That's a surprise.

Apologies with my previous Thinker - Awesome didnt pick Knights. Dolphins playing at home sure made it a tipsters selection option.
Cheers and keep well
BigPete in Bx

Hey Frens,

My first week of holidays has been good. Planned on getting some “chores” done but I’ve been enjoying being on the net until the small wee hours of the morning and especially sleeping in. When you usually get out of bed at 4.30am, sleeping in until 8.30am is pure bliss 😂. OK, let’s do this thing …

Rabbitohs vs. Panthers @ Accor
Probability @ 20-80
Ladder Position = Panthers
Bookies Favourite = Panthers

Verdict: The Rabbitohs aren’t showing me any signs that they’re gonna come out of their horror form slump anytime soon so I just can’t see them being able to cause an upset here. The Panthers did well last week and they should win again. Panthers by 10.

Manly vs. Raiders @ Brookvale
Probability @ 75-25
Ladder Position = Manly
Bookies Favourite = Manly

Verdict: Manly were very good last week while the Raiders let me down big-time. Ah, the Raiders of old seem to be back again. They might bounce back a little but it would have to be a huge turnaround. I’m on Manly by 10.

Broncos vs. Roosters @ Suncorp
Probability @ 65-35
Ladder Position = Broncos
Bookies Favourite = Broncos

Verdict: Both these sides come into this match after convincing wins last week so it should be a cracker. The Broncos smashed the Tigers but the Roosters absolutely destroyed the Dragons (yes, I was definitely “over the moon” Mary 🐔). Yeah, I know we beat the Broncos in Round 1 but this is a different Broncos and they’re at home. Hoping desperately for an upset here but the Ponies should get up with the class they have. Broncos by 6.

Bulldogs vs. Tigers @ Accor
Probability @ 70-30
Ladder Position = Bulldogs
Bookies Favourite = Bulldogs

Verdict: The Bulldogs come into this “fresh” after their bye and on paper, are the better side. The Tigers seem to me to have slipped back into their old habits. Mind you, their opposition this week will be a lot easier than what they’ve had in the last 2 weeks (Panthers & Broncos). For that reason one could argue they might have a chance here. Regardless, I’m tipping the Bulldogs by 8.

Titans vs. Storm @ Cbus
Probability @ 25-75
Ladder Position = Storm
Bookies Favourite = Storm

Verdict: Yeah, the Titans finally got their first win last week against creditable opposition and don’t forget they did well the week before against Manly. Playing the Storm is gonna severely test them here but at least we’ll see where they’re at. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Storm don’t have it all their own way but they are just too classy and shouldn’t lose. Storm by 12.

Cowboys vs. Dolphins @ Townsville
Probability @ 70-30
Ladder Position = Dolphins
Bookies Favourite = Cowboys

Verdict: OK, the Cowboys lost last week but there was merit in that loss to the Panthers. The Dolphins on the other hand were disappointing in their loss to the Knights, which quite frankly surprised me. Based on what I saw from both these teams last week, I’d be silly if I didn’t go for the home side. Cowboys by 10.

Knights vs. Warriors @ McDonald Jones
Probability @ 40-60
Ladder Position = Warriors
Bookies Favourite = Warriors

Verdict: This is a (really) hard one to pick in my opinion. The Knights won against a side who have notched up some good wins so far this year and then you had a winless side jump up and beat a very handy Warriors who I thought would’ve done it easy. Looking at the formlines from last week you’d most probably go the Knights, especially seeing as they’ll be at home. I think I’ll give them one more chance, and if they falter then I’m off them until they win. Warriors by 4.

Sharks vs. Dragons @ Shark Park
Probability @ 75-25
Ladder Position = Sharks
Bookies Favourite = Sharks

Verdict: Last week the Sharks were absolutely brilliant while the Dragons were absolutely terrible. Could picking the winner here be as simple as that first sentence makes it out to be? Yeah, it could. Sharks by 16.

Bye: Eels

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

I’ve only just “discovered” this woman. Yeah, I knew she’d been around but never really took an interest. This one is a good ‘un. Cheers.

https://youtu.be/HeWvg0PoMCo

OK kids, good luck with your tipping and may your team win by 40 points! Cheers 🐔 🐔 🐔

Morning MGM and others. Getting a little over this issue of sportspeople (and commentators it would seem) doing whatever they like in social situations and not seeming to ever listen to that little voice in their head that sums up situations and offers alternatives. Worrying for me with Trindall is that apart from all the traffic offences and danger to the public was that he was caught going to a Cronulla training/ recovery session. Would anyone there, from coach or assistant coaches or other players or physios have said anything to him about his physical state? Would Cronulla have picked up on it and stood him down for being an absolute tool? Pretty sure they wouldn't have. It's about time these overpaid prima donnas realised that without football they're pretty much useless to society except in the building and security industries. My penalty for Trindall, as a long time Cronulla supporter, would be more along the lines of the Mitchell Pierce penalty mentioned in the article. Being a professional sportsperson would be difficult but then again, everybody elses job is hard as well. Basically, if these footballers are that stupid, give them a penalty even their little dinosaur brains understand. Rant over.

Hello all. FancyPants here coming to you from Pittsburgh, USA. At first glance, Round 9 appeared to be filled with quite a few lopsided contests. Now with JD being sacked and Cleary being held out, does that change anyone's outlook of the result? Also, with being from the States, I'm not 100% familiar with the geographic locations of all the stadiums but have heard on several different tipping sites that rain will play a large role in the matches in and around Sydney this week. If I happen to ever wager responsibly, I try to stay away from those matches as that is an X Factor that could change the result of any match. Given that, it seems that my options are now very limited! Good luck to you all!

Correct there JWH ruled out with what is called "an old mans injury" Hahaha - love that explanation. But his 300th will have to wait mate.

Cheers mate and keep well
Big Pete

@EsraStar
I too am concerned that the Dolphins probably won't have Wayne Bennett beyond this season . No-one else could have got the new club up and running and so immediately competitive the way Wayne has and two seasons doesn't seem Near long enough before putting them in the hands of someone else. Those shoes are just too big to fill!
Unfortunately, that's been the plan from the outset and not kept secret.
Even so, it defies logic.

Fantastic input, all. Much appreciated. Happy to be here!

“Hoping desperately for an upset here but the Ponies should get up with the class they have.”

Commiserations Broncos fans but very happy to be wrong and lose the tipping point in this one. Yes, I know I should’ve had more belief BUT “logic” took that belief away.

To be honest MGM, I didn’t honestly think we’d win. Your comment has got me thinking I should growacet and return to the blind loyalty plan 🐔 🐔 🐔. Anyways, I was otherwise engaged earlier so had to record the game but just got home (8.00pm) so I’m gonna settle back and watch it now 😉. Cheers.

Unfortunately for those teams , there's still nothing they can do about the "non-calls" !