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The Roar’s NRL expert tipsters thought they were finished for the year. But just like all the great soap operas of our time, the suits upstairs saw the success and intend on bleeding it dry, baby!
So here we are.
Eight teams remain, four weeks of footy to play and at the end of this round there will be two less teams in the race for the premiership.
NRL FINALS FORMAT EXPLAINED: HOW DO THE NRL FINALS WORK?
For the top four teams, a victory hands them a weekend of rest and a direct passage through to the preliminary finals.
Let the real games begin!
Dane Eldridge
Tips: Roosters, Bulldogs (Powerplay), Broncos, Sharks.
“When it comes to this special Finals series of the Roar expert tipsters comp, I don’t shy away from the fact that I am the Dragons of the piece. However, I’ve been resting my better powers of judiciousness all year, and I aim to peak at the right time.
“The key in playoff footy is to keep it simple, so here goes.
“The Broncos and the Roosters will buy themselves a much-needed week’s leave after two molecule-bruising encounters, and the Sharks and the Bulldogs will earn the right to head off-road for a paddlin’ in week two.”
Ryan O’Connell
Tips: Storm, Bulldogs (Powerplay), Cowboys, Rabbitohs.
“The Roosters are running white-hot at the moment, and it would be a mad man that picks against them. Well, call me crazy, because I think if any team can exploit the Chooks’ weaknesses, it’s Melbourne, and I am convinced they will do just that.
“The Dragons have done a fantastic job just making the finals, and they deserve a lot of credit for doing so. However, as mediocre as the Dogs can be at times, they should still handle the Saints quite easily, with their forward pack in particular running riot.
“I expect Brisbane and North Queensland to be a cracking game that will go right down to the wire; with a Thurston field goal getting the Cowboys home in a golden-point thriller.
“I have more faith in politicians than I do Cronulla. I simply don’t trust the Sharks in important situations, and they don’t get much more important than ‘lose and go home’. Souths’ experience, and the presence of Greg Inglis, will see the Bunnies win.”
Mary Konstantopoulos
Tips: Roosters, Bulldogs (Powerplay), Broncos, Sharks.
“The Roosters versus the Storm opens up the Final’s series. The Roosters are specials to win this one as their attacking options particularly RTS will manage to win them the game against the well-structured Storm defence.
“Bulldogs will be too strong in the forwards for the Dragons who have done particularly well to get into the eight.
“Broncos should beat the Cowboys who I feel are still to hit top form. The Broncos will welcome Hunt back in their halves combination with Milford and will out play what I think has been a disappointing Cowboys team over recent weeks.
“Finally the sharks play the Rabbits in the final elimination game of this round. As much as I am trying to convince myself that the Rabbits will benefit from recent year’s finals I keep on coming back to how poor they have been over the past month. The Sharks to win this one.”
Tim Gore
Tips: Roosters, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Sharks (Powerplay).
“I’ve got a feeling Melbourne is preparing one of their patented sucker punches. However, I don’t have the courage to pick it! Roosters to win.
“Lots of people writing off the Dragons. I’m not convinced they don’t have a win in them here. But once more, no courage. Dogs to win.
“Flip a coin for Brisbane Cowboys… and it’s Cowboys. I’m going the Cowboys.
“Sharks blew it last week but they’ll beat the Bunnies this week.”
Curtis Woodward
Tips: Roosters, Bulldogs (Powerplay), Cowboys, Sharks.
“You are either really brave or really stupid to write Melbourne off, especially when they boast some much class across the paddock. But the fact this clash against the Sydney Roosters is at Allianz Stadium sways me toward the tri-colours.
“St George-Illawarra is struggling big time while their opponents Canterbury are built for finals footy.
“The real blockbuster of the weekend is Brisbane and North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium. Who knows with this one, really. On Monday it was Cowboys, yesterday I was picking Brisbane but today I’ll go back and stick with Mr. Thurston.
“If Cronulla get their offensive mix right, they’ll eliminate the defending premiers.”
| Round 26 | Tim | Mary | Ryan | Curtis | Dane |
| ROOvSTO | Roosters | Roosters | Storm | Roosters | Roosters |
| BULvDRA | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs |
| BROvCOW | Cowboys | Broncos | Cowboys | Cowboys | Broncos |
| SHAvRAB | Sharks | Sharks | Rabbitohs | Sharks | Sharks |
| POWERPLAY | Sharks | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs |
| LAST ROUND | 5 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 4 |
| OVERALL | 137 | 132 | 131 | 123 | 122 |
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