Greetings football fans. For those of you that disappeared for the off-season...welcome back.
I'm saddling up again for another year of tipping and happiness. Why wouldn't I? It's pretty cool. Anyone that tipped throughout season 2019 is eligible to play again. When I say throughout, I do mean throughout - that means most (but not all) of you on the 2019 leaderboard can play again if you are keen to have another go.
NOTE: The 2020 NRL tipping competition is now closed to new entrants. Also note that those who participated last year are included again this year (if you wish).
Confirmed Tipsters
Mary S, Walby, Mark Ashford, A, JackStarky, Baggy Gee, Tigerholic, Newbie from Perth, Teraflare, KellysLoot, NuLiF3, BigPeteBX, Hardyards, Esrastar, Gad, Johnny Awesome, SteveUganda, Rick, Manyana, Buzz105, Dragons Fanboy, Mike T, bradapple, Islander, Rocket Ryan, Steel Panther, Scotty Seahawk, The Butcher, jonkulator, Michael N, Tigerholic, TigerGirl, Footy Chick, Scott M, Taka, Tigers717, Catdog
Confirmed newcomers
Steel Eel, The Last Samurai, JKBubble, ARELBEE169, shotfromthehip, DJLeeDragon, Just 4 Mee, NQ Don, PJ Mac, StorminCowboy, Geoff Mason, COSSEY POSSE, Kent21, Spamdog, It Smee Tips, Bulga, SissyC, Jpsimo, Major Dad, Bronco Legend, Angel Shark, Les Boyd's Elbow
Almost confirmed newcomers
Lynne Danvers - if I could get you to create an account on the website (it's free), then I will add you to the tipping comp. To create an account, just click on the 'sign in' or 'register' links at the top right of the screen, then select 'Create New Account' and follow the steps. It's not too tricky.
I will hold a spot for you in the interim.
Prizes
There will be prizes for our top three tipsters and a few random prizes throughout the season, but I'll provide more details on the prizes in the weeks ahead.
The top three also get their name etched on the Honour Board and the recognition you deserve.
Questions
If anyone has any questions about the competition or anything else, feel free to ask in the comments section below. The season kicks off on Thursday 12th March.
All the best
The Thinker
Comments
Submitted by Christine on
Just read darius boyd to retire end of 2020 broncos will hold a press conference on friday
Submitted by Christine on
Just read darius boyd to retire end of 2020 broncos will hold a press conference on friday ...
Submitted by The Butcher on
Wow I enjoyed all this weeks songs but there is a clear winner
Mark what a great version of one of the greatest songs of all time
So talking about greatest this voice is mesmerising close your eyes and just listen https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cAu3a7CMA84
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
All the best champion you have been nothing but top shelf
We will miss you there at the big moments.
Submitted by Les Boyd's Elbow. on
Hi Mr Thinker,
I just came across your site and would love an opportunity to mix it will the big boys, and girls! Hopefully you have room for another newcomer such as myself.
Cheers
Submitted by NuL1F3 on
Oh and Newbie, no, unfortunately I never got my hair quite that long :P
Submitted by Angel Shark on
Hi,
Is it too late to join this year?
Thanks
Submitted by The Thinker on
Greetings Taka
Yes, you are definitely included again in 2020. It's great to have you back.
All the best
The Thinker
Submitted by Les Boyd's Elbow on
Hi Mr Thinker,
I believe i have already signed up. It says i have been a member for 20 hours and 42 minutes. Even accepted a photo.
Submitted by mark ashford on
ROCKET
I too will be sad to see Darius go at the end of this year but maybe it's time to make way for some of the young guns coming through. He has copped plenty of unfair criticism due to his connection with Wayne but I believe he has been a great servant to the Broncs, QLD & Australia. I won't mention the other clubs Wayne dragged him to. I sincerely hope the Broncs find a job for him as I'm sure he has plenty to offer.
Submitted by mark ashford on
BUTCHER
I know I put myself out there as a bit of rock-n-roller/metal fan but Barbara is a special with an incredible voice. Agree with you close your eyes and just listen.
I have a feeling this song (probably not from Barb) was from a movie some years ago? can anyone help?
NEWBIE
Yeah mate it's easy to post a song (ha-ha) when you know how. Thanks again for those tips. Promise I won't pepper everyone as now it's time to talk NRL.
