Round eighteen selections

Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks – Friday night – Panthers Stadium

The Panthers have the luxury of not having to name their Origin halves in the line-up after unleashing a new pairing in round 17. That said, team changes are pretty likely. Former Panthers golden boy Matt Moylan returns to his old stomping ground, which should create some interest. Now the whole world will be tipping Penrith on Friday night and so they should, but the Sharks will be loving that. They will also recall that when these sides met in round seven the Sharks were comfortable winners (although a few late tries to the Panthers made it look closer than it was). On that occasion the Sharks were without Paul Gallen and Wade Graham and lost Luke Lewis in the 13th minute. Back then the Sharks didn't have Woods or Bukuya coming off the bench either. I'm probably the only one, but I'm tipping the Sharks can win this with their big boppers.

Verdict – Sharks by 4

Result – Sharks 24 defeated Panthers 12

Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels – Friday night – McDonald Jones Smart Stadium

We have had some better showings from the Eels during recent efforts, but their habit of losing is proving hard to break. Mitchell Pearce returns to boost the home sides fortunes, and they did beat the Eels 30-6 earlier in the year. Here comes my best Kanye West impersonation:

You know I've got to be right now, though the Knights can't get much Ponga.

Sheesh. That's terrible.

Verdict – Knights by 4

Result – Knights 18 defeated Eels 16

Canterbury Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Saturday afternoon – ANZ Stadium

The Bulldogs, like the Eels but even more so, have been better in recent weeks, but their late capitulation to the Raiders would be quite deflating. I doubt they've had enough time to pump themselves back up in time for a challenge from the in-form team in the NRL.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 10

Result – Rabbitohs 24 defeated Bulldogs 6

Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm – Saturday night – Lottoland

Last week the Storm racked up a half century and this week they welcome back up to seven State of Origin players. Not many teams like to spend Saturday night at Brookvale, but the purple machine are on the verge of a top two finish and they have a track record of not letting such opportunities slip.

Verdict – Storm by 8

Result – Storm 14 defeated Sea Eagles 13

Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys – Saturday night – GIO Stadium

Some people think I focus on the weather too much, but when the North Queenslanders wake up in Canberra on Saturday morning it will be -5 degrees. The Cowboys season is over and they'll spend the weekend in Canberra wishing they were somewhere else.

Verdict – Raiders by 10

Result – Raiders 38 defeated Cowboys 12

Brisbane Broncos vs New Zealand Warriors – Sunday afternoon – Suncorp Stadium

7th plays 8th and if you just used round 17 as a guide you'd think it was 1st vs 18th. The Broncos didn't concede a point while the Warriors barely scored a point. I assume Peta Hiku has been on defensive drills this week but we can be sure the Broncos will be testing him on Sunday. I'm reluctant to write the Warriors off completely, but this is the time of the season (post-Origin) where the Warriors usually start their slide out of contention. Mr Thinker is planning to drag the mini-thinkers down to the ground for a rare daytime game for the Broncos. Fingers crossed for a contest.

Verdict – Broncos by 8

Result – Warriors 26 defeated Broncos 6

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – Jubilee Oval

The Dragons are short-priced favourites on Sunday but I'm taking them on. Four of the their all-important forward pack back up from Origin, and Ben Hunt had to play in the forwards for QLD too. There's also some very important inclusions for the Tigers this weekend (Matulino, Marshall, Grant, Nofoaluma, Liddle). The Dragons haven't lost a game at home all year so I've clearly broken my brain but:

Verdict – Tigers by 4

Result – Tigers 20 defeated Dragons 16

Gold Coast Titans vs Sydney Roosters – Sunday night – Cbus Super Stadium

The Roosters should be nice and fresh after a week off, and there is some talk of resting Boyd Cordnor this weekend. I'm assuming Arrow and Wallace will be backing up for the Titans but they'll have heavy legs. Before last weekend the Titans looked like a team that could make a last ditch run at a top eight spot, but that dream is over now. Given their lack-lustre performance last Sunday, it's hard to imagine they'll give us much this Sunday.

