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Opinion
The toughest time for tipping is upon us, with State of Origin putting a broom through the competition. Here are The Roar’s NRL expert tipping panel for Round 13.
From the Penrith Panthers losing seven to more injuries and suspensions and only half the team playing, this is the NRL’s version of silly season, and tipping becomes something of a fool’s game.
Just on Origin – keep an eye out next Tuesday when the panel provides their thoughts for Game 1 in what is, thankfully for AJ at least, a clean slate when it comes to the scores.
AJ managed three last week, an improvement on Round 12. He is now only a distant 23 points behind The Barry, who continues to lead the way. He and The Crowd grabbed six last week, meaning you people are still just a point behind our leader.
Mary and David lost another point with five, while I brought up the rear with AJ on three. As I said, tipping. Easy. Not.
Round 13 gets going with a trek to Kogarah for the Broncos. They have never won there against the Dragons as a joint venture, but all the focus this week will be on the returning Jack de Belin, who plays his first game in two and a half years.
The Tigers will take on the Panthers on Friday, with Ivan Cleary vocal in the press this week despite his Panthers winning 12 straight. What could there possibly be to whinge about?
The Melbourne juggernaut is another refusing to slow down, and they play the Gold Coast on Saturday before the Eels look to snap a two-game losing streak against the Knights, with the dumped Blake Ferguson to watch on from the sidelines
Remember to get your tips into the form below by 6pm (AEST) this evening to join The Roar’s NRL tipping competition for 2021 and be featured as part of the Crowd’s tips for Round 13.
The Barry is going to lead us away again after his six last week.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Tips: Dragons, Panthers, Storm, Eels
They’ve finally found a way to stop me getting six out of eight – just schedule four games. Now that I’ve put the mock on myself, I’ll get on with the tipping.
‘The next GI’ is a phrase that’s thrown around pretty liberally these days, but I YouTubed Broncos new boy Selwyn Cobbo, and it’s not hard to see why those comparisons have been made. With his upright running style, big frame and huge fend, he really does resemble a young Greg Inglis. I really thought about tipping the Broncos here, but the home-ground advantage has me leaning the Dragons way.
The Panthers have seven players involved in Origin, while the Tigers are missing Origin Joe Ofahengaue. The Tigers attack has been humming recently, but even with their outs I think the Panthers will be too good.
It’s scary how good the Storm’s line-up is even when it’s missing five players and scary how much weaker the Titans look missing four. I think Melbourne will put on a score in this one.
Damn Brad Arthur! Weeks of meticulous planning for the SuperCoach bye round thrown out the window because he decides now is the time to drop Blake Ferguson. Yep, after consecutive big losses, SuperCoach Arthur has laid the blame at the feet of his right winger. Waqa ‘turnstile’ Blake survives, as do the soft forwards and ineffective halves, but Fergalicious pays the ultimate price. I’m still tipping the Eels but I’m hoping Brad Arthur slams his fingers in his car door when he gets to the ground!
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Tips: Dragons, Panthers, Storm, Eels
I’ve been doing this gig for only a short time, but it’s a fair bet we haven’t seen this type of disparity in tipping results for many a year. The Barry is one ahead of the Crowd and then there’s a long way back to me.
A podium is nothing to sneeze at, but we are only halfway through the season, so I’m still a chance of glory. It won’t happen this weekend, however, with a shortened round.
And while we won’t see any Origin stars, there is still plenty of intrigue.
We get a big dose of it in the first game, with Jack de Belin’s return for the Dragons. All in all, it’s not a bad time for his return. It’s at Kogarah on a Thursday night, so the few fans there will be cheering on St George.
Meanwhile, the Broncos have decided that they haven’t gone back far enough in time to pick their halves. Whispers out of Brisvegas suggest that Alfie is dumping his runner’s gear for the No. 6 jumper. We shall see but surely the Dragons win this.
Next up we are at Leichhardt for the Tigers and Panthers. I was all in on the Tigers until I checked the teams. Despite missing a multitude of personnel, the Panthers still look good. We also know that the Tigers can’t win two in a row – it’s against their DNA. Penrith to win.
Let’s be honest, the Storm have won in recent weeks with most of their Origin players out anyway. The wheels are starting to fall off at the Titans and the Storm will win at a canter.
