The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 17

Certainties? In rugby league? Last weekend told us there was none, with fresh intrigue surrounding Round 17. Here are The Roar’s NRL expert tipping panel to guide you through each match.

For the first time in the years I have been writing this column each week, the entire panel (and The Crowd) lined up to have all eight tips exactly the same last week.

It went down like a lead balloon though, as the Rabbitohs, Titans and Warriors combined to upset the Eels, Dragons and Knights respectively.

At one point, the entire panel was one from four, before order was restored over the second half of the round.

Rest assured, there are more challenging games on the radar this week and as a result, there is a large difference in tips presented.

In saying that, Penrith and Brisbane in the Thursday night game doesn’t paint an inspiring picture. Friday brings with it question marks though as Newcastle host Cronulla, and Melbourne play South Sydney.

Canterbury and the Gold Coast will kick things off on Saturday as the blue and white look to avoided a dreaded smack from the spoon, before Manly play the Tigers in a real flip of the coin. Then, Sonny Bill Williams makes his Roosters return in the nation’s capital during the year’s second grand final replay.

Sunday will see the struggling Eels face off with the Warriors, before the Dragons face the day trip to Townsville for a night game against the battling Cowboys.

With everyone picking up five last week, there are no changes to our overall leaderboard – still AJ and The Crowd tied for the lead.

Remember to get your tips into the form below by 6pm (AEST) on Thursday to join The Roar’s NRL tipping competition for 2020 and be featured as part of The Crowd’s tips for Round 17.

AJ Mithen

Tips: Panthers, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Titans, Tigers, Raiders, Eels, Dragons

What a fun week we had in Round 16! Tippers were shocked, multis were busted, egos were shattered. It was a great reminder that when you think you got it figured in rugby league – ya don’t.

In the end, five out of eight wasn’t so bad, all things considered. I will pay special note though to the commenter ‘Phantom’, who decided to make their only post of the 2020 season to bag those who didn’t tip the Warriors by 30 over Newcastle. I do enjoy giving some cheek in the tipping comments, but this one was just weird because maybe three humans and Steve the Octopus tipped the Warriors to belt up the Knights.

Luckily for all of you, my ego remains as untouchable as my lead over the other experts so again it falls to Mithen vs The Crowd.

Penrith will murderise the Broncos after a slow(ish) start. Brisbane play for five to eight minutes per match and they’ll use it up early.

I like Cronulla to get Newcastle but this game reeks of danger for the men from the shire. Newcastle aren’t that bad, Cronulla aren’t that good.

It’s well known how much I love Uncle Wayne and the Rabbitohs will sneak one over the Storm. Melbourne are pretty set in the top two and still have the Cowboys, Tigers and Dragons left. Win one, stay second. The Bunnies are chasing a top-four miracle and are in good nick, as we all tipped against last week.

Titans over Dogs but Dogs a sniff if they put an effort up like last week’s again. Tigers over Manly, even though they’ll need some hand holding if things get scary.

The magnificent Canberra Raiders will complete a regular-season sweep of the Sonny Roosters by putting 56 on them in the nation’s capital.

Eels over Warriors with absolutely zero confidence, Parra are playing like they’re in 12th and just want the season to finish.

Finally, Dragons barely over Cowboys on their day trip to Townsville. I won’t be surprised if North Queensland win.

John Bateman of the Raiders (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Mary Konstantopoulos

Tips: Panthers, Sharks, Storm, Titans, Manly, Raiders, Eels, Dragons

The poor old Broncos can’t catch a break but, big losses in the last fortnight aside, their attack does look a lot stronger with Tom Dearden in the halves rather than Brodie Croft. Despite that change, there’s a reason Penrith are sitting at the top and this will be another big win for them.

In recent weeks the Sharks have really impressed, with a lot of young players who have been punching above their weight. Additionally, with the dropping of Matt Moylan, there is plenty of competition for spots. They will beat the Knights, who are struggling in attack without Blake Green. Mitch Pearce seems to be trying to do too much and it isn’t working.

I always regret it when I tip against the Storm, but I’m tipping them in a close one. While Souths have been incredible in recent weeks, especially their attack, I worry about the loss of Latrell Mitchell and the decision to place Corey Allan on the wing. Melbourne have a habit of getting the job done.

The Bulldogs are due a win, but it won’t come against the Titans, who have been big improvers under new coach Justin Holbrook.

The Sea Eagles have really disappointed, even though they have had some significant injuries. I’m tipping them, only just, simply because I don’t know which Tigers team will turn up. There seems to be unrest at Concord, especially around Benji Marshall, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that had an impact on performance.

The grand final rematch will feature some fire and I’m going to tip the Raiders. The Roosters are improving every week with players returning, but despite injuries, Canberra have been very good too – plus Corey Harawira-Naera plays his first game for the club.

I’m tipping the Eels out of loyalty this week. This is a really important game that will determine how the rest of our season plays out and Parra must recover after their poor effort against Souths. If they don’t, that’s lights out. The Warriors are no easy beats and have played with plenty of spirit. Chanel Harris-Tavita was wonderful against the Knights and must be contained if the Eels are to win.

I’m tipping the Dragons against the Cowboys because I can’t really see North Queensland beating anyone.

Valentine Holmes (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

David Holden

Tips: Panthers, Knights, Storm, Titans, Sea Eagles, Raiders, Eels, Dragons

When I first signed up for this caper, the first thing I realised is every game is important, especially those when you are out there by yourself hoping for a miracle. So, when everyone picked the same last round, a sense of calm descended over my weekend. I didn’t like it. I must be into personal drama.

This weekend, the calm has headed for the hills, with the exception of the first game.

