The Roar's NRL Expert tips: Round 6

Another huge week of footy! The Bulldogs are in the naughty chair after their Friday afternoon antics, Johnathan Thurston and the Cowboys are back, Pat Richards is a freak, and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is heading home to New Zealand after signing with the Warriors.

It was also a forgettable round for The Roar’s expert tipsters, with Tim Gore top scoring with five. The rest floundered with three apiece.

Round 6 may not be any easier with some prickly ones, starting on Friday night with Cronulla up against the Newcastle Knights, in a match that coincides with a showdown between Wayne Bennett’s Brisbane Broncos and Trent Robinson’s Sydney Roosters.

On Saturday, Parramatta play on their home turf, which may spell doom for the hapless Gold Coast, while we could see anything when the Warriors host the Wests Tigers in Auckland, and Saturday concludes with Penrith facing a Manly team desperate to find form.

The resurgent Raiders tackle Melbourne on Sunday, followed by St George Illawarra versus a depleted Canterbury outfit, while the round concludes with perhaps the match of the round when Souths face Johnathan Thurston’s North Queensland at ANZ Stadium.

Ryan O’Connell
Tips: Knights, Roosters, Eels, Warriors, Panthers, Storm (powerplay), Bulldogs, Rabbitohs.

“A blind man flipping a two-headed coin and calling tails would have more idea than me at present, but I think the Knights will bounce back from a disappointing game to beat the Sharks, and the Roosters will do the same against Brisbane.

“Eels should beat a hapless Gold Coast, the Warriors will be more hot than cold versus the Tigers, Panthers will smash a suddenly clueless Manly, and the Raiders will not beat Melbourne.

“Lastly, the Bulldogs will overcome James Graham’s injury (after he was ruled out for four weeks for Adam Reynolds kicking him) to defeat the Dragons, and the Rabbitohs have clearly been given the green light by the NRL to win every game, so they’ll account for the Cowboys. (Bitter much, Ryan?!)”

Tim Gore
Tips: Sharks, Broncos, Titans, Warriors, Panthers, Storm, Dragons (powerplay), Cowboys.

“Broncos to beat the Aidan Guerra-less Roosters at home, Sharks to beat the Beau Scott-less Knights in a tight one, with Jack Bird starting again, Upset!

“Titans to shock the Parra stadium faithful and beat the Eels, Solomone Kata and Konrad Hurrell to make speed bumps of Chris Lawrence and Tim Simona in Auckland as the Warriors win comfortably.

“Manly vs Penrith is tough as both are desperate to win; I’m going for the Panthers as I’m fond of them. Raiders vs Melbourne isn’t as tough; the Storm will ease pass the young Raiders. The Dragons will smash the depleted Bulldogs and Johnathan Thurston will lead his Cows to victory over the Adam Reynolds-less Bunnies.”

Dane Eldridge
Tips: Sharks, Roosters, Eels (powerplay), Warriors, Panthers, Storm, Dragons, Rabbitohs.

“Another week, another round of bringing the term ‘expert’ in to disrepute.

“Being completely bereft of ideas, I’ve decided to live a little. With no confidence whatsoever, I’m parlaying Canterbury’s Bruce Jenner-scale remodel in to the Dragons resurgence, meaning it’s the reborn band of Mary’s men for mine on Sunday. In other selections of high anxiety, I’ll be taking Cronulla, New Zealand, Souths, Easts and finally Penrith in the duke-out of desperados against Manly at Pepper.

“For quelling my quivering uncertainty, I would like to thank this week’s schedule for reliable types like Parramatta at Pirtek and the early season-freshness of Melbourne. And I use the word ‘reliable’ loosely. Also, consider these two sides now categorically mozzed.”

Mary Konstantopoulos
Tips: Sharks, Broncos, Eels (powerplay), Warriors, Panthers, Storm, Dragons, Cowboys.

“#UpUpCronulla! The boys in the black and blue finally played to their potential and with J-Bird proving to be a rookie sensation I am tipping the Sharks to record their second win of the season.

“The Broncos and Roosters should be a colossal clash but I still rate the Roosters highly and expect them to bounce back after their shock loss in Round 5. The Eels are specials at Pirtek Stadium and hopefully we seem them play expansive footy again (and hold the ball!).

“The Warriors should bounce back to form at Mt Smart Stadium and with razzle-dazzle football will beat a game Tigers outfit. Keep an eye on Manu Vatuvei, who celebrates his 200th game this weekend with the hashtag #feedthebeast.

“The Panthers to just edge out the Sea Eagles, who do not have any forwards.

“The Storm will prove to be too professional and disciplined for the Raiders. The Dragons against a Bulldogs team without their bite should win – let’s hope we are free of controversy in this one.

“Finally I am tipping an upset with the Cowboys to beat the Rabbits, who are about to go through a rough patch without their key playmaker Adam ‘Rendiggity’ Reynolds.”

Curtis Woodward
Tips: Knights, Roosters, Eels (powerplay), Tigers, Panthers, Raiders, Bulldogs, Cowboys.

This round looks harder than it is and I have a suspicion there will be a few more disappointed tipsters this week. In saying that, I am expecting a perfect round with a little powerplay on top.

Did that sound believable?

I’m really happy for Cronulla and their huge boilover last weekend, but the Newcastle Knights would have also paid close attention and the Sharks will be up against a well-prepared team. In the other Friday night match, Brisbane hosts the Sydney Roosters. We’ll see if Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s imminent departure causes friction for the tricolours.

I like the Tigers against New Zealand, don’t ask me why, and I’m expecting a bit of an upset in Canberra where the Raiders might pip the Storm.