First and foremost congratulations to the champion and ruler of the world, Tim Gore who is your 2015 NRL expert tipster.
Well played, good sir.
Now onto the NRL itself.
Does it get any better than this?
We are officially only days away from the 2015 NRL grand final with Wayne Bennett’s Brisbane Broncos up against the North Queensland Cowboys and the unadulterated talent of the one they call Johnathan Thurston.
Now before those in ye old Sydney town get their troll on, let’s look at the national in National Rugby League.
Or better yet, let’s look at the predicament Jarryd Hayne is in.
Isn’t a Broncos versus Cowboys decider easier for Hayne to explain to his American buddies than an all Sydney grand final between, say, St George Illawarra Dragons and Wests Tigers?
“Well you see Reggie” Hayne would begin, drenched in cold sweat, “these are two of nine clubs from Sydney.”
“The Dragons play some games at Kogarah, some in Wollongong and occasionally some at the Sydney Football Stadium.”
Reggie would nod confidently, “Off course.”
Jarryd would continue.
“And the Wests Tigers train at Concord and play everywhere else.”
Reggie confused.
It’s the NRL grand final.
Who cares whose playing?
Enjoy it and may the best team win.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Tips: Broncos (Powerplay), Knights, Panthers.
“The baby Panthers to come away with the in the Holden Cup. I’m an Eels fan, how could I ever cheer for the Sea Eagles?
“Clint Newton to lead the Newcastle Knights to victory despite the brilliant coaching tactics of Ben and Shane Walker.
“North Queensland is the sentimental and popular pick but I cannot go past the Wayne Bennett influence and his incredible success in grand finals.
“The Broncos to win led by my main men Corey Parker and the Milf.”
Ryan O’Connell
Tips: Cowboys (Powerplay), Jets, Panthers.
“I’m riding the Cowboys (ahem) all the way, as I want to see Johnathan Thurston cap off an amazing season (and career) with a premiership.”
Tim Gore
Tips: Cowboys, Jets, Panthers (Powerplay).
“Well, we’ve made it. grand final week. Soon we’ll be missing footy.
“The main game could seriously go either way, I have no idea. My extensive gut says Cowboys but my stats say Broncos. I’m going Cowboys.
“Penrith to beat Manly in the 20s because I like Penrith.
“Ipswich Jets to beat Newcastle Knights cod I’ve heard they play some good footy, and the Knights win over Roosters reserves last week was on the back of good fortune rather than great play.”
Dane Eldridge
Tips: Cowboys (Powerplay), Knights, Sea Eagles.
“Holy smokes. This is a dream decider that will halt an entire state for 80 minutes. With a Tally-Ho between the two sides, picking a winner is bloody tough. For mine, it’s the Sea Eagles to beat Gus Gould’s spritely Panthers on account of a higher concentration of Trbojevic.
“I can feel a real sense of destiny hovering over the day’s other blockbuster. Can a great of the game be sent out on a winning note? You betcha he can.
“Clint Newton and his Johnny-come-lately Knights will break down the Brothers Walker, thus sending the big guy off in to a new life post-footy, most probably doing something that involves endorsing hair plugs.”
Curtis Woodward
Tips: Cowboys, Jets (Powerplay), Panthers.
“It is impossible to split Brisbane and the North Queensland Cowboys which mean we’re in for one hell of a ride on Sunday. I was swaying toward the Broncos until I heard Johnathan Thurston’s Dally M speech on Monday. It got me.
“I saw a lot of VB NSW Cup this year and can honestly say with my hand on the bible, highlight packages of the Ipswich Jets is enough for me to take them over the Knights.
“Haven’t watched a single under-20s game this year so I’ll go with the westies against the surfies.”
| Grand Final | Tim | Mary | Ryan | Curtis | Dane |
| BROvCOW | Cowboys | Broncos | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys |
| KNIvJET | Jets | Knights | Jets | Jets | Knights |
| PANvSEA | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Sea Eagles |
| POWERPLAY | Panthers | Broncos | Cowboys | Jets | Cowboys |
| LAST ROUND | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| OVERALL | 146 | 139 | 138 | 131 | 129 |
Broadly Speaking
Guest
I was wrong about the Blackhawks making it to Sydney, but the Jets will be too fast, too tricky and will have a great deal of confidence in their ability to beat another NRL laden team. Good on Manly for beating our next gen Cowboys, but I reckon the Panthers will also have a bit of confidence from being at the business end of the season.before. The main event will see Matto Scotto roll trough the Broncos, closely followed up by Tamou, Taumalololololololololo-o, Lowe-o and then Granvo will pick the gaps with Coopo doing damage out wide (then Bolto, Hanno, Asiato and Kostjaso will maintain the rage)..... I personally believe Scotto has been superhuman in this final series and will carry the Boycows to the promised land and win the Clive Churchill Medal!!!! Although Thursto will kick the winning goal to win the game, however, it will be off the back of Scotto/'s efforts!!!! Don't worry about Coach Green,he's instilled the mentality of accountability to take referee decisions out of the picture AND he's learnt how things are done during Grand Final week in '06 under Bennett and from Robinson when the Roostos won the comp a couple of years ago!!!! Cowboys 16, Broncos 15.
