Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm – Thursday night – BlueBet Stadium
Second plays first to open the round, and while both teams were victorious in round 23, it's fair to say that neither were at their very best. Perhaps they had one eye on this game, the result of which just might determine our minor premiers this season. A top two finish is particularly important for the Storm, who would much rather be playing at home in round one of the finals than travelling to what is looking like Sydney. Note that these sides met all the way back in round one, where the Storm scored just one try but that was enough. That round one Storm line-up included Coates and Smith who are now unavailable, but they didn't have Munster in round one, and he's a handy inclusion now that he's had a few runs under the belt. Last week, it felt like the Storm had too many cooks in the kitchen, trying too many things all at once. I expect a simpler game plan on Thursday night - rugby league aint rocket surgery. In round one, the Panthers took to the field with a better line-up than they do here. This time around they'll be without Fisher-Harris, Martin, May and Edwards. They're clearly good enough to win this, particularly with Cleary out there carrying the team around the paddock, but the Storm are a tougher nut to crack than the Eels, and I'm happy to tip the visitors in what the experts will tell you is an upset result.
Verdict – Storm by 1
Result – Storm 24 defeated Panthers 22
Manly Sea Eagles vs New Zealand Warriors – Friday night – 4 Pines Park
I wonder if the Warriors even went home after their Sunday afternoon extra-time loss to the Dolphins. With just a five day turnaround to a game in Sydney there's every chance they stayed in Australia. They've lost their last four games in a row, and while those last three losses were all close contests, a loss is a loss. Compounding the challenge is a Friday night game at Brookvale against a Manly side in top eight form. Given that, I'm expecting a contest but a Manly victory. Hopefully the Warriors can pull themselves together for a win next week in their last home game of the season.
Verdict – Sea Eagles by 4
Result – Sea Eagles 24 defeated Warriors 10
Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels – Friday night – Allianz Stadium
In round 15, the Roosters prevailed 28-18 out at CommBank, and they should be even harder to beat at their home ground, particularly after a week off and a chance for a few injured souls (Collins, Butcher, Young) to get themselves game-ready. The round 15 Roosters didn't include Young, Smith and Sua'ali'i, and the round 15 Eels had Moses steering them around the park. They're arguably a better team when he's there, although performances over the last two weeks might suggest otherwise. Eels fans will be wondering where this recent version of the Eels was earlier in the year. Given they pushed the Panthers to the abyss last time, you would think that a repeat of that effort would be almost enough. I'm just not convinced they can repeat that, particularly against a quality team who won't be taking them lightly.
Verdict – Roosters by 8
Result – Roosters 38 defeated Eels 14
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Redcliffe Dolphins – Saturday afternoon – Salter Oval, Bundaberg
It's been a long, lean spell for the Bulldogs, so we can forgive their enthusiastic fanbase for getting a little bit excited. The last time they made the top eight was way back in 2016 (and they were bundled out in the first week). Of the three mad roughies I tipped to make the top eight this season, the Bulldogs is the only one I can get comfortable with. One of my other mad roughies is the opponent here, and they're hanging onto 8th position as best they can. That the Bulldogs have taken this home game to Bundaberg will even out the contest - there'll be Bulldogs fans there no doubt, but it won't anything like Belmore. The Dolphins are the reigning champs when it comes to close contests this season. In their last 14 games, only two had a margin of more than 10. In ten of those 14 games, the margin was 6 points or less. With that recent record in mind, and with a finals berth on the line, I expect another competitive effort from the Dolphins. But winning (and losing) is contagious, and the Bulldogs seem to be in the habit of winning. I'm not quite on the bandwagon that is talking them up as a premiership threat, but I'm tipping them on Saturday.
