The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions Round 11: Leaders to break losing streak, players audition for Origin

Hey Roarers!

Another year, another spectacular Magic Round.

The Bulldogs and Raiders kicked off the festivities on Friday night in a high-scoring affair. It was a grandstand finish with the Dogs trailing by four after getting a penalty try with five minutes to go, but time ran out on the comeback and Canberra held on for a 34-30 win.

It was a case of deja vu when the Broncos and the Sea Eagles took to the field in the second game. Selwyn Cobbo scored another hat-trick, year, Manly looked like they had forgotten how to play footy, and Brisbane put on a clinic with a convincing 32-6 victory.

Super Saturday began with a brutal contest between the Panthers and the Warriors who received two interesting sin bins along with three players unable to finish with injuries. Another game that went down to the wire, with a late try seeing the premiers sneak away with an 18-6 victory.

See! What did I tell you?! You have to believe in magic, and there was just enough of it in the air for the Dolphins to get a 36-16 win against the Sharks for Wayne Bennett’s 900th game. And how good was Valynce ‘Val Meninga’ Te Whare grabbing a double on debut?

Alex Johnston also celebrated his 200th milestone match scoring a double, and his Rabbitohs got the two points with a 28-12 win over the Storm.

Super Sunday saw the Tigers make it back-to-back wins with a close 18-16 win over the Dragons. It was another solid effort from the Tiges, with another game-winning-try-saving tackle from Jahream Bula.

The heavens opened just before the second game, where the Cowboys found some of their 2022 form to put on a huge defensive effort resulting in a 20-6 win against the Roosters.

And in the final game of Magic Round, the Titans held off a comeback by the Eels for a 26-24 win. With five tries each, goal-kicking proved the difference with Mitch Moses kicking two conversions and Tanah Boyd getting three.

AJ was the winner of the round with six while myself and Mike tipped five. Paul and Stuart tipped four, Mary got three and you legends in The Crowd tipped two. Stuart is still in the lead with 49, Mike is now second with 46, Mary sits in third with 45, Paul and the Crowd are on 43 with AJ and I on 38.

Ok, onto Round 11!

Tonight, the Broncos head down to take on the Storm at AAMI Park at 7.50pm. Bellamy’s men have taken out the last 12 matches against Brisbane, but the table leaders are in great form and will be looking to break their losing streak here.

Friday night footy kicks off at 6pm when the Bulldogs host the Warriors at Accor Stadium. Both teams are coming off tough losses and will be hoping to get back into the winner’s circle. Let’s see what Josh Addo-Carr can do on his return.

Then we make our way to BlueBet Stadium to watch the Panthers and the Roosters at 8pm. All eyes will be on the halves, with the Luke Keary/Joey Manu given another week of life, as well as Nathan Cleary helping Jarome Luai fight to hold on to his Blues jersey.

We head back out to Accor Stadium for Super Saturday for the Rabbitohs and Tigers at 3pm. The Bunnies are in fine form at the moment, can the Tigers cause another upset?

It’s up to Queensland Country Bank Stadium where the Cowboys host the Dragons at 5.30pm. So much drama surrounding the Red V at the moment – can the Cows capitalise or will Ben Hunt get a win in his 300th match?

We go from sunshine to shivering at 7.35pm when the Raiders and the Eels clash at GIO Stadium. The Green Machine are out to make it five wins in a row – how will the Eels go without their million-dollar man Moses?

Sunday footy begins at McDonald Jones Stadium with the Knights and the Titans at 2pm. Newcastle will be well rested from the bye, while Tino and his men will be on a high from their win against the Eels. This match could be anything.

The Sea Eagles and the Sharks finish off the round at 4 Pines Park at 4pm.

The Dolphins have their first-ever bye, and with the Broncos playing away the grass as well as the groundstaff at Suncorp Stadium can relax for a minute after getting through Magic Round.

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

Storm, Bulldogs, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Raiders, Titans, Sharks

I tipped against the Storm in Magic Round, with the Rabbitohs as the form team in the competition proving their value. The Broncos dusted up the Sea Eagles, a team that looks mid-table at best in my view. Bellamy to shake things up as the Broncos hit a tough stretch of matches.

The Dogs were poor and still went close to knocking off the Raiders last Friday. With Josh Addo-Carr and the bounce-back factor on their side, the win should come their way against a Warrior’s side that is a far more difficult proposition at home.

Thanks for your effort last weekend Roosters, it really stuffed my tipping! As punishment, you can sit in the corner and cop a flogging from the reigning champs. 36-10.

Two in a row for the Tigers? Give me a break. That is not possible. If anyone wants to see just how ugly an NRL game can get, tune in to see the Bunnies slice through Wests with ease.

