The Roar's NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 4

In a rugby league world where a player can be suspended for breathing on a referee and Martin Taupau gets one week for a ‘Hulk Smash’ swinging arm to the face of Jack Bird – it may come as a shock that we’re playing footy on Easter long weekend.

Here are your expert NRL tips for the week.

Yes it’s political correctness gone mad on both counts, you see. The match review committee are citing players left, right and centre for incidental, non-aggressive contact while those aforementioned referees (Ben Cummins and Adam Devcich in this case) never even contemplated a send-off for Taupau’s version of Bradshaw’s ‘Clothesline from Hell’ on the much smaller and Steeden-free Bird because it may offend an invisible minority and swing the balance of the match back to – wait for it – the side that lost a player to concussion!

The Shark wasn’t sighted again and Taupau was one of the best on-field for the Manly Sea Eagles who also picked up their first win of the season.

Yet still here we are playing footy on the celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Literally the holiest weekend of the year.

I’ve gone cross-eyed.

For those more inclined to chocolate eggs, beer and sideline conversions (yours truly included), the NRL rolls on.

Without further adieu I give you The Roar’s NRL Expert Tips for round four.

EVERY NRL GAME THIS SEASON WILL BE LIVE ON FOXTEL

Mary Konstantopoulos
Tips: Bulldogs, Broncos, Raiders, Roosters, Panthers,Warriors, Eels (Powerplay), Storm.

“I’m having flashbacks from the last Good Friday clash. All I am hoping for is for the referees to get through this game unscathed. I would ordinarily tip the Bunnies to come back with courage after the injury to Sammy Burgess last week, but I think they have too many injuries. Bulldogs to win this one after going down to the Eels last weekend. The other Friday match is one of the hardest games to tip this round. Both teams have been dominant in the opening rounds without being exceptional. I’m tipping the Broncos in a close one.

“I still have nightmares as an Eels fan from this game last year. With no Pat Richards to cause havoc down the left-hand side of the field, I am predicting the unthinkable – Parramatta to go 3 in a row.”

Tim Gore
Tips: Bulldogs, Broncos, Raiders (Powerplay), Sea Eagles, Dragons, Warriors, Eels, Sharks.

“Dogs to beat a Sam Burgess-less Rabbitohs and Brisbane to exact revenge for the Grand Final by beating the Cowboys in the other Good Friday game.

“The Raiders to account for the Titans, although not easily and Manly to beat the desperate Roosters.

“Dragons to beat the Panthers in Wollongong on Sunday in the only match for the day.

“On Monday I’m going with the Warriors to beat the Knights.. just. Parramatta to beat Wests at the Olympic Stadium and Sharks to beat the Storm in a tight one.”

Lachlan Bickley
Tips: Bulldogs, Broncos, Raiders (Powerplay), Sea Eagles, Dragons, Warriors, Eels, Storm.

“Without Sam Burgess and most likely Paul carter the bunnies pack looks a little thin against the Dogs.

“Roosters v Eagles will be a fascinating game. Can the roosters lift themselves off the mat? Nope they’re going to go zero and four to start the season and it’s a long way back from there.

“Warriors finally showed some signs of life on the weekend and should have enough for a Knights team that was also improved on Saturday night.

“Storm are undefeated for a reason. Look for some classic Sharks whinging about the Storm wrestling – happens every time these teams play.”

Curtis Woodward
Tips: Bulldogs, Cowboys, Raiders (Powerplay), Sea Eagles, Dragons, Warriors, Tigers, Sharks.

“You can’t half tell Tim Gore has been in the ABC Grandstand commentary box with his Olympic Stadium this and Wollongong that. Some love for the sponsors please, Tim!

“Brisbane and North Queensland will probably play each other three times this year with one of them to come in the playoffs. I suspect the Broncos could win the other two on their run to the grand final but I have a funny feeling the Cowboys will come away with a win this weekend.

“My plan with the Sydney Roosters is simple – don’t tip them until they show something.

“Banking on plenty of points between Parramatta and Wests Tigers on Monday with James Tedesco to grab the match winner with a few minutes to play.”