And then there were six. After a first weekend of finals which felt like they were barely there, including a record being broken, we arrive at the semi-finals, with another two teams set to meet their doom. Here to tell you who they will be are The Roar’s NRL expert tipping panel.
The two clubs that fell by the wayside in the opening week of action were the Cronulla Sharks and Brisbane Broncos, who everyone was so very disappointed to see get blown out 58-0 by the Eels.
Well, I mean, Broncos supporters sure were. Neutrals were debating whether to laugh or turn the game off, while the 30,000 at Bankwest Stadium had just about the day of their life.
The only game that was actually interesting to neutral fans was the high-quality qualifying final between the Melbourne Storm and Canberra Raiders, with the Green Machine stunning the minor premiers to claim a week off.
Which brings us to the second week of the finals, because on Saturday night, it’ll be those wildly consistent, but oh-so entertaining Parramatta Eels making the trek south to face what one can only assume will be a fairly peeved off Melbourne Storm.
They would have been more or less expecting to have the feet up, resting at home this week, but instead now have to win two knockout games in as many weeks, with the second of those set against the Roosters.
But first, they have to get over those Eels, who, if they play like they did against Brisbane, will pose more than a threat.
That will follow the first semi-final though, which was set up by another upset – and no, not the Friday night game, where the Sydney Roosters stamped their authority all over premiership favouritism by blowing the Rabbitohs off the park.
But rather, that elimination game on Saturday where the Manly Sea Eagles, missing their Turbo and Taupau, came away with a shock win over the Sharks?
Can they do it again? Taupau is back, but then, so is Sam Burgess.
This second week of finals. How interesting they can be. At any rate, for neutrals, hopefully more interesting than last week.
In terms of tipping, AJ’s tip of the Raiders and Stuart’s selection of the Sea Eagles gave them three a piece for the week.
The Barry’s selection of the Broncos… Well, it didn’t work out so well. The Crowd and myself had two.
What that now means is that AJ is off the bottom of the ladder, jumping The Barry and tying with myself on 114. Stuart stills leads the experts with 117.
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 Friday evening.
AJ Mithen
Tips: Rabbitohs, Storm
Parramatta turned on possibly the most electrifying performance of Week 1 when they eliminated a pathetic Broncos unit 58-0.
Their reward? A trip to Melbourne to face a very annoyed Melbourne Storm. The Storm were upset by my beautiful Canberra Raiders (and the touchie) last week and it’s angry times down at the bubble dome.
I’ve said before that the Storm get routy when they get angry and the Eels are going to experience the highs and lows of rugby league all in the space of a week. Keep happy thoughts about last week, Parra fans. Melbourne win.
Manly wrong-footed pretty much everyone yet again when they manhandled the Sharks out of the finals last week.
Early domination stretched over 80 minutes and it was a fantastic win for a depleted squad. This week though coach Des Hasler comes up against the master Wayne Bennett, who is stung by his Rabbitohs turning in a lamentable outing against the premiership favourite Roosters.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Manly will fight this one out to the end, but Souths will get the win, unconvincing as it may be. Enjoy the weekend!
Stuart McLennan
Tips: Rabbitohs, Storm
Last week proved that underdogs can get up in the finals with the Raiders and Sea Eagles playing well above their weight and beating the odds.
That said I am going to plump for the favourites to advance to the preliminary finals on their home grounds this week.
The reasoning is based on the coaches Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy. They are both experienced operators and are unlikely to go down for a second time in the finals without an almighty fight.
While the Sea Eagles have already overachieved and will most probably book their holiday flights on Monday, I give the Eels a chance of causing a stunning upset in Melbourne. However, it’s Souths and the Storm for me this week.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
The Barry
Tips: Sea Eagles, Storm
Well, I absolutely killed it last week with one from four!
Manly’s courageous win, Canberra winning in Melbourne and Parramatta’s demolition of Brisbane have breathed new life into the semi-final series. Now we see if the bottom of the eight teams can mix it with the best.
I just can’t give enough credit to Des Hasler and Manly. I’ve struggled to tip them for most of the year because in so many of their games they’ve appeared to be on the ropes injury-wise and outgunned. On paper, this week looks no different.
Souths’ big takeaway from last week was “winning” the second half after the Roosters had largely clocked off for the night. Souths get Sam Burgess back. Manly get Marty Taupau. I’m going to tip Manly here.
A couple of weeks ago the thought that Parramatta would be a live chance in Melbourne would have been out there. A 58-point win for the Eels and a Storm team that looks – by their lofty standards – a little clunky in attack has changed that around.
This should be one of those interesting ‘contrast of styles’ games. I can’t see the Eels getting anywhere near the time and space to play footy that the Broncos gave them. Chances will be at a premium. The Eels best hope is getting early points and getting the Storm chasing. The longer the game becomes a grind, the more it favours the Storm.
I’m tipping Melbourne but not by as much as I would have even a fortnight ago.
Scott Pryde
Tips: Sea Eagles, Storm
I couldn’t bring myself to tip the Sea Eagles last week, thinking they would get blown out by the Sharks, even at home.
But, that performance has given them new life and new confidence, and while they couldn’t beat anyone and everyone without Tom Trbojevic, they are still competitive.
And yes, that record without Trbojevic, which improved to five out of 13 on the weekend, is still a concern, the Rabbitohs haven’t exactly been setting the world on fire with their form or style.
