The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions Round 6: An Easter long weekend full of rugby league goodness

Hey Roarers!

The last round gave us absolutely everything, from huge thrashings to golden point thrillers, and even our first draw since Round 3, 2020.

Let’s recap –

Despite losing captain James Tedesco early to a failed HIA, the Roosters dug deep for a 28-20 over the Eels on Thursday night. After their hard-fought win against the Panthers the previous round, Parramatta were their own worst enemy in the discipline department, including two players being sent to the sin bin for separate incidents.

Friday night footy kicked off with a Panthers’ masterclass and a 53-12 thumping of the Raiders down in Canberra. After the premiers took a 13-6 halftime lead, the floodgates opened in the second stanza, with Jaeman Salmon getting the last laugh over his old mate Ricky Stuart.

When will we learn to never write off the Storm? Bellamy’s men put in their best defensive effort of the season for a gutsy 18-10 win against the Bunnies. Harry Grant was just phenomenal for Melbourne, while Souths looked a bit out of their depth.

“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.” – Mike Meehall Wood.

“Sea Eagles are the real deal, Newcastle are really dealing with a lot of dramas. Manly by 22.” – Paul Suttor.

“Manly will slaughter the Knights and won’t let up to let the battling Novocastrians in.” – AJ Mithen

Just thought I’d include these predictions from last week. (Insert Evil Mr Burns laugh here.) Yes, Newcastle didn’t win, but they didn’t lose or get walloped as many believed. During the epic “Battle of the Johns Brothers” my Knights and the Sea Eagles threw absolutely everything at each other during the try-scoring bonanza on Saturday which saw Dom Young cross an amazing four times. With nothing left in the tank, they could not be split after 90 minutes, giving us a memorable 32-all draw.

The Dragons bounced back from their past two thrashings for a convincing 38-12 win over the Dolphins. While Anthony Griffin would have been relieved to get the two points, Wayne Bennett will be praying for a miracle as the injury crisis deepens for the new kids on the block.

Hooley Dooley. The difference between 1st and 17th was well and truly on show on Saturday night, as the Broncos hammered the Tigers 46-12. Brisbane are flying and remain the only unbeaten side, while the poor Tigers are the only team still sitting on zero points and searching desperately for answers.

The Warriors put on a comeback for the ages, after trailing 20-0 after just 19 minutes to beat the Sharks 32-30 in a thriller on Sunday. Shaun Johnson was phenominal against his former club, helping the Warriors secure their first win at PointsBet Stadium since 2015.

Then in the last game of the round, Matt Burton became the Mayor of Belmore after his golden point field goal gave the injury-ravaged Bulldogs a courageous 15-14 win over the Cowboys. It was the perfect return home for Josh Reynolds, who ran out for his beloved Doggies after over 1000 days away from the NRL.

Giving everyone a point for the draw, Stuart was the winner this week tipping six. Mike, Mary and you legends in The Crowd tipped a solid five, Paul tipped four while AJ and I tipped three. Stuart continues to lead the way out on 26 points, while Mary and The Crowd are in second spot on 23. Mike and Paul sit in third spot on 19, I am in fourth on 17, with AJ still out the back on 14.

OK – onto Round 6!

We begin this week’s footy down at AAMI Park, where the Storm host the Roosters at 7.50pm. This should be a cracker of a game with both sides coming off gutsy wins. Melbourne have a huge inclusion welcoming back Jahrome Hughes while the tricolours will be without their skipper James Tedesco.

On Good Friday, after we have finally declared that we have eaten way too many prawns, the Bulldogs and the Rabbitohs battle it out at the earlier time of 4pm at Accor Stadium. The Doggies showed resilience last week and will need even more with all of their injuries, and the Bunnies are a bit off the pace and missing their chief “catch-ball-score-try-person” in Alex Johnston.

