Melbourne Storm vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Thursday night – AAMI Park
Both teams lose plenty of troops to game three of Origin but the Storm look better placed to deal with it. James Graham is a collosus but he is just one man, and most of his usual forward pack won't be there with him. Ben Hunt was 'dropped', but stays on the bench for Queensland. The Dragons pack has been one of their key strengths this season, while the Storm will lose just the one back-rower to Origin duty (Kaufusi). The Dragons don't have a great record in Melbourne at the best of times. I'm no Charles Dickens, but this looks the worst of times for the Dragons to be facing off against the purple machine. The Storm get an opportunity to peg back the lead of the premiership front-runner, and they'll take it.
Verdict – Storm by 13
Result – Storm 52 defeated Dragons 30
Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors – Friday night – Penrith Stadium
Is Hook about to get hooked? The Panthers are undertaking the dreaded mid-year review even though they are in the top four. Some may see that as an over-reaction, but their last two games have been ordinary, their one point win over the Raiders was fortuitous, and 11 of their 15 games this season have been against teams outside the top eight. There aren't many teams in the top eight that look like they could slide out of finals contention from here, but the Panthers are a candidate. They'll be without much of their playmaking prowess on Friday night too, with Cleary, Maloney and Peachey on Origin duty. Meanwhile the Warriors are near enough to full strength, and showed enough last week against the Sharks to suggest they can get the job done here.
Verdict – Warriors by 8
Result – Panthers 36 defeated Warriors 4
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – Belmore Sports Ground
The Bulldogs showed some of that traditional Bulldogs spirit last week with a thumping win over the Knights. Unfortunately their best player in that game was Klemmer (who carted the ball for 200 metres and gave his all), and he won't be playing this weekend. The Raiders are losing plenty of close games this season, but games are (usually) won by teams that score the most points. Only the top two teams on the ladder have scored more points than the Raiders this season, while only two teams have scored less than the Bulldogs this season ( the Eels and the Tigers). Without Klemmer they'll have even less opportunities to be in a position to score points, and the Bulldogs need more opportunities to score than most.
Verdict – Raiders by 8
Result – Raiders 32 defeated Bulldogs 28
Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos – Sunday afternoon – Cbus Super Stadium
The Titans probably can't make the top eight this season, but they're good enough to create nuisance value for every team they come up against. They lose a fair chunk of their engine room to Origin with Wallace and Arrow suiting up for QLD, although it looks like Ryan James will now be available. The Broncos lose Wallace and McCullough which weakens them in the middle and they also lose Oates – his runs and yards early in the tackle count will be missed too. I'm sticking with the Broncos who have plenty to play for and plenty of big game experience to draw on despite the absence of their Origin players. This should be tight though, and given the weather and timeslot I think this is the game of the round.
Verdict – Broncos by 2
Result – Broncos 34 defeated Titans 0
Wally Lewis - round sixteen selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- STORM vs Dragons
- PANTHERS vs Warriors
- BULLDOGS vs Raiders
- TITANS vs Broncos
Comments
Submitted by christine on
my tips rd 17
storm
warriors
raiders
broncos
best of luck with your tips everyone ...
Submitted by christine on
Baggy gee
Just read a tweet blake ferguson has signed a 3 year deal with eels starting next year ...
Submitted by christine on
Ferguson signed with eels for $1.5million over 3 years starting 2019 ...
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Coach Potato thanks,
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I never said that forwards don’t lay the foundations. What I meant was I don’t think that’s where Parramatta’s problems are.
I think they are on the backline.
Thanks everyone for jumping down my throat over your misunderstanding. You’re all high class.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Hi Thinker, if are you able to run through your policy again on appropriate behaviour for this page?
The self-police mode isn’t cutting it.
Cheers.
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
Surely you can tell us coach?
Your the only person I know that been ejected from this site
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach
Had no intention of disrespecting your comment just thought the families & rescuers were the important thing. Long way to go to get those kids out.
Submitted by mark ashford on
THINKER & TLH
Today I'm again receiving everyones comments into my junk box again.
Can you fix please.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Chris, Yes Blake has signed a 3 year deal with the Eels starting next year. Why on earth would the Roosters let one of their best players go.
Sure he can be a bit injury prone but if that's the reason why did the Eels pay so much. A gamble maybe but he's a great try scorer.
