Round fourteen selections

Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks – Thursday night – GIO Stadium

I learned last weekend that Raiders fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is Norwegian, which reminded me that Norway actually has a national rugby league team. It also reminded me of Sonny Mellor, the former North Queenslander who basically introduced rugby league to Norway. Sonny is a bit of a legend, not only because he has spread the game internationally, but he's done it all with one arm. You can read a bit about him here:

Sonny Mellor the one armed legend

It was great to see the Raiders on free-to-air television last weekend, because they are the most entertaining team to watch in the NRL this year. This is a real test for them as the Sharks are looming as a premiership contender and they may have a few players returning here (Johnson and Woods). Despite the possible inclusions for the Sharks I'm with the Raiders at home, who should pull quite a crowd even on a cold Thursday night. A few months back someone said John Bateman has been the best new recruit this season. Someone was right. Incredibly this isn't the game of the round, but you shouldn't miss it anyway.

Verdict – Raiders by 2

Result – Raiders 22 defeated Sharks 20

Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors – Friday night – Cbus Super Stadium

The Warriors need a fair few things to go their way for them to win a game on this side of the Tasman. Key players are battling a gastro bug, which is the opposite of going your way. Hopefully the rest of the squad haven't picked it up and start suffering on the flight or, worse still, on the field. Note that Adam Blair plays his 300th game on Friday night, which surprised me I have to say. He's never going to win any popularity contests, but 300 games is quite the milestone for a big forward. The Titans found their mojo after letting Ash Taylor have a break to find his – perhaps he's been holding the rest of the side back.

Verdict – Titans by 4

Result – Warriors 24 defeated Titans 20

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers – Friday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

With Scott and McLean unavailable for the Cowboys their pack is certainly weakened, but last week Jason Taumalolo ran for more metres than five of the six starting Tigers forwards (Matulino, Farah, Twai, Chee-Kam and Eisenhuth) put together. He's a handful, and the rest of that starting Cowboys pack is still pretty darn good. While the Cowboys lost last week they lost few admirers. Meanwhile the Tigers couldn't wake the scoreboard attendant.

Verdict – Cowboys by 10

Result – Tigers 27 defeated Cowboys 26

Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights – Saturday afternoon – AAMI Park

Here's our game of the round, and that they have jagged a daytime schedule makes it all better. The Storm have named all their Origin players, and Ponga will be back for the Knights. Speaking of back for the Knights, Aiden Guerra has been named on the bench – an extraordinary return given the state of his ankle the last time I saw him. I have to tip the Storm, who get an opportunity to create a gap between them and the rest of the NRL ladder. The Knights are a serious team, and a win gives them their longest winning streak in 17 years, but that just means the Storm won't take them lightly.

Verdict – Storm by 7

Result – Storm 34 defeated Knights 4

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday night – ANZ Stadium

It was a lot more fun making fun of Penrith when they kept losing, but all of a sudden they've won three in a row and took down a pretty big scalp in the Roosters last weekend. This is another big scalp, but they're getting them at the right time, with Sam Burgess, Tom Burgess and Adam Reynolds unavailable. Johnston has been named on a very extended bench but seems unlikely. There's still plenty of talent in that Bunnies seventeen, but I suspect Maloney is going to use this opportunity to convince Fittler he should be in the halves with Cleary in Origin game two. As a QLD supporter I hope he does    :-)

Verdict – Panthers by 4

Result – Panthers 19 defeated Rabbitohs 18

Parramatta Eels vs Brisbane Broncos – Saturday night – Bankwest Stadium

The Broncos have struggled to find a good halfback since the latest Lang Park statue called it a day, and they're struggling all the more with the injury to Tom Deardon. Sean O'Sullivan gets a chance, and he's promising too, but it falls to Anthony Milford to once again captain the ship here. At the very least he has an all star pack of forwards to work behind, and if the Broncos can't win the forwards battle on Saturday night they're not trying. I'll take the Broncos, purely on a hunch that the Parramatta boys may not be super impressed with the move of Tim Mannah to the Tigers. Oates vs Ferguson should make for a tantalising match-up.

