Round one selections

Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Thursday night – Bankwest Stadium

Parramatta begin season 2020 with lofty expectations, but this is a team with a history (since 1986 at least) of struggling under the weight of such expectations. Last in 2018 and fifth in 2019, they appear to be heading in the right direction. Were they to miss the top eight this season it would be an epic fail, but failure is one thing this club knows well. They kick off the season at Bankwest, a venue that has become quite a fortress for them (although they did lose to the Bulldogs at this ground late last season). Campbell-Gillard debuts with his new club, and I'm hopeful that the change of scenery will see him return to the sort of form that saw him, albeit fleetingly, as one of the best props in the game. This is a good test first up, as the Bulldogs always turn up with a pack of forwards that will make you earn your keep. I genuinely believe the Bulldogs are a top eight team this season, and I'm expecting a tighter contest than most, but that home ground advantage and the enthusiasm that the first game of the season brings, sees me tipping the Eels.

Verdict – Eels by 2

Result – Eels 8 defeated Bulldogs 2

Canberra Raiders vs Gold Coast Titans – Friday night – GIO Stadium

The Raiders, grand finalists last year and oh so close, take on the 2019 wooden spooners. The Titans won just four games last year, and they've lost one of their most important players in Ryan James in what appears to be a season-ending injury. He's a huge loss, and Friday night could be another huge loss.

Verdict – Raiders by 16

Result – Raiders 24 defeated Titans 6

North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – Queensland Country Bank Stadium

The game has come a long way since 1995, and even moreso the Cowboys. In their inaugural season, the first grade team were called in to lay the turf on the ground in the days leading up to the first game. Kerry Boustead, the inaugural CEO, ducked off to the shops before the gates opened to get toilet paper for the portaloos. In 2020, we're all running out of toilet paper, but the Cowboys have a bloody nice stadium in the right part of town. It's a huge boost for the club, the city and the game. Fingers crossed they stocked up on toilet paper before now. You couldn't have them playing any other team for their first game at the new venue, with these two clubs giving us some of the best club rugby league we have seen in recent years. Both sides are coming off disappointing seasons, and both have rosters that are good enough to be playing finals footy in 2020. The Broncos have lost Matt Lodge and will probably lose Alex Glenn, and while they have an extraordinarily brilliant pack of forwards they will be without two of their most senior and sensible figures. It's highly likely that Patrick Carrigan, barely 22 years of age, gets the (c) beside his name on Friday night. He's a tremendous young man, but it's a big ask to expect him to keep all those other big units in check. Plenty of eyes will be on Valentine Holmes, the big ticket signing for the Cowboys. He'll go well...and the Cowboys will christen the new home ground with a win.

Verdict – Cowboys by 4

Result – Broncos 28 defeated Cowboys 21

Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday afternoon – McDonald Jones Stadium

It's not easy to make outlandish claims in the first week of a season - this game can make the best of judges look quite the fool. That said, I'm foolish enough to suggest that the Knights are good things on Saturday afternoon. The Warriors are notoriously slow starters, they're away from home, they're short on big forwards, and their best player (Tuivasa-Sheck) is in doubt. Their coach could be updating his linkedin profile early this year. Speaking of coaches, the Knights have handed the clipboard to Adam O'Brien. He's got a good pedigree, spending time in assistant roles with the Storm and the Roosters. The Knights trial form, for what that's worth, has impressed, and there's a feeling around town that O'Brien has this team doing all the right things. With the Warriors down on forwards, the Knights pack can dominate here, and Jayden Brailey has the speed and the hands to give Pearce and Ponga the room they need to deliver.

Verdict – Knights by 10

Result – Knights 20 defeated Warriors 0

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday afternoon – ANZ Stadium

Most eyes will be on Latrell Mitchell in the red and green. The club, and the coach, look a good fit for him. Plenty are questioning him in the fullback role, including me, but having players of the calibre of Cook, Murray and Walker steering you into gaps should make it easier. He will need to stay engaged in defence, but that's up to him really. I expect he will be relieved of kicking duties, at least while new club captain Adam Reynolds is on the paddock. Potentially, this is the best spine in the NRL, so let's see if they deliver. My eyes will also be on a couple of young guns for the Sharks. Cronulla have let Jayden Brailey go and stuck with younger brother Blayke (clearly their parents love the letter 'y') - big wraps. Billy Magoulias looks set to become a regular first grader this season after impressing the Bluebags at Newtown. Promising youngsters both of them, but with doubts over a whole bunch of the Sharks key players (Dugan, Moylan, Xerri, Johnson) I'll tip the Bunnies.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 4

Result – Rabbitohs 22 defeated Sharks 18

Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters – Saturday night – Panthers Stadium

Back-to-back premierships is quite the feat, and the Chooks are the current favourite to win the title again this season. Cooper Cronk and Latrell Mitchell have departed, but they still have a roster that is the envy of just about all others. There are no big-name recruits this season, but they don't need any. Penrith, on the other hand, are spending and losing more money than every other club and have little to show for it. Even Phil Gould has given up, jumping ship to the Dragons this season. They're a frustrating side, and they're not even my side. The Roosters are on the back-up from the World Club Challenge, but they were on light duties during the Nines tournament and I expect they'll be fine. Too much class.

