The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 25

Winner takes all. That’ll be the scenario on Sunday afternoon when finals come early for two Sydney-based clubs in what will be a huge at the eighth wonder of the world.

But, we do have eight games left in the regular season, with finals positioning on the line, and here to tell you who wins what and who plays who next week are The Roar’s NRL expert tipping panel.

When the Sharks and Tigers do battle on the final day of the season, coming into the game equal on points, there will be only room for one side or the other in the top eight, should they reach a result one way or another.

Of course, this is where it gets marginally hilarious in the run for the final spot of the eight.

Should the Brisbane Broncos lose their contest against the Canterbury Bulldogs on Saturday evening at Homebush, the Tigers and Sharks could draw and both make the finals.

But, apart from the hilarity of that situation knocking Brisbane out of the race, there are six other games for the weekend.

The biggest of those is obviously the Saturday night free to air battle between the last-placed Gold Coast Titans and the 15th-placed St George Illawarra Dragons, closely followed by the other free to air game on Sunday, featuring the similarly out of contention Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights.

You’ll tell me what’s not how important games work at this time of year, but let me promise you it is.

Those other games getting in the way of the big games are the grandest and oldest rivalry in the game between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters, some game which decides fifth spot between Parramatta and Manly in Sydney’s west, Melbourne’s clash against the Cowboys and the Raiders looking to avoid trekking to Melbourne as they play the Warriors on Saturday.

I joke, of course. That last set of games is far more interesting than the who cares cup on Saturday night.

In tipping circles, who would have known that picking eight favourites would get you the perfect round.

Congratulations to AJ who did just that, tipping eight of eight games last weekend alongside The Crowd. It now leaves AJ just five tips behind Stuart, although everyone is about three and a half miles behind The Crowd.

On the positive side for AJ though, he isn’t destined to the tipping spoon this year, unlike the Titans, who are destined to a real spoon – and yes, I’m glad they are in the competition, because it stops my team finishing last.

Stuart had six tips last weekend, while I had five and The Barry, who tried tipping every result needed for his beloved Bulldogs to make the top eight, only came away with the three tips correct.

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 evening.

AJ Mithen

Tips: Rabbitohs, Eels, Storm, Raiders, Bulldogs, Dragons, Tigers, Panthers

These last few weeks have been just a little reminder of what my tipping is like when I take this seriously. Consider yourselves formally warned for 2020.

Souths will beat the Roosters because this game means the double chance to them and it means absolutely zero to the Roosters. Don’t read a thing into this result.

(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Parra will beat Manly and it’s likely it won’t change a thing, they’ll still be 5th and 6th.

Melbourne will beat the Cowboys but it’ll be a similar outing to the Titans game a fortnight ago. The Storm are just treading water until the finals hit.

My beautiful Raiders will put 48 on a hapless New Zealand, even if Ricky Stuart is going to rest everyone and likely to finish the game with seven on the field.

Canterbury will beat Brisbane and finish the season light years ahead of where they started it.

Dragons over Titans in the ‘Who Cares’ Cup. Can’t wait to see how Channel Nine handle this one!

In the only game that actually matters this weekend, I have one prediction. Tigers to win. If Robbie Farah plays, I’ll reconsider that. Wests are absolutely humming and the Sharks are too sketchy.

Finally, Penrith will beat Newcastle in the battle for the most disappointing team of 2019. Every player involved needs to take a good look at themselves and ask whether they want to actually achieve anything in rugby league.

Stuart McLennan

Tips: Roosters, Eels, Storm, Raiders, Broncos, Dragons, Tigers, Panthers

As we hit the final round all roads lead to Mary Street, Leichhardt in a shootout for a finals spot between the Tigers and the Sharks.

I have a sinking feeling that the Sharks will bring the intimidation factor to the Eighth Wonder and Madge’s men will feel the pressure. I’m going to trust the crowd and the Robbie emotion to get the Tigers home.

The Rabbitohs and Roosters local derbies usually serve up a good game. Souths are getting better. Easts look too classy.

Parramatta vs Manly is also traditionally a good game but it has been marred by Manly injuries to key players. Expect the Eels to take the chocolates.

The Storm will lap the Cowboys in Melbourne and put Paul Green under further pressure.

(Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

The Raiders have lost a couple of key players for this game but expect them to finish off the last round in style at home against the Warriors.

The Bulldogs and Broncos game is interesting as the Bulldogs have the opportunity to push the Broncos down the ladder or out the door with a win. I think Brisbane will be up for this one and get a victory in a close one.

Titans vs Dragons? Who cares! Both teams are suffering. Dragons.

Two of the most disappointing teams in 2019 are matched in the final game of the weekend. Newcastle are running with a caretaker coach while Cleary is surely close to a review. Penrith to limp home.

The Barry

Tips: Roosters, Eels, Storm, Raiders, Bulldogs, Dragons, Sharks, Panthers

And then there were nine… But really, it looks like there’s only two… Or maybe three.

Thursday’s game should provide a nice little taste of semi-final intensity as the Roosters and Rabbitohs clash. Both teams will be putting in to get the wood over their long-standing rival but I’m not sure you can read too much into a result here. Should be good to watch though. Roosters.

What a shame for Manly (no really, I mean it). They’ve battled bravely with injuries all year and shown that with Tom Trbojevic in the team they can match it with any of the top sides, but you really feel this injury puts a nail in their premiership coffin. Parra’s form looks to have dropped off a cliff. Bankwest to get the Eels home.

The Storm should account for the Cowboys in Melbourne, even allowing for a few players being rested.

Likewise, the Raiders over the Warriors, although it’s worth noting that Messrs Bellamy and Stuart have killed off the last lingering shred of my SuperCoach dignity by resting guys like Munster and Bateman.

While the Bulldogs are no longer in the semi-final hunt (if they ever were) I’m pretty interested in their game against the Broncs. Reimis Smith is having a run in the centres which I’ve been keen to see and Morgan Harper who was part of the Dogs successful ISP run last year makes his debut – player number 800. Bulldogs.

Dragons vs Titans. Who cares? Dragons?

The battle for the last spot in the eight takes place at Leichhardt on Sunday. While the home ground gives the Tigers some advantage, the irresistible lure of ninth spot will surely be too strong for them.

The battle of the “what-could-have-been” rounds out Round 25. Both sides will feel like 2019 was a wasted opportunity and will be looking to end their winter of discontent with a win. Panthers.

Scott Pryde

Tips: Roosters, Eels, Storm, Raiders, Broncos, Dragons, Sharks, Panthers

Here at The Roar, we only deal with the big issues, like who is going to win between the Dragons and the Titans in the game of the season on Saturday night.

It’s gotten to the point where I don’t even know if the Dragons could beat their own reserve grade side, but neither could the Titans, so the Dragons take the chocolates in this one.

(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Onto other pressing matters though, with plenty on the line in some big games this weekend.

Cronulla’s visit to Leichhardt promises to be one of the most fascinating games of the year, capped off with what is going to be one hell of an atmosphere.

Shaun Johnson is back for the Sharks, and I don’t like the idea of Robbie Farah coming back in with a broken leg to make the day about himself. Him playing simply isn’t the best thing for the team in this scenario, no matter how much he deserves to have a farewell.

It’s going to be a sad one when it’s all said and done. Sharks to sneak into the finals.

Disclaimer: Please draw if Brisbane lose.

Speaking of the Broncos though, and I just can’t see them losing to the Bulldogs. There is too much on the line, and now that only a miracle would keep Brisvegas out of the eight, the Bulldogs may not be quite as up for the game.

Running through the rest of the games in some sort of order, and I just can’t see the Rabbitohs beating the Roosters. Improved performance? Sure. Winning? No. The Roosters will have Round 1 in the back of their minds for this one.

Manly and Parramatta is a monster game on Friday. Stuck in the 6pm timeslot, so that’s nice. But with no Tom Trbojevic and the Eels looking to snap a losing streak, I’m tipping the home side.

Funny thing is though, they won’t want to win and flip the ladder around. Playing Brisbane is probably a better task than trying to take on Cronulla or the Tigers off a huge win.

The Storm will beat the Cowboys in the other Friday game because of course they will, and the Raiders are going to smack the Warriors for much the same reason.

I’ll take the Panthers at home to beat the falling apart Knights in the final game of the season.

Be sure to leave your tips on the form below by 6pm (AEST) on Thursday evening and we will publish results before the opening game of the round.

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