NRL is finally back, with the long-awaited return kicking off this Thursday night. These are my tips for footy’s first week back.
Thursday, 28 May
Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels
Both teams are currently 2-0 from the first two rounds of the 2020 competition, and with both sides having a lot of young talent on the field, this game will be exciting. No David Fifita or Tevita Pangai Jr through injury and suspension respectively, but that doesn’t mean you should count the Broncos out while they have Payne Haas, Thomas Flegler and Patrick Carrigan, with Joe Ofahengaue and captain Alex Glenn to return.
Broncos by eight.
(Jono Searle/Getty Images)
Friday, 29 May
North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans
This doesn’t really need to be explained, but the Cowboys will win by 12-plus points, with main men Jason Taumalolo to lead from the front against a Titans side that is 0-2 and was beaten by 40 points by the Eels in Round 2.
Cowboys by 12.
Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
This game has so much hype, and you can understand why. The Roosters are 0-2 even though they were tipped to do the three-peat even after losing Latrell Mitchell to the Souths and Cooper Cronk to retirement. But this game will be a cracker. Mitchell taking on his former club having been all over the news in the last month or so means he’s sure to come out firing, but I don’t see it as being enough. The likes of James Tedesco and Luke Keary will mean the Roosters are too much for the Bunnies.
Roosters win by six.
Saturday, 30 May
New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra Dragons
These two teams started the year poorly and both need a win on the board. I can’t see many points being scored but I can see a Warriors ahead.
Warriors by six.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs Wests Tigers
Both teams started the year 1-1 after two rounds. If the Tigers want to end their ninth-place curse, they’ll need to come out and play against Shaun Johnson, who played very well against South Sydney. Sharks fans will be hoping for the same result: a win.
Sharks by eight.
Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders
This match-up is always fun. I’m purely taking a guess at who will win this one, because even through the Raiders won the last two times these teams met, I just can’t see them winning this time. A newly bearded Cameron Smith and a fired-up Cameron Munster along with the speed of Ryan Papenhuyzen will be too much for Canberra to handle, even with the likes of John Bateman, Jack Wighton and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Storm by six.
Sunday, 31 May
Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights
The Panthers without Nathan Cleary and with a very young and quite inexperienced halves pairing won’t do much against a Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga-led Newcastle squad.
Knights by 12.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
This isn’t a hard one to pick. I forecast a one-sided contest.
Manly by 14.
Oscar St George
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the early tips for the week Anton. Just curious with Bateman and Ponga not being named today do your tips and margins change for those games at all?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
You looking to take Eldridge's spot DB? Nice write up. :thumbup: :laughing:
Paul
Roar Guru
"A newly bearded Cameron Smith"? He just hasn't found the razor for 2 days.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
DB - you need your own article - promise me this becomes a regular feature. Ah - Winfield Reds - I miss you so much - well not really - took me about 4 months to get over you. My go to brand in the 70s, 80s and the first half of the 90s. Must admit I really enjoyed the sound of the whack reverberating around the empty grandstands when blokes hit each other in the first two rounds - plus the continual chat on the field that probably included some decent sledging of the opposition
Nat
Roar Guru
Gold DB. :laughing:
WallabyJ
Roar Rookie
Dogs Body - possibly the greatest Roar comment ever. Top shelf hahaha
Walter Black
Guest
Foot Yeah, now were talkin Broncos v Eels. Despite playing with a couple of handicaps, I reckon the Broncos will just get the edge on an over rated Eels outfit. Broncos by 2 Cowboys v Titans. Can't go past the Cowboys here. Cowboys by 10 Roosters v Rabbits The Roosters will miss Cooper immensely this season and whilst I don't rate the bunnies, I reckon they will take the chockies Bunnies by 6 Warriors v Dragons. The Dragons are a force this season, a spent force. Warriors by 4 Sharks v Tigers With the Xerri shock in their minds it will be a Tiger win. Tigers by 4 Storm v Raiders The officials can't give them this one. The Storm in a hard fought game. Storm by 10 Panthers v Knights Does anybody care? Nope Knights by 2 Manly v Dogs Carn't argue this one. Dessie will have the upper hand. Manly by 6
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Here are mine: Broncos v Eels. Despite preparing like champions the Broncos fail to realise that they are playing on a Thursday and not their regular Friday night slot. As a result they fail to turn up for the game. Fortunately for them the Eels are useless away from home and butcher almost all their opportunities. It comes down to a last minute field goal by the trainer to get them over the line. Eels by 1 Cowboys v Titans. Cowboys are denied entry to SE QLD as premier “don’t tell me what to do” Palaszczuk doesn’t realise that Townsville is actually part of QLD. Titans are then disqualified for lying about their flu shot results and instead injecting “essence of wellness”. Penalty goal shootout between the Titans mascot and 3 of the 5 blokes they found at the local pub are inconclusive. Draw Roosters v Rabbits Wayne Bennett, crafty old bugger that he is, encourages his team to smoke a pack of Winnie Reds each before taking to the field. Shortly before kickoff a coughing fit ensues and the Roosters flee in panic. Rabbits are able to put on plenty whilst trainers test players. After 45 minutes the results come back clear but Roosters players are already tucked up watching real housewives of Melbourne and checking stock options. Rabbits by plenty. Warriors v Dragons. Mary, not being quite as cunning as old man Bennett, tries to emulate the Souffffs success by copying tactics as none of his ever seem to work. Unfortunately the NZ team use late night bonding sessions with Jake the Muss in his local watering hole to “harden up”. The smell of stale tobacco invokes an involuntary response and the Warriors spend the next 80 minutes punishing the Dragons for too many weights and not enough speed work. At some point a try is scored. Warriors by 4 Sharks v Tigers Having developed an immunity to almost every pathogen known to man after an extensive “vitamin supplement” program, the Sharks invite Covid survivors to hug and shake hands with both teams in a show of solidarity for victims. Tigers forfeit after discovering the driver of their team bus was also the captain of the Ruby Princess, hired as he was the only one willing to get onboard. Sharks by plenty. Storm v Raiders Without the distractions afforded by busy nightclubs, casinos, musical theater and just the general atmosphere of any major city that isn’t the nations capital, the Raiders will overcome a Storm outfit tired from dealing with petty small town councils and the Fox’s latest camping trip tales. Raiders by 10 Panthers v Knights Does anybody care? I know there is a lot of excitement around the start of the comp again but is there any real genuine excitement about this game. Could we not just toss a coin and then head to Nathan Clearys house because that seems like a fun place to hang out. The coin came down heads so the Knights get it. Let’s dance. Manly v Dogs The Sunday arvo game. There’s nothing better than finishing up mowing the lawn, cracking a cold one and sitting down to watch grown men fight over a piece of rubber. The best part about hosting these games without crowds is now you can actually hear Jake Trbojevic apologise to everyone after he tackles them. Manly by 6