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It is official.
Round 6 of the National rugby league was the toughest round to pick in the history of the universe, or so I keep telling myself after scoring a disastrous two from eight.
That’s right, I’ve given up first place to Mary who amassed a score of seven last round, only missing out on her own team while Tim Gore swooped into second with a swashbuckling nine
With Ian Baker-Finch trepidation (me), The Roar‘s expert tipsters (them) welcome you to Round 7 of the Telstra Premiership.
Friday night will see Wayne Bennett return to Kogarah, not as a Dragon, not as a Knight, but as a Bronco. Bennett’s team are on a hot run and come up against the best defensive side in the league St George Illawarra.
There are stories across the round including Mitchell Pearce’s State of Origin dress rehearsal in Melbourne against the Storm, NRL back at Leichhardt Oval, Johnathan Thurston versus Shaun Johnson and a southern Sydney derby to finish the round on Monday night.
Welcome to Round 7 and enjoy the expert’s tips.
Tim Gore
Tips: Bulldogs, Broncos, Titans, Cowboys, Storm, Tigers, Knights, Rabbitohs.
“Bulldogs to beat Manly but I really don’t know why. Both are in bad shape. The Bulldogs do like backs to the wall though. BrisVegas Broncos touchdown to beat the Dragons in a tight one, Wayne has them singing.
“Titans to beat injury depleted Panthers who really need some luck with injuries while the Cowboys are now flying and the Warriors aren’t, Cows to win. Thurston is unstoppable.
“The Storm to beat Roosters and you can bet Jim Maloney will add to his missed tackles. I doubt Josh Hodgson or Shaun Fensom will play so I’m going the Tigers while Beau Scott is back for the Knights against an injury depleted Eels. Big Knights win.
“I’ve really got no idea for Sharks v Bunnies. I’m guessing Bunnies with no confidence.”
Mary Konstantopoulos
Tips: Broncos, Bulldogs, Panthers, Cowboys, Roosters, Tigers (Powerplay), Eels, Rabbitohs.
“The Dragons have been very strong in defence but the Broncos keep on improving and Anthony Milford hasn’t yet hit his potential in his new position of five eighth. I am tipping the Broncos in a close one.
“The depleted teams of the NRL are the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles – they play each other in the other Friday night fixture. The Bulldogs forwards look too big and strong for the Manly pack and so I’m tipping the Dogs.
“The Panthers should beat the Titans and the now impressive Cowboys should beat the Warriors in what I think will be a high scoring game. The Storm play the Roosters who have been unlucky in recent defeats. I am tipping the Roosters to come back with an impressive and big win this round.
“The Tigers although losing last round put it to the bigger Warriors forward pack and I am tipping them to beat the Raiders.
“I am tipping the Eels to beat the Knights in the upset of the round for no other reason other than blind loyalty for me team (it worked for Tim a few weeks ago).”
Dane Eldridge
Tips: Broncos, Bulldogs, Titans, Cowboys, Storm, Tigers, Knights, Rabbitohs (Powerplay).
“Mitchell Pearce has an opportunity to put serious dibs on the Blues halfback spot this weekend when he crosses swords with Cooper Cronk. We all know who would win a poetry hoedown between the two, but less importantly, can he and his Chooks come away from Mexico with the two points? Computer says no.
“As for the rest, it’s just another buffet of Rubik cubes. The neutered Doggies against Northern Eagles 2.0, the Steelers versus the Powers Broncos and a struggle-fest between Newcastle and Parramatta? Are you serious? Gimme a break, rugby league!
“You’re killin’ me! Sometimes I just want to grab you by the collar and massage your temple with my cheek, Waerea-Hargreaves-style.”
Ryan O’Connell
Tips: Broncos, Bulldogs, Panthers, Cowboys, Storm, Tigers, Knights, Rabbitohs (Powerplay).
“Two surprise packet teams face each other on Friday, and I’m actually tipping the Broncos to pip the Dragons. Just. In the other Friday night game, I’ll keep the faith in my Doggies, if only because they’re playing cellar-dwellers, Manly.
“Despite their injuries, I have Penrith beating Gold Coast, Cowboys should handle the Woe Woes at home, Roosters have looked scratchy and may be dealt a lesson by the precision of the Storm, Wests will just beat a suddenly promising Canberra outfit.
“Lastly, the Eels will lose again and the Rabbitohs will belt the Sharks.”
Curtis Woodward
Tips: Dragons, Bulldogs, Titans, Cowboys, Storm, Tigers, Knights (Powerplay), Rabbitohs.
“I am really starting to buy into the Dragons and what they’re achieving defensively. Last weekend against Canterbury, they scored some points too. Friday night however will be a big test on the big stage of primetime, at home however, they should sneak passed the Broncos.
“I’ve gone a couple of teams this week purely because they’re at home including Melbourne at AAMI Park against the Sydney Roosters and the Gold Coast Titans against the Panthers.
Expect anything from Gold Coast/Penrith and North Queensland/New Zealand but the class of Johnathan Thurston will get the Cowboys home while I can see the Titans grinding the Panthers into the dirt.
“Those who think the Sharks can’t beat the premiers are kidding themselves but I just feel like Michael Maguire will have them up, just enough, to down the Sharks.”
The Summary
| Round 7 | Mary | Tim | Curtis | Dane | Ryan |
| DRAvBRO | Broncos | Broncos | Dragons | Broncos | Broncos |
| BULvSEA | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs |
| TITvPAN | Panthers | Titans | Titans | Titans | Panthers |
| COWvWAR | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys |
| STOvROO | Roosters | Storm | Storm | Storm | Storm |
| TIGvRAI | Tigers | Tigers | Tigers | Tigers | Tigers |
| KNIvEEL | Eels | Knights | Knights | Knights | Knights |
| SHAvRAB | Rabbitohs | Rabbitohs | Rabbitohs | Rabbitohs | Rabbitohs |
| POWERPLAY | Tigers | Knights | Knights | Rabbitohs | Rabbitohs |
| LAST ROUND | 7 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| OVERALL | 32 | 31 | 28 | 28 | 25 |
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