Round five selections

Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks – Thursday night – GIO Stadium

An unusual coincidence - both these sides have won four of their last five games in Canberra. That's probably a little more impressive for the Sharks, given they would have been playing the Raiders at the time. They were flat and poor against the Bulldogs last week, but a loss to the only undefeated team in the NRL might be better than it looks. Still, they were flat...and poor. They'll be without Iro and Talakai on Thursday, replaced by Hiroti in the centres and Hazelton on the bench. The Raiders struggled in the conditions up in Townsville last week which wasn't a big surprise, but they didn't give up and it was two tries apiece in the second half. They'll feel more comfortable at home, and Smithies returns to bolster a forward pack that can dominate here. Should that be the case, the Sharks playmakers can be well contained. A rare free to air broadcast for the Green Machine and I'll back them at home.

Verdict – Raiders by 7

Result – Raiders 24 defeated Sharks 20

Penrith Panthers vs North Queensland Cowboys – Friday night – CommBank Stadium

13th plays 14th and its been many a year since the Panthers were anywhere near this section of the NRL ladder. They're yet to win a game in Australia this season, but there's a few reasons to tip them with confidence here. Nathan Cleary returns, and we know what he does to this side, and he returns for the 250th game for Isaah Yeo. Every one of those games has been for Penrith, and he's up there with the best ball-playing locks of all time. The Cowboys picked up a much-needed win last week but these road trips are often a struggle. In fact, they haven't won a game at CommBank Stadium yet.

Verdict – Panthers by 8

Result – Cowboys 22 defeated Panthers 18

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters – Friday night – Accor Stadium

Both sides will be up for the oldest rivalry in the NRL, but the Rabbitohs might have more 'up' than the Chooks. Latrell Mitchell returns for the first time this season and the scriptwriters made sure he was returning to play his old club. He's been training in the centres and has been named there, which tells you how well Jye Gray is going at fullback (current Dally M points leader). I've long said Mitchell is a better centre anyway, and I'm not alone. The Chooks have lost Radley to injury, with Watson a timely return. They're a better side with Watson on the paddock and they'll give their all, but this does look like a win for the Bunnies.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 10

Result – Rabbitohs 20 defeated Roosters 14

Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday afternoon – CommBank Stadium

The good news for Eels fans is that their team are definitely improving. The bad news is they are coming off a very low base, and their opponent on Saturday is improving too. There is a real risk that the Eels first points this season will arrive in round 8 (their first bye). No doubt Eels fans will hope I'm wrong (and I probably am). The Eels are averaging just 11 points per game this season - simply not enough. Their two tries last week were both scored by forwards, and it's high time the Eels backline found its mojo. The Dragons have won just the one game this year. On face value that doesn't look much better than the Eels, but they've had narrow losses to the Bulldogs and the Rabbitohs and a win over the Storm last week. That form looks pretty good, particularly when you recall what the Storm did to the Eels earlier this year. I'm hoping this is a contest, but I expect the Dragons to prevail.

Verdict – Dragons by 8

​​​​​​​Result – Eels 23 defeated Dragons 22

Gold Coast Titans vs Redcliffe Dolphins – Saturday afternoon – CBus Super Stadium

I don't think the winless Dolphins are playing badly, but it does seem like they are lacking that killer blow that takes them from competitive to winning. If they find that they'll start winning games, but we haven't seen it yet. The Titans only loss this season was to the undefeated Bulldogs, and they look terrific. A win here could see them in the top four, and deservedly so. Can Des Hasler turn the Titans into a top eight side? I say yes.

Verdict – Titans by 8

​​​​​​​Result – Dolphins 36 defeated Titans 10

Brisbane Broncos vs Wests Tigers – Saturday night – Suncorp Stadium

The weather is likely to clear in time for this, and if it does we'll see a fair crowd turn up on Saturday night. The big news in Broncsbane this week is that Payne Haas is considering a switch to Samoa at representative level. While some might say this is bad news for Australian rugby league, I take the rather quirky view that the best thing the Kangaroos can have is decent international competition. I welcome the move, and it won't surprise me if Fa'asuamaleaui joins him. As for Saturday night, the Broncos lose Riki and the Tigers lose Luai, both to suspensions. With Luai unavailable, a whole lot of additional pressure lands on the shoulders of Lachlan Galvin. He's a prodigous talent, but it's a big ask against a quality opponent away from home.

Verdict – Broncos by 10

​​​​​​​Result – Broncos 46 defeated Tigers 24

Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm – Sunday afternoon – 4 Pines Park

The Storm haven't had a win at Brookvale for quite some time, but a few things are in their favour on Sunday. First and foremost, the absence of Tom Trbojevic makes Manly an easier side to contain. Almost as importantly, the home side are down on props at the minute, with Aloiai and Paseka both unavailable. That means Brown and Taukeiaho may have to play more minutes, and I can see the Storm rotating their big boppers and making the Manly props hurt. If that goes to plan, a spine of Grant, Wishart, Munster and Papenhuyzen should get the job done. Looks a fair game of rugby league though, this one.

