Stadium

It's that time of year when the Warriors get on a bit of a run, people start talking up their premiership prospects...and it all comes to nothing. They're going so poorly this season they may not even make a run at all. I'm reluctantly tipping them here, because they have one of the best spines in the NRL and not one of them is in any danger of being asked to play Origin football. Compare that to the Broncos – their 1,6,7 and 9 are all perfectly capable footballers, but not one of them played in those positions for the Broncos last week. Not only that, the Broncos are without three of their starting forward pack. I'm not suggesting for a minute that the Warriors are rolled gold certainties here. A loss wouldn't surprise me one bit, but I'm tipping them to do enough, just enough, to get the two points.

Verdict – Warriors by 4

Result – Warriors by 18

Cronulla Sharks vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Saturday night – Southern Cross Group Stadium

Two of the biggest meanest packs of forwards face off on Saturday night. The Sharks lose their best (Graham) and their meanest (Fifita) to Origin but what's left of their pack is still first class. The Sharks bench for this game – Bukuya (6 ft 2), Tagataese (6 ft 4), Latimore (6 ft 4) and Paulo (6 ft 2) – is still first class too. With Graham, Maloney and Bird on Origin duty the Sharks have lost some flair in attack, but I'm not convinced the Bulldogs have any flair to lose. Sharks for mine in a low-scoring grind...particularly at home on a Saturday night.

Verdict – Sharks by 4

Result – Sharks by 1

Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters – Sunday afternoon – GIO Stadium

The Raiders lose Papalii to Origin and he was best on ground for them in round eleven, but beyond that the Raiders have named their best seventeen, Meanwhile the Chooks lose three of their best forwards (Cordnor, Napa and Guerra), their most important playmaker (Pearce) and their most dangerous back (Ferguson). Note too, that Kenny-Dowall is still serving a suspension. The Roosters are left with a competitive seventeen, but given the strength of the opposition and the venue the Raiders should have these chooks spinning in a rotisserie by the 60th minute mark.

Verdict – Raiders by 14

Result – Raiders by 8

Wally Lewis - round twelve selections (in bold)

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

  • RABBITOHS vs Eels
  • WARRIORS vs Broncos
  • SHARKS vs Bulldogs
  • RAIDERS vs Roosters

Comments

christine's picture

Thinker Does this round get included in "a" A game comp so I know if I have to put a tip in for it or not ?

christine's picture

Don't worry I found the answer to my ? thinker thankyou I will put my tip in ...

a's picture

Yes it does Christine

Fortress's picture

The mighty eagles resting there wings for a week, and a shorter round of footy.

My tips for round 12 are !!!!!!!!!!

The rabbits

The broncos

The sharks

The raiders

So as we head into soon 1, from the great Europe song ................

Its the final countdown !!!!!!!!!!

Punt high and follow on !!!!!!!!!!

.
...

Fortress's picture

Sorry meant to say soo 1,no hard feelings I hope !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mark ashford's picture

Fortress
No hard feelings we all make a typo or two.
Yes your Sea Eagles get a rest no doubt on the wonderful cliffs of the north entrance to the harbour.
Many years ago (I was 16) and lived in Sydney. Tried my luck at spearfishing around North Head entering the water from Manly's ocean beach. Mate the fish were so gun shy (you Sydneysiders had scared them into hiding) I failed to land a fish.
On swimming back to the rocks I was asked by a team of new Australians if I could get them some sea urchins.
To me sea urchins were a pest, covered in nasty spines.
Diving only to 10 feet or so I collected heaps of the nasties and threw them up on the rocks.
When I left the water these wonderful people were cracking them open and eating the delicious insides. (I didn't try one) At that time no Aussie would have touched them. Different today.
These people were a mix of Italians and Greeks and offered me some of their food in payment. Haven't we come a long way.
Only reason I'm telling this story is to reinforce how Aussie has accepted all nationalities and how we can live together in harmony.

Manchester is unacceptable. Targeting kids at a pop concert is the last straw. If this murderer has connections to ISIS or Islam and we will find out then it's time to take a stand.

