The NRL is now halfway through the Origin period so we are getting closer to a normal competition returning. Seven games await us in Round 16, and on paper it’s a tough round for The Roar‘s NRL expert tippers.
With only four games last week, Origin outs had a big say as the Rabbitohs came from behind against the Titans and the Eels got the better of the Dragons.
Everyone apart from yours truly seemed to be on top to that though, with perfect rounds being tipped left, right and centre – Greg got three and of course, I got two – although when the Titans were up double digits I was confident.
That leaves The Crowd running away on 79, Greg still locked in at eight points behind on 71, Tim jumping ahead of me by a point and Mary one behind me.
The weekend’s Saturday games saw the Sharks win at the last minute against the Tigers and the Storm win in golden point against the Cowboys.
As mentioned, we’re back up to seven games and it looks tough. The un-tippable Warriors play the Bulldogs who could be down on troops before a free-to-air TV game for the ages has the Tigers and the Titans squaring off.
(AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
The Cowboys then host a rejuvenated Panthers, before the inconsistent Raiders face the Broncos and the Roosters take on the Storm in a battle of tired Origin players.
The easiest game of the week on paper looks to be the Dragons and the Knights, with the Sharks taking on the Sea Eagles to close it out.
Don’t forget that on the form below, you can put your own tips in on behalf of The Crowd. We will have the results at 5pm (AEDT), so be sure to have them in before then. Who knows, The Crowd might prove themselves to be better than the experts.
Tips: Warriors, Titans
New Zealand Warriors vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Warriors. The Bulldogs reckon that Klemmer, Jackson and Morris will cross the ditch straight after Origin and make this match. That’s ambitious – I swore I’d not tip the Worriers again this season but they look – apart from Kata – to be at full strength so what the hell?
Wests Tigers vs Gold Coast Titans
Titans. Three Origin back-ups from the Titans to two for the Wests Tigers. However, Hayne, Wallace and Peats don’t have to travel to rejoin the team. I just think the Titans are in better shape overall.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers
Panthers. Yes, the boys from the foot of the mountain pulled off a miracle escape last week and they are going to Townsville, the graveyard of so many sides – but they have no one backing up from Origin and the Cowboys have four players backing up, two of them over 30. If the Panthers are ever going to beat the Cowboys it is now.
Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos
Raiders. If a side ever really needed to win it is now. The whole club – supporters, players and coaching staff – are gutted. However, they are at full strength for the first time this year, the Broncs have three players backing up to the Raiders one, and by half time the temperature should be most inhospitable for the visitors.
(AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)
Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm
Storm. While the Purple horde have five players backing up to the Roosters four, if NSW win the series I’d be surprised if their Origin contingent will be totally focused. If they lose I reckon they’ll be a bit down. The Storm will be metronomic in their organisation and focus. Plus it’s in Adelaide. Won’t be a blowout though.
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights
Dragons. I want to go Knights, but I just can’t see it. Dragons have lost a couple in a row and will be stinging. They have a great record against the Knights too.
Cronulla Sharks vs Manly Sea Eagles
Sea Eagles. They are in form. Tommy Turbo at the back, brother Jake leading the pack, Dylan Walker talking smack and Marty Kapow putting them on their backs. Five players backing up to one, even with a four day gap from Origin. I’m going Sea Eagles.
Tips: Warriors, Titans, Cowboys, Raiders, Roosters, Dragons, Sharks
New Zealand Warriors vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Warriors. The Bulldogs are more threatening with Josh Reynolds back, but it’s a big task for several others who are trying to back up quickly from State of Origin. Opportunity for the Warriors.
(AAP Image/David Rowland)
Wests Tigers vs Gold Coast Titans
Titans. No confidence in them or the Tigers and a lot will depend on which players back up from Origin and which don’t. Flipped a coin and it came down tails (for Titans). Very scientific, I know.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers
Cowboys. Another one laced with uncertainty because of the Origin back-up factor affecting the Cowboys. But they are at home and the Panthers are still trying to find consistency over 80 minutes.
Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos
Raiders. Hopefully two weeks has been long enough for them to get over the heart-breaker against the Panthers. It’s working out as a big risk to tip them this season, but I’ll (foolishly?) go again.
Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm
Roosters. Again, the effect of post-Origin ins and outs is going to be very significant. At least the key Roosters who might be backing up are a bit younger than the key Storm players in the same boat.
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights
Dragons. They’re in a funk, which makes this a danger game because the battling Knights may sense an opportunity. But surely the Dragons can take this chance to start getting back into gear.
Cronulla Sharks vs Manly Sea Eagles
Sharks. Dare I say it, another tricky one because of Origin back-ups particularly affecting the Sharks. The Sea Eagles will be hard to beat, but it’s the Sharks to grind out a tough win at home.
