Round fifteen selections

Cronulla Sharks vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Thursday night – Sharks Stadium

Hardly stellar form for either side heading into the local derby - the Sharks losing by 30 at home to the Warriors, while the Dragons lost by 50 to the Dolphins in Brisbane. Eugh! No Origin impacts for the Sharks, while the Dragons will be without Holmes. Flanagan is probably the new goal-kicker, but the Dragons have a few options there. There's a rich history between these sides, but recent results have been fairly one-sided - the Sharks have won the last nine, and 11 of the last 12. The last time the Dragons won a game in Cronulla was nearly nine years ago, and they're not exactly in the sort of form that would have many of us believing they can break the drought. The Sharks have lost Iro, one of many exciting young prospects that have emerged in the NRL this season. He will be missed, but Mulitalo returns from suspension to bolster the backline. I'm sure he'll get under the skin of his opponents on Thursday night, and vice versa.

Verdict - Sharks by 10

Gold Coast Titans vs Manly Sea Eagles – Friday night – Cbus Super Stadium

The players dropped from Origin duty square off on Friday night, with Fermor for the Titans and much-more-mentioned Cherry-Evans for the Sea Eagles. No other Origin reps for Manly, while the Titans lose two key pillars from their engine room in Fa'asuamaleaui and Fotuiaka. That duo are the starting props for the QLD side next week, so it leaves a massive hole in the Titans side for this game. Sadly for the Titans, they've been struggling when those two are available, so this is a mighty challenge. To make it even worse (if that's possible), the Sea Eagles have Tom Trbojevic, Saab and Taukeiaho returning. As per the Thursday night game, we have two teams coming off a loss last week. The Titans have won just 3 games this season, and two of those were against the Knights. This is harder, and it's not easy to find a way to talk yourself into a winning performance for the Titans. Hasler and Foran wanting to knock off their old club? I'm sure they want to. I'm not sure that they can.

Verdict - Sea Eagles by 14

Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters – Saturday night – McDonald Jones Stadium

The Knights have won three of their last six, which isn't bad...for the Knights. Notably, all those games were against teams outside the top eight, but it still isn't bad. The Chooks aren't in the top eight either, but often play like they should be. The Knights coach was having a bit of a whinge recently about the impact of Origin on his team. Given they got to play the Panthers without their five Origin reps, and they now get t play the Roosters without their five Origin reps, he might want to bite his tongue next time. He probably shouldn't be having a crack at the fans of his team either, who are about as loyal as they come. Let's see if he cops a serve from the crowd on Saturday night. Anyhoo, even with home ground advantage and a greatly diminished Roosters line-up the Knights are the outsider here. I don't think there'll be much in this, but there's enough class and attacking firepower in that Roosters backline to get the points. Note that Sam Walker makes his long-awaited return here. Go well, son.

Verdict - Roosters by 4

North Queensland Cowboys vs Redcliffe Dolphins – Saturday night – Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Only one team in the top eight has a negative points differential, and that's the North Queensland Cowboys. In fact, you have to go all the way down to 12th to find a team with a team with a worse points differential. That can matter when you're battling with a whole bunch of teams for spots in the finals, although with the Cowboys scoring a rare draw it may matter a little less. They've conceded 150 points in their last five games, and that's too many. It's particularly concerning when you're taking on a team that's scored 100 points in their last two games. Nearly half of those points were scored against the Bulldogs...in Sydney...in the rain. The Dolphins won't have Tabuai-Fidow on Saturday night, but they didn't have the Hammer when they scored 44 points against the Bulldogs...in Sydney...in the rain. They're a better team if he's available of course, but the Cowboys are missing a fistful of Origin players themselves (Deardon, Robson, Nanai, Cotter). This week the Dolphins advised that three of their most important forwards (Flegler, Gilbert, Saifiti) have been ruled out for the rest of the season. They have some depth in the forwards, but if you could add those three to the roster I'd be calling the Dolphins a premiership threat. That might be beyond them this season, but they're on track to make the NRL finals for the first time this season, and I expect them to win this.