Fortress's picture

What a great adventure mark,the fish here in manly is yum yum yummy,but u have to admit a really stunning and picture perfect area.

Yes I agree we are so lucky to be Aussies happy- go lucky and free,I was shattered bout Manchester its a shame we have this evil that won't go away,it makes me sick to the stomach my mum and dad who are over in new Zealand for a week visting my grand parents,mum called me,she said did u see the tragedy over in england she was pretty affected by it,mainly because she has us kids it frightened her.

We all need to take a stand against this evil,we have to gosh its mind boggling mark.

Mate I have many Muslim mates some surfers real Aussies met there families really great nice people.

The people who are doing this are radicals i guess we have them in all religions,but they are hijacking the religion and ruining it for the majority of law abiding good Muslims its so sad,the leaders of the world must come together as one,stamp out terrorism,wars,hate so maybe the great martin lauther kings " I have a dream" may become a reality mark!!!!!!!

Chat soon buddy !!!!!!

mark ashford's picture

Thinker I apologise for using your site for something other than Rugby League, so I'll get back on track.

Very disappointed to see Billy Slater left out of the Qld SOO team.
His form has been incredible, better perhaps than Dane Gagai.
Billy at fullback and Darius on one of the wings.
Both great talkers and with Darius up front helping Milford if he plays.
Anyway it's done so good luck to the boys.
Go you Maroons.

mark ashford's picture

Fortress I am sad for the majority of Muslim people in this country.
They live their lives as Aussies and probably hate this radicalism as much as we do. But they don't speak out about it. Why not?
We have Germans, Poles, English, Italians, Greeks, Russians, Spanish, Vietnamese, Indonesians, Kiwis, and a host of other migrants who come here and create no problems.
Why don't the Muslim leaders condemn this abhorrent behavior?

mark ashford's picture

Sorry Thinker I've done it again.
Can we get back to the footy?

christine's picture

they have just evacuated the shopping centre in Manchester so don't speak to soon just yet mark it's breaking news just in ...

a's picture

Yeah the terrorists attack have invaded at an Ariania Grande Concert I would have one less problem without them invading Beacausr they really needed to Break Free it was very Dangerous Terriots The Way they did it to children was terrible I wish it never happened Side By Side I'm not into people invading concerts I hope they F-F-Focus on the poor People because they made Bad Decisions don't be surprised if it happens Everyday I feel sorry for the people who died

Fortress's picture

Yes I agree mark more has to be done with the leaders to stamp out radical behaviour.

Getting rid of terrorism,war and hate is not going to buy an easy thing,but i guess we must start sooner rather than later.

OK back to the footy interesting sides picked for soo 1,in don't know if the side NSW picked will win the series but the new blood is a good thing,the qld side well I would like you mark had slater at back with Boyd up close to mild,but it will be very close and should go to a decider.

Good evening everyone prayers and thoughts with Manchester!!!!!!

Fortress's picture

Sorry meant Boyd next to Milford!!!!!!!!!

Fortress's picture

Agree with you too "a" its a tragedy.

And trump and that north Korean president are dictators,war Mungers both need to be sacked and go live on another planet though even there they can't be trusted !!!!!!!!!!!

a's picture

I was so disappointed that Slater didn't get picked

a's picture

Yes Trump defferently needs to sacked and put Bernnie Sanders on I also hate my current LP George Christon he needs to be sacked to and do not put Pauline Hanson in charged either

pabdul's picture

warriors for me thanks "a"

Taka's picture

Hi The Thinker,

below are my round 12 tip:

Rabbitohs by 6
Warriors by 10
Bulldogs by 12
Raisers by 8

Thank you.

Go Bulldogs.

