The Roar's NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 15

By the time Round 15 kicks off on Thursday night, it will have been 11 days since we have seen any NRL action, but with that being the case The Roar’s NRL expert tipping panel are ready to rip back into it for a weekend which promises plenty in the entertainment stakes.

Now, before we get to Round 14 results, a shoutout has to go The Barry, who managed to tip just about everything right in rep round including the first-try-scorer in Origin 2.

But, back to Round 14, and it was a bit of a trainwreck in patches, and damn good in others. Poor old AJ, our defending champion, continues to stumble on the bottom of the ladder (it’s harsh, I know, but I’m normally last, so let me have this one).

He only got three. I was next to last with four, while Stuart and The Crowd got five, and The Barry got six, so, a reasonable fortnight with luck (it’s luck, right?) sure to change.

Anyway, it all means The Crowd lead on 66 for the year, while TB leads the expert charge on 64.

Onto Round 15, it’s the Tigers and Rabbitohs who are forced to play on the dreaded four-day turnaround from Origin to kick things off.

Friday brings us the Dragons and Cowboys, and the Roosters and Storm, which, yeah, sure, let’s play the grand final re-match five days after Origin. That makes lots of sense!

Saturday takes us to the Gold Coast (Titans vs Sea Eagles), Newcastle (Knights vs Broncos) and Darwin (Eels vs Raiders), before Sunday adventures across the Tasman for the Warriors and Panthers, and the Bulldogs will take on the Sharks in the final game, which is sure to be a free to air belter for the ages.

Sarcasm. Yes, that last part is sarcasm.

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: Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Roosters, Sea Eagles, Knights, Raiders, Panthers, Sharks

Short and sharp tipping dominance this week. Take note!

Rabbitohs will do one over the Tigers at the new stadium.

The Tigers face a tall order taking down Souths. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

The Cowboys will squeak the Dragons in the early Friday game – it’s season over for the loser. (Scott’s note: Therefore, the only logical explanation here is that the Dragons will win, because their season can not possibly be over at this stage. Right?)

The Roosters will beat the Storm in the traditional Rugby League stronghold of Adelaide.

Manly over the Titans because I don’t tip the Gold Coast any more and the Knights over the Broncos, but barely because there’s no Kalyn.

My beautiful Raiders to absolutely murderize the Eels up in Darwin, Canberra’s home away from home.

Penrith to beat the Warriors because I don’t tip New Zealand any more and finally, Cronulla to do a major number on the Bulldogs and reignite their top four hopes.

Stuart McLennan

Tips: Rabbitohs, Dragons, Storm, Sea Eagles, Knights, Raiders, Warriors, Sharks

It feels like an age since we did the last NRL Tips. I’m feeling refreshed after a NSW won both Origins on the weekend so I am hoping for some more good results.

This weekend we are on the road to Adelaide and Darwin. Will there ever be another Adelaide team in the national competition I wonder?

The clash at Adelaide Oval on Friday should be a beauty. While the Roosters got a win against the hapless Bulldogs last start the Storm have been more consistent recently. An in-form Brandon Smith and the lightning fast Ryan Papenhuyzen are likely to cause havoc off the bench. Storm in a close one.

Cameron Munster and the Storm have a blockbuster against the Roosters. (AAP Image/Darren England)

The Rabbitohs have some heavy hitters returning this week and look too strong across the board for the West’s Tigers despite their golden point win last start. Souths.

St George Illawarra have been disappointing of late but so have the Cowboys. Coach Paul Green puts it down to refereeing decisions. With Hess and Maguire out the Dragons will be too strong at home.

Tommy Turbo will come back to reality with his beloved Manly side on the Gold Coast. I am tipping him to be in the winner’s circle yet again. Sea Eagles.

Apparently, Mitchell Pearce wants his Origin jersey back so will be up for a big game against last start losers Brisbane. Knights

We get on the road again to Darwin with the Eels and Raiders. Parramatta need to play at BankWest to win it seems and the in-form Canberra side will be too good.

