Hey Roarers! 

How awesome was Magic Round? What a jam-packed weekend full of everything you could have wanted  

We had crazy weather that didn’t dampen any spirits, a golden point thriller and some unexpected blow outs, a scuffle off the field and some stand out performances on it.  

There were even unbelievable magic tricks! Murray Taulagi performed a ‘watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat’ pass while being taken over the sideline that led to a Cowboys try. Then Gus Gould put on a magic show – he made a head coach disappear!

Let’s recap…..

I promised you rubbish on Friday night, and that’s what we got! It was a bludger of a game, but this Knights fan was happy with the result, when Newcastle secured a much-needed win against a Dogs side that were nothing short of deplorable. Little did we know that would be the last match Trent Barrett coached at the club. 

The second game was a Broncos masterclass, putting a 38-0 thrashing on a Manly side that looked like Barrett was back in charge. Adam Reynolds was in fine form, and Tommy Turbo moved like he needed a rascal to get around. 

The Saturday afternoon clash between the Bunnies and the Warriors looked like it was going be another hammering, with Souths running out to a 26-6 half time lead. The Warriors kicked into gear in the second stanza, but the Bunnies held on for a 32-30 win. 

The match between the Titans and the Dragons didn’t have many expectations on it and ended up being an exciting golden point thriller. It wasn’t high on skill, but certainly high on entertainment, with the Titans crossing for the winning try in the 88^th minute for a 20-16 victory. On a side note, it was very disappointing to see the tirade of abuse young Tyrell Sloan copped on social media from his own supporters after his below par performance. Not cool Dragons fans, not cool. 

And then, the game that was meant to be worth the price of admission alone turned into a one-sided affair, with the Panthers too strong for an understrength Storm on Saturday night. Already missing Ryan Papenhuyzen and Reimis Smith, then adding the late scratching of Jahrome Hughes proved too much for Melbourne, losing to a close to perfect Penrith side 32-6.  

After last week’s heroics while down to 11 men, the Sharks managed to do the exact opposite this week against a side who ironically at one stage were down to 11 men. Putting in their worst performance of the season, Cronulla lost 30-10 to a Canberra side that showed the grit and determination the Shire boys did the week before.

In what many are calling the match of the round, the Roosters and the Eels gave us an exciting 80-minute arm wrestle, with both sides throwing everything they had at each other. In the end the Tricolours went on to win 31-24, with Sam Walker leading the team around beautifully and Joseph Suaalii playing close to his best game ever. I believe I can fly!

In the last match of the round, the Cowboys continued their hot streak, downing the Tigers 36-12. The boys from Townsville hardly put a foot wrong, with many putting their hands up for Origin selection. The poor Tigers couldn’t take a trick, already missing troops, they finished the game with a depleted bench thanks to injuries to Luke Brooks and Jake Simpkin. And let’s hope that idiot who called out horrendous things regarding Jackson Hastings’ sisters is never let back into a footy game again. 

Moving on to the tips, AJ had a close to perfect round thanks to his Green Machine, tipping 7/8. I tipped 5/8 (can you believe it?!) Mary, Paul and you legends out there in The Crowd tipped 4/8, with Mike tipping 3/8. 

Looking at the ladder, AJ has jumped to outright lead on 54, with Paul and The Crowd sharing second spot on 52. Mary is just behind in third on 51, and Mike has joined me on the golf course, with both of us on 47. 

Ok, onto Round 11! Matches full of milestones.

The Knights host the in-form Broncos tonight at 7.50pm. Anthony Milford laces up the boots for the first time this season and faces his old club. Can he help Newcastle get their season back on track? Or will Reynolds ‘N’ Friends make it five wins in a row?

On Friday night, Spoon-bowl kicks off at 6pm, with the Tigers and the Bulldogs at Leichardt. While everyone will be wondering if the Dogs can bounce back from their horror week, the real question will be, can Alex Twal score his first ever try for the Tigers in his 100^th game?