Verdict – Bulldogs by 7
Result – Bulldogs 30 defeated Dolphins 10
North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – Queensland Country Bank Stadium
If someone can explain the Cowboys performance last week I'd like to hear it. I'm hoping they bounce off that abomination and perform in-line with their performance in round 15, where they defeated the Raiders in Canberra (34-16). Another loss and they'll be doubting themselves against everybody, and a top eight finish may be at risk. Note that Nanai is unavailable on Saturday night, and they've given Townsend a spell and brought Clifford back in the halves. The Raiders wouldn't have given up on a finals berth this year, but it won't be easy. Rapana has been ruled out - usually losing a winger isn't such a difficult thing to manage, but his absence has created quite the backline shuffle, Kris moves to the wing, Strange shifts out to centre, and Adam Cook partners Fogarty in the halves. The Raiders do bring quite the pack of forwards with them, and that worries me a little given the Cowboys will be without Taumalolo and Nanai. Regardless, I'm banking on a boisterous home crowd lifting the home side. Not a lot of confidence here, but:
Verdict – Cowboys by 4
Result – Cowboys 42 defeated Raiders 4
Wests Tigers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Saturday night – Campbelltown Sports Stadium
The Tigers should probably have a crack here - if they are going to dodge a wooden spoon they will need to win 2 of their last 3 games, and this looks the easiest. What's putting me off is that these sides met very recently (round 20) and the Rabbitohs won 42-28. The line-ups are much the same here, and the Tigers record at Campbelltown is pretty dire. The Rabbits don't have a lot to play for right now, but a decent on-field performance may help take some of the attention away from recent off-field distractions.
Verdict – Rabbitohs by 8
Result – Tigers 18 defeated Rabbitohs 16
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans – Sunday afternoon – WIN Stadium
I don't expect many to follow me, but I'm keen on the Titans on Sunday. Based on what they dished up last week it's clearly ludicrous and someone should call the nurses, but my tip is based on the answer to these two questions:
"How much do the Titans like Kieran Foran, and how much does Des Hasler like Kieran Foran?"
I'm assuming the answer to both questions is heaps, and I'm hoping the Titans can deliver Foran a milestone to remember. More players than ever are reaching 300 games in the NRL, but for Foran to reach that milestone is an extraordinary achievement. There's been plenty of highs and plenty more lows in his NRL career, including a suicide attempt, but he's still here and he's still awesome.
Verdict – Titans by 2
Result – Dragons 32 defeated Titans 16
Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – PointsBet Stadium
I should probably take the Sharks win over the Titans last week at face value. Not only did they beat a team in form, but they beat them on the Gold Coast, kept them scoreless, and racked up 8 tries of their own. They did that with what looks like a makeshift halves pairing, but then went so well they get a chance to prove it was no fluke. A win for the Knights keeps them in finals contention, but this won't be easy. The Sharks have won 6 of 8 at home this season, and one of those losses was to Penrith. It's handy form.
Verdict – Sharks by 8
Result – Sharks 19 defeated Knights 18
Wally Lewis - round twenty four selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or Thursday morning
- PANTHERS vs Storm
- SEA EAGLES vs Warriors
- ROOSTERS vs Eels
- BULLDOGS vs Dolphins
- COWBOYS vs Raiders
- Tigers vs RABBITOHS
- DRAGONS vs Titans
- SHARKS vs Knights
Comments
Submitted by The Thinker on
Greetings football fans
I have updated the NRL ladder and the tipping comp after round 23. A special shout out to The Tide Head, who top-scored with a perfect round. Outstanding tipping there. Quite a lot of us got 6 or 7, with the Titans and the Cowboys letting many of us down. A special shout out to those of you that tipped the Eels and/or the Warriors. So close, but no reward there.
As always, if anyone notices any issues with the scoring just let me know.
Additionally, a reminder that this tipping comp is a little different to many others....we tip throughout the finals series up to and including the grand final.
And a reminder we have prizes for our top four, plus a random prize for someone else who stuck with it throughout the season.
All the best
The Thinker
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hey Frens,
I have some non-football related good news and bad news.
The Bad News first – I’ve been getting repeated messages on my phone from my service provider telling me my phone won’t work once the 3G network is shut down in a couple of weeks but I’ve ignored them since “4G” shows on my home screen. After much googling, it turns out that my phone is an “older” 4G model and does not support VoLTE. Now I have to spend another 500 dollar bucks for one that does. Whaaat?
The Good News – for the first time in my life I managed to peel a hard-boiled egg (lunchtime today) in one complete piece. As Fatty would say … “How good!”
