Hey Roarers!

What. A. Round. Five days of footy that saw big names face their old clubs for the first time, hattricks galore, upsets a plenty, and a tonne of heartbreaking injuries.

Let’s recap –

It wasn’t the result Brandon Smith wanted against his former team, as the Storm took home a 28-8 victory over the Roosters on Thursday night. Harry Grants was once again close to perfect, Xavier Coates walked away with three meat pies, while Victor Radley shocked everyone when he found himself in the naughty corner.

It was not a Good Friday for the Bulldogs and their fans, finishing on the wrong side of a 50-16 thrashing against the Rabbitohs. While the Bunnies were superb and Latrell Mitchell scored three tries, the Dogs’ day got even worse with Josh Addo-Carr now sidelined for eight weeks after a terrible syndesmosis injury.

With both teams missing troops, the Dolphins proved too strong for the Cowboys on Friday night with a 32-22 win. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Gilbert both scored against their former team, Jamayne Isaako joined the Treble Club, while Cowboys forward Griffin Neame will miss two months after suffering a severe throat injury.

The Panthers backed up last week’s thrashing of the Raiders with another pile-on, this time against the Sea Eagles with a 44-12 thumping on Saturday afternoon. Manly were down to 15 men after losing Karl Lawton and Reuben Garrick early, while Brad Parker made a great audition tape in case he decides to ever join Joseph Suaalii in rugby union. The Premiers were in complete control from start to finish, while “nice guy” Dylan Edwards felt he was too good for the Treble Club and decided to score four tries.

BREAKING!

Rugby Australia table $4.6 million (per year) offer for Brad Parker off the back of these two elite demonstrations of Rugby skills. pic.twitter.com/068XDhwlzI

— Karate Warrior II (@me_dc) April 8, 2023

I think AJ is still celebrating after his Green Machine caused a huge 20-14 upset against the previously unbeaten Broncos on Saturday night. It was so good to see Canberra veteran Jarrod Croker back on the field, not so much seeing teammate Jordan Rapana and his sickening head gash that resulted in 20 stitches.

While not the most clinical, it was certainly an entertaining arm wrestle between the Titans and Dragons on Sunday afternoon. A Ben Hunt try in the 73rd minute gave the Red V an 18-14 lead, but a converted Tanah Boyd try just before the siren saw the Titans sneak home for a 20-18.

NEW-CA-STLE! NEW-CA-STLE! My Knights left nothing in the tank against a tough and determined Warriors, taking out an impressive 34-24 win on Sunday night. While the view from inside the top eight is glorious, it has come at a cost, with skipper Jayden Brailey now sidelined for the remainder of the season after suffering his second ACL injury in three years.

Oh Tigers, you almost got there. Despite their best effort of the season, it just wasn’t enough against the Eels and an unstoppable Mitch Moses, going down 28-22 on Easter Monday. While Isaiah Papali’i would be hurting after losing to his former club, it’s nothing compared to what his injured teammates would be feeling, with Adam Doueihi suffering his third ACL injury and Brent Naden left with a broken collarbone.

Mike, Paul, you legends in The Crowd and myself all got five (yes, I have double-checked my tips), while AJ, Mary and Stuart all tipped four. Our newbie is still in the lead with 30, while The Crowd are still close behind on 28. Mary is in third with 27, Paul and Mike are fourth with 24, I am in fifth with 22 while our reigning champion AJ is still last on 18.

OK, onto Round 7!

The Rabbitohs travel up to Suncorp Stadium tonight to take on The Dolphins at 7.50pm. Wayne Bennett and Mark Nicholls will be looking to get a win against their former club, and will be glad that Jesse Bromwich is back to help the cause. The Bunnies are boosted by the return of Alex Johnston and Jai Arrow, and with both teams coming off solid wins this should be an exciting game.

The Sharks kick off Friday night footy, hosting the Roosters at PointsBet Stadium at 6pm. Skipper James Tedesco is a welcomed addition for the tricolours, and while the Sharks are fresh off the bye they will be missing some muscle upfront with Dale Finucane and Toby Rudolf out.

We then head across to 4 Pines Park to see the next instalment of ‘The Battle of Brookie’ between Mike’s Sea Eagles and the Storm at 8pm. Both teams are without their starting goalkickers in Nick Meany and Reuben Garrick, while teh Stomr should be covered, maybe the latest Manly recruit Aaron Woods has brought his kicking tee with him to the Northern Beaches?