We then head straight across to Commbank Stadium, where the Eels and the Sea Eagles battle it out at 8pm. Manly will want to play a lot better than they did last week, because if the good Parra side get off the bus, they will put 100 on them! And King Guther-ino will be doing all he can for a win in his 150^th match.

Super Saturday kicks off at 3pm, with Warriors travelling to Kogarah to face the Dragons. Another one of those games that could be super exciting or as boring as bat poo. Jezz Tevaga plays his 100^th game for the Warriors, will that be enough to motivate his teammates? 

Then strap yourselves in for not one, but two top of the table clashes! The 3^rd placed Cowboys host the 2^nd placed Storm, then the 4^th placed Roosters take on the 1^st placed Panthers at the SCG. Just beautiful.

On Sunday we travel out to Dubbo, where the Rabbitohs and the Raiders meet at 2pm. Souths really fell by the wayside in the second half last week, and Canberra put in a tremendous performance in their match. It’s also Big Papa’s 250^th NRL game. This could be a great close match. 

The Titans and the Sharks finish out the round at 4pm on the Gold Coast. Will Big Tino and the boys go back-to-back, or will the embarrassment of last round as well as Andrew Fifita celebrating his 200^th game have Cronulla come out firing?  

If you would like to see how you go up against the Experts this round, just remember to get your tips in below by 5pm tonight to be counted in The Crowd’s tips.

For this round I’m going to let Paul lead us off with his tips. 

Good luck with your tipping everyone!

Mary Konstantopolous

Broncos, Tigers, Eels, Dragons, Storm, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Sharks

I’ve been extremely impressed with the Broncos over the last month and it’s clear what a difference an experienced halfback has made. The Broncos do struggle away from home, but the Knights have also struggled. I’m tipping the Broncos and am confident they can lift away from home.

This next game is a tough one because there have been teams that have rallied following the removal of a coach. I think the disruption at the Bulldogs this week will challenge them, and the Tigers have proved over recent weeks that they can compete with some of the stronger teams in the competition. 

I’m going to tip the Eels against the Sea Eagles, which is risky. The Eels have a bad habit of inconsistency and seem to really aim up for some games and then not others. Injury hasn’t helped and I think the inclusion of Marata Niukore this week will make a big difference. 

The Dragons will beat a Warriors team that continues to be disappointing.

The Storm will beat the Cowboys, because they rarely lose two in a row, but this is a contest I am really looking forward to. I think the Cowboys are the real deal this year but coming up against the competition heavyweights should give us a better idea of where they are at.

The Panthers will roll on and beat the Roosters, whilst the Rabbitohs will beat the Raiders in a close one.

I’m also expecting the Sharks to bounce back against the Titans after a lacklustre showing last week.

AJ Mithen

Broncos, Tigers, Eels, Dragons, Cowboys, Panthers, Raiders, Sharks

The magic of magic round sees me take an unbeatable tipping lead yet again, so like every other year the rest of the season is just me finding ways to amuse myself while the rest of you flounder. Here’s what’s going to happen this week.

Brisbane should take the points over Newcastle based on defence, but the Knights will put up more of a shot than might be expected.

The Tigers will help themselves to a win over the shambolic Bulldogs, but it might take them a while to unlock the Canterbury defence without Luke Brooks. The Doggies have been deplorable in attack but there is a degree of starch in their defence from time to time.

Parra simply must beat Manly if they’re serious about being a top four side in 2022. They’re better than the Sea Eagles and these are the games contenders should put to bed easily.

St George-Illawarra over the Warriors in an interesting one, because these teams are so evenly mediocre.

I’ll take the Cowboys over the Storm with no real confidence, it’s the home ground plus the backline matchup. If Melbourne win it would not be a surprise because they always win games like this.
Penrith should be able to handle the Roosters. I’m interested to see how Trent Robinson’s men approach Penrith’s pressure in defence.

Your presumptive champions, the people’s team, the Canberra Raiders will back up their historic 11-man dismantling of highly fancied Cronulla by putting 56 on the Bunnies in Dubbo, taking their place in the eight as a result and sending an ominous message to the rest of the competition.