OK, let’s do this thing …
Panthers vs. Storm @ BlueBet
Probability @ 65-35
Ladder Position = Storm
Bookies Favourite = Panthers
After seeing how the Panthers fought back and managed a win over the Eels last week (I honestly thought the Eels had that one in the bag), they will be hard to beat here. Yeah, the Storm are a good outfit but they’re not blowing teams away or stamping their authority. Panthers by 8.
Manly vs. Warriors @ Brookvale
Probability @ 70-30
Ladder Position = Manly
Bookies Favourite = Manly
While the Warriors were pretty good last week, they haven’t been consistent enough for me. Manly have been playing better footy and they’ll be playing at home. Manly by 12.
Roosters vs. Eels @ Allianz
Probability @ 75-25
Ladder Position = Roosters
Bookies Favourite = Roosters
I’m expecting (hoping) the Roosters to get off to a fast start in this one. Class-wise they have an edge over the Eels and will be at Allianz. The Eels should have won that one last week against the Panthers. I actually thought there was no way known the Panthers could get up but they did. The Eels’ defence let them down and it might do again on Friday night. Roosters by 12. Begurk! 🐔 Begurk! 🐔
Bulldogs vs. Dolphins @ Bundaberg
Probability @ 65-35
Ladder Position = Bulldogs
Bookies Favourite = Bulldogs
Not sure with this one. As mentioned in previous posts, the Bulldogs aren’t doing much wrong, they seem to have all the momentum (and belief) heading into the pointy end of the season and deserve to be in the top 8. The Dolphins seem to me to be a level under their opposition here. Not sure if playing in Bundaberg is a plus or not. Bulldogs by 6.
Cowboys vs. Raiders @ Townsville
Probability @ 65-35
Ladder Position = Cowboys
Bookies Favourite = Cowboys
Both these sides were pretty darn average last week and as far as I saw it and the Cowboys were the biggest disappointment of the two. The Cowboys have more potential for the “bounce-back” and they’ll have the home crowd on their side. Cowboys by 12.
Tigers vs. Rabbitohs @ Campbelltown
Probability @ 35-65
Ladder Position = Rabbitohs
Bookies Favourite = Rabbitohs
Both sides are capable of winning this so it could go either way. The trick is figuring out which one. I’m gonna have to base this on last week’s quality of opposition and how I perceive the class comparison. Rabbitohs by 4.
Dragons vs. Titans @ WIN
Probability @ 60-40
Ladder Position = Dragons
Bookies Favourite = Dragons
The Dragons and Titans both lost last week but the Dragons’ loss had more merit as far as I’m concerned. Plus they’ll be at home. Dragons by 4.
Sharks vs. Knights @ The Bermuda Triangle
Probability @ 70-30
Ladder Position = Sharks
Bookies Favourite = Sharks
Have the Sharks found their mojo or will they slip back again? The Knights were good at home last week but not all that convincing. The Sharks will test them. Sharks by 8.
Bye: Broncos.
Let’s finish off with another “Song of the Week”…
OK, a lot of us remember this band but do we remember the song? I do (great voice and guitar work) and like it a lot. 6:22 of classic rock…
https://youtu.be/k62FZ_lpvl0
OK kids, good luck with your tipping and may your team win by 40 points! Cheers 🐔 🐔 🐔
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Watch out Scotty tigerholic has thrown a red herring early this week
Submitted by MGM on
LATRELL MITCHELL !!!!
Hahahahahahahaha !........ What a Joke you are.
Submitted by MGM on
I feel sorry for his dad.
Submitted by MGM on
EVERY young man , but especially those who are achieving and in the public eye need to heed the advice that is there in abundance on how incredibly important it is who you surround yourself with, who you choose to be your peers and your FRIENDS.
Latrell , one of your inner circle , probably someone you call a friend was SOOO DISLOYAL to you that he not only took that footage of you flushing your career up your nose , he then posted it on social media.
Most , if not all , young men make big mistakes and do things they regret ... especially those with too much money and success/fame thrown at them too quickly. ...
But this ain't your first rodeo Latrell ... .... How many bad choices can a so-called professional make before it becomes TOO many ?