In the first game of Super Saturday, the Cowboys head across the ditch to take on the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium at 3pm. Both teams will be happy to add some big names to the team list, with Tohu Harris returning for the home side, while Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi are back for the Cowboys.

The Knights host the Panthers at McDonald Jones Stadium at 5.30pm. The Premiers are on a roll and out to make it three thrashings in a row – not if my boys can help it!

Then the Broncos head across town to take on the Titans at CBus Stadium at 7.35pm. After suffering their first loss of the season, Brisbane will be looking to bounce back against one of the most unpredictable sides in the competition.

Sunday afternoon begins in the nation’s capital as AJ’s Raiders and Dragons face off at 2pm. Can Canberra make it back-to-back wins against a Red V seemingly caught in a downward spiral?

Then we get to watch one of the best rivalries in the game, as Mary’s Eels and the Bulldogs finish off the round at CommBank Stadium at 4pm. The Dogs’ injury woes continue with the news Viliame Kiaku is set for a long stint on the sideline, while his teammate Reed Mahoney will be hoping for a win against his former club.

I usually have a cheeky comment to say for the team with the bye, but I just don’t have the heart to do that to the Tigers this week. I hope they have a nice weekend off, and maybe they can use the time to head into Flight Centre and check out some holiday deals for September.

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

Rabbitohs, Roosters, Storm, Warriors, Panthers, Titans, Raiders, Eels

The Bulldogs may well have played the Rabbitohs into some serious form, as the Bunnies found their attacking mojo on Good Friday. With key men still missing from the Dolphins’ spine, Souths should back up that performance with another comfortable win.

The Sharks and Roosters game looks like a potential cracker, James Tedesco is back for the Chooks and many believe that will make all the difference. It probably will.

The Sea Eagles will hope for an immediate bounce-back after the embarrassing loss to the Panthers and the Storm look to be idling in around third gear. Aaron Woods into the Manly team is all I need to know. Melbourne far too good.

Which Warriors will we get this week? At home, likely the one that impresses far more than the road version. The Cowboys were far from convincing against the Dolphins and that says the Warriors might get back in the winners’ list this week.

Good luck competing with, let alone beating the Panthers this week Newcastle. I don’t think you will be.

After their first slip-up of the season against the Raiders in Round 6 and the continued solid form of the Titans, the Broncos will lose again. Gold Coast into the top four!

Chuck a dart at the wall to select the Raiders and Dragons clash. I simply have no idea. A few key-ins for the home side and the local environment might just be enough to get the green machine home.

The Bulldogs welcome back a busload of players for their clash with Parramatta, yet Josh Addo-Carr’s absence really hurts them on the left side. The Eels are yet to impress emphatically and being up against an old rival could be the tonic they need.

Mary Konstantopoulos

Rabbitohs, Roosters, Storm, Warriors, Panthers, Broncos, Raiders, Eels

The Dolphins have been the toughest team to tip this year. They have been extremely brave and have demonstrated how successful a team can be when they do the little things right. However, with Jai Arrow returning for the Bunnies, I think their forward pack will be too strong for The Dolphins. So tipping the Bunnies but will not be surprised with a Dolphins win.

The Roosters will be disappointed following their loss against the Storm and with the return of James Tedesco I am tipping them to beat Cronulla. The Sharks will be buoyed by the return of Wade Graham and Connor Tracey, but I do question the strength of their pack with Dale Finucane and Toby Rudolf out.

The Storm should have no problem defeating the Sea Eagles; I’m also very interested to see the impact of moving Cameron Munster to fullback.

The next game should be one of the best of the round, but given the Cowboys’ recent form, I am tipping the Warriors to get the job done at home. Just quietly on the Warriors, hasn’t it been great to see Shaun Johnson return to such great form?

The Panthers will beat the Knights, but the Knights have been very plucky in recent weeks. Their performance in this game should give us a good indication of where the team is at.

Same goes for the later game on Saturday night between two teams who have been bouncing in and out of form. I’m tipping the Raiders who will be buoyed by their big win over the Broncos last week.

The Broncos will bounce back strongly against the Titans and I’m tipping the Eels to beat the Bulldogs (although with very little confidence).

Mike Meehall Wood

Rabbitohs, Roosters, Sea Eagles, Cowboys, Panthers, Broncos, Raiders, Eels

If Souths turn up in attack this could be anything, but if they don’t, they’re very vulnerable. I’ll be confident and pick the Bunnies.