TO ALL TIPSTERS
Less than a week to go. So good luck to all especially the new comers.
Submitted by tigerholic on
Rocket and Mark
You have to be happy with the news that poor old Darius is hanging up the boots. Ever since Wayne left his son Darius behind, the writing was on the wall.
He is well passed his prime, maybe he like all of you banana benders can hang onto the dominance that you enjoyed over the years in Origin.
I for one have never rated Darius Boyd as a quality player, I'll throw it out early this year that he is, was and always will be a grub.
Go the Blues
Tiger
Submitted by mark ashford on
TIGERHOLIC
If I was old enough to be your mother I would insist you wash your mouth out with soap. Whether you rate him or not he was never a grub.
I could list your NSW grubs but haven't the time to name them all.
Hey how about a bit of respect for a retiring player, you goose.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Thanks Les Boyd's Elbow.....welcome aboard.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Tigerholic you can be the first on this site to run into les boyds elbow ....go hard.
His IQ is probably as low as yours.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Hey Mark if you talk about grub's doesn't Les Boyd come to mind quickly
Submitted by mark ashford on
Rocket
I think I could name the entire NSW SOO team over the past 20 years.
Les Boyd in a cheap shot broke Daryl Brohmams jaw in an origin match and was known as a cheap head butter all his career. Nice way to be remembered. Sure there has been a couple of naughty QLDers but I cant remember their names, does this mean they weren't all that bad?
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
J. O'Neil comes to mind, J. Hodges, C. Smith, J. McGuire. Those names ringing any bells there Mark?
Submitted by Taka on
The Thinker,
Thank you for including me for this year tipping competition.
Submitted by Mary S on
Hi Mark,
The song "Somewhere" was in the movie "West Side Story" - I just googled it!
Cheers
Mary
Submitted by Christine on
I think it is safe too say newbie has a thing about men in tights gunnerrs ,poison , van halen the list goes on ...
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Hello there baggy another cockroach with selective memory this could be a good time for you to impress your blue mates and change your name to something classy like Hopoate's finger
Submitted by The Butcher on
My dealing with football thugs was off the field.
I was working at a hotel that was about to open for the first time and we were hiring porters and getting near the end of the day this guy walks into my office sat down and gave me his application I looked up and he looked familiar
I saw his name and said welcome Richard Villasanti? I hate this guy because he took out Fittler with a cheap shot in the 2002 GF but I love this guy coz that changed the game and we end up winning.
I said why do you wanna be a porter he said turps ,excuse me I said he said turps you know money. I said oh tips?
After a brief chat I said we will let you know. Looking around the room he noticed the roosters memorabilia and said I’m no hope am I? I said we’ll be in contact. The real reason was I’m aware of his theft from players bags on a tour with the kangaroos. I heard about a week later he got a job at Jetstar.
But the last I heard he went to jail last year for breaking an AVO against his former girlfriend.
Submitted by Judy lewis on
Hi Thinker
I would like to be in the competition again please if possible. I have new email listed above.
Thanks,
Lillychino
Submitted by tigerholic on
Mark, Darius wasn't a bad player, he definitely used to carry on a treat at the refs when decisions went against him, a lot like Cam Smith.
Mate, you will never get the blue blood from inside my veins, I will sledge and dislike Queenslanders til this Tiger dies.
Rocket my old mate, Les Boyd would have had a higher IQ in his elbow than most of the list of Queensland grubs.
Bring on the footy, this should be a great year of banter and footy talk. Have a great weekend folks, Tiger is off to golf.
Tiger
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
What QLD needs is a great coach to lead them to success, not washed up has beans like Mal, or Kev. Tommy comes to mind when thinking about amazing brains and innovative tactics, not a hateful bone in his body.
Submitted by Plecoman on
Hi can I be joined in please
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Thanks for that load Butcher I spread it all on garden, we had a bit of rain up here and your horseshit is priceless.
Submitted by mark ashford on
MARY S
Thank you for that info, I've been wracking my brain for an answer and should have just gone to Mr Google. A beautiful song and a great movie.
BAGGY G
I may be getting old and my memory not what it was but I seem to remember Mal had a pretty good trot. If your Tommy refers to a certain Radonikus then I appreciate your humour. I believe he currently lives on the Gold Coast and I'm surprised our border guards let him in.
BUTCHER
That's a sad story about Richard Vallesanti. I vaguely remember him but not the troubles you mentioned. Pity to see a NRL player end up that way.