Anyone reading this who might not know where I'm coming from might like to read something I posted here on 14th April this year......
...."It's hard to remain neutral on Latrell Mitchell and my opinion of him, on and off the field, has gone up and down over the last few years.
Many have said "What goes on in his head?"
I believe I've identified a common thread in his behaviour that runs through his onfield 'brain snaps", his increasing "lazy periods", his expletives during interviews and on social media and his now common breaches of protocal -
................Respect is a One Way Street for Mitchell.
... He refers to himself as a role model and he seems happy and proud about that , and I understand that he does make himself available for various community based and charitable projects. But when he negates that with all kinds of bad behaviour, I find myself wondering "who is the real Latrell?".
When he threw that elbow at Shaun Johnson, take it from an old karate instructor, that was Not "raised his elbow", it was Not "lead with his elbow", it Was an elbow Strike... (and it was just dumb luck that Johnson's jaw was not broken.)
This guy is playing Angry and he is dangerous to any other opposing player.
It's only a few weeks ago he was angrily speaking out (posting on social media) about player welfare and that "the NRL better deal with this sh!t". He was, of course, referring to Esra Mam's mental welfare but physical welfare counts for just as much if not more. Your career won't end because of a racial slur , but at the moment I have a mental picture of Joey Manu"shattered, puffed up cheekbone .
Or how about Tohu Harris' close call with a broken neck during Mitchell's 13 minute rampage?
You may think I'm exaggerating now because the NRL let him off without charge. But I say the NRL missed their assignment to reign in this loose cannon whose first thuggish instinct was to whack his arm between Harris' legs and execute a spear tackle.
Thankfully he pulled out of it, probably as he realized that moments earlier he had been put on report already or maybe the other Rabbit in the tackle called out urgently.... Either way , Tohu Harris had a close call with a wheelchair. He was at Latrell Mitchell's mercy in that moment.
Also, there are plenty who would argue that Josh Addo-Carr was knocked unconscious because Mitchell dangerously came in knees first on a player already being bundled into touch. Mitchell (and JAC)was lucky he twisted last second and made contact with the hip, but he Definitely went in knees first and carelessly added to a fellow players list of severe concussions. The next round Mitchell runs onfield like nothing ever happened ... JAC didn't.
Imagine driving home from a match with your two children in the back seat wearing their Rabbitohs jerseys and listening to post match chatter on the radio and the Self Proclaimed Role Model starts an interview where Every Sentence includes a f**k or a s**t and then in the middle he declares "I don't care if I'm swearing boys, honestly", and then continues with more of the same.
Once again the NRL did Nothing.
Every time I see Latrell Mitchell standing stoically and deliberately silent during our National Anthem I immediately think of the time a few years ago when he gutlessly tried to hijack his ethnic heritage and culture in a pitiful attempt to excuse himself for breaking the country's Covid Laws and the NRL's protocols for his own selfish indulgences , proving that he believes himself to be above our laws and an exception to the rules that his peers and colleagues and fellow Australians were struggling to obey , many of whom were making much bigger sacrifices than anything that was required of him ..... Like the people who's loved ones were dying alone instead of being surrounded by the love of their family members and then buried without a funeral or a memorial.
That's what I think of when Latrell Mitchell takes a stance on Anything indigenous.
So, as I said at the beginning, I find myself wondering who is the real Latrell Mitchell ?... Is his community work just him building up a bank of brownie points that he believes entitles him to be so outspoken and disrespectful when he sees a chance to take some moral highground?
..... Too harsh?
Then answer me this -
Where is his respect for his fellow players' physical wellbeing ?
Where is his respect for the game that has given him So Much ?
Where is his respect for his team mates when he leaves them in the lurch because he wants to play like a thug ?
Where is his respect for his coach who's already under enough pressure ?
Where is his respect for his club with the most time spent on suspension in the entire league ?
Where is his respect for the NRL that's already given him too much leeway ?
Where is his respect for sponsors with his expletive ridden comments and interviews ?
Where is his respect for the fans that want to see their stars in action, giving their best effort all the time , Not sometimes ?
...
For me , Latrell Mitchell's one way street has come to a dead end.