Verdict – Roosters by 14

Result – Roosters 20 defeated Titans 12

Wally Lewis - round eighteen selections (in bold)

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

  • Panthers vs SHARKS
  • Knights vs EELS
  • Bulldogs vs RABBITOHS
  • Sea Eagles vs STORM
  • RAIDERS vs Cowboys
  • BRONCOS vs Warriors
  • DRAGONS vs Tigers
  • Titans vs ROOSTERS

Comments

pabdul's picture

I hope so

pabdul's picture

100% agree

Coach Potato's picture

Current Streak Table says
Souths 12
Dragons 11
Sharks 10

No other wins through the weekend will change the top3 for this week anyway.

Mary S's picture

Coach -If you are talking about Pabdul & TAD - I think they have a wicked sense of humour!!!

Coach Potato's picture

All just part of chewing the fat, as unsavoury as that may be.

Coach Potato's picture

Just a tad hypocritical coming from the team from Bondi.

Looking through the 2013 Premiership lineup doesnt help any -

Kenny-Dowall
Tuivasa-Sheck
Waerea-Hargraves
Sam Moa
SBW
Nuuausala

The Thinker's picture

Tailspin,

I will add your tips for the round (minus the Sharks sadly)

Coach,

You can't just throw around racism claims willy nilly (and this isn't the first time you have done this sort of thing and been wrong).

13 of the 17 for Penrith tonight are kiwi/polynesian (only one less than the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday)...and 11 of the starting 13.

That's all he is referencing.

pabdul's picture

Yes yet again your absolutely positively 100% right

Baggy_Gee's picture

Stupid freaking Nathan Ross, how can you come on with 8 minutes to go and act like you've played 79 minutes. Typical time wasting moment.

The Thinker's picture

Rocket Ryan 0 from 2

Tiger Girl and Footy Chick 2 from 2

It's getting close at the top

Mary S's picture

Although my footy tipping is pleased with the Knights win, I'm sorry that your team was so close to the win Baggy, and that try in the last seconds was denied.

Rocket Ryan's picture

Now you put the jinx on me thinker

Mary S's picture

Still 6 games in this round to go Rocket!

Baggy_Gee's picture

At full speed it was a try, frame by frame it wasn't. We didn't play well enough tonight. But thanks Mary, we are getting better and that try to Pearce was just so so soft.

The Thinker's picture

You're having a great season Rocket....and you're still in front.

christine's picture

Rocket
Last week when I told you I try to take one or two different from you to jag one you don't get well this week I took both sharks & knights ...

Coach Potato's picture

... even though they admitted that it was ?!

Coach Potato's picture

And the namecalling mot required to be policed ?

Coach Potato's picture

Hardly any are from NZ - bar Corey, Fisher-Harris, and Tamou who renounced NZ citizenship for Australian which to me was a show of ignorance.

NZ was mentioned not Polynesia.

I was also only checking that it wasn’t (so maybe read before you leap)

Coach Potato's picture

Moses Leota , so 4,

Plenty on that team who would have been insulted to be called NZ when they haven’t been there, except to play at Mt Smart.

Coach Potato's picture

a, baggy, and Pete.

Secrets out.
a, you won by streets.
Well done.

62 of the 64 games played and already above 50% mark. You will show as the only one that passed. There’s something coming your way.

So now we are just playing the final and 3rd place game for the heck.

FRA v CRO
BEL v ENG

a - 33
baggy - 27
Pete - 27
C/P - 26 .. I forgot to put my semi tips in (no game changer / no matter)

My tips
FRA v CRO. D
BEL v ENG H

Thanks for playing, the comp of four soccer fans. Was fun.

Coach Potato's picture

24 - 24 games apiece in the 5th set at Wimbledon - Isner v Anderson Just incredible 6 1/2 hours so far. Nearly 3 hours the last set.