Baggy I hope this doesn't become another "Lets buy Jarrod thing"
Submitted by Dragons-fanboy on
Hello everyone, my tips for this week are:
Dragons by 4 - Both teams are heavy in the origin absentees. I'm sticking with the mighty Dragons although we seriously need to stand up especially after last week's performance where we merely escaped. I think we can get the job done here though. Congrats to Darren Nicholls btw who will be the oldest ever to make his debut at 29, well deserved.
Warriors by 10 - WIth the Panthers having their halves and one of their in form centres out due to origin along with their form line as well, it's the Warriors for me to do what they do best and win during the origin round.
Raiders by 7 - To me this is do or die for the Raiders. I know that they're 6 points away, but don't write them off just yet, and you'll see with my final tip why I think that the Raiders aren't out of it yet. I know it's only one game but maths is maths and the equation for the Raiders making the finals will increase after this round based on my tips. Enough rambling on, Raiders too strong here.
And finally... Titans by 8 - Thanks for giving away in the previous game Mr. Fanboy. I reckon the Broncs with their origin troops out will effect them in this game. Titans have a few key forwards out but based on form and origin, I believe that the Titans are good enough to beat the Broncos yet again here.
Awesome. Good luck with everyone's teams for this week and with everyone's tips for this week. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Hey baggy keep an eye on that salary cap we know how you guys add up hate to see another million slide across the top of the counter
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Sa-wat-dee krup,
With SOO coming up next Wednesday (my brother’s birthday by the way), we have a grand total of 4 games this weekend. Lots of blokes MIA because of that so maybe some “upsets” are on the cards. Time will tell. Speaking of SOO, read yesterday (and as Mary mentioned earlier in these here comments) that Perth will be getting a SOO match on 23rd June 2019. Woo-Hoo! Both my brother and I have already put in for a day’s leave for the Monday! Should be interesting as he’s a Mexican and I’m a Cane Toad (ha-ha). Don't really care why the NRL has deemed it necessary to put one on over here - just so stoked they have. Yep, pure, unadulterated selfishness on my part (ha-ha). Can't wait! OK, let's’get this party happenin’…
Storm vs Dragons 65-35 @ AAMI
No offence intended and both my eyes are open but my BBB should have beaten the Storm last week. The Storm’s defence (and Lattrell’s muffed kick) got them home. You reading this Lattrell? Sheesh! Mind you, great kick from Cameron to win it. Credit where credit’s due. Spilt milk and all that I suppose. So yeah, the Storm will have a hard one here against the Dragons. Same can be said about the Dragons having a hard one against the Storm. The Storm got smacked 34-14 by the Dragons in Round 9 and will want to get some payback I’m sure. The Dragons didn’t look that good for most of the game against the Eels last week. That might be due to the Origin “hangover” thing with players, not sure. Play like that against the Storm and they’ll get done. There’s a few players missing due to Origin and based on that I’d like to think that Widdop and Graham might just be the catalysts to get the Dragons up and over the Storm here. What the hell, Dragons for me.
Panthers vs Warriors 60-40 @ Panthers
How the hell did the Panthers manage to lose last week? Really, how? But hey, if you take your hunger out onto that field and you have the work ethic, you can beat anyone. And that’s exactly what Manly did to them. The stats say 39 missed tackles. Do that this week against the Warriors and they might just drop another one. Penrith will have Messrs Cleary, Maloney and Peachey missing while the Warriors should be good to go or thereabouts. The Warriors have a 6-1 away record so far and they’re more than capable of showing some pizzazz in attack and might just get up in this one. Bookies have ‘em as favourites so might just tip them here. Warriors for me.
Bulldogs vs Raiders 50-50 @ Belmore
The Doggies had a nice (big) win last week (much to my amazement) and they’re at Belmore. Is that enough to beat the Raiders? Only ask as they’ve lost 3 of the last 5 against the Green Machine. But apparently they played with purpose and if they can replicate that, knowing their gone for the season (finals-wise) then they’re a chance here. Have the Raiders gone mad? How can you lead 12-0 at half-time and end up losing 26-22? I don’t know much but I do know they are a half decent side. Maybe the “attitude fade” last week was just a blip and they’ll get their act together this week. I’m gonna have to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume their “guns” will step up this weekend. Raiders for me.
Titans vs Broncos 65-35 @ Cbus
Big effort from the Titans last week in knocking off the Tigers at Leichardt. I reckon they’re playing with a bit more confidence lately and that will help them this week I’m sure. Plus I read that they got the jump on the Broncos in Round 4 (yeah I know it was a long time ago) and scored 2 tries in the first 10 mins. Look, if they did it then, they can do it now. But as we saw last week, those Ponies are more than capable of coming back from sizeable deficits and winning. How much of a toll does that take out of a side I wonder? Titans will be missing 2 and Brisbane 4 because of Origin so is there a slight edge there for the Titans? You know what? I’m gonna go all “crazy-crazy” and tip the Titans.