Verdict – Roosters by 8

Result – Panthers 20 defeated Roosters 14

Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm – Sunday afternoon – Lottoland

I've got a peaceful easy feeling that the Eagles can win the premiership this year (did you see what I did there kids? Come on....that's not bad). This is a good early test of their capacities against one of the great Australian sporting clubs of the modern era. Manly are missing a decent chunk of their engine room (and some real spelling challenges for The Thinker) in round one with Jake Trbojevic, Addin Fonua-Blake, Jack Gosiewski and Taniela Paseka all unavailable with injury. The Storm pack will be without Brandon 'waiting for a mate' Smith and Christian Welch but otherwise look strong - my mail is Asofa-Solomona will play despite a hamstring issue and a colourful off-season. While I expect the Sea Eagles will make a game of it (and this is the game of the round), the Storm almost never lose the first game of the season. I can't find enough reasons to tip against them.

Verdict – Storm by 2

Result – Storm 18 defeated Sea Eagles 4

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – WIN Stadium

Now that The Mole is basically a celebrity, I've stepped up into the role of Australia's most famous anonymous rugby league tipster. With the role comes great responsibility - at times I have to make judgement calls I don't particularly wish to make. Here's one such call:

I don't like the Tigers line-up...at all.

Now the Tigers aren't my team, but I do have a soft spot for them, and I want them doing well. I hope they prove me wrong, but I fear I'm right. The Dragons, even without McInnes, Korbin Sims and Dufty, will beat this lot on Sunday afternoon. Ouch!

Verdict – Dragons by 4

Result – Tigers 24 defeated Dragons 14

Wally Lewis - round one selections (in bold)

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

  • EELS vs Bulldogs
  • RAIDERS vs Titans
  • COWBOYS vs Broncos
  • KNIGHTS vs Warriors
  • RABBITOHS vs Sharks
  • Panthers vs ROOSTERS
  • Sea Eagles vs STORM
  • DRAGONS vs Tigers

Comments

Where Eagles Dare's picture

Good morning the Thinker

I love your work here, and was wondering if I could join the tipping competition?
My tips for this week are Eels, Raiders, Cowboys, Knights, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Sea Eagles, Dragons.

P.S. If you have run out of toilet paper by kick off at Lottoland on Sunday, I would be more than happy to send a couple of rolls of Aussie white gold your way..

tigerholic's picture

Morning Footy Fans
Well I wasn';t wrong about who would be submitting their tips last, have a look for Rockets tips, no where to be seen. Surely he has examined the rest of our tips and knows which way he will go.

Hopefully he doesn't forget to put them in.

Looking forward to the footy tonight, have a great day folks.

Tiger

a's picture

Here’s my top 8

Roosters
Eels
Storm
Raiders
Knights
Manly
Cowboys
Panthers

Tigers
Rabbitohs
Bulldogs
Sharks
Dragons
Broncos
Warriors
Titans

manyana's picture

Hi all, here are my guesses for round one.
Eels
Raiders
Cowboys
Knights
Rabbits
Roosters
Storm
Tigers
Good luck to everyone.
manyana.

Lyn Grundy's picture

Eels
Raiders
Cowboys
Knights

Lyn Grundy's picture

Eels
Raiders
Cowboys
Knights
Rabbitohs
Roosters
Storm
Tigers

JKBubble's picture

Hey fellow footy fans!
This is my first year of tipping on the Thinkers site so i'm pretty green as to how it all works.
I submitted my tips on the form and it looks like they have been received, but then i notice everyone is adding their tips in the comments section here......
Are you supposed to add them to this comments section as well?
JKBubble

Mary S's picture

Hi JKBubble,

The comments area is a good place to add tips if you are running late and can't do them through the form, or other posters like to expand with their reasoning for the choices they have made - which can often give you additional info.

But in answer to your question - no, you don't have to enter in both areas, but it provides an additional back up.

