The Roar's NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 14

The second half of the 2019 NRL season has arrived, and teams will all be back to something approaching normal in the week between Origins as we get a full round of intriguing games. The Roar’s NRL expert tipping panel are here to guide you through it.

Last week was just another one of those weeks where it felt like a lot of games could go either way leading in, and that’s exactly the way it ended up.

In fact, the only game all four tippers got right was the Dragons to beat the Bulldogs on Sunday, much to The Barry’s disgust – although it got him his second tip of the week.

The Crowd were next to the bottom, having a stinker with three right, while Stuart got four correct. AJ and myself topped the charts with five apiece.

The Crowd still set the pace with 61 tips correct for the season to date, while I’m more than happy to say I’ve gone from last to equal second in a fortnight, tipping eight out of 12 games.

The Barry, despite tipping just three games in the same period, is tied with myself for second.

AJ and Stuart are tied, rounding out the pack.

This week features a surprise candidate for game of the week in the opener between the Raiders and Friday (how baffling, that those two sides are on a Thursday night free to air TV game).

Friday promises to be a little uninspiring with the Titans to play the Warriors and the Cowboys taking on the Tigers, before Saturday gets underway with a belter as the Storm play the red-hot Knights.

The Rabbitohs then take on the Panthers in a game which has the chance for both teams to make a bit of a statement – Souths about their depth and Penrith about where they are at – before the battling Eels take on Brisbane at Bankwest.

Sunday afternoon starts off in Brookvale as the Sea Eagles take on the Dragons, before the Roosters play the Bulldogs in the final game of Round 14.

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 6pm (AEST) on Thursday afternoon.

AJ Mithen

Tips: Raiders, Titans, Cowboys, Knights, Rabbitohs, Eels, Dragons, Roosters

We’re over the halfway mark of the season and into a week of clean air with full(ish) teams. Here are your eight winners for Round 14.

My beautiful Raiders have a day’s extra rest and will use it to put 38 on a hapless Cronulla (who have been good, I’ll admit).

I’ve sworn to never, ever tip either the Gold Coast or New Zealand ever again, which puts me in a predicament. They’re not good enough to play out a draw so if I must, I choose the Titans.

The Cowboys will beat the Tigers, who are very close to joining NZ and the Titans on my blacklist.

Newcastle at Melbourne is going to be an absolute belter on Saturday arvo. Usually, the Storm put pretenders in their place but I think the Knights will place more value into a Round 14 game than the Storm do. Knights.

The Bunnies are staring down the barrel of three straight losses and they’ve all been games they should do better in. They’ve got a bloody tough one against the Panthers who are desperate to stay afloat. Souths win, just.

St George Illawarra are off my never-ever-tip-again list for now, they’ll beat the Sea Eagles who snagged a great win in North Queensland but are still feeling the pinch of injuries.

I’ve tipped Parra over Brisbane, but with absolutely zero confidence.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak starts his first game for the Bulldogs and he’ll drag them to a glorious win against the Roosters – just kidding. Roosters by a million.

Stuart McLennan

Tips: Raiders, Titans, WestsTigers, Storm, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Sea Eagles, Roosters

A better tipping result this week and even got a Manly upset right. A long way to go. No Origin interference and no excuses.

The Raiders and Sharks generally put on a great match and this one looks like it could be a ripper on Thursday night. Both sides have found good form.

I am leaning towards the Raiders at home in the cool and based on the superior English soccer skills they displayed last game against the Tigers.

The Titans got themselves up for a win against the Broncos after a pep talk from Tommy Raudonikis. I am tipping them to still have his words ringing in their ears against a Warriors team still on struggle street.

The Wests Tigers were very ordinary last week while the Cowboys only just lost to Manly. There is no logic to this, only that I am being optimistic about my team and Maguire would have given them hell after that loss. I am tipping Wests.

The Knights have been going great guns but face the big test in Melbourne. Storm at home but not by a lot.

The Rabbitohs are in a bit of disarray with a makeshift halfback. I am tempted to reverse my tip to the improving Panthers. Rabbitohs just.

