Guess who’s back, back again? Tippings back, tell a friend!
For the first time in 2023 – Hello Roarers!
The Roar’s NRL expert tipping panel return for another year with Stuart Thomas joining the ranks ready to take on the 2022 champion, AJ Mithen, runner-up Paul Suttor, along with Mary Konstantopoulos, Mike Meehall Wood, and of course yours truly.
And we all remember how good at this tipping game I am!
Ok, let’s dive straight in. As with every season, Round 1 is always a bit tricky. You don’t know how much to take out of the trials, and everyone is always a bit rusty.
Our first match of the season sees the Eels hosting the Storm Thursday night. The 2022 runners-up will be looking to get the season off to a good start against an injury-ravaged Melbourne. But when your halves are Cam Munster and Jahrome Hughes, are you really ever out of the contest?
Friday night footy kicks off in Wellington with the Warriors taking on the Knights. Both of these struggling teams will be desperate to start the year off on the right foot and come away with the two points.
Then we make our way over to Penrith to see the Premiers face off with the Broncos. Will it be business as usual for the Panthers, or can Adam Reynolds and his men cause an upset?
Super Saturday begins on the Northern Beaches when the Sea Eagles take on the Bulldogs. Tommy T is back in the house, ready to take on the new and improved Doggies.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
The second match sees the Cowboys host the Raiders in Townsville. North Queensland will be ready to show last season’s success wasn’t a fluke while Canberra will be hoping to get the job done in the Townsville heat.
Then the Rabbitohs head to the Shire to take on the Sharks. It’s always a great clash when these two face off, but let’s see how the home side does without the Dally M player of the Year.
On Sunday we get our first real look at the Dolphins when they host the Roosters. Could this be the upset of the century?
Then we have the Tigers and Titans finish off the round. Ok Api, the floor is all yours.
Breathe easy Dragons, you get the week off. Try and stay out of trouble ok?
If you would like to have a go this year, just remember to get your tips in below by 5:00pm tonight to be counted in The Crowd’s tips.
Happy tipping everyone!
Mike Meehall Wood
Eels, Warriors, Panthers, Sea Eagles, Cowboys, Bunnies, Roosters, Tigers
Hard to back the Storm with so many injuries, so with no confidence, it’s Parra.
The golden rule of tipping is never tip the Warriors…but the Knights are just as inconsistent and this one is in New Zealand, so let’s gone.
Penrith at home, gimme.
These two could be anything, but hope springs eternal for my Beaches boys. Sea Eagles by 50.
North Queensland at home on a hot Townsville evening. They can’t lose (they lost to the rubbish Bulldogs in similar conditions in Round 1 2022 but still).
This is the hardest to pick of them all…but I reckon the Bunnies will win the whole shebang, so let’s start here.
Thanks for playing Redcliffe, but you’re nowhere near the Roosters level yet. Chooks win easy.
Round 1 spoonbowl…I suppose you can’t back against the Tigers at Leichhardt, right?
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Stuart Thomas
Storm, Warriors, Panthers, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Titans
Traditionally, the opening round of the NRL competition is one of the easiest to navigate in terms of tipping. New signings and departures present a very clear picture of who looks likely to contend, the bookies are always on the money and trial form never lies! Thus, here are a set of Round 1 selections that could earn you a motza!
The perennially deficient Eels open the season at home against the team everyone appears to believe will sink in 2023. Far too much logic in that and a well-deserved two points on the road for the Storm.
Even in Round 1, the Warriors and Knights look like a clash between two bottom-eight teams. The dramatic changes in the Newcastle spine could well see the Kiwis win this one at home, with the Knights looking better mid-season.
The Broncos do loom as potential improvers in 2023 and frankly, should have finished better last season. Many will cite a Panther premiership headache and a potentially slow start to the season, yet it won’t be happening here as the mountain men towel up the northerners with ease.
The Sea Eagles and Bulldogs are widely tipped to finish mid-table this season and both need a quick start to the year to do any better. Will the Dogs be something different after an appalling recent history? For at least a week they will be. A great start to the Ciraldo era.
I truly believe that the Cowboys will parlay last season into the current one and start with a bang at home against the Raiders in Round 1. They are well-coached and certain top-eight contenders.