Verdict – Broncos by 2

Result – Eels 38 defeated Broncos 10

Manly Sea Eagles vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Sunday afternoon – Lottoland

There's quite a few good games in round 14 and this could end up being the best of the lot of them. The Dragons are a much more entertaining (and competitive) team with Corey Norman back in the fray, while the Sea Eagles have Cherry-Evans and a pair of Trbojevic's to bolster their chances. Both teams won last weekend but should be further improved this weekend, and while the Sea Eagles had some luck on their side against the Cowboys, I do like to tip them on a Sunday afternoon at Brookvale.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 4

Result – Sea Eagles 34 defeated Dragons 14

Sydney Roosters vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Sunday afternoon – Sydney Cricket Ground

With the addition of Watene-Zelezniak to the Bulldogs roster the family club becomes the most hyphenated team in the NRL. Their seventeen on Sunday includes four hyphenated surnames. The Roosters might have one because Waerea-Hargreaves should be back from suspension, but I can't see his name on the team list. Radley starts in the number nine again this week, and Mitchell and Crichton should be back. The tricolours are missing Luke Keary, but they should be winning this against a team that have struggled to get off the bottom of the ladder all year.

Verdict – Roosters by 8

Result – Roosters 38 defeated Bulldogs 12

Wally Lewis - round fourteen selections (in bold)

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

  • RAIDERS vs Sharks
  • TITANS vs Warriors
  • COWBOYS vs Tigers
  • STORM vs Knights
  • RABBITOHS vs Panthers
  • Eels vs BRONCOS
  • SEA EAGLES vs Dragons
  • ROOSTERS vs Bulldogs

Comments

Mary S's picture

Hi Mr Thinker,
Manyana & Dragon-fanboy had their pick for R 13 entered in the comments which you may not have noticed yet,

Cheers, Mary

The Thinker's picture

Thank you Mary S....I will seek and find.

tigerholic's picture

Hi Everyone

It was a rough week for a NSW and Tigers supporter, both results were deserved wins for QLD and the Raiders.
Looking forward to the footy this week and hopefully I can pull my results out of the gutter.
Had a rough few days at work which makes you appreciate the simple things in life like the footy and the fellow tipsters on this site. I hope Rocket doesn't think I called him simple:)

Talk soon folks

Tiger

Baggy_Gee's picture

Tigerholic treat Mannah with respect. Shattered he is leaving, he was killing it off the bench. Hope he does the same for you.

mark ashford's picture

Tiger
Nothing worse than going back to work after an extended holiday.
You need a week or so to regather your thoughts and get back on the grind. Talk to Rocket, he's been grinding for years.

Jimbel Magaim's picture

I think this weekend games will be more competitive..

a's picture

Here’s my tips

Raiders by 4 I think the Raiders will continue their good form here

Titans by 2 I think the Titans will get Warriors in a thriller here

Cowboys by 8 I think the Cowboys will bounce back against Tigers here

Storm by 2 I think the Storm will end Knights good form here

Rabbitohs by 2 I think the Rabbitohs will outclass Panthers here

Eels by 1 I have no idea who to tip here I went Eels based on home ground advantage alone

Dragons by 2 and here’s my upset of the round Dragons to upset Manly here

Roosters by 30 Roosters will flog Bulldogs here

newbie from perth's picture

Sa-wat-dee krup,

Greetings y’all. We’re coming up to just over the halfway mark in the season this week. Gee, it’s come and gone so quick. As others have mentioned, this tipping caper has its challenges for sure. At least I’m hovering in my usual 50% region. Short and sweet this week so let’s get into it…

Raiders vs Sharks 60-40 @ GIO
Ladder Position = Raiders

The Raiders completely smacked an out-of-sorts Tigers last week in a dominant display. I was surprised how well the returning players did to be honest. The Sharks will put their defensive game under the spotlight this week for sure.

The Sharks have now won 2 in a row with Wade Graham’s return being the added spark they were looking for and it bodes well for their chances in this one. They base their game largely around great defence and it’ll have to be on point this week if they’re to get up over the Raiders in this one. They can’t rely on fortuitous calls from referees like they did last week so time to focus and minimise the errors.