Verdict – Storm by 4

​​​​​​​Result – Storm 48 defeated Sea Eagles 24

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday night – Accor Stadium

A disappointing timeslot for the Bulldogs - we might have seen a seriously decent crowd if this was a Sunday afternoon fixture. They could get a decent crowd regardless. The Bulldogs fans will be up and about after a near perfect start to the season, and there are plenty of Bulldogs fans. Tupouniua is a significant out for the Dogs (just another former Roosters forward playing well somewhere else), with Kurtis Morrin brought into the seventeen. For the Knights, Leo Thompson is a key return in the engine room. For the second week in a row, I think the last game of the round is the best game of the round, and I'm taking a punt on the Knights in an upset. They've had an extra week to prepare for this and there's no chance they will take this opponent lightly.

Verdict – Knights by 4

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Result – Bulldogs 20 defeated Knights 0

Wally Lewis - round five selections (in bold)

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

  • Raiders vs SHARKS
  • PANTHERS vs Cowboys
  • Rabbitohs vs ROOSTERS
  • EELS vs Dragons
  • Titans vs DOLPHINS
  • BRONCOS vs Tigers
  • Sea Eagles vs STORM
  • BULLDOGS vs Knights

Comments

The Thinker's picture

Greetings football fans,

I have updated the NRL ladder and the tipping comp after round 4. Another tough round for the tipsters, with just two of us getting more than half the games right. Congrats to Taka and Gad, who both tipped 5 from 8.

As always, if anyone notices any issues with the scores from round four just let me know.

I'm going to dig around and try and remove as many ads from the round five tipping page as I can. It looks like every time I create a new page on the website, a whole bunch of new ads pop up.

Wish me luck.

All the best

The Thinker

a's picture

Yes please also ban the Temu adds please

Rocket Ryan's picture

I see Tigerholic is hiding in our camp again he's not much of a Tiger supporter at all.
Tigergirl call this phoney out.

Dragons-fanboy's picture

Hey all, my tips for this week are;

Raiders by 8
Panthers by 12
Rabbitohs by 14
Dragons by 10
Dolphins by 6
Broncos by 18
Storm by 2
Bulldogs by 4

Best of luck with everyone’s tips this week! Cheers and up the mighty Dragons!!!!!

EsraStar's picture

Talk today about Payne Haas defecting and playing for Samoa. That really annoys me. He was born in Australia and has reaped all the benefits Australia has given him. If the story is true and he does opt to play for Samoa,then i will forever be against him.

Rocket Ryan's picture

Might be April fools.

tigerholic's picture

Only the one fool in your comment Rocket??

Tiger

Jordan Kui's picture

purposely to see you idea

GOTTAKICKSTRAIGHT's picture

RD 5 Tips
sharks
Panthers
roosters
eels
dolphins
broncs
storm
dogs

No Woman No Try's picture

Hi there Thinker,

My tips for Round 5

Raiders
Panthers
Roosters
Eels
Dolphins
Broncos
Sea Eagles
Bulldogs

TigerGirl's picture

Rocket Ryan. I don’t often do it but I have tipped Broncos over my Tigers 😥
Canberra
Penrith
Souths
Dragons
Titans
Brisbane
Melbourne
Dogs
Not having much luck with getting in before the link disappears 😂

Ellelicious270707's picture

Hi,

My tips for this round:

Raiders
Panthers
Rabbitohs
Dragons
Titans
Broncos
Storm
Bulldogs

Thank you!

The Thinker's picture

Hi tipsters

As always, if you are here to put your tips in and you can't see the tipping form, just add them in the comments and I'll sort it out.

Good luck everyone

The Thinker

GMac's picture

Hi team. So sorry just missed the link also
Tips below.
Sharks
Panthers
Rabbitohs
Eels
Dolphins
Broncos
Storm
Knights

a's picture

That was a great match

Rocket Ryan's picture

Tigergirl I'm shattered.

MGM's picture

Agree with you a.
But if Sharks had won by 2 because of that Bu!!shit penalty awarded (in easy kicking distance) by Todd#! Smith I'd be steaming.
The back and forth scoring was a big part of what made it so exciting (I had avoided the result until I could watch later on Kayo) , but the best part was that last try in the dying moments that gave the Raiders JUSTICE!.... Hooaahhhh!

MGM's picture

@Mary S ,
Your comment wasn't there when I typed mine , but appeared after I pressed send.
It's nice to see those two comments from Cowboys "tragics".... (I mean that in the nicest possible way!)