The Sharks versus Rabbitohs looks a likely rumble, and the Bunnies do appear to be better prepared for the clash than the somewhat distracted Sharks, after what has been a stressful period.
The smart money will be on the Roosters to nail the Dolphins in Queensland in their debut NRL match. But what of the margin? 24+? 30+? The Roosters that Gorden Tallis cannot comprehend in an absolute canter.
The round ends with the Tigers and Titans whacking each other with wet lettuce leaves. Or are they? Have the Tigers’ signings made a serious difference that could lift them back near ninth in the competition? Will the Titans be back in contention after so much promise preceded the disappointment of 2022? We shall see, yet it will be a fairy tale crushed for the Tigers at Leichhardt in the opening round.
Brandon Smith. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Paul Suttor
Storm, Warriors, Panthers, Sea Eagles, Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Tigers
Melbourne haven’t lost in Round 1 since John Howard was Prime Minister. They’ve got an armada of stars out but the Eels aren’t looking too crash-hot either due to injuries and Ryan Matterson’s ban. Storm by 8.
The Friday night match in Wellington could have a large bearing on who gets the wooden spoon. Too soon? The Warriors are a hodge-podge and the Knights are not much better. Warriors by 2.
Penrith got the pre-season wake-up call delivered by St Helens in the World Club Challenge. Brisbane are still a sleeping giant, probably for another season. Panthers by 14.
Manly have a decent team but very skinny depth, the Bulldogs are still trying to mesh in way too many new parts. Sea Eagles by 4.
The Cowboys love the tropical climates of early March, the Raiders do not even though Canberra can get pretty warm in summer. Cowboys by 18.
No go for Nicho is a problem for Cronulla but Braydon Trindall would have to be one of the best, if not the best, back-up half in the NRL. Souths by 2.
The Dolphins will have a dig on debut but the Roosters’ all-round class will shine through at Suncorp. Roosters by 10.
The Tigers won’t be 50 shades of terrible this season and the Titans shouldn’t be either. If ever a game in Round 1 is likely to have both teams scoring 30 it’s this one. Tigers by 6.
South Sydney Rabbitohs (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Mary Konstantopoulos
Eels, Warriors, Panthers, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Tigers.
At least one record will fall in the first game of the season. Parramatta have not fallen out of the eight for a stupidly long time and the Melbourne Storm have never lost Round 1 under the coaching of Craig Bellamy. Both teams are missing key players (Papenhuyzen for the Storm and Lane for the Eels), but I have to tip with my heart for this one and back the mighty blue and gold.
New Zealand return home and will repay their faithful fans with a win over the Newcastle Knights.
I expect the Brisbane Broncos to make the eight this year but they have a tough assignment against Penrith in week one. After being utterly humiliated by St Helens in the World Club Challenge, the Panthers will make a statement against the Broncos in round one.
The Bulldogs will also improve significantly this year. Whilst it may take some time for the new team to gel, the same could be said of Manly who have a new coach this season. I’m tipping the Bulldogs in this one with Josh Addo-Carr to score a double.
The Cowboys will beat the Raiders in Townsville and the conditions will absolutely play into the hands of the Cowboys (it certainly doesn’t get that hot and humid in Canberra).
The Rabbitohs will beat the Sharks, but this should be one of the games of the round with both these teams featuring in my top eight for the year.
There will be plenty of fanfare around the Dolphins for their first game, it’s just unfortunate that they have to come up against a Roosters team that has only gotten stronger from last year. Unfortunately, the Roosters have too much class in too many key positions and I am expecting them to put a score on the Dolphins.
The Tigers will also beat the Titans on Sunday afternoon and I can’t wait to see some of the Tigers new recruits in action.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
AJ Mithen
Eels, Warriors, Panthers, Bulldogs, Raiders, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Tigers
Your beloved champion returns! After yet another convincing NRL tipping victory in 2022, I had big plans to retire from this weekly fun and it was a near-run thing, but Danielle and my agent were able to work out a sufficient compensation package so I’m here to mop the lobby with all of you once more, crowd and expert alike. Wanna win your local NRL tipping comp? Copy these…
Eels over Storm cos the Storm are busted and might battle against the better sides until they get right.