Isner was part of the record game 70 - 68 in the 5th set in 2010. Over 11 hours and parts of three days to finish.

Where’s this one going to end?

Coach Potato's picture

Shit. The 1st break of serve in this set 25 - 24 to Anderson. How did I know?

Coach Potato's picture

Yep. There it is 26 - 24. Anderson into the final. 6hr 35m

It’s almost 8pm over there and the Nadal - Djokovic game hasn’t started. They are about to close the roof and play an indoor semi under lights.

Coach Potato's picture

97 years since a South African was in the Wimbledon final.

The Thinker's picture

Coach

They admitted that it was in much the same way that you have been telling people they are 100% right.

Stop prodding the world with a stick and then reacting with a hair trigger at the slightest thing anyone else says. You can be better than that.

If you retract the racism claim I will delete the comment about how much of you is a penis.

Coach Potato's picture

How about the comment that caused my reaction?

Coach Potato's picture

And more than one that lower themselves to name calling

Coach Potato's picture

They aren’t a team of NZers. That to me. is tarring the team with ignorance.

Coach Potato's picture

And then I guess you could remove the question I asked about whether it was actually a racial slur that I just had just read.

Coach Potato's picture

I mean was it ‘really’ ok with you for a team to be referred to as a bunch of Polynesians ? And what if they are? What does that have to do with the game. Sounds like defending the indefensible.

pabdul's picture

Do you ever sleep?
Your still going on about the NZ panthers?
You turn everything into a drama when it’s just a bit of fun.
It’s like saying the Tiger Sharks or more recent the Newcastle Roosters
If you don’t like it don’t reply every post isn’t just for you or is this site “Ask Coach”
Lighten up champ
So when your top team runs out it’s to hells bells but when your pups run out it’s to slice of heaven
Dada dada
Enjoy your day

Mary S's picture

Coach,
Until recently, I really enjoyed this site as there was footy info, light hearted banter, while poking fun at each other, and sharing of ideas.

AND THEN YOU CAME BACK!!!

Now it appears as if no one wants to put their fingers near their keyboards, because of the apparent venom or inferred criticism they may receive in return.
You disrespect other posters on a regular basis. So much so that any posters still interested feel like retaliating in kind.

The part that I, personally, find difficult to stomach where your posts are concerned, is you DISRESPECT THE THINKERS site and all the work he, and his little helper, put in on a daily basis for our benefit.
As Pabdul has commented – “Lighten up”

You do not have to have the last word all the time – and that’s 100% correct.

The Thinker's picture

Coach

Let it go. The Panthers last night looked like a New Zealand Super Rugby team. It's just an observation.

You're cranky when you win and you're crankier when you lose.

a's picture

Come on let's not go back to last year please and let's get back to talking football

BigPeteBx's picture

Morning Coach -
Big Pete's last of W/Cup Tips.
France to win W/Cup, could even be by two.
Belgium to defeat England in 3 v 4 decider.

Thanks Coach for running the mini-comp, was fun and I enjoyed the challenge.

Congrats 'a' in winning the charge.

@Baggy we were at a tie, where the W/Cup was much like NRL.
Struth mate, certainly some lop-sided results and those nations will learn from that, like NRL clubs, at end of season, even though the moves are happening and mid-season mind you.

Enjoy your weekend and sudden drop in temps. Even some parts of Qld are showing signs of what we experience most days of Winter, down here in the southern States.

Cheers all and keep well - Big Pete in Bx

BigPeteBx's picture

Good morning 'a'.
Yes, football of all codes welcomed and other sports.
UK EPL, less than a month from restarting.