The Sharks stagger from that loss to a tough game against the Titans, where they’ll start favourite and should win. The Gold Coast may well put up a fight, though.

Paul Suttor 

Broncos, Tigers, Eels, Dragons, Cowboys, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Sharks

Brisbane will continue their recent revival with a win in Newcastle, who were hardly convincing in beating the Bulldogs last week.

Wests Tigers should be way too strong for the Dogs who have had possibly the worst build-up to a game in living memory with a coaching change, a player leaving and flu ripping through the squad.

Parramatta and Manly games are always intense, and the underdogs often get up, but the Eels will give the Sea Eagles the slip.

St George Illawarra aren’t as woeful as the Warriors so they will edge them out.

The Cowboys are primed to prove they’re the real deal by upsetting the Storm in Townsville.

The Roosters are suddenly up to fourth, but they will drop down again with a loss to Penrith.

Souths should beat Canberra but neither team is reliable.

The Titans are traditionally an annoyance for Cronulla but with Nicho Hynes back in the halves, the visitors should get this one.

Mike Meehall Wood

Knights, Tigers, Eels, Dragons, Storm, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Sharks

Newcastle are due to go a little better and the Broncos are probably artificially high…so I take the upset.

The Tigers at Leichhardt against the bottom side in the comp – if they don’t win here, they never will.

Parra all day against as lacklustre Manly. They both lost last week, but Parra were decent in their defeat to a good side, whereas Manly were rubbish.

Dragons are bad but the Warriors are worse. Never tip the Warriors.

The Storm will bring the Cowboys back down to earth with a bump. 

I rate the Roosters, but I rate the Panthers more and will tip them forever.

Souths are good and the Raiders aren’t, so easy there. I believe in the Bunnies.

Sharks over the Titans all the time and forever.

Danielle Smith

Knights, Tigers, Eels, Warriors, Cowboys, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Sharks

The Dogs are a complete dumpster fire at the moment. I’m going the Tigers at home and Twal to score the match winner. 

The Eels will turn it on against Manly. They had a top second half last week, Ryan Matterson has been promoted to the starting side, and they won’t let Gutho lose his 150^th match. 

You all know I have my back-and-forth match where it takes me a year to decide who to tip. That’s this one, and I’ve eventually gone the Warriors (pun intended). 

My goodness these Cowboys are good! Melbourne are Melbourne and are so hard to go against, but last week showed when they are missing some players it can take its toll. A full-strength Cowboys at home will be very hard to beat. 

Penrith bounced back from their first loss of the season to smash the Storm, and the Roosters put on one of their best performances of the year to down the Eels. I’m going the upset – Roosters for the win. 

Call me crazy, but I think the Green Machine can do it. A win for Big Papa! 

Cronulla were woeful last week. But despite the grittiness displayed by the Titans in their golden point win over the Dragons, I don’t think Coach Fitz will let the Sharks play that poorly again. Nicho is back wearing number seven – that will have a huge impact. 

And after our glorious win over the Bulldogs last week, I’m expecting the same result over the Broncos. How could I not? As always, I’m tipping my Knights. 

Round 11	AJ	Danielle	Mary	Mike	Paul	Crowd
NEW vs BRI	BRI	NEW	BRI	NEW	BRI	BRI
WST vs CAN	WST	WST	WST	WST	WST	WST
PAR vs MAN	PAR	PAR	PAR	PAR	PAR	PAR
STI vs NZL	STI	NZL	STI	STI	STI	STI
NQL vs MEL	NQL	NQL	MEL	MEL	NQL	MEL
SYD vs PEN	PEN	SYD	PEN	PEN	PEN	PEN
SOU vs CAN	CAN	CAN	SOU	SOU	SOU	SOU
GCT vs CRO	CRO	CRO	CRO	CRO	CRO	CRO
Last Week	7	5	4	3	4	4
Total	54	47	51	47	52	52