On a side note, welcome Nicho Hynes to the Shire. Whilst you’re at it, can you convince Dale Finucane and Craig Bellamy to join you? Thanks in advance. Sharks supporter.
On Sunday afternoon we have the Knights and Eels. Despite what Fox Sports says on its website, Newcastle get another home game. Blake Ferguson would be feeling a little hard done by this week after first missing out on the Blues and then being dropped by the Eels. But he does get replaced by one of the best names in rugby league, Haze Dunster. It’s right up there with Ryan Papenhuyzen.
But I digress. I can’t imagine the Knights winning the penalty count 9-1 for two weeks in a row. With more ball, the Eels will get the win.
(Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Tips: Dragons, Panthers, Storm, Eels
It’s always tough to tip during the State of Origin period, but while many teams lose plenty of players leading into this period, plenty of talent is returning for the Dragons. This week will see the return of Matt Dufty, Mikaele Ravalawa and Jack de Belin. No doubt the Dragons will be stronger for their inclusion. The Broncos also have some players returning, but their new halves combination in Tyson Gamble and Albert Kelly will take some time to find their feet.
I really want to tip the Tigers in this next fixture, I really do. Despite Ivan Cleary departing the Tigers several years ago, there is still plenty of heat between these two teams. The Tigers have improved plenty in recent weeks, but I am still taking the safe option and tipping the Panthers. Also, just quietly, it’s incredible that the Panthers team is still relatively strong despite how many players have been included in the State of Origin teams.
The Storm should have no trouble defeating the Titans, who continue to be the most infuriating team in the competition.
I’m also expecting the Eels to bounce back following two disappointing losses. The Eels will see the return of Dylan Brown, which should hopefully help alleviate some of the defensive issues the Eels have been having.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Tips: Dragons, Tigers, Storm, Eels
Yet again the NRL makes moves to stomp on my tipping resurgence. After tripling my score in just one week, they’ve gone and reduced the number of games being played, hence my ability to continue storming up the charts is hobbled! It’s truly disgraceful conduct, but what do you expect from Peter V’landys.
Anyway, here are the tips. Dragons over Broncos in a truly awful spectacle.
Tigers over Panthers, who are down half a side and have a sooking coach who’s experiencing what having a good team at Origin time means.
Storm over Titans. The Storm truly are marvels. They can put 50 on you with their under-17s squad.
Finally, Eels over the Knights, who I absolutely positively will not tip. They’re a disaster.
Tips: Dragons, Panthers, Storm, Knights
The first three games look about as straightforward as it gets to me on paper.
The Broncos surprised the Roosters a fortnight ago but then had normal transmission resume against Melbourne last week. Sure, the Storm and the Dragons are vastly different prospects, but the Broncos haven’t won at Kogarah since the days the Dragons didn’t have Illawarra in the name.
Jack de Belin is back too. Frankly, I’m more interested in how he plays than the result.
Penrith are missing seven. That is a lot of players, but defence is an attitude. Ivan Cleary’s side are letting in less than eight points per game. That doesn’t go out the back window because the personnel change, and Dylan Edwards being back, plus Matt Burton in the halves, should give them enough points to hang on and win a scrap.
Speaking of Penrith, they look to be the only team in with even a minute shout at beating the Storm right now, an attack that is humming along even without star names all over the park. Good luck stopping them. The Titans with most of their forward pack missing certainly won’t. Cricket score incoming – zero for 62 at stumps.
The Knights were very gutsy last week against the Sea Eagles in what ended up being a narrow win. The Eels are on a two-game losing streak, but I’ll tip it to extend. The Saifiti brothers and co have an edge the Eels have been lacking in the last few weeks, and at home again a big crowd should inspire the Knights over the line.
| Round 13 | AJ | Mary | David | The Barry | Scott | Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STI v BRI | STI | STI | STI | STI | STI | STI |
| WST v PEN | WST | PEN | PEN | PEN | PEN | PEN |
| MEL v GLD | MEL | MEL | MEL | MEL | MEL | MEL |
| NEW v PAR | PAR | PAR | PAR | PAR | NEW | PAR |
| Last week | 3 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
| Total | 50 | 65 | 67 | 73 | 62 | 72 |
Remember to get your tips in on the form below by 6pm tomorrow to be counted as part of The Crowd for this weekend.