The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions Magic Round: Rugby league's most enchanting weekend

Hey Roarers!

It was another huge round of footy, including some blowouts, close finishes as well as the upset of the year.

The Sharks ran rampant over the struggling Cowboys, handing them a 44-6 thrashing on Thursday night at Shark Park. Nicho Hynes once again starred for the home side, and unsurprisingly took out the inaugural Paul Green Medal.

And just to show he can do no wrong, Hynes gifted the medal as well as his game jersey back to Green’s children after the game. All class.

In another walloping, the Eels had a field day against the Knights with a 43-12 win on Friday night at Commbank Stadium. Clint Gutherson grabbed a hattrick and Mitch Moses was perfect with the boot, as the Eels secured their fourth win of the season.

Then it was the Rabbitohs’ turn to show up their opponents, proving too strong against the Broncos with a 32-6 win at Suncorp Stadium. It wasn’t quite the match of the round that many predicted, with the Bunnies putting on six tries to one against the understrength table leaders.

Super Saturday gave us our first arm wrestle of the round, with the Raiders taking out a 31-30 victory over the Dolphins in Wagga Wagga. The game was sent to golden point with Jamal Fogarty kicking the winning field goal in the 83rd minute.

We made our way over to the Northern Beaches where the Titans got the chocolates over the Sea Eagles with a 26-10 win. The Titans made sure they didn’t blow another halftime lead as they put on a gutsy performance to get the job done on the road.

And then….it happened. In torrential conditions in Bathurst, the rugby league gods smiled on the Tigers as they beat the Panthers 12-8, getting their first win of the season.

Luke Brooks was close to perfect while showing the world what he can do, Api Koroisau finally got his first victory in his new colours against his old club, and what a performance from young fullback Jahream Bula?!

The weather was the same across the ditch on Sunday, where the Roosters kept the Warriors scoreless with a 14-0 win. The visitors adapted to the conditions much better than the home side, with Joey Manu proving once again to be the perfect halves pairing for Luke Keary. What will happen with Sam Walker Roarers?

The Bulldogs and Dragons wrapped up the round down in Wollongong, with the Doggies taking out a tight 18-16 win. Josh Reynolds and the referee became best friends, while Anthony Griffin’s support from the Red V faithful continues to grow.

Paul topped the round with six, while Stuart and Mike were just behind on five. Mary and AJ tipped four, you legends in The Crowd tipped three, while yours truly tipped two. Yep, the world looks normal again after I got six last week!

Stuart is still out in front on 45, with Mary in second on 42. Mike and The Crowd are third on 41, then it’s Paul on 39, I me on 33 with AJ still out the back on 32.

Ok, onto Round 10 – Magic Round!

The Bulldogs and the Raiders kick off the festivities tonight at 6pm. Both teams got the two points last week and will be looking to keep that winning feeling going.

The Broncos smashed the Sea Eagles 38-0 during last year’s Magic Round, with the sides facing off again in the Friday night 8pm matchup tonight. Who will get the bragging rights this time?

Super Saturday kicks off at 3pm with the Panthers trying to avoid their third straight loss on the trot against the Warriors who will be looking to make amends after being held to nil by the Roosters. Both teams have their double-barrel-surnamed stars back in Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and James Fisher-Harris.

Then it’s the inform Sharks taking on the Dolphins in their first-ever Magic Round at 5.30pm. It’s also a historic game for Supercoach Wayne Bennett, who will be holding the clipboard for his 900th NRL game.

Then at 7.45pm we have what is shaping up to be the match of the round between the Storm and the Rabbitohs. Will Latrell Mitchell pull a rabbit out of his hat, or will Cam Munster weave his magic for the win?

Super Sunday begins at 1.50pm with the Tigers hoping to go back-to-back against the Dragons. Zac Lomax wasn’t invited to Brisbane while the rest of the Red V are in all sorts, while the win against the Panthers may just be the confidence the Tigers needed.

Then it’s the Roosters and the Cowboys turn to face off at 4pm. The Tricolours are starting to find some form while the Cowboys are desperate to recreate the success from last season.

Finishing off Magic Round are the Titans and the Eels at 6.25pm. Both teams are slowly climbing up the ladder and will be wanting to end the weekend on a high.

My Knights have the bye, with some players spending their time doing some important research on the best places to take an end-of-season trip.

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

Happy tipping everyone!

Stuart Thomas

Bulldogs, Broncos, Panthers, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Dragons, Roosters, Titans 

Slowly but surely the Bulldogs are clearing out the M.A.S.H repatriation ward and despite looking up against it last Sunday, they grabbed the points against a very ordinary St George-Illawarra. It is a short turnaround, but hey, Canberra were mighty lucky to beat the Phins.

The Broncos are away from home against the Sea Eagles on Friday night. Yeah, right. Brisbane in a canter.

Penrith losing three on the trot is unlikely, although they will have to be somewhere near their best to beat the Warriors.

In the lock of the week, the Sharks will belt the Dolphins by 20 odd points in the Saturday twilight. 

I’m a firm believer in the Bunnies, yet the Storm off the bye will be something of a challenge. Can Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker inspire yet again? I think they can. Souths to win in the game of the round.

I will not be watching the Tigers and Dragons early Sunday afternoon. Frankly, I have enough pain and frustration in my life. I will catch the replay later in the week, a match that the Dragons should win.

The Cowboys are losing personnel and confidence as we speak. The Roosters new halves combination looks good and Sam Walker had best be seeking a new club. The Chooks by plenty.