Lucky Green Frog
Guest
Broncos to win quite easily. 26-6
steve
Guest
Broncos for mine. They've got the fresh(er) legs, the better defence and the form halves combination in the comp. Should be enough to get them over the line. Should be a cracking game.
PNG Bronco fan#88
Guest
Nope, still a class below the four time premiership winning Darren Lockyer, who revolutionised the fullback role and then killed it in the halves at the flick of a switch. Too many emotional tipsters on here. Broncs, Broncs, Broncs...seven from seven, here we come!!!
The Verdict
Guest
I can see the Cowboys running away with this one to be honest. I picture the Cowboys being up by 8 with about 15 to go, but then as the clock and scoreboard pressure start to demoralise Hunt and Milford's minds, mistakes will creep in. Then at the other end, the flood gates will open, and JT, Morgo, Coote and Granville will all come to the party. The Broncos will feel the humbling pain of losing (especially to their Little Brothers), but they will pick themselves up with optimism in coming months. Then, they will have a lot more success than most NRL clubs, in the next 10 years, when this young core of talent hits their peak (as well as their rivals like the Cowboys, Storm and Roosters ageing and or losing key position players). The Cowboys to win the 2015 battle, but the Broncos to win the next decade of bragging rights (but North Queenslanders will still talk of 2015...).
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
"...better than Andrew Johns ever was." Steady on there, Timothy!
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
I prefer Lethal Weapon 2. Deeeeplomadick Immunideeeeeee
Ron Swanson
Guest
1st clash between this pair in week 1 was a belter. The Cowboys bombed a few tries and more than matched the Bronco's on their home patch. Sure Bennett has some record in GF's but as the good saying goes, "he's due for a loss..." The best, most consistent player in the game will own this GF and be fast tracked as the next immortal of the game. Cowboys 13+ As for the "Walker Off, Walker Off..." brothers in the (what's the title called they are playing for?? has the Amco Cup been re-birthed??) reggie's GF, will be interesting to see the hype they have created North of the Border over the legendary lower grade coach Rip Taylor. Just checked the team sheets, where has Rip gone?? Panthers to slaughter the Silvertails. Couldn't even bring myself to support them at Under 20's level. How they made the GF is still a mystery to me.It was painful viewing last weekend watching the Cowboys self implode & choke as short priced faves! Hardest Prediction - will it be a Lethal Weapon original/sequel or one of the 2 Mick Dundee films at the completion of the season?? Dirty Harry might get a start if Wayne's mob get up.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I agree Tim, been on the cowboys all year - nothing has changed for me. If they play like they did the last two weeks, I can't see them losing.
Forena Mape
Guest
Broncos have very vibrant and energetic boys who have showed a great defensive skills in 2015. If they can play like they played roosters, I can see victory in them. Broncos!!
jamesb
Guest
Congrats Tim on winning the tipping comp. Do you get a prize? With Clint Newton playing his last game, I wonder what he is going to do post football. Maybe go into show business. His uncle, Bert could be showing him the ropes. Also Bert could lend Clint one or two hair pieces as well. Go the Cowboys!
Tim Gore
Expert
sizeable gut says Cowboys, stats say Broncos. this article is about gut instinct, not stats. I credit my win in this comp to when I was coming stone motherless last around round 6 or 7 and I decided to just pick with my instincts and ignore all rational evidence. What Will says above is true, and Thurston is the very best player on the paddock - and better than Andrew Johns ever was. While Phil Gould says that you've got to defend your way to a premiership, sometimes an attack is so good that you can't. Cowboys are that good. If the passes stick - if - they'll win.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Tim, Your making a habit of sitting on the fence... broncos in your article but cowboys on this page? Which one is it? :P
E-Meter
Guest
Newcastle ho ho. The Jets will belt them.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Earlier in the year I heard Laurie Daley say that when you get to the big games, you want to be on the team with the single best player on the paddock. That's the Cowboys. And no, I'm not talking about Kane Linnett.
Dane Eldridge
Expert
I'm still hopeful the match will be switched to a 7pm kickoff. Something exciting to lead in to Lethal Weapon 3.
Samtwocan
Guest
I think this has similar ingredients to the 89 GF when the Tiges had all the running and all the favouritism but Canberra had the fairytale . I can see JT pulling something off in the final minutes to send them into extra time and keeping his head to steer them to a win. Broncos are faves and under Bennett so they should be , they don't have to travel as far and have had a week off. Looking forward to an exciting game and a nail biting finish .... Go the Cowturds .
Owen Whish
Roar Rookie
Heart says the cows, head says the Broncs. One way or the other it should be a cracking game. I think Thurston has the support to cause the upset. Cowboys are a good team. If the Cowboys can handle Hunt/MILF then they have a chance. The Forwards will be 50/50 split between Scott/Tamou and Parker/Thaiday/Blaire.. One good thing though, isnt it great that two teams who play traditional style flowing footy are fighting it out in the big dance?? I am guessing given the forecast we may see 40+ points scored on the day which will be a cracker.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
Ha-ha, your first paragraph got me Dane. Well played.