I thought about going for the Panthers as my upset tip this weekend and I still have a feeling it might be on. With Cleary out, I have plumped for the Warriors at home.

Bulldogs vs Sharks seems straight forward if that’s ever the case. Sharks by a large margin.

The Barry

Tips: Rabbitohs, Dragons, Storm, Sea Eagles, Knights, Eels, Warriors, Sharks

After battling for the past few weeks, all of a sudden this Souths team looks pretty good on paper with players coming back from injury – particularly in the backline. The last game Souths won was against the Tigers and I think they’ll be too strong again.

What a strange season for Scott Drinkwater. Looked to be the long term replacement for Billy Slater at the Storm until pre-season injury struck and he quickly dropped down the list of preferred fullbacks. He’s now signed with the Cowboys and slots straight into the 1 jersey. Could be a good signing for both parties. Dragons to win at home though.

The Dragons are warm favourites to take down the Cowboys. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

Despite the Roosters still missing Friend and Keary, Friday’s second game looks to be a blockbuster. The Roosters have lost a bit of momentum during Origin, while the Melbourne juggernaut just keeps rolling on. I’m tipping the Storm because I have to pick one of them. While we’re on Keary – get well soon mate, your state needs you (no no, not Queensland. The other one)

I reckon I have about a 25 per cent strike rate tipping Manly and Titans games this season. With how they played on Sunday night, it’s hard to imagine anyone beating a side with both Trbojevic’s in it. Certainly not the Titans.

David Klemmer – get well soon mate, your state nee… oh, he’s back already. Knights.

Wonder how Canberra’s pommy contingent from the North of England, who spend their summers in the ACT winter will cope with tropical Darwin this week? Let’s hope Bateman and co have packed the 50+. I’m going to take the Eels in an upset.

Have the Warriors used more hookers this year or more halfbacks? The Panthers are on a sneaky little roll of wins on the bounce – all by single-digit scores. Despite that, I’m tipping the Warriors at home.

I’ve got a good feeling about the Bulldo… Nah, just kidding. Sharks to win easy.

Scott Pryde

Tips: Rabbitohs, Dragons, Storm, Sea Eagles, Knights, Raiders, Panthers, Sharks

It’s always an incredibly hard task trying to work out post-Origin rounds. Who is backing up? Who will be fatigued? All the usual questions.

Of course, they are slightly brought back into context by the fact Origin 2 was played on Sunday, instead of Wednesday.

I’m going to start with the Dragons this week because it’s as good of a place as any, and frankly, they need to win. No ifs, no buts. This is for Paul McGregor’s side. Don’t make me rant in talking points again on Sunday, please and thankyou.

Round 15 is also hitting the road. Melbourne and the Roosters will be a cracker in Adelaide, but with Cameron Smith fresh off a fortnight break, and the Roosters just a little up in the air at the moment as to the status of Latrell Mitchell, among other things, I’ll take the Storm.

The other game on the road is Parramatta and Canberra. Given the Eels can’t seem to win away from Bankwest, and even then it’s inconsistent, I’ll take Ricky Stuart’s fired up Green Machine.

My big upset of the week is the Panthers to get the better of the Warriors. No Nathan Cleary might actually make them a little more improved, and so if Maloney and the forwards play well, they win. Also, I don’t like tipping the men from Auckland.

As for the rest of the games this week, the Rabbitohs should get the Tigers, although it’s become clear in the last few weeks just how important Adam Reynolds is to South Sydney, and how much of a loss he is sitting on the sidelines.

Manly will get the Titans, because they are just the better side at full strength, while I’m going to take the Knights to beat the Broncos. If Kalyn Ponga is fit, then he has plenty to prove after a sub-standard performance in Maroon, while Mitchell Pearce is playing for a sky blue jumper.

As for the Sharks and Bulldogs on Sunday? It’s a no-brainer. Cronulla. By many.

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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