The Roar’s NRL tips and predictions Round 2: Will the premiers go 0-2, can new boys back up after emotional start?

What an opening round that was! A golden point thriller to kick off the year, two other games decided by a field goal, and an upset that will go down in history as one of the greatest.

I don’t think we could have asked for anything more.

The Storm gave us all a big dose of “in your face” after their 13-12 win over the Eels on Thursday night. We should have known that injuries and players leaving the club would have no impact on their Round 1 record. Maybe the NRL should rename it the ‘Craig Bellamy Round’ when he eventually retires.

Let’s gone Warriors! The boys looked great and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was a standout during their 20-12 win over Newcastle on Friday night. Based back at home, a lot of new faces, and a side ready to challenge – there’s a lot for Warriors fans to be excited about.

As for my fellow Knights supporters, sing it with me….“hello darkness my old friend.”

The Broncos stunned everyone with a 13-12 win over the premiers at Penrith. Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam paired nicely, Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas were solid up front, and Herbie Farnworth looks set for a top season. To all the Panthers fans, the emotion you are feeling is called ‘dealing with a loss.’ I am aware it is very foreign to you. If you need any help getting through this let me know, I am an expert.

It was a perfect Saturday afternoon on the Northern Beaches for the locals, with the Sea Eagles handing the Bulldogs a 31-6 thumping. Tom Trbojevic passed his return test with flying colours, Daly Cherry-Evans was in fine form, and the Anthony Seibold era got off to a great start. Not so much for the Cam Ciraldo era, still a bit of work to do out at Belmore.

The Cowboys got out to an early 18-0 lead over the Raiders on Saturday night in Townsville, but as we have seen so many times before, the Green Machine clawed their way back to level the scores with 20 minutes to go. A Chad Townsend field goal eventually broke the deadlock and gave the home side a 19-18 win.

In a match that could have gone either way, the Bunnies proved too good for the Nicho Hynes-less Sharks on Saturday night, taking out a 27-18 win. It was an entertaining 80 minutes, with both teams putting on a great show for Round 1.

Hats off to the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon! What a win! The new kids on the block kicked off their inaugural season with a huge 28-18 win over the Roosters. They played like they had been together forever, and I’m sure enjoyed dishing out that humble pie for everyone else to eat. To anyone that tipped this upset, kudos my friend.

We finished the round out at Leichardt, with the Titans taking out a 22-10 win over the Tigers. The visitors looked good, with a lot of positive signs for the season ahead. Tigers – even with all their new stars – looked exactly the same.

Stuart and Paul are out in front after tipping five, Mike and you legends in the Crowd tipped four, Mary and I tipped three, while last year’s champion AJ is out the back after getting just two correct.

I want you all to remember this moment – I am not last.

Ok, let’s check out Round 2!

Thursday night footy sees the Panthers through ‘cracked windows’ host the Rabbitohs at BlueBet Stadium at 8pm. It’s always a passionate and fiery match when these two face off, despite missing some players and Latrell under an injury cloud, I can’t see this being any different.

Could the Premiers finish the night being 0/2?

Friday night footy kicks off at 6pm when the Eels host the Sharks at CommBank Stadium. Both sides are coming off Round 1 losses, the Sharks are missing Hynes and Wade Graham, and the Eels will be hoping for a win for Mitch Moses in his 200th game.

Then we head up to Suncorp Stadium to see the Broncos and the Cowboys at 8pm. This Queensland derby between big brother and little brother is always a cracker, and with both sides coming off wins, it should lift to another level.

Super Saturday begins at 3pm when the Roosters host the Warriors are Allianz Stadium. The Tricolours were very underwhelming last week, could it be more of the same from Trent Robinson and his injury-ravaged troops?

The Dolphins will be out to keep the good times rolling when the Raiders travel to Redcli………to Kayo Stadium…….at 5.30pm. Canberra showed us last week how much fight they have in them, and will be looking to get their first win of the year.

Then we head down to Melbourne to see the Storm take on the Bulldogs. Munster is a big out for the home side, but Kikau thinks he’s handy with the boot so it may just all even out.

