Hey Roarers!

The crowds are up, the quality has been phenomenal and we have a top four that not even Nostradamus could have predicted. How good is rugby league?!

It was another exciting round that included a brand-new rivalry that was even better than expected.

Let’s recap –

On Thursday we watched 2022 grand final opponents the Eels and the Panthers add another exciting chapter to their rivalry. It was an edge-of-your-seat thriller that once again went down to the wire, with Mitch Moses securing Parramatta’s first win of the year with a field goal in golden point for a 13-12 victory. I think Mary is still smiling!

The same can’t be said for the Tigers, who are now sitting 0-4 for the season following their 24-12 loss to the Storm on Friday night. Cam Munster returned for Melbourne giving them a much-needed boost, while the Tigers just seem to be in a world of hurt.

Then we had the top-of-the-table clash, the battle of Brisbane, Bennett-Bowl – whatever you called it – in the highly anticipated game between the Broncos and the Dolphins. After a brilliant arm wrestle, a 79th-minute run-away Kotoni Staggs try gave Brisbane an 18-12 win. And I’m not the best lip reader, but I’m pretty sure Staggs was just politely letting everyone know the Broncos’ address after he scored.

Staggs makes a statement ????#NRLDolphinsBroncos pic.twitter.com/VjUeY0Kz5Z

— NRL (@NRL) March 24, 2023

On Saturday the Cowboys got back into the winner’s circle with a 24-12 win over the Titans. Both teams struggled through the match with injuries and errors, but in the end the Cowboys got the job in front of a relieved home crowd.

It was an emotional night for the Rabbitohs who honoured the late John Sattler the best way they could, with a 13-12 win over the Sea Eagles. A Lachlan Ilias golden point field goal not only ensured victory for Souths over their 1970s grand final rivals, but to win with 13 points – Sattler’s number – was just perfect. And on a personal note, I’m starting a ‘Keaon Koloamatangi for Origin’ petition for anyone who would like to sign.

The thrillers kept coming as the Warriors secured a 16-14 win over the Bulldogs on Sunday. Shaun Johnson turned back the clock, playing his best game in recent memory and scoring the winning try for the home side.

Well would you look at that – the Knights beat the Raiders! After trailing 14-8 at halftime Newcastle turned it on after the break with three tries in six minutes and were able to hold out the Green Machine for a 24-14 win. I’m calling it now – Lachie Miller is the buy of the season. And to all the tipsters that my boys cost a perfect round – sorry-not-sorry.

In the final game of the round, Nicho Hynes made his first appearance for the Sharks this year, and put on a masterclass by guiding them to a 40-8 win over the Dragons. The Red V had another second-half shocker, going from leading 8-6 at halftime to leaking 34 unanswered points after the break.

Mary was the winner of the round tipping seven, with Stuart just behind with six. Paul and you legends in the Crowd tipped five, while AJ, Mike and I tipped four. Stuart is still holding onto the lead with 20, while Mary and the Crowd are in second on 18. Paul is third on 15, Mike and I are fourth on 14, with AJ out the back on 11.

My Knights beat his Raiders, and he is coming last here in the tips. Thoughts and prayers for AJ, please.

OK, onto Round 5!

It all starts tonight at Allianz Stadium when Roosters and the Eels battle it out at 8pm. The tricolours will be rested coming off the bye while Eels will be hoping to get another win on the board. A big out for each side with Joey Manu and Junior Paulo both suspended.

Friday night footy kicks off in the nation’s capital when the Raiders minus Jack Wighton host the Panthers at GIO Stadium at 6pm. We all know there is no love lost between these two sides, they are both coming off fourth-round losses, so I’m expecting another firey battle tonight. And hopefully a fun Ricky Stuart press conference.

We then head back up the freeway to Accor Stadium to see the Rabbitohs and the Storm at 8pm. Both teams have had slow starts to the season and will be looking to secure back-to-back wins for the first time in 2023.

We hit the open road and make our way up to Mudgee for the start of Super Saturday, where the Sea Eagles and the Knights face off at 3pm. Manly will be looking to keep their record out west in tact, but Newcastle will be on a high after their win against Canberra and will want to keep the upsets coming.

The second game sees the Dragons host the Dolphins at WIN Stadium at 5.30pm. Wayne Bennett’s men have had their first-ever loss and will be missing some strike power including Sean O’Sullivan. The Dragons are coming off two thumpings and have players admitting they don’t want to be there. That place is falling apart.

Then we are up to Suncorp Stadium for 1st vs 17th – the Broncos and the Tigers – at 7.35pm. Brisbane are unbeaten and firing on all cylinders, while the Tigers are a mess and will be hoping for another miracle like in round 20 last year when they caused a 32-18 upset.