This game should, in theory, be a cracker. I’m thinking it might be pretty tight but at home on a cold Thursday night I’ll be tipping the Raiders.

Titans vs Warriors 55-45 @ CBus
Ladder Position = Warriors

Yeah, that’d be right. I jump off the Titans because they’re rubbish (they really are) and then they turn around and knock off the Broncos. Sheesh! What can I say? Maybe they’re my bogey team this year as far as tipping goes. Nothing to say, I’m just speechless. I am without speech.

The Warriors got well and truly caned by the Storm last week. Again, they were disappointing, and at home as well. Mind you, the Storm are classy and sit on top but thought the Warriors might’ve put up more of an effort for the full 80 and not just the first 40. The Titans will be easier though.

This is tough. Two teams playing unpredictable footy but just to spite the Titans (ha-ha) I’m tipping the Warriors here. Peow! Peow!

Cowboys vs Tigers 60-40 @ 1300Smiles
Ladder Position = Tigers

The Cowboys were brave in defeat last week only going down by two against Manly. They seem to be trending upwards though and I like the look of their forward pack. They need to use it as an attacking weapon this week. Well D'uh! 😄

The Tigers were completely out-of-sorts last week and offered absolutely nothing. I’m starting to wonder where their heads are at actually. We’ve seen the Tigers play games like this before so I’m trying to work out if they’re capable of bouncing back this week or not. Why they’re not scoring more points has me baffled.

Feel pretty comfortable tipping the Cowboys at home here. Giddy Up!

Storm vs Knights 60-40 @ AAMI
Ladder Position = Storm

The Storm accounted for the Warriors pretty easily last week. Obviously the Knights will offer more resistance so Melbourne’s game will have to be on point or they might be in trouble. An advantage will be that they’re playing at home.

The Knights put another notch on their belts by knocking off the Rabbitohs last week. Really impressed how they’re playing their enthusiastic brand of footy at the moment. This enthusiasm will certainly be put to the test against the Storm.

Definitely the game of the round. I think the Knights’ run might just come to an end this week but wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t. Storm for me.

Rabbitohs vs Panthers 75-25 @ ANZ
Ladder Position = Rabbitohs

The Rabbitohs got rolled last week, albeit by a red-hot Knights mob. Injuries aren’t helping them either. This is obviously a must-win for them this week. They just need Wayne to get them focused and playing the full 80. I can see Damien Cook carving them up once again in this one. The return of Cody will be a huge plus for the Bunnies.

The Panthers surprised me last week when they got the chocolates over my BBB but credit where credit’s due. They played a great defensive game and deserved the win. Maloney played a great game and he needs to replicate that form again this week for the Panthers to make this interesting. Still not convinced on Cleary though. Overrated?

Even with their “outs” I’ll stick with the Bunnies this week.

Eels vs Broncos 45-55 @ Bankwest
Ladder Position = Eels

Sorry Baggy but the Eels were very poor last week. Don’t mind if a side loses but not by 20. Feel for ya brother. But at least you’re back at Bankwest this week. The “bounce back” factor comes into contention here for sure. Moses will need to step up to give the Eels a chance in this one.

Can’t believe the Broncos lost that one last week. SMH. They do have some handy players returning though so that will definitely help. I notice the Broncos’ slow starts are seemingly reappearing. Anthony needs to shake that out of them and sooner rather than later.

Tough one this one. Eels definitely lift when playing at Bankwest (only a handful of games as a guide though) and the Broncos off the boil at the minute. Hmmm. I’ve got a bad feeling about this one but I’ll tip the Eels.

Manly vs Dragons 55-45 @ Brookvale
Ladder Position = Manly

Manly held on for a skinny 2 point win last week against a brave Cowboys side. DCE and Turbo were back and while DCE was good, Turbo was a little rusty. The first week back would’ve done Turbo some good and probably brushed out a few cobwebs. Would imagine he’ll improve a bit this week. One bloke shouldn’t “make a difference” but with Manly, he does. It’s as simple as that.

The Dragons, on paper at least, should’ve won more games than they have and finally got one last week, albeit at the expense of the bottom placed Bulldogs. It’ll be interesting to see if Corey Norman ends up being the “X” factor in this one.

