Dr. Seuss once said, “How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?” And with a click of the fingers, just like that, it is Round 20.
Welcome to The Roar‘s NRL Expert tips.
Boy, doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun?
If that really was the case, Parramatta would be stuck in a slow motion vortex locked between 12am and 12.01. If time flies when you’re having fun, Paul McGregor and Andrew McFadden must feel like Groundhog Day lambs to the slaughter so close are their necks to the chopping block.
If time flies when you’re having fun, Nathan Brown’s Newcastle must feel more like emus than knights, 2016 South Sydney like 2006 South Sydney, Laurie Daley like Chuckie Finster and Tony Archer like that annoying school cricket captain that bowls himself before the six-foot left arm quick who pegs ‘em down as quick as a hiccup.
Time flies?
Tell that to them. But never fear, the truth is here. Time for this week’s tips!
Catch Curtis and The81stMinute Call Team this Saturday from 2pm on steelesports.com.au for coverage of the Wests Tigers and Newtown Jets in the Intrust Super Premiership
Mary Konstantopolous
Tips: Cowboys, Broncos, Raiders, Titans, Storm (Powerplay), Sharks, Wests Tigers, Sea Eagles.
“The Bulldogs will be looking to make it five wins in a row for the first time this year, while the Cowboys will be looking to bounce back strongly now that State of Origin is over. I’m tipping the Cowboys – their Origin stars will be well rested after the bye and the Cowboys are a tough team to beat in Townsville.
“There is no doubt that the Eels have been resilient up to this point, but last week an injury to Michael Jennings really hurt the team. Now missing Jennings, Radradra, Foran and likely Norman, I can’t see the Eels having the troops to get the job done against the Titans this weekend.
“So many questions. How many errors will the Bunnies make? Will the Burgii be able to hold the ball? Manly have shown a lot of courage in recent weeks, even in the face of mounting injury concerns. They will go into this game brimming with confidence after their golden point win against the Warriors and I expect them to beat the Bunnies.”
Tim Gore
Tips: Cowboys, Broncos, Raiders, Titans, Storm, Sharks (Powerplay), Wests Tigers, Sea Eagles.
“Friday night footy heads back to Suncorp where I’m expecting a bit of an ambush. The Broncos will smash Penrith, who just aren’t quite good enough.
“The Raiders will jag another home win against a very willing Warriors side.
“Wests Tigers to beat the hapless Dragons because they can actually score points.”
Lachlan Bickley
Tips: Cowboys, Broncos, Raiders, Titans, Storm, Sharks (Powerplay), Wests Tigers, Sea Eagles.
“The PM just announced a new Ministry but if the Raiders win this one and cement themselves in the top four he might have to backtrack and make Ricky Minister for Redemption.
“Boy you’ve got to admire the attitude of the Knights at the moment. If Nathan Brown and these young kids get the time they need this team could be very good. But that’s not going to help them this weekend against a rampaging Sharks team.
“The Dragons are sinking fast with an attack that can only charitably be called awful. The Wests Tigers will certainly fancy their chances at Stadium Australia which is essentially a neutral field.”
Curtis Woodward
Tips: Cowboys, Broncos, Raiders, Titans, Storm, Sharks (Powerplay), Wests Tigers, Sea Eagles.
“The New Zealand Warriors are as mesmerising as Jafar’s Snake Staff when you’re trying to enter your tips on a Tuesday afternoon at 5pm. Despite all the times they’ve hurt you they almost find a way to make you believe you can take them again.
“It’s all over for Parramatta – surely they can’t find a way up from the canvas again this weekend?
“If you’re tipping St George Illawarra you’re either Paul McGregor or a lunatic #OustDoust”
| Round 20 | Tim | Curtis | Lachlan | Mary | The Crowd |
| COWvBUL | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys |
| BROvPAN | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos |
| RAIvWAR | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders |
| TITvEEL | Titans | Titans | Titans | Titans | Titans |
| STOvROO | Storm | Storm | Storm | Storm | Storm |
| SHAvKNI | Sharks | Sharks | Sharks | Sharks | Sharks |
| DRAvWES | Wests Tigers | Wests Tigers | Wests Tigers | Wests Tigers | Wests Tigers |
| RABvSEA | Sea Eagles | Sea Eagles | Sea Eagles | Sea Eagles | Sea Eagles |
| POWERPLAY | Sharks | Sharks | Sharks | Storm | Sharks |
| OVERALL | 115 | 112 | 109 | 100 | 113 |
Now it’s your turn – tip against the experts.
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