Spartan Warrior's picture

When asked by a woman from Attica: 'Why are you Spartan women the only ones who can rule men?', she said:
'Because we are also the only ones who give birth to real men.' Gorgo (daughter of Kleomenes I, born ~506. Married Leonidas I Spartan warrior).
A Spartan woman has always been treated as an equal of a Spartan Warrior. What the Spartan Warrior does on the battlefield against an invader, so too, does the woman in the battlefield of their home and business.
As in life, as in sport, as in rugby league let it be known that the role of women is crucial for sustainability and growth. Their input should never be underestimated. Ye of faith and ye of little faith, understand, that as one hand washes the other, so too, does the combination of men and women alike from whence the seeds of success will flourish hither to the game of rugby league.
The Spartan warrior has spoken.
In quo dicam vobis: 'vale!

a's picture

Are you going to put your tips in Spartan

Dragons-fanboy's picture

Hello everyone, my tips for this week are:

Rabbitohs by 8- I think that the Rabbitohs will bounce back from last week with a win here.

Warriors by 16- I think that this will be one of those games that the Warriors will play really well and I believe win and win well against a more of a depleted Broncos side.

Sharks by 8- Although the Sharks have lost Maloney and therefore losing some stacking flair, alongside losing Graham and Fifita, the Bulldogs have lost some key players too and I believe still don't have the attack to beat the Sharks here.

And finally... the Raiders by 12- Raiders have only Papaili out this week which is a huge blow for the Raiders, though Roosters have even more out including Pearce, Ferguson, Guerra, co-captain Cordner. Thus, I believe that this will affect the Roosters a lot and thus, the Raiders will be too strong for the Roosters here.

Awesome. That's done. Good luck to those whose team is playing this week. Also, good luck with everyone's tips for this week. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. My prayers go out to those who got affected whether they passed away or got seriously hurt in Manchester.

Baggy_Gee's picture

Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes!

mark ashford's picture

Spartan Warrior
Not sure what rock or enclycopodia you have been living under.
But women in BC times and AD times were treated like s--t.
Used as cooks, cleaners and breeders.
Spartans were no different mate. If Helen of Troy was a beauty and fought over she would have ended her days as spoils of war.
But that story is just a fantasy as are most of the Spartan tales.
Women have only been recognized from say the 70's, 80's and so on.
Today in 2017 we have wonderful women in all levels of business and Government.
But it didn't happen with the Spartans, mate of that I can assure you.

mark ashford's picture

Paddy
If it was meant as a joke, then you are forgiven.
Just touched a couple of nerves.
Stay here mate as your humour is appreciated.
Would be less without you.

Spartan Warrior's picture

Greetings from the Spartan Warrior,
Master Mark Ashford, your knowledge of Spartan women is understandably flawed. Yes, in other areas of Greece and the world, women had limited rights. Spartan women however were famous for having more freedom than elsewhere in the Greek world. Spartan women also had a reputation for controlling their husbands. They could also legally own property and inherit, and were better educated than their Athenian counterparts. This Master Mark Ashford is only the tip of their contribution. They not only ran a well ordered home front but played a major role in training young Spartan Warriors. Rest assured, they could yield a sword if required. They were treated as equal citizens. And yes Master Mark Ashford, if a woman died in child birth, she was accorded the same honour as a Spartan Warrior who had died in battle. This is what made Sparta great, this is where the Spartan strength lay.
As in life, as in sport,as in rugby league, women are the seeds of success.
The Spartan Warrior has spoken.
'usque in altera septimana'

a's picture

Spartan Warrior I want you to put your tips in

Baggy_Gee's picture

Cave Graeci Latine loqui

Johnny Awesome's picture

Good morning all,
Another day, another bus ride to work. I jwas ust thinking, as you do on a bus, only 4 round games this week. This means less choices for Mr 'a' s comp. could be a defining moment methinks. Actually it's a hard round to pick,all the games could go either way. Now, this is where Wayne Bennett choice of Benji Marshall will pay dividends. I said earlier on in the year Benji was cheaply bought for the Origin period. Wayne Bennet has still got it. If they win 1 or even from 3 well the investment was worth it. Cheers from Mr Awesome

Johnny Awesome's picture

Hi all, meant 1 or 2 from 3 wins and Benji cheap buy was worth it.
Cheers from Mr Awesome

The Thinker's picture

Origin update – Thurston ruled out of Origin 1. Milford plays.