I reckon Manly should be able to do enough at home to win this.

Roosters vs Bulldogs 80-20 @ SCG
Ladder Position = Roosters

Not making excuses but I wasn’t aware of just how many blokes the Roosters were missing until just before kick-off when I heard the commentators talking about it on TV Sunday afternoon. For some reason I thought we had a couple missing but as we now know, it was more than that. The Roosters played an OK sort of game but nothing to get enthused about. Loads of missed tackles and stupid errors cost us. Not having a good run lately that’s for sure. No problems though, we’ll come good again once everything settles down. Just have to focus on winning games and staying in the four at the very least. Returning players this week will definitely help.

I gave the Bulldogs a chance last week (and tipped them) against an out of form Dragons but they didn’t deliver at all. Their defence was dismal by all accounts. Maybe new guy DWZ will give them a little spark. Let’s wait and see eh?

Yeah, my BBB have lost 3 on the trot and we had some blokes missing but I know we have too many class players who’ll be running around on Sunday and we’ll win this one to get back on track. Roosters for me obviously. Begurk! Begurk! 🐔

Let’s finish off with another “Song of the Week”…

OK, this is what you need to do… Make sure you’re alone (preferably), crank this one up and start dancin’. Doesn’t matter how you do it, just do it. No-one will see you. C’mon, you know you wanna…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZemLHAdM3Y

OK kids, good luck with your tipping and may your team win by 40 points! Until next week people. Cheers.

manyana's picture

Hi all, here are my tips for this week.
Raiders
Titans
Cowboys
Storm
Panthers
Broncos (50/50, so I've probably gone the wrong way)
Sea Eagles
Roosters
Good luck to everyone, manyana.

mark ashford's picture

Hey Newbie
Yet another foot tapper, though must admit hadn't heard it before.
What blows me away is the number of African/American women who have incredible voices, for mine they leave the Caucasian/American female singers for dead. Whitney Huston, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and so many more too numerous to mention.
With Whitney and Aretha now gone and Tina not far behind we have lost some amazing talent. I was surprised to learn that Tina's (IMO) best effort Nutbush City Limits was written about her birthplace Nutbush Tennessee. Surely no one out there hasn't danced to Nutbush C. L. the most requested dance song at weddings

mark ashford's picture

THINKER
Just read the Sonny Mellor story curtesy of your link.
Ashamedly I had not heard of Sonny before today.
What an incredible story and one to motivate all Australians not just our indigenous people. I can see Justin Hodges (in fun) giving him stick about his arm.
Thanks to Sonny, Australia may one day be playing against his team.

Baggy_Gee's picture

You should listen to some of the other songs that they sing Mark, "Look for a hero" you will know but I never knew that they sung that. Ok with the Girls getting 5/8 with little thought and me busting my brain to try and get some right, I'm going with 2 letter in a hat. H and A. They are on 57/100 after last week.
Sharks - We like sea animals (the younger one had to check with her sister about that)
Titans - Still anti warriors logo, (Sorry Steel)
Tigers - Because they can pounce.
Storm - Because they have lightning
Panthers - They are quick (????????? but they got that game last weekend)
Broncos - Because they are our favourite team. (I said there was only one correct answer, not sure that they got it)
Manly - Because Dragons don't interest us, unless its against the Warriors (still don't like the logo)
Bulldogs - Because we own a dog and like them.

The ironic thing is I'm going to lose this season to them.

mark ashford's picture

Baggy
Those girls will be a delight for the rest of your life.
Don't worry about your Eels just take care of the little ones.
Nothing else matters.
TO BAGGY'S GIRLS
Just keep beating dad on your tips and keep tipping the Broncos.
Enjoy your life little ladies.

Dragons-fanboy's picture

Hello everyone. This round is a toughie with some great games on show this week. My tips for this week are:

Raiders by 2 - This one will be an absolute belter. The Raiders had a clean sheet for a third time this game and the Sharks entertained in a high scoring game against the Eels. The Sharks need to aim up in defence if they're going to beat the Raiders in this one. 42 points does help the Sharks' cause in attack as they now have the confidence to match it in attack with the Raiders. But the Raiders have shown their attacking prowess more consistently than the Sharks have and as I see this as a high-scoring game, it's the Raiders who just have enough for me.