OK kids, good luck with your tipping and may your team win by 40 points!
It’s “Song of the Week” time again…
What can I say, I just love the 80s. Suffer in ya jocks all you youngins (ha-ha).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A03aR3_qzs
Cheers y’all…
Submitted by Coach Potato on
https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/07/04/michael-jennings-dropped-by-parramat...
* Jennings dropped from Centre
* Ferguson signed to Wing
Thank you Michael Chammas
#SilenceWillBeGoldToday
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Hi mark, your chat has been fair, You will read my last comment to you that although I thought lots of people around the world would be saying hip hip hooray - myself not on the rescue squad, included, that I did not disrespect your opinion. I said “Sure.” (as in, if that’s what you think so be it)
My thoughts theories and opinions are dragged endlessly through the dirt by a select cowardly, but minority few.
Conversely, my opinions don’t seem to require to be respected at all. I don’t mean agreed with, because everyone can have non-agreement on subjects. But to have everything I say, have rubbish thrown at it, and to start taking the line that I must know nothing about the game is tending to show that sone schoolyard bullies just want me off their playground territory.
I’m not leaving, so it will be up to them if they want to play by school rules, play nicely, respect others, and in so doing, decide to respect for themselves.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Correction. I’ve never been warned off the site. Last time was for the exact same reasons only different culprits. This time, I’m standing up. I’m not going.
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
No one wants you to go anywhere since you’ve returned I haven’t had to kick my dog once
You have a way of rubbing people up the wrong way calling a person a coward is offensive but it’s one rule for you . you give it but you struggle with criticism
I will disagree with anyone I want it’s just coz your comments take up 90% of the space then I will argue 90% more
Watch your mouth
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
For crying out loud, I don't want to buy a good winger, I want to grow a good one up through the ranks. If this is short term it's OK, but I'm worried that a second rooster will stuff up the back exactly as the rooster stuffed up out forwards.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
So angry about Jennings, dammit 800k to play for Wenty. A player option should only be picked up if it suits both parties, exactly the same a club option. But we could get 2 or 3 good juniors for that, Wenty better win next year.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Look to your house and their salary cap cheating first Ryan, we'll take care of ours. It would also help your protests of innocences if you released all the paper work that Andrew Gee "stole" when he quit just before your last big audit.
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
It’s not often you see when Origin players are missing that 2 sides play and both have their best player playing
Tonight goes a long way to see who’s the most dominant with weaker squads at their disposal
For me this is the game of the round
Widdop v Smith
Bring it on.
Submitted by Brad S on
It would have been great to see them both playing each other at full strength but it will be interesting to see how the under strength team perform anyway. I know he played last weekend but I was surprised that Jahrome Hughes was picked ahead of Brodie Croft. Hard to imagine Croft sticking around if he’s moved down the pecking order in the halves.
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
I heard today that Bryce Cartwright is heading to Manly
He can be an asset for tommy turbo and Dylan Walker if his Uncle John can teach him selective passing
Submitted by NuL1F3 on
Hi to all, my tips for this week are:
Storm
Warriors
Raiders
Broncos
I expect the Storm v Dragons game to be close as will be the Panthers v Warriors. The Titans may cause an upset this weekend. Good luck to all those in the comp!
Submitted by The Thinker on
Hi Mark
I've checked the settings on your account and you shouldn't be getting notifications. I will check with TLH. He may have tweaked it before I had a look.
All the best
Submitted by The Thinker on
Coach
If you want to steer me toward something specific let me know.
Everyone else was getting on swimmingly until you returned...and now there are cranky pants everywhere.
And my traffic is down from about 45000 people a week to about 37000 people a week since you returned too.
If this keeps up there will be more people going to Super Rugby games than coming here.
Submitted by manyana on
I'm not feeling too well today. So I've crawled out of bed to do my tips.
All I can say is that I'm glad it's a short round.
I've gone for: Storm, Warriors, Raiders, Broncos, & of course QUEENSLAND.
Good luck to everyone. Cheers, manyana.
Submitted by Mary S on
Hope you feel better soon manyana and yes, QLD for SoO 3!
