So apparently this weekend is all about kids scoffing their faces with chocolate and going mental on sugar. For us though, this weekend is all about time off work, kicking back and watching some huge annual Easter blockbusters.
Canterbury-Bankstown and the South Sydney Rabbitohs do battle on Friday in a grand final re-match with the Bulldogs welcoming back favourite son Josh Reynolds who fills thefive-eighthrole.
Will the Bulldogs get their revenge or will Souths bounce back after a shock loss to Parramatta last Friday night?
Monday sees three fixtures and all three will be tough to pick.
Parramatta and Wests Tigers, two of the most exciting teams in the league, face off with Melbourne and old foes the Warriors following at AAMI Park. New Zealand has a wonderful record in Victoria and will be smarting from a home loss to Brisbane last week.
The Monday night clash will see Penrith host North Queensland.
It’s another big weekend of footy so sit back, lock the kids in the basement with some of Cadbury’s finest and enjoy Round 5 of the 2015 National rugby league season.
Mary Konstanopoulos
Tips: Rabbitohs, Broncos, Sea Eagles, Knights, Roosters (Powerplay), Eels, Storm, Panthers.
“A blockbuster on the most religious day of the Year. I am tipping the Rabbitohs to bounce back, get the Easter eggs and keep the Moses or Joshua led Bulldogs in the wilderness. The Broncos should have too much class for the Titans. If you have CP13 pick him as your captain in Super Coach.
“The Sea Eagles although depleted will smash the Raiders. I cannot believe Ricky has dropped young half Mitch Cornish already. The Knights at home are on a roll and will beat an improving Dragons outfit.
“The Roosters on Easter Sunday will be too fast, too strong and too classy for the Sharks who need an Easter miracle. I don’t see it happening and they will be 0-5 after 5 rounds.
“Monday starts with a colossal clash of two hard hitting and hard running forward packs. I am tipping the Eels to win. The Storm versus the Warriors is arguably the hardest game to pick of the weekend.
“The Warriors have enjoyed great success against the Storm however I am picking the home team to bounce back and win after being steamrolled by the Cowboys. The final game sees a few stars returning for the Panthers and I am tipping them to win against the Cowboys.”
Dane Eldridge
Tips: Rabbitohs, Broncos, Sea Eagles, Knights, Roosters (Powerplay), Eels, Storm, Panthers.
“After picking up a woeful two winners last round, I’m thanking Jeebers that the weekend’s theme is rising from the dead. So let’s get to resurrecting.
“Apparently Souths are known for lifting against the competition’s big dawgs, so I’ll tip them against the big Dogs. The Cowboys don’t travel and the Storm will get revenge for their 2011 preliminary final loss to the Warriors, while the Roosters will make up for a fish-free Good Friday by demolishing a platter of Flanno’s hoki on Saturday.
“Newcastle look way too fluent for the Dragons, and despite being in desperate need of some divine healing, I’m giving Manly one more chance. You’re on notice, Tooves. I hope you’re reading this.
“In the derbies, I’ve opted for Brisbane and Parramatta based on alphabetical order.”
Tim Gore
Tips: Rabbitohs, Broncos, Raiders, Knights (Powerplay), Roosters, Tigers, Storm, Panthers.
“Rabbits to bounce back, Broncs starting to click, both Raiders and Manly wounded, Knights too focused, Sharks not good enough, Wests Tigers got to respond, Storm has to eventually beat the Warriors at home, Panthers at home.”
Ryan O’Connell
Tips: Bulldogs, Broncos, Sea Eagles, Knights, Roosters (Powerplay), Tigers, Storm, Panthers.
“My heart sees me pick the Dogs over the Bunnies, and the Tigers versus Eels game may be close.
“Other than that, it took me two seconds to pick the other winners, and I’ll be disappointed to get anything less than six right this week. So, of course, I’ll get two.”
Curtis Woodward
Tips: Bulldogs, Broncos, Sea Eagles, Knights, Roosters (Powerplay), Tigers, Storm, Panthers.
“South Sydney are going to be fine but the last few weeks has taken a little out of them and get the giant Bulldogs at the worst possible time. Every team fires up to face the premiers but Canterbury has the added incentive of losing last year’s grand final.
“Ricky Stuart’s halfback graveyard now includes rookie Mitch Cornish with Sam Williams taking his place. Williams has been good for the Mounties but might have too much to do against Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran.
“I’m tipping the Tigers purely on the fact that this game isn’t being played at Parramatta’s Pirtek Stadium.”
| Round 4 | Curtis | Mary | Dane | Ryan | Tim |
| BUL v RAB | Bulldogs | Rabbitohs | Rabbitohs | Bulldogs | Rabbitohs |
| BRO v TIT | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos |
| EAG v RAI | Sea Eagles | Se Eagles | Sea Eagles | Sea Eagles | Raiders |
| KNI v DRA | Knights | Knights | Knights | Knights | Knights |
| ROO v SHA | Roosters | Roosters | Roosters | Roosters | Roosters |
| TIG v EEL | Tigers | Eels | Eels | Tigers | Tigers |
| STO v WAR | Storm | Storm | Storm | Storm | Storm |
| PAN v COW | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers |
| POWERPLAY | Roosters | Roosters | Roosters | Roosters | Knights |
| LAST ROUND | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| OVERALL | 23 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 17 |
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