In the final match of Magic Round, the Titans have the chance to move back inside the top eight against the Eels. I’m not sure Parramatta’s win over the Knights meant much and the Titans’ effort against the Sea Eagles did. That is my thinking and the Gold Coast should win in the Queensland sunshine.

 (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Mary Konstantopoulos

Raiders, Broncos, Panthers, Sharks, Storm, Dragons, Roosters, Eels

The Bulldogs had a fantastic win last week, but I am still really concerned about the number of injuries that they have. The Raiders have had a couple of nerve-racking wins over the last couple of weeks and I expect that winning streak to continue.

I genuinely cannot get a read on Manly this season and have no idea what they are going to do week to week. But the Broncos have been one of the more dominant teams this year and love playing at home, so they will get the two points here. Broncos fans may have been underwhelmed by the loss to the Rabbitohs last week, but the return of Payne Haas and Ezra Mam will be a massive boost.

I cannot imagine a world where the Panthers lose three in a row, so I am slightly concerned about the Warriors in this one. Panthers to win and by plenty just to make a statement.

We all know that the Dolphins have plenty of grit, but the Sharks are one of the most exciting teams in the competition. I think the Sharks will score too many points up front for the Pins to chase down.

The next game should be a cracker and the only reason I am tipping the Storm is because I know how much they love playing at Suncorp. I also regret it when I tip against the Storm so am picking them in this one.

From one fascinating contest to another, I am tipping the Dragons to beat a Tigers team who will no doubt be buoyed by a win last week. Zac Lomax is a surprising omission, but I’m not sure I have the courage to tip the Tigers… at least not yet.

The Roosters will beat the Cowboys and the Eels to beat the Titans in what will be a points-fest.

Cronulla Sharks (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Mike Meehall Wood

Raiders, Broncos, Panthers, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Tigers, Roosters, Eels

The Bulldogs got up last week, but their short turnaround and injury list will defeat them this time around. Raiders to take the opening game spoils.

No amount of bias could make me tip Manly for this one. The Broncos by plenty. Yes, I am doing this because I want reverse psychology to work, but also because it is what I think will happen.

The Panthers will bounce back against the Warriors, no worries there.

The Sharks fell flat on their faces at Magic Round last year, losing to Canberra when heavy favourites…they won’t do that again. Cronulla to keep on trucking.

The Bunnies are red hot, the Storm are off a Bye. It’s a blockbuster but I’ll edge towards Souths.

Can we tip the Tigers now? Well, maybe we can against the most bang average of Dragons teams. Wests to win a true Spoonbowl.

Roosters are good, Cows are not. Chooks take it.

The Titans put the sword through Manly last week and looked great, but the Eels were even better. With zero confidence, I’ll take Parra to close it out.

Joseph Suaalii. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Paul Suttor

Bulldogs, Broncos, Panthers, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Tigers, Roosters, Eels

Canterbury are showing some spirit but Canberra seem to still be disjointed and “Faders” in the second half – is that a thing? Bulldogs by 4.

Manly have Tom Turbo back but Brisbane have Payne Haas returning and home-ground advantage for this Brookvale Suncorp stoush. Broncos by 12.

The Warriors are punching above their weight and Penrith are below their best but James Fisher-Harris’ return is as big as his biceps. Panthers by 12.

Cronulla are red-hot at the moment but the Dolphins vary from lukewarm to lukecold (is that a thing?) – Sharks by 10.

Melbourne and Souths is easily the most magical match of the round and will go down to the wire. Rabbitohs by 2.

Wests Tigers and Dragons is easily the least magical match of the round and will probably go down to the wire because both teams can lose from anywhere. Tigers by 2.

The Roosters are still not near their best but the Cowboys are a long way from their peak. Roosters by 12.

Gold Coast are a puncher’s chance against Parra but AJ Brimson being hamstrung tilts the balance the other way. Eels by 6.

Luke Brooks. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

AJ Mithen

Raiders, Broncos, Panthers, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Tigers, Roosters, Titans

I’m slowly, slowly making my way back to the prime position where I belong… these magical tips will help!

Magic Round will be blessed right from the start as your presumptive champions, the people’s team, the Canberra Raiders lay a casual 56 on the hapless Bulldogs.

Then the Broncos will do over Manly in a massive away game upset.

Penrith will get the Warriors in a wholly unconvincing fashion.

Cronulla will do all they have to and no more to get past the Dolphins.

The Bunnies will ride the wave to a rare win over Melbourne.

The Tigers will back up and start a streak against the diabolical Dragons.

The Roosters will flop over the line against the Cowboys.

In a sneaky good one, I’ve got the Titans over Parra because I’m starting to believe… which is never good when it comes to the Gold Coast.   

(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Danielle Smith

Raiders, Broncos, Warriors, Dolphins, Storm, Tigers, Cowboys, Eels

It was great to see the Dogs get a win last week, but I don’t think they will be able to do it again here. Raiders in a close one.

The Broncs will bounce back from their loss against the Bunnies and embarrass the Sea Eagles as they did last year.

I’m doing it, I’m tipping three losses in a row for the Panthers. Let’s Gone Warriors!

The Sharks have hit their groove, but it is Magic Round, and I’m tipping that there may be just enough magic in the air for Bennett to get a win in his milestone match.

This will be a fantastic game, and I’m going with the Storm in a thriller.

The Tigers will make it two from two against a Dragons side in a world of trouble.

I know I should be taking the Roosters, but something is telling me Cowboys.

I think this one will be a high-scoring game, with the Eels getting the win.