Cheers & welcome aboard!
Mary

Rob181's picture

Can't see where to enter my tips so will place here to start with;
Round 1 winners will be
Eels
Dragons
Broncos
Knights
Rabbits
Roosters
Storm
Dragons
Hmmm - I am a notoriously slow starter so take these with a pinch of salt.
Rob

JKBubble's picture

Thanks Mary.
My tips this week are the same as the thinkers - always pretty hard to tip round 1 i find. I used to just tip the home teams and hope for the best.
Talking of home games... that's one nice shiny new stadium your cowboys have! I'm guessing Brookvale is next on the list for stadium upgrades?
JKBubble

Stallion's picture

Hey Thinker and crew,
New to your comp although I've followed for years. Can't find where to submit my tips as the link is nowhere to be found. My tips for round 1 are, eels, raiders, cowboys, knights, bunnies, roosters, storm and tigers. Cheers

Mary S's picture

Hi Rob181

You have the Dragons listed twice, and have not indicated your pick for the Raiders/Titans match.

Cheers,
Mary

mark ashford's picture

MARY S
Mate you hit the mark (no pun intended) with ZZTop. I'm addicted to anything they do. Love those beards, started 4 weeks ago to grow one but don't think I have enough years left to catch up.
NEWBIE
Where do you find these songs? gotta say I've never heard it before but agree with you it's truly beautiful.
Good luck to everyone with their tips.

Rob181's picture

Thanks Mary - you are correct - lets try that again shall we:
Round 1 winners will be
Eels
Raiders
Broncos
Knights
Rabbits
Roosters
Storm
Dragons
Thanks
Rob

mark ashford's picture

Interesting game so far. The Dogs are going much better than I thought they would and the Eels are well just being the Eels. Come on Baggy get your boys home.

Dragons-fanboy's picture

I would just personally like you welcome all of the new folks one here!

Cheers!!!

Dragons-fanboy's picture

Goddamn phone, I meant to write I would just like to welcome all of the new folks on here

Baggy_Gee's picture

No ides when I have seen a worser game of football to start a season. Hats off to the officials, didn't put a foot wrong all night, except for those three late hits on Moses. Nice to start to season with a win though.

a's picture

What a terrible game to open the season

newbie from perth's picture

@ Mr Ashford
Dunno mate, they’re just songs I’ve come across during my extended existence on this wonderful rock of ours. I think I’ve mentioned it before but the 🎼 is such a big part of my life brother. I’ve never stopped listening (like most of my friends did when they got married and had kids blah blah blah) and if I ever did stop listening then you could safely assume I was dead 🤪.

“The music is in me my friend.” Always has been (since about 5yo) and always will be (until I kark it). Soothes the savage beast, makes me cry, gives me hope, cheers me up when I’m down and helps me daydream of being a rock star 😍. Glad you liked the rain bud, especially that “mandolin” rain. Just for interest, this song is on my “funeral playlist” 😉. Cheers.

@ Eels vs Bulldogs
Yeah, have to agree with you Baggy and “a”, it wasn’t a great game as such but I loved it just because the footy’s back 👍. Only grizzle I have was that I missed the first 15 minutes due to my Thursday night grocery shopping (couldn’t find any dunny rolls unfortunately 😁). Once daylight saving stops I’ll be good though. Reckon both sides were a bit “rusty” and can only get better. Now onto tomorrow night watching the Cowboys go up against the Broncos. A “Wild West” theme methinks. Yee-Hah!

newbie from perth's picture

@ Mary
Yeah, one of my faves there young lady. Thanks for posting. Just listening while I’m making a coffee here at work this morning @ 6.32am on Black Friday 😱. Maybe some of the family here might like this “Wild Wild West” one as well 😍. Cheers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zXKtfKnfT8

The Thinker's picture

The officials were really good last night. Have to give them a wrap.

Not a huge surprise to see both teams struggling in attack early in the season, especially those two teams.

The Thinker's picture

To those of you that have added tips in the comments...I'll see what I can do and respond to each of you.

All the best

The Thinker

Rocket Ryan's picture

One of those teams thought by many to be a flag favourite......

The Butcher's picture

You can’t judge a team from one game
The Eels got the 2 points that’s all that matters
Roosters lost their first couple last year
and they finished with a premiership.
I thought their biggest mistake was not give Tankarangi a run.
I never had them at winning the Eels winning the flag but finishing around 5th.
If they can get a home final who knows just ask the Broncos supporters
Oh yeah you are one!

Hardyards's picture

This is getting silly. Talking of not letting supporters into the stadium tonight to watch the footy Because of this ‘cold’ going around. It only kills the senile and immature, you know, shark’s supporters ;)
Seriously, I can live with the fact that selfish buggers are hoarding toilet paper, but to miss the footy is my limit. Stupid viruses 🦠

a's picture

Yeah if footy canceled I was yell

Baggy_Gee's picture

Thats OK rocket, didn't both those teams take care of the Broncos in round 25 and the first round of the finals last year. Maybe we should have hosted you guys in round one to set a new record for opening round score difference?