Warriors by 6 - Both these sides have been very inconsistent this season. You never know what you're going to get from these two teams. The Titans have been in good form lately. The Warriors played a good first half and dropped off in the second last week. Coming up against the Storm, they got punished in that second half. I hope these sides will be on this week so we can get an entertaining game of footy. But I see the Warriors bouncing back this week to get a much-needed away win.

Cowboys by 10 - The Tigers were poor last week against the Raiders. They showed nothing in attack and were poor in defence. The Cowboys on the other hand were unlucky in their tight loss to Manly. The Cowboys' forward pack may be weakened with McLean out and Scott still out for the Cowboys but their wrecking ball Taumololo will surely have another blinder here and their backline has improved as well as the season has progressed. I think that the Cowboys' backline along with Taumalolo and the other Cowboys' forwards will do enough to beat the Tigers here.

Storm by 4 - Game of the round folks. The ladder-leaders going up against the form team in the comp at the moment. This will be an absolute cracking game. If the Knights beat the Storm, they'll have victories over the top 3 teams back-to-back-to-back which will be an amazing feat if they do manage to win. And they'll also have 7 wins in a row for the first time in 17 years. But will they do enough to beat the Storm? I don't think so, the Storm will definitely match it with the Knights, who've been playing an amazing brand of footy. The Storm are the best defensive team in the comp and they do play an exciting brand of attacking footy, especially when they're on. So it's the Storm for me, but only just.

Rabbitohs by 12 - Souths to bounce back here with a win over the inform Panthers.

Broncos by 1 - Broncos to get a tight win here over the Eels handing them their second loss at Bankwest.

Dragons by 8 - Dragons to go back-to-back with a win over Manly away from home. Good luck to BigPete and the other Manly supporters on this site, may the best team win.

And finally... Roosters by 16 - The Roosters should bounce back here with a big win over the Bulldogs.

Awesome. Good luck with everyone's teams for this week and with everyone's tips for this week. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

christine 's picture

Ok I am late with my tips I have been to hospital today & busy doing things so that is my reason I am not on the tipping ladder anyway so please just put my tips down as the same as "a"'s this week that will do me I had a few problems to sort out at the hospital today I haven't been around a computer to put my tips in sooner sorry for being so late everyone I don't know any scores I haven't seen a tv all day ...

newbie from perth's picture

@ Mr Ashford

Yeah, all those ladies are indeed Divas! Love ‘em all. One you didn’t mention was Yvette Marie Stevens and I fell in love with her from the very first time I saw her in the 70s. Hey I was pretty young back then and the hormones were running rampant 😄

You’re most probably asking yourself … Yvette who? Yvette Marie Stevens is her real name but you may know her as Chaka Khan. A mighty fine singer and gorgeous to boot. I’d rank her right up there with the ladies you’ve mentioned.

Check out this gem if you feel so inclined my friend. Cheers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTYRGBu6xvM

P.S. Sorry mate but cross my 💛 I have never done the Nutbush “dance” and am unsure if that’s a blessing or a curse (ha-ha).

The Thinker's picture

@Mark

I'd heard about him when I lived up in North Queensland. There were whispers down in Townsville that this one armed kid in Cairns was a talent.

He is...and a good bloke to boot.

mark ashford's picture

Newbie
Yes Chaka Khan is another superstar. I would also include our own Marcia Hines (yes I know she was born in the States but has called Australia home since her appearance on J C Superstar)
Mate maybe it's a QLD thing but I've never been to a wedding, including my own, where Nutbush wasn't played.
Usually late in the night when most of the guests were well and truly lubricated. Everyone sang along and staggered about. Not sure what Tina would have thought if she saw it.