Submitted by christine on
I'm changing one of my tips for rd 17 so my tips now read as
storm
warriors
raiders
titans
enjoy your weekend everyone ...
Submitted by christine on
I have one more change to my rd 17 tips
dragons
warriors
raiders
titans
no more changes for me now I promise ...
Submitted by Mary S on
It's alright Christine - I've done similar most of the season!!!
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach I try to make my comments fair, I really do.
We're all entitled to our say as long as we keep it nice.
You do seem to take exception when somebody questions you and that's ok too. Calling others "cowardly" etc is not ok.
Asking Thinker to intervene is also not ok. I believe he is capable of running this site all by himself. Perhaps you should have a little "think" before you let your fingers do the talking.
AND as for you BaggyGee
Andrew Gee didn't steal anything, his dog ate it OK! I've met his dog and believe this to be true.
Baggy Gee- Andrew Gee are you two related?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Not kicking dogs anymore is good. Glad I had that effect, because what did the poor animal do to deserve the previous beatings?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Suicide from unrelenting online insult and abuse is quite a sensitive subject for me. So let’s say, I try my very best to defend myself and stand up to this kind of thing. I’ll leave it at that and hopefully get to talk footy at some stage.
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
I love how you always play the victim but you are the bully we were just a couple of kids in the playground who decided enough was enough and stood up to you so no one else’s pocket money got taken.
Submitted by mark ashford on
OK Coach I get you. Online bullying can lead to tragic results and we don't want that.
I believe Storm, even without their Origin players can get the best of Dragons without their Origin boys. It's at AAMI so a leg up for the Storm. What are your thoughts?
Submitted by mark ashford on
Like Thinker and others on this site I believe tonights game will be a cracker. Can't wait. Storm by 8.
Submitted by a on
Let’s get back to football I think tonight s game should be a cracker of a game
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Mark....how's things on Bribie? Did you meet up with Manyana? Maybe I missed the post. Was there myself earlier this year. I have some elderly friends who live in the retirement village in Bongaree. McDonald St is the address I think. Was based in Alexandra Headland while I was over. It was my first time on the Sunshine Coast and I absolutely loved it. Hope to go back next year. Enjoy the game tonight. Too late for me on this side of the ditch with work tomorrow.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Good luck tomorrow at Panther Park, .... Panther. I mean, good luck to the Warriors, Panther (?!)
I guess you know what I mean.
Will be interesting which Panthers and Warriors turn up. My feeling is that the Warriors have fair games out this way. Stacey Jones carved us a few times, as has Johnson. I think it’s going to be physical. Glad we have Origin experience now.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Steel
Lovely to hear from you. Yes Manyana, her partner and I met up for a lovely coffee at Bribie's Coffee club. Talked footy and had a great time.
Manyana is a bit crook just now and I'm off the Fraser Island next week but we have agreed to do it again soon.
Glad you enjoyed your time on the Sunshine Coast, hope you get back soon. Good luck to your Warriors.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Laughed very hard at the dog problem there Mark, if the dog is hungry enough to eat all those pages of financial conjuring then your a lucky man to get away with your life, let alone both your arms and legs. My name comes from long drinking sessions and singing on the team bus coming back from games when I actually did play.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Steel
Just looked up Mcdonald st Bribie. Should have known it. Are your friends in the RSL retirement village? I have a great mate in there who used to go fishing with us on Fraser. He claims he's too old now but is as fit as a fiddle. Name is Colin Turner a short bald Pom but a terrific and active bloke.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Baggy
When I met the dog he couldn't stop burping and spitting out paper clips he was a big unit with a swollen tummy, guess that saved my limbs.
Do you remember those songs and do you still sing them if only in the shower. AH the good old days...you gotta love it.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach, good luck to both teams.
Your Panthers are missing some important cattle with your "origin experience" well..... back playing origin.
Warriors at almost full strength. Time for your young guys to stand up.
Good luck to the Panthers!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I think with our combined injury lists it should be ok to call it Subcorp in a couple of weeks.
Submitted by mark ashford on
This is a great game Dragons/Storm with Cam Smith maybe just shading Widdop. Nane Mcdonald's try one for best tries this year.
Even stevens so far.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Damn did you just catch that dragons try. proper use of the Bunker to over ride that blatantly wrong on field call.
Submitted by Mary S on
Heck of a match - score see-sawing. Hope Storm get back on top.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
To think they would have actually ruled two in the tackle penalty if Widdop had so much as a fingertip on Croft before he lost it. Glad it didn’t turn into that.
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