Gummy Sharks's picture
Submitted by Gummy Sharks on Sun 14/4/24 - 3:55pm AEST
Beautifully said and written MGM. Couldn't agree more.
MGM's picture
Submitted by MGM on
This was a salient point that needed to be made very early in season 2024, no matter how big a fan you are/were.
... So what about Now ?
Will the NRL miss their assignment this time around ?
Submitted by Mary S on
This subject reminds me of the old expression -
"God calls me God"
The expression was often used to descibe a medical specialist with an inflated opinion of his own importance, whilst treating his patient like a bit of dirt to be brushed off his boot!!
Cheers,
Mary
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
MGM you nailed it with Latrel but don't forget he's in the running for Grub of the year along with a few other stars of our game
Submitted by tigerholic on
Afternoon All
While we have our thoughts on Latrell Mitchell being a grub, I wonder if that sentiment comes from just Queensland Supporters or NSW fans as well.
Also, I would like to here who everyone thinks would win the title of worst:
1. Referee
2. Commentator
My pick for worst referee would be Klein, Gee, Butler, Badger, Sharpe all tied for first place, actually there are not that many decent ones. Ziggy(I'm a fucktard) comes close to.
My worst commentator would be Ennis and Cronk, followed by Gus Gould.
Have a great end of week folks.
Tiger
Submitted by MGM on
Hiya Tiger,
I'm a Sydney-sider, Blue thru & thru, and have always had a soft spot for the Rabbitohs despite being an Eels fan.
As you can plainly see, none of those loyalties hold me back when individuals disrespect our game, their team, coach or any other player or completely fail to realize how lucky and well paid they are.
Without wanting to encourage too much more of the negative thread that I seem to have started this week off with , I have had some fun this season at the expense of match officials, attaching well deserved nicknames, and I can see why you're having trouble picking just one!.. haha.
For me it's between Tosser Smith and Ashley Klown.
. :-)
Submitted by Gummy Sharks on
Morning Tiger, Rocket, Mary , MGM and others. In my humble the G-String is the worst ref but I have been somewhat anaesthetised to ref blunders this year because there's been so many of them. Letting forward passes go is my main bugbear. Anyone who's played footy, even touch footy, knows you can see a forward pass from the opposition fairly easily from your position several metres away from said pass. Refs let them go under instructions from some refereeing/tv boffin who doesn't want to interrupt the game flow. Whoever that fool is should be found another job. As for commentators, Andrew Voss is completely unacceptable to me, although I wish Cooper Cronk had never opened his mouth. I thought he was a very good player and wish he'd left it at that. MGM I was born and raised in Parra but never ever supported the team. Mum used to drag me along to Cumberland oval to watch old blokes like Ron Lynch, Brian Hambly and Ken Thornett ( she said he never dropped the ball) but I wouldn't know, I was too busy collecting bottles to cash them in. Have been a Sharks supporter since the Andrew Ettinghausen teenager/schoolboy playing first grade days.
Submitted by Rikki Sixx on
I'm a NSW supporter (and a Kiwi) and I think Mitchell's a grub. I feel the NRL treat him like a golden boy probably because he's supposed to be a role model for the indigenous players.
I also agree with you votes for worst referees and commentators. I think the Warriors are on the wrong side of every 50/50 call but maybe I'm just biased as a Kiwi?
As for Ennis, Cronk and Gould, I mute the TV after 5 mins of the dribble, it drives me nuts!
Submitted by MGM on
I think Ashley Klown lives in Penrith ....
And his next door neighbour is Gerard Sutton !!
Submitted by MGM on
COME on Storm !
Submitted by Mary S on
Brilliant result!!!!!!
Cheers
Mary
Submitted by The Thinker on
Quality game that one. Big win for the Storm. They've played the Panthers twice and the Roosters twice this year...for four wins
Submitted by Darryl Williams on
Nathan Cleary hit Asofa-Solomona with shoulder charge & came off second best & not penelised , sin binned or charged . Different rules for different people . Maybe it was Kama when Nathan had to leave field when he went down in a tackle on the same shoulder .