Nick Meaney. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

On Sunday we’ll see my frustrating and struggling Knights play the equally frustrating and struggling Tigers at Leichhardt Oval at 4pm. Who knows what will happen in this game – let’s all just hope for the best.

Then to finish off the round, the Dragons make their first appearance for the season taking on the Titans at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium at 6.15pm. It’s been quite the off-season for the Red V, let’s see how that transfers onto the field.

Manly, grab your sunscreen and enjoy your weekend off at the beach. No running through The Corso, Turbo.

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!

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Stuart Thomas

Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Roosters, Raiders, Storm, Knights, Titans 

Should the Bunnies topple the Panthers on Friday night, the reigning champs will be under some pressure. Frankly, it looks a close call and logic suggests the cardinal and myrtle will be too strong. Penrith to win. 

Another blockbuster sees the Eels and Sharks desperate for their first wins of the season and a split hair between them. The Moses drama is not helping, Sharks to get the two points.

Broncos vs Cowboys is another belter and based on their Round 1 wins, potentially the match of the round. North Queensland to win, with Brisbane’s defence being the key reason why my tip could be destroyed.

The Roosters will beat the Warriors with ease, if they don’t, panic stations.

The Dolphins might struggle to back up after an emotional week. I’ve no idea whether they will, yet the Raiders should get their opening win in this one.

Melbourne will belt the Dogs, plain and simple.

The Knights and Tigers will attack each other with wet lettuce leaves for 80 minutes before Newcastle win in a golden point thriller.

The Dragons spring to life for the first time in 2023 and the unbeaten Titans could make a real statement with a win. They will.

 (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Paul Suttor

Panthers, Eels, Cowboys, Roosters, Raiders, Storm, Tigers, Titans

Souths were the best team in Round 1, and Penrith the most underwhelming. The premiers won’t lose two in a row. Panthers by 2.

Parra were unlucky/only have themselves to blame for losing in extra time to Melbourne while Cronulla were outclassed without Nicho Hynes. He’s out again. Eels by 4.

Broncos defended like demons against Penrith while the Cowboys started to get complacent after putting a few tries on the Raiders. Cowboys by 6.

The Roosters were pretty damn meh against the Dolphins so they’ll ensure they don’t make the same mistake against the Warriors. Roosters by 10.

Well done to the Dolphins on winning first up. After a year to plan for game one, they’ve got six days to do it again against Canberra. Raiders by 8.

Melbourne have no Cameron Munster but Canterbury have no cohesion. Storm by 12.

Tigers and Knights were both dreadful in week one and surely they both won’t be doing their utmost to lose this match. Channel Nine can’t be too thrilled that this is the Sunday free-to-air marquee “blockbuster”. Tigers by 6.

After 15 matches have already been played, the Dragons will get their chance to shine at Kogarah against Gold Coast. It’s almost like the NRL schedule-makers were keeping them from out of sight. Titans by 8.

Gold Coast Titans (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)

Mary Konstantopoulos

Panthers, Eels, Broncos, Roosters, Dolphins, Storm, Knights, Titans

The less said about my tips last week the better…..

It is such a shame that Jai Arrow and Tevita Tatola have not been named for the Bunnies this weekend because I think this would have been a cracking matchup with both teams at their best.  Given those outs, I am tipping Penrith to dominate this contest in the forwards and beat the Rabbitohs.

One of these two teams will start the season 0/2 and my hope is that it will not be the Eels. Stupidity cost them the win against the Storm and with the inclusion of some more depth in the Eels backline with the out of Nicho Hynes, I am tipping the blue and gold to get the win at home. 

The Broncos had a great win against the Panthers and I’m expecting this to continue against the Cowboys. The Broncos will dominate in the forwards and depend on Adam Reynolds to control the game. The Broncos also love playing at Suncorp so I’m expecting a tough outing for the Cowboys.

The Roosters will bounce back and beat the Warriors.

Call me crazy, but I think the Dolphins can beat the Raiders this weekend too. The most impressive thing about the Dolphins was that they proved that if you do the simple things right in rugby league you can beat almost any team.

Even without Cameron Munster, the Storm will beat the Bulldogs.

