It is the annual Women In League round, a weekend where we stand and salute all female fans, referees, touch judges, managers, coaches, mums, sisters, nans, CEOs, grandmothers, journalists, board members, daughters, wives, expert tipsters, players and cheerleaders, in absolutely no particular order, of course.
Let’s not forget the first lady of rugby league either. Dally Messenger would have never switched codes in 1908 and help grow our great game if it wasn’t for the approval of his beloved mum. Such was the respect she had in rugby league circles, her passing at aged 91 in 1944 made headlines in the newspapers, simply and respectfully dubbed Mrs. Messenger.
So let’s go on with it.
Round 10 and some tough picks as usual.
It’s a legitimate State of Origin trial when Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson of the Canterbury Bulldogs host Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney’s Sydney Roosters while the other Friday night match will see Brisbane travel to North Queensland to face Johnathan Thurston and the Cowboys.
Super Saturday begins with the Parramatta Eels facing the New Zealand Warriors at Pirtek Stadium before Gold Coast tackle the Cronulla Sharks on the sunset strip. Saturday night footy ends with an intriguing battle in Melbourne when the Storm take on the injury-ravaged South Sydney Rabbitohs.
On Sunday, St George Illawarra and Canberra will entertain fans on the south coast at WIN Stadium before Wests Tigers head up to Hunter Stadium for a showdown with the struggling Newcastle Knights.
Manly and Penrith wrap it all up on Monday at Brookvale Oval.
Tim Gore
Tips: Roosters, Cowboys, Warriors, Sharks, Storm (Powerplay), Raiders, Knights, Sea Eagles.
“I’ve donned the blindfold and I’m ready for another week of guesses!
“On Friday night, the Roosters to beat a gallant Bulldogs side in a tight one and the Cowboys to be too hot for the Broncs up north.
“The following day I’m going with Warriors to compound the Eels issues with a comfortable win while the Titans versus Sharks… who knows! I’m guessing Sharks just because.
“Storm to dispatch the wounded Rabbitohs, Raiders to extract revenge for round 3 over Dragons, Newcastle to beat Wests Tigers and Manly to make it two in a row with victory over Penrith on Monday night.”
Ryan O’Connell
Tips: Bulldogs, Cowboys (Powerplay), Warriors, Sharks, Storm, Dragons, Tigers, Sea Eagles.
“Oh great, another tough round, just what I need.
I’ll pick the ‘Dogs because I do every week. I’ll pick the Cowboys in what should be great game versus the Broncos, Warriors will beat the hapless Eels.
“I can’t pick the Titans after they got belted by Canberra last week, so I’ll go with the Sharks.
“Souths are back in the winner’s column, but I’m picking the Storm. Dragons versus Raiders will be a great game, but I think Saints will hold on down the stretch.
“Tigers will bounce back from a poor showing against the Chooks, and will defeat the Knights.
“Lastly, Manly will continue their good form, and account for Penrith.”
Mary Konstantopoulos
Tips: Roosters, Cowboys, Warriors, Titans, Storm (Powerplay), Dragons, Knights, Panthers.
“The Bulldogs and Roosters is a Friday night blockbuster. James Graham and Josh Reynolds back from suspension will be fired up but I see too much class in the Roosters team led by Maloney and Pearce who are vying for SOO selection. The Roosters to win a must see game. The Cowboys versus the Broncos will be nearly as compelling. Johnathan Thurston is going to prove to be a match winner with Scott to have a huge game before SOO, Cowboys to win.
“I have had enough pain from picking my team to win and seeing them put in inept performances. Too bad so sad but the Eels to lose.
“I am picking the Titans to make the most of their home ground advantage and edge out the Sharks.
“The Storm are specials to beat the Rabbits at home.
“Dragons and Raiders keep on impressing me and I have to applaud Benji Marshall and Blake Austin for their remarkable form this year. Only one can win and I am tipping the Dragons in a close one. The Knights versus the Tigers can also go either way and I am tipping home field advantage to make the difference with the Knights to win.
“Finally the Sea Eagles at Brookvale versus the Panthers. I am tipping the Panthers in a close one.”
Dane Eldridge
Tips: Roosters, Cowboys, Warriors, Titans, Storm, Dragons, Knights, Sea Eagles (Powerplay).
“The stodgy, defence-based Broncos slammed 40-odd up the Cowboys just a few weeks back, but I’m here to tell you that it won’t happen again. That’s right, this is a new world, where North Queensland is slicker, Australians drink less alcohol and Korbin Sims and Willie Mason freely squeeze each other as a form of friendly greeting. Cowboys to grab this one by the… you get it.
“In other Friday night doings, one may ask: After beating another three shades out of their Wests Tigers whipping boys, are the Roosters back?
“In my biased opinion, of course they are. What a silly question! They’ll shade the Doggies by a cigarette paper.
“My hot tips for the rest of the round are New Zealand, Gold Coast, Melbourne, St George, Newcastle and Manly.
“And don’t lend Chris Sandow your car.”
Curtis Woodward
Tips: Roosters, Cowboys, Warriors, Titans, Storm, Dragons, Tigers, Sea Eagles (Powerplay).
“Generally I’ll go with the home team when it comes to an each way bet but right now I can’t tip Parramatta or Newcastle. If the Warriors are serious about making a charge, they’ll lap the Eels while the Wests Tigers will be far better than they were last Friday against the Sydney Roosters.
“St. George Illawarra and Canberra at a sunny WIN Stadium could be match of the round but I just see the Dragons getting home, maybe even golden point.
“I know Gold Coast was hammered last weekend by the Raiders but nobody is that bad two weeks in a row. Expect them to bounce back with enough style against Cronulla.”
| Round 10 | Tim | Curtis | Mary | Dane | Ryan |
| BULvROO | Roosters | Roosters | Roosters | Roosters | Bulldogs |
| COWvBRO | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys |
| EELvWAR | Warriors | Warriors | Warriors | Warriors | Warriors |
| TITvSHA | Sharks | Titans | Titans | Titans | Sharks |
| STOvRAB | Storm | Storm | Storm | Storm | Storm |
| DRAvRAI | Raiders | Dragons | Dragons | Dragons | Dragons |
| KNIvTIG | Knights | Tigers | Knights | Knights | Tigers |
| EAGvPAN | Eagles | Eagles | Panthers | Eagles | Eagles |
| POWERPLAY | Storm | Eagles | Storm | Eagles | Cowboys |
| LAST ROUND | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| OVERALL | 45 | 44 | 43 | 40 | 39 |
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