The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 17

The third and final State of Origin game is just around the corner, but before then, we have the second of the bye rounds to get through. Here to tell you who is going to win this weekend are The Roar‘s NRL expert tipping panel.

Last week saw AJ and Tim pick up four weeks, keeping them tied on 75 at the head of affairs. The Crowd also got four, which places them two tips behind, on 73.

The less said about Tom and my efforts the better.

Anyway, looking ahead to Round 17.

It feels good to say this is the second and final bye round this year, given in previous years we have seen six weeks with less than the usual fare of eight games.

In saying that, we are cut all the way back to four games this weekend, with Origin likely to play a huge impact on those games.

It will all start off in Melbourne, with the Storm set to take on the Dragons.

These are two of the most depleted sides in the competition thanks to Origin, with plenty of representatives across the two states sitting on both sides. Cameron Smith’s Queensland retirement before this series gives the Storm some ray of sunshine though.

The second game of the weekend takes us to Penrith, where the Panthers, with off-field issues reportedly surrounding the club (despite those being shut down), take on the Warriors. The Auckland-based outfit have been red-hot, so it won’t be an easy mission for the home side.

Belmore will once again get its deserved spot in the limelight when it hosts the Raiders on Saturday, while it’s an all south-east Queensland derby between the Titans and Broncos.

Yep, that’s right. No footy in Sydney on a Sunday. Bloody outrage I tell you.

Don’t forget to submit your tips on the form below by 5pm (AEST) to be part of The Crowd as you take on the experts.

Let’s hand it over to Tim.

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Tim Gore

Tips: Storm, Warriors, Raiders, Titans

Why will the Storm beat the Dragons? Because it is in Melbourne and Cam Smith still draws breath. Both sides are decimated by Origin and injuries. The Storm’s discipline will be the key.

The Warriors owe the Panthers from the last time they played at Panther Park. They led 26-6 at halftime only for the Panthers to roar home with 30 unanswered points. While there are only seven Warriors backing up from that match, they’ll be determined to make amends against a weakened Panthers.

The Raiders – my beloved Raiders – head to Belmore to try and rebuild the season, facing a Dogs side minus their best player, David Klemmer. However, they are missing Josh Papalii, Jordan Rapana, Luke Bateman and Jack Wighton. Both sides are featuring the other sides junior player playing their second game for their new side in Lachlan Lewis and Brad Abbey. This one will be close, with Elliott Whitehead and Josh Hodgson to be the difference.

The Titans want to beat the Broncos – bad. Brisbane will be buoyed by their comeback win against Canberra, but they had to come back because they aren’t really a contender. They’ll make the eight but won’t go beyond Week 1 of the finals, and the Titans will pip them here.

Tom Rock

Tips: Storm, Warriors, Raiders, Titans

Round 17 kicks off with an absolute blockbusting barnstormer between reigning premiers the Melbourne Storm and competition front-runners the St George Illawarra Dragons. At least, that would have been the case had it not been for Origin.

Instead, both teams are a shadow of their full-strength selves. The Storm backline couldn’t scare a nyctophobe in a blackout, and I worry about their ability to post points against the Dragons’ defence. But I’m still going to tip the Storm. Why? Cameron Smith.

New Zealand should continue their rags-to-riches season with a comfortable win over the Panthers. Without their first-choice halves pairing plus a depleted forward pack, Penrith won’t pose much trouble for the likes of Shaun Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Warriors by 12.

Garth Brennan will be sending Kevin Walters a dump truck full of XXXX to show his thanks for not selecting Ash Taylor in the Queensland side for Game 3. With their season on the line and momentum on their side, the Titans desperately need their prodigious halfback for a must win clash against the understrength Broncos.

Based on the recent form lines of the two teams and the talent unavailable for Wayne Bennett to select from, I’m going with the Gold Coast to continue their late push for a finals berth. Titans by a Taylor field goal.

And in Tom’s ‘Rock Solid’ tip of the week, I’m predicting the Canberra Raiders to take care of business against the Canterbury Bulldogs. Dean Pay’s men are as untippable as they are unwatchable at the moment.

They were mediocre at best to start the season, but have since lost Kieran Foran, Aaron Woods and Moses Mbye from the starting line-up, while David Klemmer will also be unavailable for selection. I’m no Sherlock Holmes, but there are enough clues in front of me to conclude a Canberra beatdown is on the cards.

Kieran Foran’s season is reportedly over (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

AJ Mithen

Tips: Dragons, Warriors, Raiders, Titans

Yay for the Origin period! Last year Parramatta went to Melbourne and were able to lock away their finals position, this year St George can put themselves into an untouchable top-four spot. Both teams are decimated by call-ups so prepare for errors… I’ll back Gareth Widdop against Ryley Jacks, Jahrome Hughes and Brodie Croft any day.

There’s a bit riding on the outcome of Friday night at Panthers Stadium. Winner gets a gap on the chasing pack, loser has a battle to stay in touch with the double chance. I’ve got no real confidence in tipping the Warriors but you can’t lose your halves pairing like Penrith has and expect the same result. It’s good to see Waqa Blake coming back though.

The Raiders were hardly convincing when they beat the Bulldogs in Round 5 and this will be closer than expected because the Dogs are putting in an effort. But if Canberra can’t win this one, I give up.

My match of the round is at the Gold Coast, where the interesting Titans host the finals-bound Broncos. The Gold Coast have has a decent few weeks but this will be their toughest battle of late. Broncos win, but this will be an entertainer.

Scott Pryde

Tips: Dragons, Panthers, Raiders, Broncos

The Storm have Cameron Smith still in their ranks after his representative retirement, but they will be without plenty of stars for their clash against the ladder-leading Red V. Without Cameron Munster and Billy Slater as well, I can’t see them having the composure to improve on their form, which is something they may well need to do against Mary McGregor’s dragons.

Don’t get me wrong, the Dragons are missing plenty as well, but I can’t not tip them.

Penrith will be out to try and hit back against the Warriors after their frustrating loss to the Sea Eagles last week. This side are in the top few on the ladder and considered a chance for the grand final for a reason – and that will be shown on Friday with a thumping of the Kiwis.

At Belmore, it’s hard to tip against the Bulldogs, but it’s also hard to see them backing up their win over the Knights last week with a similar amount of attacking flair and willingness to compete. I’ll take the Raiders – convincingly. Although, who knows what you get from them in the last third of the match.

I’ll take the Broncos to win the final game of the round. I know they are Origin-decimated, but the Titans also lose two of their pack in Jai Arrow and Jarrod Wallace. The duo have been in fine form, doing a lot of their metre-eating and looking dangerous with the footy. The Gold Coast have to get past a Brisbane outfit without them, and even if the Broncos have plenty out, I just can’t see the Titans continuing their return to good form over the past few weeks with a win over big brother.

Crowd tipping will close at 5pm (AEST) on Thursday evening. Be sure to submit your tips on the form below before then to make your opinion count as part of The Crowd.