The return of Sam Burgess for Wayne Bennett’s side is offset by the return of Martin Taupau for the Manly side, and if you look at what each will be able to produce given recent form of key stars, there isn’t much in it.
Daly Cherry-Evans needs a big one, but I’m taking Manly.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
The other game should be a lot more simple to tip. I know, most probably said that last week about the Storm, but they are now going to be fired off and rarely lose two in a row at home.
They have had a far too good season to go out in straight sets, and shouldn’t, given the Eels horrendous record on the road, and the fact the style they employed against Brisbane – pass the ball until we no longer have it – won’t work quite as well against the well-drilled defensive structures of Craig Bellamy’s side.
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.
| Finals Wk 2 | AJ | Stuart | The Barry | Scott | Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAB v SEA | RAB | RAB | SEA | SEA | ? |
| STO v EEL | STO | STO | STO | STO | ? |
| Last week | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 114 | 117 | 113 | 114 | 128 |
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kk
Roar Pro
Manly and Melbourne. Maybe.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Bunnies to be a little bit too good for Manly and the Eels to continue their winning ways and defeat the Storm in a close one.
mushi
Roar Guru
Not bad for a guy who recently did know how to coach
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Whatever happens, surely Des must be in line for a Companion of the Order of Australia in January.
john
Guest
2 hoodoos and a lengthy premiership drought, the media wouldn't be short of hype material if they made it to the GF.
Insider
Roar Rookie
So the rabbits will beat Manly, prey they don’t lose smurf Prey On the “expert” did you have Parra in 8? Manly? :laughing::laughing::laughing:, sit down Rookie
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"seem to recall a few experts saying the broncos would be hurting from their loss to the bulldogs" I don't claim the be an "expert" and I tipped the Eels NOT the Broncos. And I'm doing better in my first year in an NRL Tipping Competition than all the "experts". ;-)
Joe
Roar Rookie
They'll also break the bottom four hoodoo if they win the GF.
Larry1950
Guest
Good theory Papi Smurf but seem to recall a few experts saying the broncos would be hurting from their loss to the bulldogs, that only applies if you're actually the better team who just had an off day. Maybe the Storm & Rabbitohs actually played as well as they could and there's no next gear, who knows? I'd guess they'll aim up but I thought the broncos would get done by less than 10.
Larry1950
Guest
So where are all the articles about a team losing by 50 never winning the premiership like we heard so often in 2018. Recall the pundits saying put a line through them, no team has won after a fifty point defeat in the season. Didn't the Storm give the Eels a 64-10 shellacking in magic round, doesn't that mean they have to create history to win the GF this year.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
The burning question is are Melbourne a 58 point better team than the Broncos? I certainly hope so...
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Well I look at it this way, my big disappointment is that considering the mood both the eels & Roosters were in last week end we did not get to see those two going head to head at ANZ stadium. It would have been a sensational; game ..... In fact if you look at the way the Eels played it was a bit Rooster like but more heads up and if they can replicate it they will give the Storm a run for their money. An angry cranky Storm against a confident fired up Parra with nothing to lose ....my gut says an upset to the Eels if they take their 'A: game. As for the Bunnies well were they that bad or were they made look ordinary by the Roosters. Well how was it that the Chooks were able to do exactly the same thing to them 2 weeks in a row..... I reckon the Eagles are in with a big chance .... BTW yes losing JWH is not ideal for the Roosters but when you look at what they have to call upon to fill the void I doubt it will be a huge problem, Tetavano, Radley Taukeiaho Collins & Tupouniua or you could even play Ryan Hall in the forwards if need be he is capable and is as big as SBW .
Joe
Roar Rookie
I kinda feel the same. The task ahead though is the Eels and I feel if they get past them they will give the Roosters a run for their money. As for NAS every time he was off the park last week the Storm didn’t look as good in the middle. He is our best forward and that’s saying something with the likes of J.Bromich, Finucane, Kaufusi and Brandon in the team.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I dropped the ball last week and only got 1 winner correct! In doing so I opened a door for both DB and Stuart to catch up but I hang on to 36th place by points differential. Even "the tortoise", DPS has caught "the hare" and is snapping at my heels just 1 point behind me. So perhaps he's more snapping turtle than tortoise? ;-) I think the top 4 will confirm their place in the Preliminary Finals to confirm what we all knew months ago, that the competition is a 4 horse race. So I'm tipping the Rabbitohs and the Storm to come away with the chocolates. Both the Rabbitohs and the Storm will be hurting from their losses last week and itching to make a statement this weekend. Souths get both Sam Burgess and Dane Gagai back and the 2 Burgii have blown off the cobwebs from last week. Both the Sea Eagles and the Eels will already be aware of the fact that they have already well exceeded expectations for this year and although both teams will be riding high in confidence they have an inflated sense of achievement from last week after each played teams that failed to turn up. Rabbitohs in a close one.
Sammtoocaan
Guest
So ! How many chickens were there Ken ?
Ken
Guest
If the storm beat the Eels as a storm supporter I may be blind but I give ourselves a better than average change to beat the roosters , man for man we are equal , their centres are slightly more dynamic , our wingers would have the edge ,in the forward pack 1 player makes a huge difference JWH , he’s their forward leader , enforcer an makes huge carry’s into the teeth of the defence , I forward may not make a huge difference but you take Nelson asofa Solomona our of our team an we aren’t as intimidating .