BigPeteBx's picture

Good evening Christine - hope u r ok and feeling better now.
I'm sorry you didn't get the hospital staff to log your tips for you and introduce them to The Thinker site...grin.
Nah, that's just me on the brighter side, trying to get a smile out of you.
We are all thinking of you, as usual.
Take it easy this weekend and keep well - Big Pete

BigPeteBx's picture

Thanks for the thought our Manly way, Draggo.
Should be a good game, on a nice Sunday afternoon at Brookie.
I'll be thinking of you and Johnny, when the shootouts on, at The OK Corral on Sunday.
Cheers Guys and keep well - Big Pete

BigPeteBx's picture

Newbie and Mark - too often have I been present at a function when Tina does her NutBush bit.
The temp is that slow with the tune, that you either feel like sitting down, or going to sleep, standing up. It just means that you have to get moving and get into the song, or these things can happen.
Really, I think doing The Hokey Pokey, has more liveliness in it.
Whichever, you're either in or you're out.
Cheers Lads and have a great weekend - Big Pete

christine 's picture

big pete
Where do you want me to start the hospital visitor wifi kept kicking me off as soon as it would let me on a website & after it does so many times it doesn't let you back on ,the hospital gave me a nurse to do my canular that bent the canular in my vein which she put where my elbow is so every time I moved my arm it pushed the canular in even futher which turns out bent the canular even more , they start by giving me prednezone then they flush that through the drip lie before they then put my treatment through the drip line that is called ocrevus then after the ocrevus they have too flush through the drip line with saline saloution then you have observation for an hour or so if they don't forget about you which they have before believe me they usually remember when it comes time for change over for them too go home but when it came time for me to have the saline flush through the drip line my arm started getting wet that's when e discovered that the drip line was not only bent but the saline was running down the outside of my arm not in to my vein properly mind you my ocrevus is $14000.00 per treatment if I had to pay full cost at a time which I don't I am glad about that but that's when I told them my arm is wet that they came over too me & decided that the canular wasn't put where it should have been in the first place that I was finished we will just keep you here for more observation before you can go so they started too slowly unhook me only to discover the canular was sevearly bent in my vain which they every so carefully exstracted from my arm which had more bends in it than a cork screw bottle opener I kid you not the vfirst thing she sid to me was it's bent ten she showed me the canular to which I said that was in my vein to which I was told the girl that did my canular has only been there for 2 .5 months she went their from another hospital & today I have had a side effect from it all day my face has been bright red & hot too touch same thing happened last time after treatment for a day but antihistermine is suppose to help it as well as paracetamol which I have had multiple of both & it did nothing for me but tomorrow it should go away , my face is that red everyone thinks I am sevearly I am sunburnt but my hands are cold too touch & so is the rest of me it is just a side effect from the treatment they expect it only lasts for a day so tomorrow I will be fine as for the hospital I am trying to change hospitals so my next infusion will be elsewhere I am already booked in for December 4th with a different hospital I am not going back there only for a follow up appointment but I have the opportunity of getting a professor at the other hospital so see what happens I will let you know , the joys of having ms not fun ...

Dragons-fanboy's picture

BigPete,

Sure will be a great game. I'm sure that we'll both have you in mind too haha well I will at least. Enjoy your time at the Corral.

Cheers!!!!

mark ashford's picture

Christine
After reading your post I thank God I'm reasonably healthy.
I'm sure everyone here wishes you all the best with your treatments.
Yes MS is a hideous ailment so keep your chin up and keep positive.

manyana's picture

It sounds as though you have had a bad time, but try & stay positive.
I know it's easy to say, & I also know how hard it can be, but I think everyone is thinking of you.
Cheers, manyana.

Steel Panther's picture

I recall comments a round or two ago about JWH and the agressive way he plays the game so I'm surprised that there's been no posts about the cheap shot by Adam Blair last night on Tyrone Roberts. A blatant act of thuggery that the game doesn't need resulting in Blair been sent to the bin. What a shameful way to remember your 300th NRL game!!

christine 's picture

Thanks everyone for keeping me in your thoughts it is much appreciated & I do try too stay as positive as I can but some days are harder than others , I know that there are people out there worse off than me & I try too keep that in mind at the end of the day I don't quite know what path this illness is going to take me but I would like to be the one in control of what happens to me at all times but this illness does not discriminate it can effect any part any time it likes my illness isn't exactly user friendly so too speak but I do my best again thanks everyone for thinking of me . Christine ...

