Hey Roarers!

What a sensational weekend of rep footy! Absolutely beautiful. Before that though, there was Round 15, and we haven’t had a chance to chat about that yet.

Let’s recap – 

Everyone’s perfect tipping was ruined straight off the bat after the Thursday night game. The Dragons blew a stunned Bunnies team out of the water for a 32-12 victory down in Wollongong. Souths were just woeful, and the Red V lifted to ensure veteran Andrew McCullough celebrated his 300^th game in style. 

In the first Friday night game, Manly were in control and leading the Cowboys 26-12 with seven minutes to go. They were on the way to a certain victory – then KABOOM! A late try to my mate Reece Robson, immediately followed by one to Connelly Lemuelu, then a 90m run a way try to Valentine Holmes saw the Cowboys sneak home with a 28-26 win in front a very stunned Brookvale crowd. 

The second game saw the Storm head up to Brisbane to take on the Broncos. The home side were once again without Adam Reynolds and had named a very green halves combination of Ezra Mam and Tyrone Roberts. Broncos put in a huge effort and went to the halftime break up 16-10, but the class and experience of Cam Munster and Jahrome Hughes proved too good, with Melbourne securing a 32-20 victory.

The Sharks beat the Titans 18-10 on Saturday afternoon in an ordinary and at times sloppy battle in Coffs Harbour. In what many expected to be an easy win for Cronulla, the Shire boys made it hard for themselves making twice the number of errors and constantly inviting the Gold Coast back into the game.  But the Titans couldn’t capitalise on their opportunities and remain at the bottom of the ladder.

The Panthers enjoyed an easy 40-6 thrashing of the Warriors in the second Saturday game. It was all one-way traffic, with the premiers taking an 18-0 lead into the sheds, then piling on another 22 points in the second half. It wasn’t until the 75^th minute that the Warriors got on the board through Josh Curran, to ensure their final game before heading home didn’t finish with them on a duck egg. 

After two very average games, Super Saturday finally delivered an absolute cracker. The Eels bounced back from their shock loss to the Bulldogs to beat the Roosters 26-16. In one of the most entertaining first halves of the year, including a try that went through about 1000 sets of hands, Parramatta were firing on all cylinders and showed their fans they are much better than what they produced against Canterbury. Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii were standouts for the tricolours, but the rest of the side were way off the pace, and the loss saw them slip out of the top eight. 

I was devastated over this next game. The mean Raiders scored a last-minute try for a 20-18 victory against my poor defenceless Knights. After trailing 14-0, Newcastle clawed their way back to lead 18-14 with the clock ticking down. But with moments to spare, Hudson Young put in a kick which he regathered to score and tie the game. Jamal Fogerty added the extras and the Raiders won by two. Good win AJ. 

In the last match of the round, the Dogs made it back-to-back wins for the first time since 2019, after a 36-12 trouncing of the Tigers. Matt Burton was once again terrific for Canterbury and earnt himself an Origin debut, and Jake Averillo continues to be loving his time at fullback. The poor Tigers were once again out of their depth. On a positive note, they welcomed back Adam Douehi for his first game of the season, on the flipside they lost Alex Twal for the remainder of the year after a sickening head knock that saw him come off the field via the medicab.

AJ, Paul, and you legends out there in the Crowd tipped a solid 7/8, Mary and Mike each tipped 6/8 and I got 5/8. AJ is still out in front overall on 85 with Paul currently sitting in second spot on 82. The Crowd is coming third on 81, Mary is in fourth on 80, with Mike in fifth on 72. And who would have thought, I’m still last on 70. 

Ok, onto round 16, the very important Beanies for Brain Cancer Round. 

The Storm travel to Brookvale tonight to take on a Manly at 8pm. The home side will be wanting to make up for their late loss to the Cowboys, and desperate to get back into finals contention. Turbo and DCE have been named for the Sea Eagles to back up from Origin, with Cam Munster and Harry Grant also picked to play for Melbourne but both have big question marks over them. Munster looks like he is being held together by sticky tape. Felise Kaufusi is out for family reasons, Ryan Papenhuyzen is expected to make his return, and all international representatives from both sides except Manly’s Josh Aloiai are named to play. 

In the first Friday night game at 6pm, the Knights host the Titans at McDonald Jones Stadium in the hotly contested ‘Which coach will get sacked next’ battle. Both sides are in quicksand and will be fighting tooth and nail for the win. Kalyn Ponga is out after suffering a concussion during Origin, but Dane Gagai has been named to play. Their Maroons teammate Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will back up and lead the Titans, Moeaki Fotuaika has been named after playing for Tonga on Saturday, and David Fifita is set to make his return from the bench.  