I’m tipping the Knights to bounce back and beat the Tigers, following a less-than-inspiring performance from them last weekend.

Titans to beat the Dragons who will still be rusty following a disjointed offseason due to injury and player misbehaviour.

(Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

AJ Mithen

Rabbitohs, Eels, Broncos, Roosters, Raiders, Storm, Tigers, Titans

What a week! Another season begins, and another platform is quickly built as I hurtle towards inevitable victory. Whom to tip in round two, though? This is whom. Copy these tips then on Monday, accept the gleeful respect and admiration of your pathetic tipping competition colleagues!   

Souths will beat Penrith in a true grinder. The Bunnies are up for a fight and the Panthers are just easing new combinations together.

Parra weren’t bad against the Storm, they just played the Storm. They should have the goods over a decent enough Cronulla outfit.

I like the Broncos against the Cowboys because I think they have more points in them – funny, that.

Roosters over Warriors but this one may be much closer than early expectations because the Warriors want to show they’re better than previous versions.

Your presumptive champions, the people’s team, the Canberra Raiders will travel to Redcliffe and lay a casual 56 on ‘the The’, as Rick’s Green Machine rolls inexorably forward.

Melbourne will knock over Canterbury who will show a bit of gumption early before falling as everyone else does at the Melbourne Bubble Dome.

I like the Tigers over the Knights. Both teams learned lessons in week one, I’ll back the Tigers to make the most of theirs.

Finally, I’ll take the Titans over the Dragons in a mild enough upset because they’ve got one full-tilt game in the bank and St George Illawarra do not.  

Hudson Young Raiders (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Mike Meehall Wood

Panthers, Eels, Cowboys, Roosters, Raiders, Storm, Tigers, Titans

Souths looked good and Penrith didn’t in R1, but I can’t see the Panthers losing three on the spin at home. Latrell might be rested too, so home win.

Parramatta looked alright in the defeat to Melbourne and might have won on another day. Sharks less so and without Nicho Hynes, I can’t tip them. Home win again.

The Bronx rarely string too many good performances together, the Cowboys can improve. Away to take it.

Trent will have read the riot act to his boys after the Dolphins’ defenestration last week. Chooks to win and probably by a few.

One swallow does not make a summer, so I’m backing Ricky’s men to bring Uncle Wayne down to earth this weekend. Canberra in a close one.

You could rule out 17 Storm players before I’d tip the Bulldogs to beat them in Melbourne. Home win.

Both of these were better in R1 than the scoreline suggested…it’s a tough call because intrinsically, both are rubbish until proven otherwise, so let’s go home advantage and give it to the Tigers.

Pressure is on Anthony Griffin before a ball has been kicked, and the Titans at their very worst gave the Dragons trouble last year. Away upset win for me.

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Danielle Smith

Rabbitohs, Sharks, Cowboys, Warriors, Dolphins, Storm, Knights, Titans

I love when these two play – so much resentment. The Panthers will be out to make amends for last week, but something still seems a bit askew with the Premiers, and I think the Bunnies will just sneak home even while missing Arrow and Tevita Tatola.

The Sharks were the best of the losers last week, and I was very impressed with Braydon Trindall stepping in for Hynes. They should get the job done over the Eels.

Really looking forward to this one. If the Broncos turn up with the same defence as last week against the attacking flare of the Cowboys, this should go down to the wire. I’m going Cowboys for the win, with my mate Reece Robson to have another belter.

I know, it makes no sense, but it’s me! I just feel another upset here. Warriors for back-to-back wins.

Same as above, but replace Warriors with Dolphins.

Even without Cameron Munster, they still have Harry Grant. The Storm will be too strong against the Dogs still finding their groove.

Even though it was against the Tigers, the Titans looked good last week. Kieran Foran has been named despite carrying a knee injury, regardless they have Big Tino who I think usually plays all positions anyway. Titans for the win.

Ok, last week was a practice round for my boys. Like when you were a kid and couldn’t get out in backyard cricket on the first ball. And Sheensy if you are reading this, I like where your head is at, please leave Api Koroisau off until the last five minutes. As always I’m tipping my Knights.