The Thinker's picture

Thanks for posting the video @Mary S

It's worth watching the try scorer (Seb Kris) from the start of the play to the end.

All the best

The Thinker

Gummy Sharks's picture

Well done Raiders. A thoroughly deserved win.

MGM's picture

Prediction - Latrell Mitchell will spend time in the bin tonight.

Mary S's picture

@ MGM

From this Cowboys "tragic", I had to watch the scores ticking over (or not) on my computer for the Panthers/Cowboys game!!

BOY OH BOY WHAT A MAGIC RESULT!!!!!!!!!

Didn't do my tipping any good though!
Cheers,
Mary

rickstar4life's picture

Can I still put my tips in for the remainder of the round?

Rabbitohs
Dragons
Titans
Broncos
Storm
Bulldogs

For what its worth i would have tipped Sharks & Panthers, who have both lost so far already.

MGM's picture

Everyone in our wonderful game is subject to scrutiny and penalty or punishment if they are in error.
Coaches pay a hefty price for any criticism of officials and lose their jobs pretty quickly these days if their team isn't measuring up to expectations.
God Knows the players are scrutinised and penalised in every way imaginable and the price they pay for Any infraction or even indiscretion is eagerly publicised as quickly as possible.
Yet one of the BIGGEST BLIGHTS on our game is a no go zone , not scrutinised in any public way and rarely punished at all.
The perpetrators of these offenses are back in action the following week , keeping senior roles in the game even when they are repeat offenders !
How could this be possible , I hear you say. ... You must be wrong, MGM, what the hell are you talking about ?
But I suspect you all know Exactly what and who I'm talking about.... Apparently there IS some form of accountability for our referees, linesmen/women, and bunker officials, albeit behind closed doors and RARELY reported back to the fans or players or clubs (let's just say The Victims!).
WE MUST PROTEST ! And Abdo, V'landys & Co Must Listen!
Touchies Right In Line with forward passes and feet on the touch line, referees missing or letting go blatant infractions one moment and then blowing their whistle for petty and ridiculous reasons the next (yes, there is the Captain's Challenge, but woe-be-tide the team that loses it (esp) early in the match,and it can't be used for "non-calls") , and , worst of all , Bunker Officials who have NO EXCUSE for making a wrong call ... EVER ... they can take All the time they need When It SUITS them and have every Possible angle to look at.
But they're only Human , I hear you say. .... FINE! .... But this "rant" is not about the ever increasing human errors from our match officials ....THiS Rant is about the total Lack of Publicly Reported scrutiny of match officials when they LITERALLY Stuff up our game and skew results of matches and the seemingly absence of consequence or accountability (even the worst offenders are back in charge of matches every week!)
Where's the Equity when you compare the intense scrutiny and penalty/consequence for EVERY other participant in the NRL .... I can't See it and I don't trust them when they tell me "oh, it's there, we just have to protect them from unfair criticism or no-one will want the job.
If there ARE consequences for poor performances and howlers , I WANT TO SEE IT, I WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT .

a's picture

Wow looks like my Como
Is in tatters after all these upsets

a's picture

Some of those sin bins are crap

MGM's picture

Damn right a !
And tries scored off forward passes when the ref (eg Liam F#N Kennedy)is right in line with NOTHING else to look at, or the linesmen being just as useless, .. but there's one thing we CAN count on .... they'll be back next week, or maybe even tomorrow, doing Exactly the same and sticking their hand out for their pay!.... No fine , no repercussion for their mistakes (oh WOW , have I just stumbled on some kind of solution??!...... if you don't blow your whistle when a forward pass is thrown RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU , RIGHT IN LINE WITH YOU , when I can see it FROM MY RECLINER , then you don't get paid ANY MORE THAN I DO !!!!!
In case you didn't see it , I'm referring to the try awarded to Billy Walters at the 60 minute mark after a blatant forward pass from Cobbo and here is the word for word commentary from the Fox commentators -
"of all the contentious ones this week, that's the most forward" and then Greg Alexander adds "Kennedy was there , he was right there in line with that .. but take nothing away from the play by Staggs , Cobbo and Walters" ... WHAT THE HELL!...... commentators have become SO NUMB to this incompetence from match officials that they just MOVE ON IMMEDIATELY to compliment the players for their good play even though one of them has just thrown a BLATANT forward pass!!
Thankfully this howler didn't change the result , but all the more reason to disallow the try, I say .... Broncos DIDN'T NEED the leg-up!.... With 20 minutes to go , the Tigers needed that glimmer of hope when they were down 14 points and still competing....(so maybe it Did affect the result , we'll never know)
At the risk of repeating myself , this protected species within the NRL needs to be , HAS TO BE , made more accountable!

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