Consider Australia’s sporting codes as characters from Winnie the Pooh just for a moment.
The AFL is Rabbit – orderly and obsessive, Super Rugby it can be argued has a self-esteem problem just like Piglet and we have Tigger as the A-League because much like some of its defunct clubs can’t stay in one place for too long.
But this is The Roar‘s NRL Expert tips, right?
So who might the NRL be? None other than Eeyore, off course. While the frivolity and fun goes on around him he can’t help but see the negative side of it all. Come on man, you’re in a cartoon!
“State of Origin is on next week, Eoyore, you must be, be, be excited?” Super Rugby stuttered.
The NRL’s shoulders droop.
“But it’s a dead rubber and less people are going to watch.”
AFL crosses his arms, “we wish we still had State of Origin – you should be glad people care.”
“Yeah!” A-League joined in, “we’d love TV ratingsss like yoursss!”
NRL trots off and sits in a corner, “I don’t know why we even bother. Everything is just so bad. Nothing ever goes to plan.”
Moral to this story apart from the fact that Winnie the Pooh was a trippy-as-hell show with some spaced out characters?
Origin III might be a “dead rubber” but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ramifications for this year and next. If you’re a Maroons fan your state is gunning for a whitewash. If you’re a Blues fan, you’re supporting the next generation of kids who need you now. And an old bloke named Gallen is playing his final Origin.
That’s enough to get behind the game.
Or you can be bloody Eeyore!
Catch Curtis and The81stMinute Commentary Team this Saturday from 2pm on steelesports.com.au for Mounties v Newcastle
Mary Konstantopoulos
Tips: Eels, Bulldogs (Powerplay), Panthers, Raiders, Maroons.
“Roosters fans had their hearts broken last weekend in a very narrow loss to the Bulldogs, while the Sharks showed the Eels why they are the best team in the comp. The Eels will be boosted this week with the return of Brad Takairangi and Tim Mannah and Jeff Robson should be able to give Corey Norman some more support in the halves.
“The Bulldogs have been very impressive in recent weeks and will make it 4 in a row this weekend for the first time this years. The Tigers to struggle without Teddy, Woods and Farah.
“With Matt Moylan brushed from Origin and Bryce Cartwright not even given a look in, I’m expecting both of them to come out with big games against a Sharks side missing Paul Gallen, Andrew Fifita, Jack Bird, James Maloney and Wade Graham.”
Lachlan Bickley
Tips:Roosters, Bulldogs (Powerplay), Sharks, Raiders, Blues.
“Wests Tigers have been accused of being both a one-man team because of Tedesco and of being hamstrung by another in Robbie Farah. Both will be missing this week but in the end it will be the power of the Dogs forwards that sets the teams apart.
“With the Sharks missing five players on Origin duty they are understandably heavy underdogs, however they still have plenty of talent and, more importantly they have tremendous self-belief at the moment.
“The Raiders narrowly escaped a trap game against the beleaguered Knights but their forward pack should be too strong for a Cowboys team missing seven regulars through Origin and injury.”
Tim Gore
Tips: Eels, Bulldogs, Panthers, Raiders (Powerplay), Blues.
“I just reckon the Eels will beat the Roosters but I have no good rationale for it. On paper they look evenly matched.
“Can’t see the Wests Tigers beating the Dogs without James Tedesco. Though they still might put on some points.
“Dead rubbers most frequently go with the home side. Against all my better instincts I’m going with a NSW win.”
Curtis Woodward
Tips: Eels, Bulldogs (Powerplay), Sharks, Raiders, Blues.
“The Sydney Roosters were pretty good last weekend and half Mitchell Pearce is getting back to some of his best form. But then I looked at Parramata’s backrow and I think they’ve got enough fire to get across the line.
“Wests Tigers are missing too much talent to worry the monster Canterbury Bulldogs but if the Dogs don’t want to play footy – Wests can hurt them.
“Might as well tip New South Wales again. Much of the pressure is off and we’ll see some good footy which will suit the young Blues down to the ground.”
| Round 18 | Tim | Curtis | Lachlan | Mary | The Crowd |
| EELvROO | Eels | Eels | Roosters | Eels | Eels |
| BULvWES | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs |
| PANvSHA | Panthers | Sharks | Sharks | Panthers | Panthers |
| RAIvCOW | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders |
| NSWvQLD | Blues | Blues | Maroons | Maroons | Maroons |
| POWERPLAY | Raiders | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | ?? |
| TOTAL | 103 | 100 | 99 | 91 | 103 |
Now it’s your turn to tip! Have a go here, and try to claw back the lead.
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