Hardyards's picture

Great game, great stadium! Lots of lights and fireworks. Even giving away a new car!! Come on cowboys, second half is ours!!!

Hardyards's picture

Great win Broncos. Well deserved.

Steel Panther's picture

The only new thing I saw in Townsville tonight was the stadium....

mark ashford's picture

Rocket
I should have listened to your advice, great win by the Broncs in an away situation and an unsympathetic crowd. Looks good for the boys in the coming weeks.

tigerholic's picture

Well played Brisbane, way too good for the Cowboys tonight.
I have to say that the cowboys were shot ducks at half time, they looked fatigued and off the pace.
Well done Rocket for your determined and passionate tip. Only week one but we all love a sport that can turn up the most amazing results.
Great try David Fifita,

Tiger

mark ashford's picture

WTF Steel
Did you only have eyes for a pretty stadium or did you want to ignore the Broncs dominance. I thought it was a great game between 2 rival clubs who went at it from the whistle. Broncs won but there is no doubting the Cowboys effort, always a great QLD derby.

Bronco Legend's picture

done thanks

Baggy_Gee's picture

Only saw the highlights but David is amazing in broken play. Not sold on V. Holmes though, might need a few games to find his feet at fullback.

Christine's picture

Well if they don't want crowds bigger than 500 people that is going to hurt the nrl really bad , they are saying we will all be in lock down in the coming weeks could be even sooner than you think & yet my father is in thailand right now how foolish of him is that he better not come near me when he gets back that is rhe last thing i need but everyone go & have your phumonea vaccine part of coronavirus is phumonea so if you have that at least you have some protection i have had mine & i get the flu vaccine next week so make sure you all get both done it is better to be safe than sorry just my suggestion for me it is vital i already have a kidney problem on top of ms so i don't need to get coronavirus ( covid 19 ) same thing it would probably kill me if i did ...

Rocket Ryan's picture

I know what you mean Mark,at least that buffoon Tigerholic was not hiding in our camp.
Baggy you have one the greatest recalls re anything negative the broncos, all those origin losses have clearly damaged you,get ready for more pain i can see the eels sliding back where they belong this year.
Hardyards, the stadium looked good hope you enjoy it more next time..........we are locked out of sun-corp next week,I might go to Bali i see that is still open.

Steel Panther's picture

Mark,

You missed the point in my post. The only difference between this season and last season is the stadium coz there sure wasn't much different about the Cowboys form. Yea I know it's only game one but I hoped for better. Aren't taking anything away from a great Broncos effort and an overall enjoyable game. Holmes had a shocking return & more rocks & diamonds from Morgan. On a positive note I thought Ben Hampton had an awesome game. Yip I'm grumpy coz I tipped them again. Should have listened to Rocket!!

Christine's picture

Sorry guys i am changing my tip to saints from tigers i am not on the tipping ladder so it is ok for me to do so...

Rocket Ryan's picture

No more changing Christine you have to pick and stick I only took the tiger's because you tipped them now what am I going to do.

Christine's picture

Change rocket wick but you know the rule if you change the tesm will lose i am not on the ladder it doesn't affect me but you do what gou feel you should do ,you told me i am jixed rememberi eon't forget that ...

Christine's picture

Rocket that said change quick but blame everyone else they have all tipped dragons don't blane me i am relying on izxac luke ...

Christine's picture

Rocket that said change quick but blame everyone else they have all tipped dragons don't blane me i am relying on izxac luke ...

Christine's picture

That was izzac luke...

Christine's picture

Well it would seem the nrl has a god clause in the players contracts they put it in a few years ago for times like now we are facing when the nrl stsnds to loose money becsuse in this instance ths coronavirus that players can still play but no fsns in the stadiums means big loss to the nrl in money so the said god clause means the nrl can negotiate eith the clubs on the salary cap which tjen in turn affects what the players get paid not considering the players health or well-being but i suppose like life the game goes on i mean it isn't like the nrl can't afford to lose a mil or two can they just typical really the players are just cattle when it comes down to it ...

Christine's picture

I hate mobile phones didn't i tell you that ...

Christine's picture

Any newcomers just so you know i argue with myself not really sure who wins yet me or me but i find it entertaining...

mark ashford's picture

STEEL
Yes now I see the intent of your comment and yes you are right.
Interests me how the people who work out the draw always have the Broncs/Cowboys, Storm/Manly and other rival teams meeting in round 1
why not mix it up a bit? I would like to see Broncs/Eels (trying for a bit of redemption) and other not so obvious match ups.
Hope Covid 19 has no serious effect in your beautiful country.

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