Sunday footy sees Shaun Johnson face his old club when the Warriors travel to PointsBet Stadium to take on the Sharks at 4pm. This should be a cracker of a game with both teams coming off wins and playing some great footy.

Then to finish off the round, the Bulldogs host the Cowboys at Accor Stadium at 6.15pm. Both clubs have a lot of talent sitting on the sideline, so this one is anyone’s guess. But how good is it to see Josh Reynolds named on the Bulldogs’ bench? A wonderful full-circle moment.

The Titans get the bye this round and can have some fun in the sun at Movie World and Wet n Wild. How much fun is that Scooby Doo ride?!

If you would like to have a go this year, just remember to get your tips in by 5pm tonight to be counted in The Crowd’s tips.

Happy tipping everyone!

Stuart Thomas

Roosters, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Dragons, Broncos, Sharks, Bulldogs

On-field, the Roosters are quietly trucking along nicely after overcoming a shock early season loss. Off-field, things look more like a bin fire. The impact of the defection of Joseph Sua’ali’i to team, club and code morale is yet to be seen. But hey, it is only the Eels this week and the Chooks should have too many weapons for them to counter.

I’ll be in Canberra for the Raiders and Panthers on Friday night, expecting the champs to flex their muscles against a Wighton-less green machine.

The Bunnies will beat the Storm in their Friday night blockbuster.

The Sea Eagles have started nicely under their new coach, despite the heartbreak of a one-point loss to the Rabbitohs last week and they should have too many points in them, in a high-scoring affair against the Knights on Saturday afternoon.

Injuries will test the Dolphins against the Dragons, yet the Red V looks like a hot mess at the moment. I’m struggling to pick a winner but expect the Dolphins to manage it on the road in what could be a wild affair. Actually, no. The Dragons to win.

Mad would be the person tipping against the Broncos and seeing a Tigers triumph at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. You simply have to back the home side.

The Sharks were invigorated by Nicho Hynes’ return last weekend and their clash with the impressive Warriors looks a promising one. New Zealand on the road is a worry, Sharks to win down in the shire.

The idea of a fairy tale return for Josh Reynolds is an attractive one, yet could it actually play out against a Cowboys team yet to find top form in 2023? They were better against the Titans last round, yet the Doggies will be fired up at home for their third win of the season.

Mary Konstantopoulos

Eels, Panthers, Souths, Sea Eagles, Dragons, Brisbane, Sharks, Bulldogs

I am once again tipping the Eels against my better judgement perhaps because I too desperately want them to clock up another win. The reason I tip Parramatta with caution this week is that I wonder whether Parramatta can match it in the forwards against the Roosters without Junior Paulo. The key for the Eels in this game must be to match it with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Lindsay Collins early and throughout the game. There’s an extra glimmer of hope for Parramatta though given the omission of Joseph Manu. 

I cannot see the Panthers losing two weeks in a row and I expect them to beat a Raiders team that was very disappointing against the Knights last weekend. 

The next game is one of the matches of the round and I am tipping South Sydney. The Storm are in an interesting place at the moment. They looked a lot better with Cameron Munster, but still look well away from their best. They are still missing a number of key players and their depth is being tested. South Sydney were poor against the Manly Sea Eagles and I’m expecting a much better completion rate from them this weekend.

I’m tipping Manly against the Knights but again am not super confident. Manly’s attack still seems to be lacking some creativity and the Knights showed plenty of ticker against the Raiders last week. The home-ground advantage and the creativity of Tom Trbojevic and Josh Schuster should be enough to get Manly the two points. 

I’m really torn on the next game. My heart says the Dolphins, but I am a little bit worried about them given the injury to Sean O’Sullivan. The Dragons have been completely uninspiring, but with some returning players, they should be strong enough to beat the Dolphins whose depth is really being tested at the moment.

Brisbane will beat the Tigers and I am tipping the Sharks to beat the Warriors (despite this being a Shaun Johnson revenge game).

The Bulldogs will be looking to bounce back after last weekend when they perhaps took the Warriors a little too lightly. The Cowboys will struggle away from home and it’s not clear to me where their points will come from, especially without Scott Drinkwater, Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulangi.

Mike Meehall Wood

Roosters, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Dolphins, Broncos, Sharks, Bulldogs

Parra will miss Junior Paulo more than the Roosters miss Joey Manu, plus the Chooks are at home, so an easy one to start. Roosters win.

Jack Wighton is a huge miss and the Panthers are off the bye, so an away win here.

The Bunnies are finding form after a tough start and will continue that against Melbourne. Could be a few, too, if they click on the left.

