O Semi, Semi, wherefore art thou Semi? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love and I’ll no longer be a Parramatta Eel.
Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? ‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy: thou art thyself, though not a rugby player.
Yep, welcome to The Roar‘s NRL Expert tips for Round 17. But, wait. Where is Semi?
This is the final boarding call for passenger Mr. Semi Radradra booked on flight FJ941 to Sydney. Please proceed to gate 3 immediately. The final checks are being completed and the captain will order for the doors of the aircraft to close in approximately five minutes time. I repeat. This is the final boarding call for Mr. Semi Radradra. Thank you.
It seems these days the rugby league world has about as much chance of seeing Radradra as Dora has seeing Swiper. Open your eyes woman, he’s right there!
Yet it isn’t all doom and gloom. Who is Radradra in the big scheme of things if we really lost him to that fairy parade known as French rugby?
Did the game go the way of the dinosaurs when Wendell Sailor, Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri left?
The world kept spinning when Israel and Karmichael kicked skipped out to run around in kids shorts and kick red footballs.
Did we pack it all up and throw it in when Jarryd Hayne wanted to go play NFL?
Come on people.
Move it along.
Will the next superstar please stand up.
Catch Curtis and The81stMinute Commentary Team from 2pm Saturday on steelesports.com.au
Mary Konstantopoulos
Tips: Bulldogs (Powerplay), Broncos, Warriors, Wests Tigers, Eels, Raiders, Cowboys, Dragons.
“Which Warriors side will turn up this weekend? Will it be the side that almost beat the Sharks last week or the team that forgot how to score points earlier in the season? I am predicting the former, with the Warriors run to the final set to continue during the Origin period.
“Can the Sharks make it 12 in a row? I’m going to tip with my heart here and say that the Eels will continue their excellent pre-bye form. This of course all hedges on Semi Radradra returning from Fiji… Watch this space.
“It’s very hard to admit, but it’s clear that while the Knights try very hard, they simply aren’t up to it this year. While I can’t predict that they will beat the Raiders, I can indeed predict another Nathan Ross try.”
Lachlan Bickley
Tips: Bulldogs, Broncos, Warriors, Panthers, Sharks, Raiders (Powerplay), Cowboys, Sea Eagles.
“The roosters had a bye week but the Dogs just got done stomping the Broncos and a week’s rest isn’t going to be enough for the Roosters.
“Wests Tigers reminded everyone what they’re capable of against the storm for 40 minutes but until they do it for a full 80 they’re going to be hard to tip, I’ll take the panthers.
“If any team can find a way to lose to the Knights it will be the Raiders but surely the home crowd will get them home.”
Tim Gore
Tips: Bulldogs, Broncos, Warriors, Wests Tigers, Sharks, Raiders (Powerplay), Cowboys, Sea Eagles.
“I’m going to go the Doggies over the Roosters although the Chooks could surprise.
“Wests Tigers to go on a scoring spree against the Panthers who won’t see it coming.
“Semi who? Cronulla have won a thousand straight and I reckon they’ll destroy Parramatta.”
Curtis Woodward
Tips: Bulldogs (Powerplay), Storm, Warriors, Wests Tigers, Sharks, Raiders, Cowboys, Sea Eagles.
“Melbourne weren’t flash last week but their poor second half will have Craig Bellamy frothing for a big performance in Friday night footy at Suncorp Stadium. And I’m not tipping Brisbane right now. The wheels fell off last weekend and it won’t take a week to put them back on.
“Two of Sydney’s big western Sydney club’s will be playing for the Inner West Cup at Homebush on Saturday, go figure. I’ll take Wests Tigers after their performance against the Storm last Sunday.
“You’re a brave person to tip against Cronulla at Caltex Endeavour Toyota Remondis Southern Cross Shark Park – Up, up Cronulla!”
| Round 17 | Tim | Lachlan | Curtis | Mary | The Crowd |
| ROOvBUL | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs |
| BROvSTO | Broncos | Broncos | Storm | Broncos | Broncos |
| WARvTIT | Warriors | Warriors | Warriors | Warriors | Warriors |
| WESvPAN | Wests Tigers | Panthers | Wests Tigers | Wests Tigers | Panthers |
| SHAvEEL | Sharks | Sharks | Sharks | Eels | Sharks |
| RAIvKNI | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders |
| RABvCOW | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys |
| SEAvDRA | Sea Eagles | Sea Eagles | Sea Eagles | Dragons | Sea Eagles |
| POWERPLAY | Raiders | Raiders | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Raiders |
| OVERALL | 95 | 92 | 91 | 85 | 96 |
Be part of The Crowd! Tip against the experts next week (hint, you’re winning!)
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