I’ve decided the NRL are cruel. In a season where the Broncos are pure trash, they keeping getting free-to-air games. I get it that it can’t be changed because of the scheduling but it’s hard to slip into the abyss when you are on prime time television. Panthers to win without getting out of first gear.

From then on, it gets interesting. Chad Townsend returns for the Sharks, but the jury is out on whether that is a good or bad thing. The Knights’ form is all over the place but the fact they are at home, and that the Sharks are still to beat a team in the top eight, makes me lean towards Newcastle.

The Rabbitohs have clicked into gear over the last fortnight, putting big scores on Parramatta and Manly. They face a harsher test this weekend, and will do it without Latrell Mitchell at the back. Kenny Bromwich is a potential big inclusion for the Storm who you sense are destined for big things. The Storm will get home in a cracker.

I feel sorry for the Bulldogs. If the premiership ladder was based on overall performance and not premiership points, they wouldn’t be sitting in last. But they are. They run into a Titans side that have a real sense of belief and Canterbury’s torment will continue.

If the Sea Eagles and Tigers aren’t already planning their mad Monday, the loser will be after this weekend. Tommy Turbo was a chance but hasn’t been named. It doesn’t matter as the Tigers’ ship is underwater. Manly will get a comfortable win.

Down in Canberra, we get the grand final rematch rematch. The Roosters are almost back at full strength and all eyes will be on SBW when he makes an appearance from the bench. The Raiders pulled off a remarkable win the last time these two sides met and Ricky Stuart will have them primed to do it again. I’ll excuse last week’s first half against the Bulldogs as I think the Raiders were already looking towards this. With a cold night and home advantage, Canberra will win again.

The New Zealand Warriors continue to amaze and are a smoky to upset the Eels. We will see whether last weekend’s beating was a one off or whether Parramatta are really on the slide. I’m prepared to give them one more week.

The final game, in Townsville, is an absolute toss of a coin but I remember my rule not to tip the Cowboys.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

The Barry

Tips: Panthers, Sharks, Storm, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Roosters, Warriors, Cowboys

Thursday sees the Panthers leave NSW for only the second time this season, and on a five-day turnaround. If it was anyone but the Broncos, I’d suggest they might be vulnerable but just can’t tip against Penrith.

Mathematically the Knights and Sharks can still miss the eight, so this games has bearing on the finals. Newcastle seem intent on giving up their top-eight spot. No Shaun Johnson makes tipping Cronulla iffy but the Knights have been dire.

I’m slowly warming to the Rabbitohs after being frosty on them. They overcame their poor record against top sides emphatically against Parramatta, but geez, the Eels were ordinary. This week we get to see them against the Storm and without Latrell. I’m tipping Melbourne to win, but nowhere near as confidently as I would have a couple of weeks ago.

If ever there was a side that’s forgotten how to win, it’s the Bulldogs. They’ve been up to their necks in all bar one of their games since beating the Knights in Round 11 but just can’t get another tick in the W column. Head says Titans but what has he done for me lately, Dogs!

Manly to edge the Tigers in this week’s edition of the Who Cares Cup.

Raiders at $2.75, Roosters $1.45 doesn’t seem right, given the Raiders’ injury-stricken win against a pretty much full strength Chooks in Round 10. The Tricolours have troops back but hard to gauge where they’re at after last week’s demolition of the Broncos. Toss a coin, Roosters just.

The brave Warriors take on the struggling Eels and Peter V’landys has ruled that neither team can be mentioned without including these adjectives. I’m tipping the Kiwis to smoke Parra and keep the dream alive.

Is Michael Morgan made of origami? The Cowboys have teased me all year. Every time I tip them at home they get rolled, when I don’t they pull off an upset. No JT13 makes it tough but I’m going with the Cowboys.

Scott Pryde

Tips: Panthers, Knights, Storm, Titans, Tigers, Roosters, Eels, Dragons

Right, let’s see what new methods I can find to butcher another week of tipping.

I’ll start by taking the Panthers, because the chance of Brisbane winning is less than COVID magically disappearing overnight as Donald Trump once suggested it would.

The Knights have been woeful, but have to turn it around at some point. I’d suggest it might happen here, at home, and up against an injured looking Sharks side. Not a certainty by any stretch.

The Rabbitohs have been playing out of their skin, but the Eels and Sea Eagles were bad against them in the last fortnight. Melbourne are getting players back and primed to make yet another statement.

I’ve been really impressed with the Titans. Seems weird to say about a team who are struggling, but with a long-term commitment to Justin Holbrook in place, this is a game they have to win, and will win. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs are destined to take the wooden spoon and stop the laughter going Brisbane’s way.

The next game… Flip a coin? No idea. The Tigers are bad. The Sea Eagles aren’t much better with all their injuries. The Tigers are now beginning the Benji Marshall farewell tour, and Manly have been woeful so I’ll take Wests.

The Roosters are starting their return to what full strength will look like at the end of the season. With revenge on the mind after having their pants pulled down on the Sydney Cricket Ground six weeks ago, they win here. Fox-cam watching Sonny Bill Williams warm up should be entertaining too.

Parra, Parra, Parra. What do we do with Parra? They were spanked silly by the Rabbitohs last week, but even they, in their current form, should beat the Warriors, who have been so brave. This isn’t a certainty either.

And last but not least, the Dragons bounce back and beat the Cowboys. Not much more to say. They stank the joint up last week, but have done so numerous times this year. Just a good thing the Cowboys couldn’t beat a fly.

Be sure to get your tips in on the form below by 6pm (AEST) this evening, and we will publish the results of The Crowd’s tips before the first game of the round kicks off.

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