Manly love Mudgee, having torched the opposition there two years running. Make it three, my glorious Beaches boys will take lumps out of Danielle’s Knights.

It could be an absolute snoozefest between the Dragons and Dolphins with two teams that play safety first… Dolphins are better at it so I’ll tip them.

Broncos should absolutely destroy the Tigers. Yeah, I remember thinking the same last year when the Tigs got up but lightning won’t strike twice.

Warriors have been good but the Sharks are well into their groove now. Home win, but could be close.

Sentimental vote time as Josh Reynolds scores a hat trick to send the Doggies over the Cowboys.

2,033 days in the making – Josh Reynolds will officially return to Bulldogs first grade on Sunday night against the Cowboys ???????? pic.twitter.com/LMAUHkXVdd

— Bulldogs Kennel (@BulldogsKennel) March 28, 2023

Paul Suttor

Roosters, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Dolphins, Broncos, Sharks, Cowboys

Eels left it all on the park last week in sneaking past Penrith and the Roosters are well rested. Roosters by 8.

Canberra are struggling – they need a roster overhaul while the Panthers are simply below their best but still playing better than nearly all the rest. Panthers by 12.

Rabbitohs are slow starters but the Storm are missing Jahrome Hughes. Souths by 6.

Sea Eagles are the real deal, Newcastle are really dealing with a lot of dramas. Manly by 22.

Hardest game to pick – Dragons at home in Wollongong but playing poorly, Dolphins depleted and on the road and coming off the hype of their grand final against Brisbane. Dolphins by 2.

Easiest game to pick – Broncos are on a tear, Tigers fans are in tears. Broncos by 20.

Sharks have found their mojo with Nicho Hynes back, the Warriors have over-achieved. Sharks by 18.

Bulldogs were a tad unlucky to lose in Auckland and Nth Qld haven’t rediscovered last year’s magic but should be too good, just. Cowboys by 4.

AJ Mithen

Eels, Raiders, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Dragons, Broncos, Sharks, Cowboys

I’ve hit Double figures, baby! Here I come as my back to back tipping championship charge begins with renewed zest and vigour. This week’s winners are…

Parra over the Roosters cos I think they attack better, it’s a real coin flip.

Your presumptive champions, the people’s team, the Canberra Raiders to wake up to themselves and lay a casual 56 on the underwhelming Panthers. This game will be over after 20 minutes.

Rabbitohs over the Storm purely on personnel available and the shape they’re in.

Manly will slaughter the Knights and won’t let up to let the battling Novocastrians in.

The Dragons will beat the Dolphins cos it’s exactly what they’d do.

Broncos over Tigers, cos sheesh.

Sharks over Warriors cos Nicho.

Cowboys over Bulldogs cos they’re better, even though they haven’t sorted themselves properly yet.

Danielle Smith

Eels, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Knights, Dolphins, Broncos, Sharks, Cowboys

I should take the Roosters off the bye over the Eels without workorse Junior Paulo, but what fun would that be? Parra for the win.

Grudge match city! I think the Raiders will match the Panthers in spite, but not on the scoreboard. I’m going Panthers.

The Bunnies will be too strong for the Storm who are still well off the pace this season.

I cannot in good conscience tip the Dragons, no matter how many injuries the Dolphins have. Bennett’s boys here.

Yes, I know I tipped the Tigers last week to cause an upset. I shan’t be doing that again. Broncos with an easy win.

I am really looking forward to this one. Nicho Hynes was close to perfect last week, and I’m expecting the same again. Sharks in real close one.

Both teams are missing some troops, my head says Bulldogs but I just can’t bring myself to tip against my mate Reece Robson and the Cowboys.

The effort, guts and heart my boys showed last week helps me say this with so much more ease than usual – as always I’m tipping my Knights.

Round 5	AJ	Danielle	Mary	Mike	Paul	Stuart	Crowd
SYD V PAR	PAR	PAR	PAR	SYD	SYD	SYD	SYD
CAN V PEN	CAN	PEN	PEN	PEN	PEN	PEN	CAN
SOU V MEL	SOU	SOU	SOU	SOU	SOU	SOU	SOU
MAN V NEW	MAN	NEW	MAN	MAN	MAN	MAN	MAN
STI V DOL	STI	DOL	STI	DOL	DOL	STI	STI
BRI V WST	BRI	BRI	BRI	BRI	BRI	BRI	BRI
CRO V NZL	CRO	CRO	CRO	CRO	CRO	CRO	CRO
CBY V NQL	NQL	NQL	CBY	CBY	NQL	CBY	BUL
Last week	4	4	7	4	5	6	5
Total	11	14	18	14	15	20	18