Submitted by MGM on
Blatant shoulder charge, which is not unusual from Cleary, should have at least been on report if he is to be discouraged from doing it ... NRL said they wanted to stamp it out soooo ....
Nelson should not have been binned either ... there was a camera angle that clearly showed it was his chest that made contact to the shoulder area but they quickly went back to the the other camera angle (which looked worse) and Gerard Sutton from the bunker repeatedly showed that one .
Sutton was also the one that over-ruled the onfield decision to play the ball again from the 20mtr line in the 40th minute and gave Penrith a penalty in front of the posts.... let's see the Asshole be consistent with That from now on !!!... pretty convenient time to change a season-long interpretation there GERARD.
Commentators explained during the break that the interpretation is at the referee's discretion,which for AGES now has been to replay the ball. ... the REFEREE'S discretion .... please God, give us a referee that has the gumption to over-rule the bunker and take back control of his role on the field.
SO good to see the Storm prevail in the face of So much one-sided refereeing !
Gummy Sharks ,
.. if by "G-String" you mean Sutton then I'm with YOU, he takes first prize over some pretty strong contestants.
I'm sure we can come up with a more derogatory nick-name though mate ... the worst referee surely deserves the worst nick-name.
Submitted by TigerGirl on
Sorry I missed my tips😥
I have screen shots I can email to you The thinker
Submitted by Mary S on
Hi Tigergirl'
Perhaps if you want to put your tips in the comments section before the Eagles/Warriors game @ 6pm, then they will count if The Thinker doesn't see your comment until later today or tomorrow.
Cheers,
Mary
Submitted by MGM on
@Gummy Sharks
While it's nice to see Shaun Johnson scoring a try for the Warriors , it came off the back of TWO forward passes in a row !
As the NRL don't allow the bunker to rule on forward passes EVEN when reviewing a TRY and on replay the offense is smacking you in the face , NOTHING CAN BE DONE..... AAARRRGH!!
Then we have to listen to Steve Roach (my vote for most annoying commentator) refer to them as "very flat" passes just adds insult to the injury!
Then 10 mins later after Hopoate cops the whistle for what looked like a knock Back to me , the ensuing scrum sees Freddy Lussick throw one of his Many forward passes but this one is easily a Metre Forward but No Whistle (made all the more painful considering the much closer call that caused the scrum).
I agree with you Gummy , forward passes being let go is the Biggest blight on the game at the moment and it's unacceptable especially when tries are being reviewed and they are there for all to see.
Submitted by Gummy Sharks on
Sorry MGM, been away since Friday morning. Adam Gee I think his name is, AKA the G String. Oh dear yes I forgot how terrible Steve Roach is. Apart from Billy Slater, who I think is both sensible and knowledgeable, not many footballers can make the transition to commentator. We can add Braith Anasta ( very ordinary footballer) to the list as well.
Submitted by MGM on
And just in :-
Adam Doueihi scores a try off the forward pass from Lachlan Galvin!
Submitted by MGM on
Gummy, I'm no fan of Anasta. I did like his ideas on improving what goes on in the Bunker. And he has been smart enough to set himself up as a players' manager , but I think that should disqualify him from commentary .. too much conflict of interest happening there.
Plus you wouldn't have to listen to him then :-)
Submitted by MGM on
Finally they call a forward pass and dis-allow a Rabbitoh try to give Tigers the win !.... JUST when I was relying on them MISSING it AS USUAL !!
Hahahaha !
Submitted by MGM on
Dragons v Titans - 38th minute
Ben Hunt forward pass to Couchman, offload to Leilua - TRY
Are you Sick of hearing about this ?
I'M sick of it too!.... Don't forget these result in a 6 point advantage to a team that SHOULD be receiving a DIS-advantage ... EVERY TIME they're let go.
Submitted by MGM on
Q : When is a blatant high shot Not penalized ?
A : When it happens during Golden Point somewhere near the try line.
Q : What is the difference between a player taking his rightful position on the field and a "blocker" ?
A : Somewhere between Nothing and Not Much.
Submitted by MGM on
. These Questions brought to you by the outright winner of our Refereeing Competition ... the Aptly named "Disregard Sutton"!
Submitted by MGM on
** To Be Confirmed !