Then we head out to Bluebet Stadium to see the Panthers take on the Roosters at 7.55pm. Penrith are in cruise control at the top of the ladder, while the tricolurs are another side fighting to get back into the top eight. The Panthers have about 1000 players backing up from Origin and test duty, with the Roosters having about 400. Luke Keary is still out with concussion, so Sam Walker will play at halfback. With all the big names backing up for both sides, this match will be a close one or boring. 

Super Saturday kicks off at 3pm with the Dogs and the Sharks playing at Commbank Stadium. Burton is backing up from Origin for Canterbury, along with Talakai and Hynes for Cronulla. Mulitalo has also been named after representing New Zealand. Earlier this season we would have said the Sharks would smash the Doggies – but after the past month’s efforts from both sides, will the Blue and White army make it three wins in a row? 

The local derby between the Cowboys and the Broncos is always a great game, and this one should be no different. Kicking off at 5.30pm up in Townsville, the Cowboys will be looking to keep their winning momentum going, while the Broncos will be hoping to jump into the top four. Tongan Taumalolo will back up from test duty, along with Queenslander’s Holmes, Taulagi and Nanai. Blues enforcer Hass has been named for Brisbane despite carrying an injury, along with the Maroons three C’s -, Carrigan, Capewell and Cobbo. Staggs and Palasai are also backing up after test duty, but the biggest inclusion is halfback and captain Adam Reynolds. 

Another guy making a return from injury is Latrell Mitchell. He will be jumping straight into the number one jersey for the Bunnies in their match against the Eels at Accor Stadium at 7.35pm. His teammates Cook, Murray and Arrow have all been given the green light after Origin, same with Junior Paulo for the Eels. Dylan Brown, Marata Niukore, Waqa Blake and Maika Sivo all playing after their test matches. Souths will be hoping to shake off their loss to the Dragons, and the Eels will be wanting to replicate their efforts against the Roosters. This should be a good one. 

Let’s Gone Warriors! An emotional homecoming over two years in the making, we finally head back to New Zealand on Sunday to see the Warriors host the Tigers at Mt Smart Stadium at 2pm. They will be looking to give their fans lots to cheer about with a much-needed win, while the Tigers will also be desperate for the two points. Euan Aitken returns from injury, with Jazz Tevaga, Addin Fonua-Blake and Bunty Afoa all backing up from test duties. David Nofolauma will be hoping to play as well for the Tigers as he did for Samoa, and Adam Douehi got through his first match back unscathed to play again from the bench. James Roberts will play his first game since round six, returning from successful back surgery. Being home and having their fans around them should carry the Warriors to a win. Should.  

And then to finish off the round we make our way down to Wollongong to see the Dragons host the Raiders at 4pm. Both sides are coming off round 15 wins, and the Dragons will be wanting to hold onto their 8^th spot. Ben Hunt has been named for the Red V despite sustaining an injury during Origin, with Big Papa also named to back up for Canberra. Joseph Tapine and Jordan Rapana are set to play after representing their nations, and Jack Wighton will return after suffering with Covid.  

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.

Good luck with your tipping everyone, and don’t forget to go out and buy a beanie to support the Mark Hughes Foundation. 

Paul Suttor

Storm, Knights, Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Raiders

Manly are struggling and the return of Papenhuyzen will offset the likely loss of Munster so Storm should win.

Newcastle are terrible but the Titans have been worse.

Penrith always get up for the Roosters, even when the Panthers are raging hot favourites like this one.

Sharks should grind out a win over Canterbury.

The Cowboys have been consistently better than the Broncos this year and Haas and Reynolds are not 100%.

Souths can ride the Latrell return factor to an upset win over Parra.

The Warriors have actual home-ground advantage so that should be enough against the Tigers.

Canberra love beating St George Illawarra and even though this game is at Wollongong, the Green Machine should roll to victory.

Mary Konstantopoulos

Storm, Titans, Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Eels, Warriors, Raiders

The Storm welcome back one of their big stars this week in Ryan Papenhuyzen after an extended period on the sidelines. Despite some solid performances by their best players over representative round, without Tom Trbojevic, Manly will struggle to match the attacking prowess of the Storm.

This next game is the toughest of the round. Both teams have been extremely disappointing this year despite having solid line ups on paper. Given the Titans are welcoming back David Fifita, I think they have enough points to beat a Knights team that is really struggling. 

