The more things change, the more they stay the same. Queensland are State of Origin champions yet again after clinching Game 2 at Suncorp Stadium.
But it isn’t all doom and gloom for New South Wales and their beleaguered fans. As they slump at their work desks, stew in their tractors and toss bricks in anger – something beautiful hits Blues fans across the state.
As one they peer into the sky and from the clouds come The Roar‘s NRL Expert tipsters. To the backing of Kenny Loggins’ ‘I’m Alright’ (seriously, how good is this song?), the tipsters slowly descend tossing $50 notes and legs of ham to the masses.
“I am so very tempted to tip the Knights at home, but I can’t. The Dragons were much improved against a depleted Storm, but what was most encouraging was that they were able to score points. The Dragons to win in a high scoring affair.
“The Titans have been quietly impressive in recent weeks, while the Raiders have overall been disappointing in 2016. Austin and Sezer need to be stronger defensively, otherwise I can see Nathan Peats zipping through the middle!
“I can’t imagine the Storm losing two in a row. I expect some of their Origin players to back up and to be too strong for a Tigers side that has been entertaining in recent weeks.”
Tim Gore
Tips: Panthers, Dragons, Sharks, Bulldogs, Raiders, Storm (Powerplay), Cowboys.
“Have to take the Panthers against the Rabbitohs who are really struggling.
“Bulldogs to beat the Broncos who are in a bit of a slump and State of Origin won’t help.
“Raiders to get revenge on the Titans for the defeat earlier this season.”
“The Dragons took full toll of a severely depleted Storm team on Saturday night and it doesn’t get much harder against the reserve grade standard Knights.
“The Storm burnt me and plenty of others with the ole bait and switch last week but they should be stronger this week with some other Origin and injured players back.
“Another Queensland Monday night game for the Sea Eagles and if you thought they looked bad against the Titans this week then I’d recommend you skip the game against the Cowboys. This one could get out of hand very quickly even if all the Cowboys don’t back from Origin.”
“Call me insane but I think Newcastle can beat St George Illawarra. If it goes the way I think it will, the Knights will come out all guns blazing and I believe the Dragons don’t have the ability to chase big points. The Knights had fifteen offloads in their massive loss to the Warriors while the Dragons only had one line break against a second-string Melbourne outfit. Go the Knights!
“Canterbury and Des Hasler will be licking their lips at getting Brisbane just after State of Origin. It’s also a good challenge for the Bulldogs who need to impress against one of the premiership heavyweights.
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“Putting the mortgage on North Queensland in the battle of Cow versus Man!”
Round 16
Tim
Lachlan
Curtis
Mary
The Crowd
PANvRAB
Panthers
Panthers
Panthers
Panthers
Panthers
KNIvDRA
Dragons
Dragons
Knights
Dragons
Dragons
SHAvWAR
Sharks
Sharks
Sharks
Sharks
Sharks
BULvBRO
Bulldogs
Bulldogs
Bulldogs
Bulldogs
Bulldogs
TITvRAI
Raiders
Titans
Titans
Titans
Titans
STOvWES
Storm
Storm
Storm
Storm
Storm
COWvMAN
Cowboys
Cowboys
Cowboys
Cowboys
Cowboys
POWERPLAY
Storm
Cowboys
Cowboys
Cowboys
???
OVERALL
87
85
85
78
89
Now it’s time for The Crowd’s tips, who currently lead the competition.