Who knows what you might get with Parramatta and the Broncos were poor last week. I am going for Brisbane anyway.

I am backing the Sea Eagles at home just because they didn’t let me down last week. The Dragons look better against a hapless Bulldogs side though.

The Roosters have been off the pace for a few weeks now, but I can’t pick the Bulldogs. Easts to win.

The Barry

Tips: Raiders, Titans, Cowboys, Storm, Panthers, Eels, Sea Eagles, Roosters

Origins, split rounds, long weekends… Jeez, these tips come around quickly, which I wouldn’t normally mind if I wasn’t battling so badly.

A few weeks ago we were meant to believe that no one outside the Roosters, Storm or Rabbitohs could win the competition. Both the Raiders and Sharks have had their share of injury dramas to key personnel but are starting to get their gun players back. I’m tipping the Raiders in what looks like the game of the round.

Titans versus Warriors? I’ve got no hope of picking this one right. Titans.

The Cowboys will be filthy they let a 20-12 halftime lead slip against Manly which cost them a spot in the eight. I can’t remember a running forward as influential to a team’s success as Jason Taumalolo. They’ll be too good for the Tigers.

Storm and Knights should be another cracking game and another barometer for the Knights. After a rocky start, the Knights have passed recent tests against the Roosters and Rabbitohs. With Klemmer out, I think the Storm will win. $3.10 seems pretty generous though.

The South Sydney Headbuttohs go head-to-head with the Panthers. Souths were starting to get ahead but Origin and injuries have hit them between the eyes while Penrith have surged. I’m onboard the James Maloney Origin recall train and this game could go a long way to determining his fate. No ifs, probably a few ‘butts. Penrith.

The Broncos were getting on a bit of a roll until their disappointing loss to the Titans. It’s also hard to know which Eels team will show up, the one that wins or loses by 20. Fortress BankWest Stadium doesn’t quite roll off the tongue but it may be enough for the Eels.

Another week, another incorrect Manly tip. They just keep on keeping on. Sorry, Sea Eagles fans I’m tipping your blokes this week which gives them no chance.

All hail the great man – Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Here’s a player you can rebuild a club around. He is the good one, right? Yep. All hail the great man. $4.90 is an attractive price against a weakened Roosters but I don’t think even DWZ can help here.

Scott Pryde

Tips: Raiders, Titans, Cowboys, Storm, Panthers, Broncos, Dragons, Roosters

Well, if you had told me that the Raiders and Sharks would be a mid-season game of the round before the season started, I would have laughed and told you that you were mad.

Of course, I now look like the mad one after tipping them both to miss the eight.

Anyway, this is going to be a cracker and I’m really looking forward to jumping on the blog for The Roar. Hard to split them, and the return of Wade Graham really gives the Sharks plenty, as does Shaun Johnson in the creativity stakes, however, the Raiders are a tough side to beat at home.

I reckon their forwards will hold their own and get the job done.

The other game I should probably explain is Penrith and South Sydney. I was impressed with what the Panthers were able to produce against the Roosters last week, and the Bunnies are still fairly understrength, as well as not looking in the best of form.

The rest, to me, seems pretty self-explanatory this week, although a couple of games could go either way.

The Titans looked good against the Broncos, and whether away or at home, I refuse to tip the Warriors, who bring up Adam Blair’s 300th game. Not that it helps. How he is still playing first-grade rugby league is a little beyond me.

I’ll take the Cowboys to romp it in at home against a fairly easy Tigers, and the Storm to end the Knights winning streak in what is undoubtedly the second contender for game of the week. Newcastle have been outstanding recently, but their streak is due to end and Melbourne just keep finding ways to get it done.

Even at Bankwest Stadium, I’ll take the Broncos to get the job done over an Eels side who are wobbling their way through the middle third of the season, while the Dragons should return from Manly with two points.

At least, they certainly need to. A lot of pressure on the Dragons to build from last week’s win over the Bulldogs.

And, speaking of the Bulldogs, it’ll be something resembling a cricket score to finish the week as they take on the tri-colours.

Be sure to get your tips in on the form below by 6pm (AEST) on Thursday, and we will have the results in the table and comments section below.

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