Verdict - Dolphins by 10

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Sunday afternoon – Accor Stadium

Technically a Rabbitohs home game, but they've made it clear that they really don't want to be there, and it's pretty likely the Bulldogs will bring more fans through the turnstiles. These sides have already met at this venue this year, with the "home" team (Bulldogs) prevailing 32-0. That Bulldogs side included their Origin reps (Crichton, Burton, King, Mann) who won't be playing on Sunday, but they still kept the Bunnies scoreless, and that Bunnies team included Mitchell, Walker and Graham, who aren't available this round. The Bunnies have played 8 games this season against top eight teams and lost 6 of them. The two games they did win, were against the teams currently 7th and 8th. They'll be competitive, because they're coached by the best, but it's likely they'll just fall short.

Verdict - Bulldogs by 4

Wally Lewis - round fifteen selections (in bold)

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

  • SHARKS vs Dragons
  • Titans vs SEA EAGLES
  • Knights vs ROOSTERS
  • COWBOYS vs Dolphins
  • Rabbitohs vs BULLDOGS

Comments

The Thinker's picture

Greetings football fans

I have updated the NRL ladder and the tipping comp after round 14. Plenty of solid scores here, with about a dozen of us top-scoring with 7 from 8. The Knights were the team that most of us couldn't find.

As always, if you notice any issues with the scores just let me know.

I'll have my round 15 previews and selections published on Wednesday.

All the best

The Thinker

Dragons-fanboy's picture

Hi everyone, my tips for this week are:

Dragons by 4
Manly by 12
Knights by 6
Cowboys by 2
Bulldogs by 10

Good luck with everyone’s tips for this week! Cheers and enjoy your weekends everyone!!!!!

The Thinker's picture

A special shout out to Sir Billy Boston - the first ever knighthood for rugby league (only took 130 years). You're pretty good if they build you a statue, and Billy has three.

All the best

The Thinker

Gummy Sharks's picture

After last week's efforts from both the Sharks and the Dragons, anybody who attends to watch these two palooka teams should be given free entry and complimentary food and beverages.

The Thinker's picture

@Gummy Sharks

Agreed

Anyone who attends tonight at Shark Park that is also awaiting sentencing should be able to convince a judge that tonight is time already served.

All the best

The Thinker

The Thinker's picture

The Sam Walker return is on hold - broke his thumb at training.

Disappointing...I was really looking forward to his return.

BigPeteBx's picture

I know that feeling Sharky!
My lot aren't far behind them either. Over the past couple of years Sharks were one team that let me down in tipping. Don't know what it is that they have during half-time BUT one way or another, they seem to come out with split personalities.
Cheers and keep well!
BigPeteBx

Steel Panther's picture

Hey Big Pete...how you been? I was at 4Pines a couple of weeks ago watching Manly hammer Brisbane. Unfortunately though I had tipped the Broncos. I only had a GA ticket and what a nightmare as I only got there about 10 minutes before kick off. Great atmosphere but I prefer the comfort of a seat in the stand.

Hope you are well.

BigPeteBx's picture

Evening Steely - going as well as at present. Retired these days BUT not from footy tipping. Manly cost me last week in The 3 Strike Comp here. BUT I did tip them against Bronco's and they trounced them.
Don't blame you with the comfort of a seat. I'd have problems being 6ft3 in old scale with warring limb pains and sitting on the ground.
Congrats on Liverpool's EPL title. Its been a bit of a mixed bag over there of late and what next year brings. Mind A-League with an all Melb G/Final.
I was in Melb at MCG the week before for my daughters b/day and mine, watching my beloved Pies play Crows. AFL isnt everyones cup of tea on Thinker site BUT I have my faves in all codes and nations - as u r well aware of. I still go for Glasgow Rangers mate - getting over Celtic is usually a real nice day.
I cant recall having your b/day - again if ever u wish to touch base with Messaging, that I'm on FB or shoot Thinker a favour to exchange our email and I wont forget yr b/day.
Take it steady Champ and keep well.
BigPete from a very icy Bx these past few days.

GOTTAKICKSTRAIGHT's picture

r15 tips
sharks
eagles
roosters
cowboy
dogs

Ellelicious270707's picture

Hi,

Round 15 tips.
Sharks
Manly
Roosters
Cowboys
Bulldogs

Thank you

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