The Roosters have a decent record in the Shire and will be seething after last week’s loss. Cronulla have fluffed their lines twice at home and will again.

Manly can’t go on being that bad, right? With no confidence, I’m taking my Beaches boys.

The Warriors have been decent, but I can’t see the run continuing forever…the Cowboys are the opposite, and I can’t see them continuing to be this bad. NQ to win.

Panthers by a thousand over the Knights.

The Titans have been improving, the Broncos might yet be fools’ gold. I’ll pick the Bronx, but would not at all be surprised to see them lose.

Raiders should cruise against a poor Dragons.

Parra squeaked by the Tigers, but the Dogs are the most battered group around at the moment. I’ll take the Eels.

Paul Suttor

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

Souths are far from sure things against the Dolphins.  Dolphins by 1.

Sharks have a poor recent record against the Roosters, even at home. Roosters by 4.

Manly can’t tackle, Storm can attack. Storm by 12.

Cowboys are in a slump but Warriors are banged up. Cowboys by 6.

Knights have improved recently but aren’t in Penrith’s league. Panthers by 10.

Titans are unpredictable and Broncos got a wake-up call last week. Titans by 8.

Canberra have a lengthy history of dominating the Dragons. Raiders by 8.

Parramatta have awoken from their slumber while Viliame Kikau and Josh Addo-Carr are huge long-term outs for the Dogs. Eels by 16.

Both the bye and Wests Tigers have struggled to put points on the board while their defence has been equally poor. Draw.

AJ Mithen

Rabbitohs, Roosters, Storm, Warriors, Panthers, Titans, Raiders, Eels

The Easter round continued my tipping resurrection as I storm through the field of pretenders to my rightful place at the head of the field.

I just realised I don’t think I’ve tipped the Dolphins all year, and I’m not about to start now. It’s nothing personal Wayne, you know I love you. Bunnies by enough.

The Chooks better get themselves together against the Sharks or they’re in all sorts. They’ll win.

Storm over Manly. The Southerners haven’t really torn anyone up yet this year, this might be the first time…    

Warriors over Cowboys but a North Queensland win wouldn’t surprise at all.

Panthers over Knights who will do their best but get flogged like everyone else.

I actually think the Titans can get the Broncos, although the ponies are a good squad.

Your presumptive champions, the people’s team, the Canberra Raiders, fresh from SHOCKING THE WORLD will lay a casual 56 on the hapless Dragons.

To wrap it up, Parra will do enough to down the Dogs.

Danielle Smith

Dolphins, Roosters, Storm, Cowboys, Knights, Broncos, Raiders, Eels

The Dolphins really impressed me against the Cowboys last week, while the Bunnies are still too hot and cold for me.

I’m expecting this to be a great game, with the Roosters to do just enough to get the points.

Thankfully I learnt my lesson early enough to tip the Storm last week, and after the drivel the Sea Eagles produced against the Panthers I will be happy sticking with them this week.

The Warriors have shown they are here to play this season, and while all signs point to a win for them at home here, I just cannot bring myself to tip against my mate Reece Robson and the Cowboys. They should snap out of the funk they find themselves in any day now.

After the start to the season the Broncos had, I can’t believe this game was my coin-flip-tip. I think Brisbane will bounce back here.

The Raiders will absolutely annihilate the Dragons.

This will be a lot closer than people think, and even though I am still tempted to tip the Dogs, I’m locking in the Eels unconvincingly.

Back-to-back premiers the Panthers? Never heard of them. As always I’m tipping my Knights.

Round 7	AJ	Danielle	Mary	Mike	Paul	Stuart	Crowd
DOL V SOU	SOU	DOL	SOU	SOU	DOL	SOU	DOL
CRO V SYD	SYD	SYD	SYD	SYD	SYD	SYD	CRO
MAN V MEL	MEL	MEL	MEL	MAN	MEL	MEL	MAN
NZL V NQL	NZW	NQL	NZL	NQL	NQL	NZL	NZL
NEW V PEN	PEN	NEW	PEN	PEN	PEN	PEN	PEN
GLD V BRI	GLD	BRI	BRI	BRI	GLD	GLD	GLD
CAN V STI	CAN	CAN	CAN	CAN	CAN	CAN	CAN
PAR V CBY	PAR	PAR	PAR	PAR	PAR	PAR	PAR
Last week	4	5	4	5	5	4	5
Total	18	22	27	24	24	30	28