Tips: Bulldogs, Tigers, Cowboys, Broncos, Roosters, Dragons, Sharks
New Zealand Warriors vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Bulldogs. I’m torn here, but I said I wouldn’t tip the Warriors anymore and I’m not going to. Luckily, my confidence in the Bulldogs has been boosted by the supposed return of Josh Reynolds for this game.
Wests Tigers vs Gold Coast Titans
Tigers. My goodness, what a contest this is going to be. One team hasn’t been able to find its feet and the other has had its legs cut from beneath because of injury. I can’t go past the Tigers for this one, just because the Titans have so few players available. After a Blues win on Wednesday night, I also predict Woodsy and Teddy will back up with increased motivation.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers
Cowboys. The Panthers are yet to beat a team in the top eight this season and it isn’t about to change. Johnathan Thurston was in spectacular form against the Eels two weeks ago and I expect him to give Nathan Cleary and Matt Moylan a halves masterclass.
Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos
Broncos. This really comes down to how desperate the Raiders are. They need a win here to keep their season alive. The Broncos will almost be back to full strength following State of Origin and I’m predicting they inflict more heartache on the Raiders this weekend.
Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm
Roosters. How good of a game is this going to be! Each team welcomes back several State of Origin superstars and I’m looking forward to this clash between two of the most exciting teams in the comp. I’m tipping the Roosters here but not by much.
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights
Dragons. They may have lost five out of the last seven, but this is the week their season their season gets back on track. The Knights have been desperately unlucky and with Trent Hodkinson returning, I think it’s going to take a couple of weeks for him to find his feet.
(AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Cronulla Sharks vs Manly Sea Eagles
Sharks. I’ve been silly and not been tipping the Sharks much this year. With the return of their State of Origin representatives and a big crowd at Shark Park, I won’t make the mistake of not tipping them again. Valentine Holmes to bag a double.
Tips: Bulldogs, Titans, Cowboys, Broncos, Storm, Dragons, Sharks
New Zealand Warriors vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Bulldogs. Logic says the Warriors. I’ve sworn I won’t tip the Warriors again, so I’m tipping the Bulldogs even with the threat of Josh Jackson, Brett Morris and David Klemmer not playing.
Wests Tigers vs Gold Coast Titans
Titans. They flew out of the gates last week, but got overwhelmed without their Origin players. They could put a number of the Tigers if they are at full strength, but will win anyway if their Origin stars don’t back up.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers
Cowboys. I so nearly went the Panthers. They have had an incredible turnaround and if the game was being played at Penrith, I probably would have. Johnathan Thurston is brilliant though, and the Cowboys should find a way to win.
Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos
Broncos. It’s a rare non-Firday appearance for the Broncos, but they have won their last four against the Raiders and are something near full strength with only three players backing up from Origin. Canberra are inconsistent at best and shouldn’t win here.
Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm
Storm. It’s a case of whose Origin players back up better, but Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater are all class.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights
Dragons. On paper, this should be the easiest game of the week. Unfortunately, the game isn’t played on paper and the Dragons have looked more 2016 than 2017 in the last fortnight. On top of that, the Knights don’t stop trying. It’s a danger game, but must-win for the Dragons.
Cronulla Sharks vs Manly Sea Eagles
Sharks. They just keep finding ways to get it done. Five-day turnaround from Origin means they should be at full strength, and while Manly have been impressive, the Sharks are a league above.
| Round 16 | Tim | Greg | Mary | Scott | The Crowd |
| WAR V BUL | WAR | WAR | BUL | BUL | WAR |
| TIG V TIT | TIT | TIT | TIG | TIT | TIT |
| COW V PAN | PAN | COW | COW | COW | COW |
| RAI V BRO | RAI | RAI | BRO | BRO | RAI |
| ROO V STO | STO | ROO | ROO | STO | ROO |
| DRA V KNI | DRA | DRA | DRA | DRA | DRA |
| SHA V SEA | SEA | SHA | SHA | SHA | SHA |
| Last week | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Total | 66 | 71 | 64 | 65 | 79 |
Now it’s your turn to try and beat the experts. Using the form below, select your tips for the weekend ahead and we will have the results at 4pm (AEDT) this afternoon.
Melbourne's star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has suffered a lower leg fracture in a nailbiting 22-20 win over the gallant Gold Coast. The rugby league…
Burgess' Warrington were stripped of an interchange before their win over Hull after naming a player on their bench who wasn't in their initial…
Wayne Bennett might be rumoured with a move elsewhere for 2025, but his Dolphins are far from done in 2024 after another stunning boilover…
The Cowboys desperately tried to kick a two-point field goal with seconds left, but should they have received a penalty earlier that would've seen…
Jack Bostock protested his innocence after being penalised for interfering with Kyle Feldt with replays showing Feldt throwing the ball behind him.
Trai Fuller is having a night to forget. After conceding a 40/20, he dropped a regulation take, and Jeremiah Nanai swooped in for the…