In the second game, the Cowboys and the Dolphins face off in Townsville at 8pm. Both sides are coming off losses and won’t want to fall too much further behind. The home side is boosted by the return of Scott Drinkwater and Reuben Cotter, while the broken Dolphins may not even have a big enough squad to field 17 players.

Saturday afternoon kicks off at the later time of 5.30pm, when the Panthers host the Sea Eagles at BlueBet Stadium. The premiers embarrassed the Raiders last week, but will be in for a much harder task without James Fisher-Harris and facing a Sea Eagles team that technically hasn’t lost a game this season.

Speaking of Canberra, they make the trek up to Suncorp Stadium to face the Broncos at 7.35pm. Brisbane are looking to make it 6-0 while the Green Machine are desperate for a win. On a great note not just for the Raiders but for all rugby league fans, how great is it to see Jarrod Croker’s name back on the team list?

Jarrod Crocker (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

On Sunday, after eating our weight in Easter eggs and hot cross buns, we can settle in for some footy, beginning with the Titans and the Dragons at Cbus Super Stadium at 4pm. It really is anyone’s guess when it comes to these two sides in general let alone when they face each other.

Then it’s off to McDonald Jones Stadium where the Knights host the Warriors at 6.15pm. This shapes up to be a really exciting game with the Knights doing their best to put drama and injuries behind them, while the Warriors are showing everyone they are a force to be reckoned with this season.

Then on Easter Monday, we finish off the round with the Tigers and Eels at Accor Stadium at 4pm. Will it be a bloodbath, a nail-biter, or an upset? With their history, who knows?

The Sharks won the jackpot by having their bye fall on the long weekend – giving them plenty of time to work on their defence.

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

Happy tipping everyone!

Stuart Thomas

Roosters, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Panthers, Broncos, Titans, Warriors, Eels

Round 6 opens with a tricky one between the improving Storm and the Tedesco-less Roosters. I’m still certain the Chooks will make the top four and not convinced the Storm will. A tight one.

The Rabbitohs will destroy the Bulldogs on Good Friday. If the blue and whites can even rustle up a team, a real injury shame for a group on the rise.

The Dolphins have been whacked by injury and have their backs up against the wall. Can they beat a Cowboys side that looked a little bland against the Dogs? Yes, they can, but against that logic, I’ll go with the Cows. Kodi Nikorima is not the answer, no matter the question. 

I was in Canberra for the Panthers’ clash with the Raiders last week and good luck to the Sea Eagles attempting to beat them in the form they showed in the chilly capital. As an extension of that comment, good luck to Ricky’s dismal Raiders on the road to Brisbane. Cricket score is on the way methinks.

The Dragons were my sneaky tip last weekend and they got up! The Titans at home will win a game that should really be excluded from tipping comps due to its unpredictable nature.

The Warriors keep winning and it is great. The Knights showed plenty against the Sea Eagles but this should be another statement win for the New Zealand team on the road.

Yeah, right. Like anyone is going to pick the Tigers. Fold the club and be done with it. Actually, move them to Adelaide!

Brandon Smith. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Mike Meehall Wood

Roosters, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Panthers, Broncos, Titans, Knights, Eels

The Storm have been good at home, and I never tip against Melbourne in Melbourne…but I really trust this Roosters side. They’ll get the job done.

The Bunnies are well overdue for thrashing someone, and I think it could be this weekend. Souths 13+ with a Latrell special.

Redcliffe are playing this weekend in the NRL, such is the injury crisis, so the Cowboys by plenty for me.

Even I can’t tip my Beaches boys this week – our defence is rubbish and the Panthers will make this look easy.

The Broncos are 5-0, and that will be 6-0 after running through Teflon Ricky’s Raiders.

The Titans are off the bye and the Dragons tend not to be good twice in a row, so Gold Coast win here.

Both of these were great last week and this could lowkey be the game of the round…Danielle, I’m with you: the Knights to take it.

Parra haven’t been anywhere near their best – but the Tigers clown car is exactly what Brad Arthur needed to see roll into his path this week. Eels to win.

