Another classic instalment of State of Origin has come and gone with the Queensland Maroons nailing an 11-10 victory, but here it’s all about NRL tipping.
While Origin retreats for a few weeks, the NRL is back in full swing and some intriguing battles lay ahead.
The round kicks off with a desperate Parramatta travelling up the road to Penrith to face arch rivals the Panthers. The ludicrous second tier salary cap means Chris Sandow is back in the halves for the Eels who must find a win.
Sydney and Melbourne will then close the round on Monday night and what a showdown this is going to be.
A number of players will face each again after squaring off on Wednesday at ANZ Stadium with Mitchell Pearce versus Cooper Cronk just one of many interesting individual battles.
Sydney will host another derby when St George Illawarra and Cronulla come together on Sunday at Jubilee Oval.
Will the iron defence of the Dragons be too much for the Sharks or can rookie star Jack Bird drag Cronulla to victory?
Ryan O’Connell
Tips: Panthers, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Cowboys, Warriors (Powerplay), Dragons, Roosters.
“The Eels couldn’t win a meat raffle while the Bunnies need to beat the Gold Coast.
“Broncos and Raiders will be an exciting game, with Brisbane scraping home.
“JT will back up from Origin to beat Manly, Warriors will destroy the Knights, as will the Sharks in the Shire derby.
“Roosters vs Storm is the game of the round, and I struggle to separate them but will go the Chooks.”
Dane Eldridge
Tips: Panthers, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Cowboys, Warriors (Powerplay), Dragons, Storm.
“Thank the Lord up above that this round is a post-Origin minefield. I really need a challenge after picking one winner last week.
“The Roosters and Melbourne should be a mouth-waterer in front of a few tumbleweeds and a cactus on Monday night. Barring mishaps and military intervention from General Soreness and Major Tightness, all interstate talent should be on deck at Allianz.
“I’m yet to see a full-blown frothy performance from the Chooks as yet, so I’ll take the discipline junkies in a tense one.
“In the Shaky Isles on Sunday, the Warriors could run roughshod over the Knights. I actually fear grievous havoc, so I’m going to cover my eyes while this one plays out.
“Is there an RSPCA for anachronistic medieval beings? If so, Rick Stone should have it on speed dial, if he hasn’t already. I fear for their welfare.
“As for the remaining matches, I’ll take Penrith, Souths, North Queensland, St George Illawarra, and it’s one more chance for the Raiders.
“In Ricky ‘Kicky’ Stuart, I trust. But it’s weakening.”
Tim Gore
Tips: Panthers (Powerplay), Titans, Raiders, Cowboys, Warriors, Dragons, Roosters.
“Well didn’t I stuff it up last week!
“Penrith are looking good while the Eels aren’t, Panthers to win.
“I’m going for an upset with the Titans to beat the Bunnies, Raiders to beat the Broncos just because, Cowboys to beat the Sea Eagles up north without DCE and Warriors to slaughter the Knights.
“Sunday afternoon and I’m going with Dragons to beat Sharks because Blake Ayshford has tackling issues.
“Full strength Roosters to beat the Storm in a tight one.”
Mary Konstantopoulos
Tips: Panthers, Titans, Broncos, Cowboys (Powerplay), Warriors, Dragons, Roosters.
“Selections this week will be impacted so much by State of Origin as key players may or may not back up.
“Penrith will start a win against the withering Eels while I am tipping the Titans at home to cause an upset against the Rabbitohs and the Broncos to be too disciplined and professional against the Raiders.
“Cowboys are specials to beat the Sea Eagles who although improving, lack the troops to trouble a classy Cowboys outfit.
“The Warriors will trounce the Knights on Sunday and the Dragons will be too fiery and I am tipping them to scorch the Sharks.
“Finally the match of the round on Monday with the Roosters against the Storm. I think this will be a cracker of a game and I am expecting the Roosters to start displaying some Premiership contender form and beat the Storm.”
Curtis Woodward
Tips: Panthers, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Cowboys, Warriors, Dragons (Powerplay), Roosters.
“There are definitely going to be some really tight results this weekend but tipping them is a different beast altogether.
“I’m going with St George Illawarra as my powerplay against rivals Cronulla. Should be a great afternoon in the sun at Kogarah and I feel like the Dragons will have way too much for their old foes.
“Monday night footy should be a cracker and a mini post-Origin-Origin with Mitchell Pearce and company taking on the old Queensland trio of Smith, Slater and Cronk. Not confident but I’ll go with the Roosters in a tight one, maybe even golden point!”
| Round 12 | Tim | Mary | Curtis | Ryan | Dane |
| PANvEEL | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers |
| TITvRAB | Titans | Titans | Rabbitohs | Rabbitohs | Rabbitohs |
| RAIvBRO | Raiders | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos |
| COWvEAG | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys |
| WARvKNI | Warriors | Warriors | Warriors | Warriors | Warriors |
| DRAvSHA | Dragons | Dragons | Dragons | Dragons | Dragons |
| ROOvSTO | Roosters | Roosters | Roosters | Roosters | Roosters |
| POWERPLAY | Panthers | Cowboys | Dragons | Warriors | Warriors |
| LAST ROUND | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| OVERALL | 53 | 53 | 51 | 51 | 48 |
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