TIGERHOLIC
Not even one ball kicked off in the regular season and already there are some spikey comments. Which is good, looking forward to some fun banter this year.
Submitted by Les Boyd's Elbow. on
All this talk of "Grubs" and "cheap shots" has me starting to think that you Queenslanders want to erase the glory of 70's and 80's footy. As much as i love the skill involved in today's game, one thing it now lacks is real characters...players that we stand around the water cooler and praise or denigrate- players that polarise a community (although Cam Smith comes close). The "Golden Era" of league not only appreciated the hard man, they lauded them. Now sure, Les crossed a few lines that others wouldn't but to make an omelette you have to break a few heads... I mean eggs. After all what would Star Wars be without Darth Vader? Or Bambi without the human? Or this chat feed without Tigerholic (sorry Tiger)? The fact is villains give colour to any story, and like it or not i am here to celebrate them.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
It was Mark, we all know that there have been some real dud players over the years. O'Neils behaviour on and off the field was a disgrace, but so was Gasnier's at times. Hard to name them all, but each side/team has had their share. It just sticks in the craw when some are celebrated and lauded, and others are thrown out.
https://youtu.be/dY3wEMyAEec
Submitted by Les Boyd's Elbow on
Agreed Baggy. I think all players of yesteryear should be applauded for what they are...legends that spilled their blood for our great game. The players today stand on the shoulders of giants. Nanos gigantum humeris insidentes.
Submitted by The Butcher on
Hi Rocket I just got back from Melbourne and I saw a job ad for an AFL coin tosser.
It said the only qualifications you need is that you need to be able to flip the coin very high.
Then I thought of you mate.
Because your the biggest tosser I know.
Submitted by Kevin Jurinak on
Hi Thinker
The Last Samurai here.
Well it's getting close to kicker and I could imagine how busy the thinker must be preparing for it.
So I'm here to ask how how to place tips for round 1 and ongoing
Thank you in advance and Regards
Submitted by The Last Samurai on
Silly smart phone
My apologies to the thinker
I meant Close To Kick off
The Last Samurai
Submitted by siva on
mr thinker
please include me this time
siva
Submitted by siva on
mr thinker
please include me this time
siva
Submitted by The Thinker on
Greetings The Last Samurai
You might see that I have now published the tipping page for round one of the NRL season. If you login and visit that page, you will see (just below the section for Wally's tips) a link called 'show/hide the tipping entry form'.
Click on that link, and it will open up the online tipping sheet for you. You will only see this link if you are logged in and registered (by me) as a tipster (which you are).
Once you open that link, just choose your teams for the round and click the submit button at the bottom. And that's it. You can also go back and edit your tips up until the kick off of the first game of the round. Once the round has started, you cannot change your tips.
If you (or anyone else) has any questions just let me know and I'll give you a hand.
All the best
The Thinker
Submitted by mark ashford on
BAGGY GEE & LBE
Hey you guys, I love nothing more than a good hard game. What I hated was cheap shots, you know little halves being smashed by a much bigger forward after he has kicked a ball or big forwards leading with an elbow to the throat of a tackler. I'm glad headbutts, punches, tripping, arms being ripped off, fingers up rectums and massaging of testicles have all been banned as has eye gouging and other unsavoury acts.
I can think of many NSW based players who are guilty of some or all of the above. Don't forget your player nicknamed "the grub" and called this from both sides of the border.
Before QLD clubs came into the equation I used to watch the NSW boys belting the living daylights out of each on nightly tv and yes some of them had been purchased from QLD. I used to admire any player who was able to leave the field after final whistle under his own steam. Yes it was fun, I'm glad I wasn't out there and I'm glad it's over.
Submitted by Les Boyd's Elbow on
I hear ya, Mark. It was a different era and one where a forward was either played or dropped depending on how much pain he inflicted on his opposing number the previous week, and in some cases this also would decide if he was or wasn't paid. There was many times that foul play crept into the game all too often and having a young son who loves his footy i am certainly grateful it is a different game today. I just would think it a pity if we start to judge players of yesteryear on today's standards, that seems to happen all too often in our modern society and I would be gutted if it is applied to League.
Submitted by mark ashford on
LBE
Mate I agree 100% the players back then were more gladiators than RL players and deserve recognition for what they did. As a RL tragic I hear too many stories of Mums directing their boys to Soccer or other less contact sports to avoid injuries. Can't say I blame them as who want's to see their kids hurt...no one.
