The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 6

Five days of rugby league await in Round 6, with a grand final rematch headlining the action, and The Roar’s NRL expert tipping panel are here to tell you who is going to win what.

With the Easter weekend comes some blockbuster matches, including the opening of the new Parramatta Stadium, which will be sold out for the traditional clash between the Eels and Tigers.

The Panthers face a tough trip to Cronulla in Thursday night football before Good Friday brings us the Storm and Roosters in Melbourne, as well as the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs at Homebush, while t.

(Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)

Saturday brings us a double-header, down from the usual three games, with the Titans hosting the Knights in a battle of two disappointing sides so far this year, before the Dragons host the Sea Eagles in Wollongong.

Sunday will see the Broncos try to find some form in Canberra with a rare afternoon game, while the Knights are desperate for a win over the Titans.

The Barry continues to hold his lead on our tipping panel, getting six right last week to push one ahead of Stuart, who now sits alongside AJ and The Crowd on 25. I’m rounding it out on 24, but a two-point game is not concerning at this point in the season.

Don’t forget to join in with your tips at the bottom of the article to try and beat the experts in 2019 as The Crowd and try your luck in our Roar NRL tipping comp. Crowd tips will close at approximately 5:30pm (AEDT) on Thursday afternoon.

AJ Mithen

Tips: Sharks, Rabbitohs, Storm, Warriors, Dragons, Titans, Raiders, Tigers
I’m closing in on the lead after a slow start out of the blocks, and here comes more tipping accuracy.

Penrith and Cronulla both have two wins, but I’m baffled how Penrith have any. They’re all over the shop and Cronulla will get them in a grinder.

It won’t be a Good Friday for Dean Pay and his mob, because the Bunnies will be looking to make a statement after a groggy fortnight.

The Storm will beat the Roosters and feel absolutely no satisfaction or revenge for getting pantsed in last year’s granny.

The Warriors will beat the Cowboys in a squeaker, while St George Illawarra and Manly are going to put on a surprise ripper, with the Dragons to win… barely.

After picking them to be a big mover, I’ve almost written off the Knights. Unless they uncork the attack against the Gold Coast, they’ll be one and five, with their season cooked. Titans will put them into all sorts.

My beautiful Raiders will rout the Broncos. Canberra haven’t teed off on anyone so far this year. That changes this weekend.

In the first game at the new Parramatta Stadium, the Wests Tigers will get the Eels in a beauty. I’m watching this one!

Stuart McLennan

Tips: Sharks, Rabbitohs, Storm, Warriors, Sea Eagles, Titans, Raiders, Wests Tigers
Averaging five correct tips every week is not going to win me the premiership. The table is congested. Someone needs to take some risks. I will start slowly this week with one risky one.

While the standout match of the round is the first versus second clash in Melbourne between the Storm and the Roosters, I’m more excited about the game that will launch Bankwest Stadium on Monday.

The Easter Monday clash between the Eels and the Wests Tigers is always a cracker and attracts a big crowd. Both teams have shown glimpses of top form married with inconsistency. Ferguson is still in doubt. I am going for the mighty Tigers to ruin Parramatta’s day before a sellout crowd. Tigers.

(Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

The Panthers looked lost again last week against the Titans while the Sharks went down to the Roosters but look stronger at this stage. Sharks to prevail in the Shire.

The Rabbitohs haven’t found top gear yet but will be too strong for a Bulldogs team that fell a long way short at Kogarah last weekend.

There is nothing between the Storm and the Roosters in this top-of-the-table clash. I’m choosing Melbourne simply because they are at home.

Neither the Warriors or the Cowboys jump out as specials in this match. The Warriors in the land of the long white cloud with plenty of points scored by both teams.

I’m taking a big risk here by tipping Manly. I was impressed with the way Cherry-Evans and the Sea Eagles played against the Knights in Newcastle. The Dragons were also very good against the Bulldogs. I may regret this one. Sea Eagles.

Another Round 6 match where the winner may just limp over the line. The Titans were better last weekend while the Knights continue to disappoint. Titans on the Gold Coast.

I like the Raiders more and more in 2019 while Brisbane continue to produce headaches for Seibold. The Green Machine by a decent margin.

The Barry

Tips: Sharks, Rabbitohs, Storm, Warriors, Dragons, Titans, Raiders, Eels
Round 6 starts with two teams not exactly setting the world on fire. I can’t recall a season where I’ve thought that about as many games this year. I can’t tip the Panthers until I see a lot more from them. Sharks.

The Bulldogs and Souths Good Friday game is one of the season’s fixtures I most look forward to. Not sure about this one. Part of me thinks there could be a Bulldogs bounceback following last week’s disappointing capitulation against the Dragons. Another part of me fears teams will now look to play themselves into form against the Dogs. Reluctantly, Souths.

The other Good Friday game is a grand final rematch and hopefully the game of the season so far. The Roosters are travelling slightly better but the intangibles around this one like revenge for the defeat last year and home ground advantage have me tipping the Storm.

Saturday’s opener sees two teams not exactly setting… You know the rest. While both teams showed signs of life last week, I’m tipping the Warriors because it’s in NZ.

A couple of gutsy wins in a row for Manly. This should be a very good game. I’m tipping the Dragons in a tight one.

If you can get to 14 points or so, you’re a pretty good chance of defeating Newcastle. It’s still a query whether the resurgent Titans have that many in them. Gold Coast to add to the Knights poor start. What’s the unders line on total points?

(Getty Images)

The glamour teams of the early 90s line up on Sunday. There’s a lot to like about the Raiders and not so much about the Broncos. A ten-day turnaround and playing in daylight will be too much of a shock for the Thursday and Friday night Broncos.

Last game of the week is another coin flip. Home ground advantage and bounceback factor to get the Eels home.

Scott Pryde

Tips: Sharks, Rabbitohs, Storm, Cowboys, Dragons, Knights, Raiders, Eels
There have been a lot of tough games to tip this year – and not necessarily because many teams are going well. Rather, because teams are so far off their pre-season expectations.

I’m just going to start by tipping the Dragons this weekend. They are finally back into some form, and mauling Canterbury last week with a fully functioning spine should pave the way for a strong win this weekend in Wollongong over Manly.

The most intriguing game this weekend though is the grand final rematch. The Roosters have some injury issues, and the Storm have some form ones, despite their perfect record to begin 2019.

At home and seeking revenge, it’s tough to go past Melbourne making it six from six, although I’m nervous about that tip given they are due for a loss.

The Monday afternoon game should also be a cracker. The Tigers and Eels have both surprised so far this year with their form, and Wests will be full of confidence after getting the Broncos last week. I can’t see them beating the blue and gold, but if Blake Ferguson does succumb to his injury, that will throw a spanner in the works.

Explaining my Cowboys tip is also tough. I had them to beat Melbourne last week and while it didn’t happen, they were much stronger. The Warriors have been inconsistent and unconvincing, so I can’t tip them.

The other game which I reckon could go either way is the Knights and Titans on Saturday. Newcastle have performed well below expectations this year, but if they are going to be anywhere near serious about making the top eight, they simply have to win this game.

The Titans proved they have points in them last week, but that was against the shocking Penrith defence, and it’s hard to see them going two in a row.

The other games, for mine, seem pretty one-way. The Panthers have been woeful and won’t beat Cronulla in the Shire, the Rabbitohs are going to make a statement against Canterbury one way or another, and the Green Machine will rack up another win against the directionless Broncos in Canberra.

(AAP Image/Rohan Thompson)

Be sure to get your tips in on the form below by 5:30pm (AEDT) on Thursday, and we will have the results in the table and comments section below.

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