Baggy_Gee's picture

Didn't see the game as no FOX sports. How bad was it the hit?

Steel Panther's picture

It was bad Baggy. Roberts threw the pass and Blair hit him very late on his blind side. I'd Blair will be having a few weeks off with his poor record at the judiciary and it will be nothing short of what he deserves!! It was cowardly....

Mary S's picture

Agree with you Steel - have always thought Blair was probably a bully at heart. The kind that deliberately pull wings & legs off a dragonfly etc, before squashing them.

christine 's picture

Who do you think will replace JAI ARROW for QLD anyone have any opinions on the subject ???

Baggy_Gee's picture

I'll watch the highlights, Been chewing my fingernails off for the last 90 minutes. Damn I miss having a team you can count on to lead by 26-0 at half time, and not blow it. But ever since that Cowboys game, no lead is big enough for us to defend.

Mary S's picture

They did you proud Baggy!!
Hope you have some fingernails left - ready for the match against the Raiders!

Baggy_Gee's picture

They did, it was a great game by the BOYS. Yes I'll be ready to chew them to death again after a fortnight off.

christine 's picture

nine.com .au homepage says Mitchell pearce has been ruled out for state of origin 2 he has a groin problem & a cork ...

christine 's picture

now I read hass was ruled out 1 hour ago too ...

Steel Panther's picture

Good evening Mary S trust you are well. You're certainly traveling nicely with your tipping this year. I'm still struggling to tip your Cowboys. Every season I seem to have a bogey team & this season it's the Cowboys. Tip them they lose, tip against them & they win. Frustrating!! Just watched Manly demolish the Dragons so Big Pete will be happy but no so Dragons Fan Boy. How many times this season have the Dragons started well only to fade??

The Thinker's picture

For NSW....L Mitchell is out. Blake Ferguson is on a wing. The centres are Tommy Turbo and Jack Wighton. Maloney joins Cleary in the halves. New forwards are D Safiti, Finucane, T Sims and W Graham.

Plenty of changes.

The Thinker's picture

For QLD....Wallace and Glasby are in to replace the injured Arrow and Ofahengaue.

mark ashford's picture

Steel my old mate, your boys did a nice job on the Titans, one I didn't tip. You have called out Adam Blair as a naughty boy but surely you need players like this to get you a win or two. No doubt it was a bad shot but you won the game. I remember Blair playing for the Storm and then my Broncs always being a bit naughty in his tackles but usually helped to win the game. Love him or hate him, he gets the job done.
Look at Jared W Hargreaves, no difference, just game winners.
Hope the weather is good in beautiful Auckland.

The Thinker's picture

Greetings football fans

I have updated the tipping comp and the NRL ladder. No NRL this weekend so I will have our Origin game II page up and running shortly.

I will also have a random prize for a random Origin competition...stay tuned for details.

All the best

 

BigPeteBx's picture

Heavens Christine - u went all over the shop there with your hospital visit. I know yr feelings after what you've disclosed to us here. One would think that a patient with your background of visits/appointments and your record card shows that, they would have made sure that someone from nursing would have been a bit more familiarised, with what they were doing. We here are thinking of you.
Keep well and warm - Big Pete

BigPeteBx's picture

Good evening Steely,
Big Pete is extra happy with today's result, but not spruiking it here, but will be at my work tomorrow mate. Some results, we were left wondering with this round. Some very close.
Cheers, keep well mate and have a good week.
Big Pete

mark ashford's picture

Hey Steel
Just reread my previous post and it looks like I was making excuses for Adam Blair. I was just happy for you when your Warriors got a win over here. In no way do I endorse violence in the game and late shots make me sick. Keep well me old mate!

Steel Panther's picture

Hey Mark all good on this side of the ditch apart from it being wet. Blair is getting roasted here by all and sundry for his late cheap shot. I recall similar behaviour while at Brisbane. No room for that in the game. As you know I'm moving house next month. Packing up is a grind but it will be worth it to make a fresh start. I feel after the move I'll need another holiday on the Sunny Coast. Keep well!!

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