Penrith are brimming with confidence and will beat the Roosters who are still not firing this year. Until Robinson makes some changes to this team, particularly in the halves, my view is that the Roosters will continue to struggle.

The Sharks will beat the Bulldogs even though the Bulldogs have shown tremendous improvement in recent weeks.

The Cowboys have been so exciting to watch and will beat the Broncos who have also been impressive. The Broncos do still struggle against some quality opposition though and we saw that in their game against the Storm. Given the revelations about Adam Reynolds injury, I expect to see the Cowboys targeting him.

Against my better judgement I am tipping the Eels against Souths. The Eels last couple of performances against Souths are the stuff that nightmares are made of, but I’m hoping that the challenges that Souths have come up against this year remain and that the inclusion of Latrell isn’t enough to sort their attack out.

The Warriors have been terrible and so have the Tigers. I’m tipping the Warriors because if they cannot muster the energy to compete in their homecoming match, they might as well pack it in for 2022.

The Raiders will beat the Dragons.

AJ Mithen

Storm, Knights, Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Eels, Warriors, Raiders

I’m crook! Come out of the international break full of ‘rona. The Roar tried to bench me and sit a week off, but like all tore heroes I persist and will continue to build my unassailable tipping lead.

Melbourne will beat Manly cos they’re better.

Newcastle but only cos they’re at home. Wouldn’t be shocked with a Titans win.

Penrith to strangle the Roosters out slowly. 

Sharks over Bulldogs in a low-key belter.

Cowboys beat Broncos and keep rolling. 

Parra over the Bunnies in a run of the mill effort.

The Warriors finally get to play at home and will ride a wave of a sold-out crowd to trounce the Tigers.

Finally, your presumptive champions, the people’s team, the Canberra Raiders will begin their push into the upper reaches of the eight by making quick work laying 56 on the hapless Dragons, who also have laughable designs on finals play.

Mike Meehall Wood

Sea Eagles, Titans, Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Eels, Warriors, Raiders

Melbourne without Munster (but maybe with Papi) makes me want to tip them, but I’m miles behind in this comp and the time to zig when others zag is here. My Sea Eagles to take this win, Josh Schuster six tries.

Danielle will pick the Knights, so I will pick the Titans. They’re both rubbish.

Penrith in Penrith is easy money.

Sharkies are good and relatively unaffected by Origin etc, and while the Dogs have got better of late, they’re not yet on Cronulla’s level.

The Cowboys smashed up the Broncos in Brisbane and will do the same in Townsville.

Souths have Latrell back, but Parra get up for the bigger games. They’ll take this one, just about.

Both the Warriors and the Tigers are terrible, but with a sold-out stadium, I can’t see further than the Warriors. Yes, the great never tipper of the Warriors is all in. Let’s Gone (whatever that means).

The Raiders are better than St George Illawarra, so easy there. Ricky’s boys to get the points.

Danielle Smith

Storm, Knights, Panthers, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Eels, Warriors, Raiders

Manly haven’t beaten a top eight side yet, and they won’t buck that trend against Melbourne. The Storm just seem to always find a way to win. 

The Panthers didn’t struggle when six players backed up after Origin one. Seven players shouldn’t make much of a difference. 

I’m doing it, I’m going the upset. Three in a row for the Doggies!

Reynolds is a huge boost to the Broncos, but you all know my love for the Cowboys this season. Just too good. 

My weekly back and forth. Hmmmm………. Eels.

I cannot tip against the Warriors in their first game at home in forever. 

Dragons were good against the Bunnies last round, but I think the Raiders will be too strong in a close one.

Yes Mike, both sides are rubbish, but hopefully my boys are less rubbish-er. As always, I’m tipping my Knights. 

Round 16	AJ	Danielle	Mary	Mike	Paul	Crowd
MAN vs MEL	MEL	MEL	MEL	MAN	MEL	MEL
NEW vs GLD	NEW	NEW	GLD	GLD	NEW	NEW
PEN vs SYD	PEN	PEN	PEN	PEN	PEN	PEN
CBY vs CRO	CBY	CBY	CRO	CRO	CRO	CRO
NQL vs BRI	NQL	NQL	NQL	NQL	NQL	NQL
SOU vs PAR	PAR	PAR	PAR	PAR	SOU	PAR
NZL vs WST	NZL	NZL	NZL	NZL	NZL	NZL
STI vs CAN	CAN	CAN	CAN	CAN	CAN	CAN
Last Round	7	5	6	6	7	7
Total	85	70	80	72	82	81