Warriors are in Sky Stadium with a big crowd and the hapless Knights to feast on.
Penrith will start their threepeat tilt with a hard-fought win over the Broncos, who I expect will show plenty.
The new and improved Bulldogs will squeak one over the Sea Eagles, as two new coaches try to employ their new tactics.
Your presumptive champions, the people’s team, the Canberra Raiders will head to stinking hot, stinking humid Townsville and lay a casual 56 on the Cowboys, who will be more focused on timing their season to peak at the end.
The Rabbitohs over the Sharks for no real reason, these two teams will be battling for similar ladder position this year.
Roosters over The Dolphins, even though Wayne will have them ensconced in ’nobody rates us, we don’t care’ mode.
Finally, I’ve got the Tigers taking their game over the Gold Coast to set their fans into a tizzy for weeks. The Tigers can go 3-0 if they’re serious early on!
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Danielle Smith
Eels, Knights, Panthers, Sea Eagles, Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Tigers
Never have I ever tipped against the Storm in Round 1. But here we are. Watch them put 1000 on the Eels just to show me, but I just can’t risk it.
I’m expecting a solid season from the Broncos, and not as much overpowering dominance from the premiers as we have grown accustomed to, but the scoreboard at the end of this game should be business as usual, with the Panthers on top.
Turbo is back! The world just seems right again. And as excited as I am to see the new era of the Doggies finally take shape, I think the Sea Eagles at home will get the job done.
The Cowboys will get the job done against the Raiders, with the third most underrated player in the game according to the recent NRL club chief executives and chairmen survey, and the guy you know as my mate Reece Robson, to have a blinder.
Always a great game when these teo meet. Nicho Hynes is a huge out for the Sharks, so I’m going with the Bunnies.
I really wish the Dolphins could start their season off with a win, but I can’t see it happening. Roosters comfortably.
Are you ready Tigers fans? I’m expecting big things from your lot this year! Starting with a win over the Titans.
And here we are. Have you missed my inevitable and predictable tip that is one of the main reasons why I will never win one of these comps? Toilet cubicle scandals, Ponga injured again, Young going to the Roosters, losing both trial matches, and a coach with a noose around his neck……………………but as always, I’m tipping my Knights.
| Round 1 | AJ | Danielle | Mary | Mike | Paul | Stuart | Crowd |
| PAR V MEL | PAR | PAR | PAR | PAR | MEL | MEL | PAR |
| NZL V NEW | NZL | NEW | NZL | NZL | NZL | NZL | NZL |
| PEN V BRI | PEN | PEN | PEN | PEN | PEN | PEN | PEN |
| MAN V CBY | CBY | MAN | CBY | MAN | MAN | CBY | MAN |
| NQL V CAN | CAN | NQL | NQL | NQL | NQL | NQL | NQL |
| CRO V SOU | SOU | SOU | SOU | SOU | SOU | SOU | SOU |
| DOL V SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD |
| WST V GLD | WST | WST | WST | WST | WST | GLD | WST |
Heyou
Roar Rookie
Good catch! :thumbup: :stoked:
Heyou
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing:
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Danielle, looks as though already some teething problems. My tipping has defaulted to all the away teams which wasn't what I tipped . Maybe some glitch and may correct itself . Maybe a few others in the same boat .
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Can we blow the siren and let Paul and I share the spoils?