Not sure what your rules are in NSW but our juniors are aged based, you know under 8's under 12's etc. We have a large community of Islanders in SE QLD and some of those kids are huge. Not wanting to sound racist but maybe the junior comps should be weight based not age.
I'm looking forward to crossing swords with you LBE as the season progresses. Can I ask you which NRL team you support?
Submitted by Les Boyd's Elbow on
MARK
At the risk of alienating myself any further...i am a Manly tragic. But don't let that fool you, I plan on tipping with my head not my heart in this competition.
In NSW lighter kids can apply to play down a year but they have to be lighter than the set guidelines. for example my son is under 12 and if he is lighter than 37kg (which he is not) he would be eligible to play under 11s, its not a bad compromise for the little ones.
Growing up on the Northern Beaches my old man would take me to the games and there was nothing better than running onto the field after the match and pat your heroes on the back or attempt to snaffle the haloed cardboard corner posts. Great times for a young tacker.
Submitted by tigerholic on
Hi Rocket
I'm just trying to catch up with all of the posts. Is the Butcher giving away free horse manure cause if he is I could use some.
Tiger
Submitted by The Last Samurai on
And again Mr Thinker thank you so much for your prompt and attentive support
The Last Samurai
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Les Boyd BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOurns. Ah Manly should be an interesting comp this year if half the teams rise to their potential. take Thursday, if we can keep it simple and play like we did last year the Doggies (Boooooourns) have no prayer. But if we play like we did last year, away at Brisbane (Booooooourns), then we are going to get slaughtered. It's what makes the game great, but tip with your heart each week as no-one should be tipping against their own team.
Submitted by Les Boyd's Elbow on
BAGGY
Don't worry my heart will very much be involved as I have backed Manly to raise the Provan-Summons trophy in September, so even if i don't tip them here I will be cheering them in every game! From what i can see in this comp there are some serious tippers with very strong League knowledge so when I win 'The Thinker' title I don't want you all to say "I was just riding on Manly's coat tails", that would take all the fun out of it.
Parra have a superb team this year and should go deep, but then again they have had a superb team for a number of seasons now. I hope they can live up to their potential.
Submitted by The Butcher on
Hey LBE
That’s weird coz I live near Bankstown and I’m used to calling people LEB.
Gotta go with your team champ Manly will win more than they’ll lose.
I’m a Rooster and my wife and kids are Raiders can’t work it out though she did give them a lot of green cordial as kids.
I grew up to hate Manly even though they had some of my favourite all time players but times change and with the introduction of interstate teams Manly became acceptable.
I have Manly coming 5th
Good luck and welcome.
Submitted by Les Boyd's Elbow on
BUTCHER
Haha I grew up with everybody hating Manly too, ABM wasn't it..."Anyone But Manly"? That's probably why I have such an affiliation with the villains as we were considered villains where ever we went. As for tipping them it sure is easy for you to say, you're not playing the Storm on Saturday with your best forward on the bench and a new Hooker that we picked up from a team that came 11th last year. But I guess that's what you get when your preferred Hooker stabs someone at church (Darth Vader eat your heart out).
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Manly does have the greatest player of all time, Steve Menzies, but also the worst, Jamie Lyon. I'm ok Les, at least your not a Collingwood supporter. The relative strength of each teams is one of the big arguments for expanding the comp, how many great young rookies are stuck in the ISP or QCup? More than enough to fill holes in the top 30 if you cherry pick a few good oldies to go to Perth or Toowoomba/Ipswich. BTW would DCE back flip again if he was offered a plum QLD deal?????? Asking for a friend.
Submitted by Les Boyd's Elbow on
BAGGY
Didn't Parra teach Lyon everything he knew? Menzies was without a shadow of a doubt the best forward of all time (and yes that includes Cam, Arty and Freddy), but best PLAYER of all time is another step altogether (Maybe Cliffy??). Seriously though there are some big names to be considered for that title, Joey Johns and Thurston would give it a red hot crack.
Up for more clubs but concerned about bums on seats. Central Coast deserves a team too, John Singleton would finance it and they always get excellent crowds up there.
As for DCE, he was never going anywhere. Just squeezing Manly for a better deal at the cost of a few broken Queensland hearts- no biggy.
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