(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Mary Konstantopoulos

Storm, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Panthers, Broncos, Dragons, Warriors, Eels

This first game should be an absolute cracker between two teams who have found form just at the right time. My reason for tipping the Storm is that whenever I tip against them, they seem to punish me so predicting they will get the win at home after welcoming back Jahrome Hughes.

The Bulldogs are massively down on troops and for this reason, I think overcoming Souths will be too much to ask.

I’m expecting a much-improved performance from the Dolphins, now that they are going back to Queensland, but I think their depth is still a big challenge and am tipping the Cowboys.

The Panthers will beat the Sea Eagles and I am genuinely concerned about how many points the Broncos will put on the Raiders.

The Titans are coming off the bye and their game against the Dragons will be an evenly-matched contest. This game should give us an indication of where both teams are at. I am tipping the Dragons simply because the Titans have several key players out and may struggle for direction from their spine.

The next game should also be excellent, with two teams who have been big improvers this year. I am officially declaring this the year of Shaun Johnson and tipping the Warriors.

If the Eels do not beat the Tigers, I am going to a very dark place. Everything on paper points to an Eels win, but as we know in this competition, anything can happen.

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

Paul Suttor

Roosters, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Panthers, Broncos, Titans, Knights, Eels

The Roosters are rising but the jury is still out on the Storm even though they’re getting Jahrome Hughes back. Roosters by 8.

Canterbury have too many injuries and the Bunnies will find some form. Rabbitohs by 7.

Nth Qld are still scratchy but the Dolphins’ depth is being tested and failing. Cowboys by 10.

Penrith will miss James Fisher-Harris but should be too strong at home against Manly. Panthers by 4.

It’s sunny every day in Brisbane at the moment but bleak in Canberra. Broncos by 16.

Gold Coast and the Dragons are the NRL definition of hot-and-cold teams. Titans by 12.

Newcastle are showing some grit, the Warriors are on fire. Knights by 2.

The Tigers are a dumpster fire, the Eels aren’t much better. Parra by 18

Jack Bird. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

AJ Mithen

Roosters, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Panthers, Raiders, Dragons, Warriors, Eels

Easter, that most rugby league of times. Five days jam-packed with games, fun, frivolity and warmingly familiar tipping domination by your reigning champion. Here’s this week’s card. 

Roosters over the Storm but it’ll be a beaut.

Bunnies over Dogs cos the Dogs are a bit busted.

Cowboys over Dolphins cos the Dolphins are pretty busted.

Penrith over Manly but with no real confidence, given the premiers had a training session last Friday.

Your presumptive champions, the people’s team, the Canberra Raiders will head north to SHOCK THE WORLD as they lay a casual 56 on the undefeated Broncos, who are smelling themselves and unprepared for the Green Machine’s relentless quality.

Dragons over Titans in a close one.

Warriors over the Knights cos they’re better.

Eels over Tigers cos LOL Tigers.  

Valentine Holmes (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Danielle Smith

Storm, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Sea Eagles, Broncos, Titans, Knights, Eels

Storm, I apologise for ever doubting you. I’m back in your corner this week.

If it wasn’t for all of the injuries I would be tipping the Bulldogs as the Bunnies still haven’t impressed me this season. But I think Souths will do enough for a win here.

No one expected the Cowboys to be so low on the ladder, but playing at home with a few big names back should be enough to get the job done over a very understrength Dolphins.

I know the Panthers destroyed the Raiders, but something is telling me to go with the Sea Eagles. More than likely it’s something stupid, hence why I never win these things!

As much as I’d love a Raiders win for Croker, I cannot in good conscious tip against the Broncos.

These guys give me such a headache. My flip-a-coin-tip…………Titans.

I’m sure we will all be shaking our heads after the Tigers once again cause an upset against the Eels, but I can’t risk it.

Well, this is a weird feeling. It’s been a few weeks now since Newcastle lost! As amazing as the Warriors are playing, you all know the drill – as always I’m tipping my Knights.