Freddy Zabre
Guest
Okay :rugby:
The Barry
Roar Guru
Like Tallis and a lot of other people you focus on who the Roosters sign, but not who they release out of their salary cap Below are the Roosters gains and losses over the past four years There’s talk that Tupou and JWH will be leaving the club next year and Suaalii is at risk Again it proves nothing, but it goes some way to answering how they can sign players 1) they haven’t been very active in the player market for the past four years 2) they have freed up heaps of cap space by releasing quality players. Far more than they've signed You’re right. It’s just my opinion. But I’m not calling people ch.eats on my opinion and I’m not basing my opinion on media reports that grossly inflate player contracts Tallis might be involved with the broncos, but it’s still guesswork for him to estimate Roosters player salaries Media reports on Smith’s contract vary by 25%. They both can’t be right Gains Brandon Smith, Jaxson Paulo, Corey Allan, Jake Turpin, Connor Watson, Kevin Naiqama, Renouf Atoni, Paul Momorovski, Adam Keighran, Joseph Suaalii, Kyle Flanagan Losses Boyd Cordner, Jake Friend, Cooper Cronk, Latrell Mitchell, Zane Tetevank, Brett Morris, Josh Morris, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Sam Verrills, Dale Copley, Isaac Liu, Matt Ikuvalu, Freddy Lussick, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Lachlan Lam, Kevin Naiqama, Adam Keighran, Mitch Aubusson, Kyle Flanagan, Poasa Faamausili, Sonny Bill Williams, Christian Tuipalotu, Ryan Hall
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Well, missed the first game as I'm a slow starter this year but doesn't matter, who picks against Storm in Round 1 anyway? Warriors over Klunky Knights Not convinced the Ponga move will be a winner. Penrith, Manly, Cows, Cronulla * (not overly confident) and Tigers at home Roosters away Dragoons pick up their 2 points for the year.....
Craig
Guest
I think Tallis is still involved with the Broncos. Must give him some insight. What you’re saying , only comes from your point of view & nothing more than that surely? I don’t see any other club who’s consistently part of the 8 , buying like the Roosters are now? Not buying too line players . That straight away raises question marks about the club’s salary cap. Just good financial management? I call bull…. .
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Where is the crowds tipping area? I can’t find or it don’t load up for me. Darn it.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Is that a Hives reference?
steveng
Roar Rookie
Bit of a worry all the roar experts are tipping the Bunnies :silly: :laughing: my tips Storm, Warriors, Panthers, Dogs, Cows, Bunnies, Roosters and Titans. Should be a great round and its great to see 2023 season starting!
andrew
Roar Rookie
Let’s hope the Dragons have improved since the Charity Shield. After all Griffin did say he could fix the problem, he’s had an extra week to work on his game plan for the Titans clash.
The Barry
Roar Guru
If Parra could get busted for rorting the cap while coming last, anything is possible… :laughing: :laughing:
Heyou
Roar Rookie
I hated the first round bye but I’m liking it more as the days tick on bye tick tick tick BOOM :shocked: :silly:
Heyou
Roar Rookie
What you aren’t saying says something about something.
Heyou
Roar Rookie
Breathing easy and staying out of trouble? That is not how the Dragons roll Smithy :silly: :laughing:
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree with your first paragraph and I ignore most of those rumours. It’s been shown time and again that media reports inflate contract amounts significantly. As an example in the past couple of days I’ve seen media reports that Brandon Smith signed for the Roosters for 650K and 800K. That’s a pretty significant difference - particularly when we’re talking about adding up contract amounts to make an accusation about rorting the cap Just because Tallis played for the Broncos 20 years ago, doesn’t mean he has any level of insight into the ACTUAL dollar amounts the Roosters are signing their players for You take that 150K / 25% variance and apply it across the roster and it shows any guesstimate based on media reports - which is all any of us including Tallis have to go on - have the potential to be wildly inaccurate He can have a guess just like anyone else… but it suits his purpose to over estimate so like anything that appears in the media - and ex player or not, Tallis is just a media pundit now - needs to taken with a grain of salt I’m not even saying the Roosters ARENT rorting the cap. They could well be. But making a call on inflated media reports is completely baseless
Jack Pulpulung
Guest
MY WINNING TEAMS FOR ROUND 1 , 2023 PARRA TO BEAT MELBOURNE NZ TO BEAT NEW CASTLE MANLY TO BEAT DOGS
Craig
Guest
As soon as a player is going to leave a club, every supposed expert & supporter says they’re going to be paid this amount, or that amount at the next club. As I commented above, I bet he didn’t come up with the player contract values by himself. At least he’s been a player at the top level & still actually involved with a club side. Which makes his take on player values a lot more likely to be fairly accurate, than you , I, any club supporter or any league columnist. He’s also likely to know plenty of player agents. You can’t argue with any of that either.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Rob - thanks for the pick up! My tip is definitely the Panthers.