Congrats mate on winning the Coach's @Thinkers W/Cup Tipping - mini comp

Cheers - Big Pete from an icy Bx

manyana's picture

Hi all, well I'm feeling a lot better & getting interested in my footy again.
I was just reading through some of the comments, & was interested to see that Rocket Ryan is still in front. Well done Rocket, keep up the good work.
When it's time to do my tips I follow The Thinker (of course), & a couple of other "experts", read what they have to say, & often think "in your dreams", then make up my own mind. I usually write down what the "experts" say, & after the round is over, I see how they've done.
Most times I've got the same number of games as they have, (sometimes more), so I think I'm doing ok. I find it very interesting to read the reasons that people have gone for, or against, a certain team.
With regard to all of The Thinkers tipsters, I rarely check to see who they've gone for.
Obviously, I'm not going too well this season (even in the family competition), but I just enjoy trying to be competitive.
Thanks for including me Thinker, & I hope to be invited again next year.
Good tipping for the rest of the round. Cheers, Manyana.

NuL1F3's picture

I really thought Eels were going to lift last (k)night. I think they had the team to do it but for whatever reason played some lazy and impatient football at times which ultimately cost them the match. I also may have underestimated the Pearce effect :P

christine's picture

Thinker
Can I ask you what you thought of billy slater getting the wally lewis medal ( do you think billy really deserves to get the medal over other players ) just interested on your thoughts about it .???

christine's picture

James Roberts & tevita pangi won't be playing against warriors for rd 18 so if anyone needs to change their tips keep that in mind ...

Mary S's picture

Thanks Christine on the update of players - might make the Broncos/Warriors result different. Who knows this season!!

Baggy_Gee's picture

I wasn't worried about the Pearce effect, he has Ponga running of his shoulder until he went down hurt, and he was also lacking match fitness. The part that made me mad (than usual) was the absolute contempt we showed ball security. How many times did one of the BOYS try to pop an offload to no-one. If we can do back to the basics of forwards HOLDING THE DAMN FOOTBALL, and back not throwing it forward or to an unready player we might be able to compete for the full 80 minutes, before the errors started about 10-15 minutes in I was optimistic that we had even a chance of fixing our +/-.

Mary S's picture

Hi Christine
You may have read the article by Neil Cardigan (NRL.com) on Billy Slater's award.

I found it informative, so for anyone else interested here is the link -
https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/07/14/billy-slaters-origin-award-controver...

Bio on the author of the info:
"Neil Cadigan has been in rugby league media or in senior administrative positions since before State of Origin was launched in 1980, starting with The Daily Mirror in Sydney. He's a former managing editor of Big League magazine and NSW editor of Rugby League Week, an Australian Sports Writer of the Year who wrote (ghosted) the autobiographies of Immortals Andrew Johns and Wally Lewis, among other books."

NuL1F3's picture

Yeah I agree Baggy, the first 15 were great! Just gotta get those 1 percenters, the basics everyone at this level should have. Every now and then they looked like they might win it after all, being tied at half and in front again halfway through the second was promising. Too many penalties in their own half proved costly.

NuL1F3's picture

In regards to your Wally Lewis medal question Christine, (not that you asked me hehe) I personally think he wasn't not deserving of it (did that come out right?) Just that there were players probably more deserving. To not give it to a player in blue I think was an oversight. To see the difference he made to the QLD side though you only have to see the scores between game 1 and 2. Billy was definitely an Origin hero this series, whether he played all three games or not.

NuL1F3's picture

On the plus side Baggy, how good was Hayne??! His game has lifted so much! Back in fine form, just hope it doesn't all go to his head again.

The Thinker's picture

Christine

I think the three judges gave the medal out based on the scoring system that was in place, and their explanation made perfect sense.

If anything the scoring system problem needs a review.

pabdul's picture

See this is where your wrong it’s player of the series
He wasn’t there for game 1
Didn’t get motm game 2
Don’t know how he got motm over DCE in game 3
2 qlders and a sacked nsw Origin coach as judges
You need to play the series
It’s good to know in Qld you can get employee of the year if your sick for the first 4 months of the year

a's picture

I think Homes should have got it

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