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The Roar's NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 21

29th July, 2015
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Justin Hodges will play in the NRL grand final. (Photo: AAP)
Expert
29th July, 2015
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9477 Reads

In another huge week of rugby league, Rick Stone got the flick, Geoff Toovey got the sack and the Wests Tigers announced they might be heading home to the southwest of Sydney.

But here are your tips for this week, in a refreshing, footy-themed change of tune.

Round 21 of the NRL starts with the Captain America Sydney Roosters clashing with Captain Graham’s Canterbury Bulldogs.

It should be the match of the round and a big crowd will help Mitchell Pearce celebrate his 200th first grade appearance. In the other Friday night clash, which could get pushed back into a later timeslot on Channel Nine for a rerun of Dirty Harry, Wests Tigers play the Melbourne Storm at Leichhardt Oval.

Shaun Johnson will be watching from the stands when his Warriors host Cronulla, Johnathan Thurston and Blake Austin come face-to-face in Townsville while Super Saturday concludes with Manly and Brisbane meeting at Central Coast Stadium before ducking over to Iguanas nightclub.

Danny Buderus and the Newcastle Knights will hope to slay the struggling Dragons before South Sydney tackle Penrith at ANZ Stadium.

Monday night footy is a “let’s not and say we did” when the hapless Gold Coast play the hapless-less Parramatta.

Dane Eldridge
Tips:
Roosters, Storm, Sharks, Cowboys, Broncos, Dragons, Rabbitohs (Powerplay), Titans.

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“I’m tipping the Roosters to turn up the volume for Mitchell Pearce against the Doggies on Friday night. It’s the least they can do for their ever-reliable clubman as he sets a new record for most stick copped in 200 first grade games. The milestone man should be primed to outpoint his rival Trent Hodkinson, a man who one day may challenge for the same record.

“And does anyone see any issues with the Warriors performing without Shaun Johnson? It’s really hard to gauge a read on this. Unless they can dust off Gary Freeman, something tells me they’ll be severely impaired. It’s the Sharks and their high antagonistic fettle for mine in this one.

“Then the round wraps up at Cbus Stadium on Monday night with the highly vital clash of the Titans and the Eels. Make sure you set your alarm for this one, and as soon as it sounds at 7pm on Monday, immediately cut the electricity supply to your house.”

Tim Gore
Tips:
Roosters, Storm, Sharks, Cowboys, Broncos, Dragons, Rabbitohs (Powerplay), Titans.

“I’m tipping the Roosters to beat the Bulldogs, but not with much confidence, while the Storm should beat Wests Tigers.

“The Sharks to continue on their winning way by beating the Warriors away, I love my Raiders but this is about tipping, not support. Cowboys to win but I really hope my boys prove me wrong!

“Broncs to do it tough against Manly but they’ll get the points.

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“How often does a side with a new coach get a win up? Can the Knights? No, no they can’t. Dragons for the win.

“Rabbitohs to beat the poor old Panthers and the Titans to beat the Eels up north.”

Mary Konstantopoulos
Tips:
Roosters, Storm, Sharks, Cowboys (Powerplay), Broncos, Dragons, Rabbitohs, Eels.

“Friday night kicks off with the Roosters versus the Bulldogs. This match will be a lot closer than people imagine with the Bulldogs trying to regain momentum. The Roosters, however, look too strong and will notch up a win. The Tigers host the Storm and I am tipping the Storm to continue with their strong form and trounce the Tigers.

“The Warriors look rudderless without Shaun Johnson and I am tipping the Sharks to cement a spot in the top 8 with a win. The Cowboys at home will beat the Raiders in what I am tipping to be a high scoring match. The Sea Eagles play the Broncos and the Broncos are nearly impossible to go past on current form and will enjoy a big win.

“The Dragons have forgotten how to win but face a very disappointing Knights side. Danny Buderus will have the Knights fired up but it is impossible to go past the Dragons who will bounce back to the winners list. The Rabbits will be the Panthers in the other Sunday match although I am tipping the Panthers to be a lot closer at the end of the match than people are predicting.

“Finally Monday night football and I am tipping the Eels to beat the Titans although this is largely a heart led tip.”

Ryan O’Connell
Tips:
Bulldogs, Storm (Powerplay), Sharks, Cowboys, Sea Eagles, Knights, Rabbitohs, Titans.

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“I’m picking with my head and choosing the Dogs over Roosters. I can’t pick the Tigers against anyone, so the Storm are my powerplay.

“I’m eliciting the famous ‘sacked coach = first-up win’ for both the Knights over the Dragons, and surprisingly, Manly over Brisbane.

“The rest all pick themselves. Or not…”

Curtis Woodward
Tips:
Roosters, Storm, Sharks, Cowboys, Broncos, Dragons, Rabbitohs (Powerplay), Titans.

“I love watching Canberra and Cronulla play for obvious but different reasons. Despite the clash being in Auckland, Cronulla’s style should break the Warriors down who are also missing their best player in Shaun Johnson. Almost tipped the Raiders but the class of John Thurston and his mates will get them home.

“Wests Tigers have had a big week but you still can’t tip them.

“In the clash of the decade, a sold out CBus Super Stadium will see the might of the Gold Coast sneak home against the Eels.”

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Round 21 Tim Mary Ryan Curtis Dane
ROOvBUL Roosters Roosters Bulldogs Roosters Roosters
TIGvSTO Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm
WARvSHA Sharks Sharks Sharks Sharks Sharks
COWvRAI Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys
EAGvBRO Broncos Broncos Eagles Broncos Broncos
DRAvKNI Dragons Dragons Knights Dragons Dragons
RABvPAN Rabbitohs Rabbitohs Rabbitohs Rabbitohs Rabbitohs
TITvEEL Titans Eels Titans Titans Titans
POWERPLAY Rabbitohs Cowboys Storm Rabbitohs Rabbitohs
LAST ROUND 5 6 7 7 6
OVERALL 106 101 98 93 91
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