So much for my hunch.

a's picture

Yeah that's sad JT ruled out but I hope Milford plays alright

Johnny Awesome's picture

Hi all,
JT out [big tick], Billy Slater not picked [big tick]. Is there any other Qldslanders we can drop from the side? Maybe someone could encourage the Qld boys to go out on the town, cause a ruckus and get the axe? All donations gratefully accepted by NSW.
Cheers from Mr Awesome

Baggy_Gee's picture

We kind of want them to keep Thaiday and Co, it keeps the fresh young blood out of the team.

christine's picture

my tips for rd 12 are as follows :
eels
warriors
sharks
raiders

Johnny Awesome's picture

Mr Baggy Gee very valid point methinks. How about NSW donate a few cartons of strong beverage to the young chaps in the side? Cheers from Mr Awesome

a's picture

Here are my tips

Rabbitohs by 2 I think the Rabbitohs are going to win in a thiller here

Warriors by 10 I feel the Broncos are going to really struggle without their origin players

Sharks by 6 I think the Sharks will ride home here

Raiders by 8 I think the Raiders will clan the Roosters up here

christine's picture

johnny awesome I have to say it's qld for me so that's where we don't agree I have always supported qld in origin not nsw ...

christine's picture

Spartan warrior would you like to tell us who you will be backing in state of origin be it nsw or qld just so we know what side of the fence your on ?

Spartan Warrior's picture

Greetings from the Spartan Warrior,
Lady Christine, as you have honoured me with your invitation, I am thus compelled to reply in suit. Decipher my poem, Lady Christine and your question will be answered.
“The opera of one’s own symphony can never be dashed upon the rocks. For as a tower, which reaches for the sky, looks upon a bridge that joins a population, the beauty of the gardens will shine across the bay of history”
Lady Christine, this is where I dwell, this is where I lay my allegiance, this is my Sparta.
The Spartan warrior has spoken.
deinde usque ad tempus bona valetudo

a's picture

Spartan witch team do you support

christine's picture

Spartan warrior I take then your a fence sitter by not pledging loyalty to either state ...

mark ashford's picture

Chris and 'a' look at the clues.
"opera on the rocks"...Sydney Opera House
"the tower...Sydney Tower
"the bridge joining people"...Sydney Harbour Bridge
"the gardens" well Sydney has plenty.
I believe our Spartan Warrior is a happy Blue.

christine's picture

Yes mark your right he's a blues supporter I wasn't actually looking at the clues sorry about that Spartan it's just we mere mortals are just trying to work you out you have us a bit baffled ...

mark ashford's picture

Mr Spartan Warrior.
I have just "googled" your Spartan Women.
It appears they were better educated, allowed to own property, had "other women" to perform mundane tasks, got involved in the training of their children, both education and fighting and overall enjoyed much more freedom than other Greek women.
Only rider is some lack of written evidence to support it all.
BUT the Spartan Warrior has spoken and it appears he is correct.
On a side note Spartan your interest in this is compelling.
Are you of Greek heritage?

christine's picture

Mark , "a" , thinker just so you know I have an update about my treatment it looks as though it could be by the end of june or july I will have to have two lots of infusions one week apart & then no treatment for six months & then if all is okay every six months after that & at no cost which is a good thing because this particular treatment costs $60000.00 it's a clinical trial that was going to be put on the pbs that now isn't going to be so the company will give it away free on compassionate grounds but only to people with my type of ms & if i'm okay with it say I don't have any reactions to it then I can have it free every six months for the rest of my life but it's only to hold ms at bay from getting any worse it's not to improve anything which is better than nothing ...

christine's picture

Sorry thinker for mentioning my ms but you did want to be updated on my situation & I know mark & "a" did want to be as well as fortress & big pete bx ...

a's picture

I wish you the best of luck Christine

Johnny Awesome's picture

Hello all and hello Christine, this is good news for you. Keeping your condition in check is a great start. Do you know what? As time goes by, better medications come, so your positivity and patience will be rewarded. Wishing you all the best Christine.
By the way Christine and Mr 'a' good luck with Qld but not too much cheers from Mr Awesome

christine's picture

Johnny awesome I know you don't hold much hope for us but you guys do have a lot of catching up to do so it doesn't matter if we throw you one or two along the way we still rein supreme , go qld ...

Pages

The latest in NRL news