A big thanks as well to St George-Illawarra for another awful display against the Tigers during Magic Round. When will the pain end and Anthony Griffin’s health be considered? The Cowboys’ performance against the Roosters is enough to have me believe they may have turned the corner.

Canberra versus Parramatta looks the toughest game to tip. The Raiders are rolling and the Eels on a knife edge. For whatever reason, a chilly GIO might be enough for the Green Machine to get the points. 

I’ve been on the Titans horse all year and will continue to be so against a Knights team that is a little Jekyll and Hyde. Deeper into the eight the Gold Coast go with another win and the semi-finals loom ever more likely.

What on earth did Cronulla produce against the Dolphins last Saturday night? All credit to Wayne Bennett’s men, but the Sharks stank in the opening half. A quick bounce back or another win for the Sea Eagles? (Throws dart at the board) the Sharks in a tight one.

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Mary Konstantopoulos

Storm, Warriors, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Eels, Titans, Sharks

Storm to keep their record intact against the Broncos.

Warriors will get the job done against the Bulldogs.

The Panthers will be too strong for the Roosters.

The Tigers won’t make it three in a row against the Rabbitohs.

Cowboys to get the win against the Dragons at home.

Fingers crossed my Eels can go on and get the win without Mitch Moses down in Canberra.

Titans played well last week against the Eels for victory, and they should do so again this time against the Knights.

The Sharks will bounce back from their loss last week to beat the Sea Eagles.

 (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Paul Suttor

Storm, Bulldogs, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Raiders, Titans, Sharks

Melbourne are struggling and Brisbane are flying but the Victorian squad has the wood on the Broncos for no apparent reason. Storm by 8.

Canterbury have the Foxx back, he’s worth a try or two – and a NSW jersey, while the Warriors are wounded. Dogs by 4.

Penrith will get a fired-up Roosters team coming to town, desperate to get out of a slump but it won’t be happening this week. Panthers by 6.

South Sydney tend to get challenged more than they should by the Tigers but their class will prevail. Rabbitohs by 10.

It’s a good time for Nth Qld to get the bye, also known as the guaranteed two points from playing the Dragons. Cowboys by 16.

Canberra have won four on the trot yet does anyone think they’re legit finals contenders while Parra are up and down but still seem to be a playoff side. Raiders by 1.

Newcastle are rested from the bye but that Bali belly can linger for weeks. Titans by 10.

Manly traditionally dominates Cronulla, especially at Brookvale but this Sea Eagles side would struggle to stand over a garden gnome. Sharks by 8.

(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Mike Meehall Wood

Storm, Bulldogs, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Raiders, Knights, Sea Eagles

Brisbane have looked great at times this year, but have been pushed by good teams and, Round 1 aside, haven’t had to travel. This is a huge test against a wounded Storm, and I feel the Bronx will come up short. Melbourne in a tight one.

The Dogs need to bounce back, the Warriors are on a three-game losing run in which they’ve played well in all their defeats. A very tough pick, but I’ll take Canterbury on home advantage.

Panthers are scratchy, the Roosters are scratchier. Penrith at home tend to win and will here.

The Bunnies by a thousand on the Tigers.

The Cowboys might not be back to 2022 levels yet but showed their best last week. The Dragons are useless and will lose here.

The Raiders can grab a fifth straight win by beating Parra. My cash is that they’ll do it.

Newcastle versus the Titans could be absolutely anything…home advantage and the week off makes me think the Knights, just about, will get the job done.

Battle of the Beaches, and the first game in a long time where – weather permitting – I’ll get to see my boys from the hill rather than the media box. They’ll do it for me. Manly to win.

 (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

AJ Mithen

Storm, Bulldogs, Panthers, Bunnies, Cowboys, Raiders, Titans, Sharks

The strive continues as I move up, up, up.

This week Melbourne will start with a narrow win over the Broncs.

Canterbury will get the Warriors in a genuine toss-up. 

Penrith will keep the Roosters at bay for long enough.

Souths will rock the Tigers around a bit. 

Cowboys over Dragons in a total bludger. 

Your presumptive champions, the people’s team, the Canberra Raiders will make it five on the trot when they lay a casual 56 on the hapless Eels, all but ending Parra’s top four dreams. 

The Titans have earned my tip over the Knights but my goodness, if they lose…

Last of all, the Sharks over Manly in what might be a bludger too, but it’ll have the awesome hashtag #ManlySharks.

(Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Danielle Smith

Broncos, Warriors, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Raiders, Knights, Sharks

I think the Broncos can finally break their Storm hoodoo and get the two points here.

I feel the Warriors have been oh-so-close the past few weeks, they will get the win over the Dogs.

The Roosters will put up a better fight than they did against the Cowboys, but I’m tipping Panthers in a close one.

I’d love to see the streak keep going for the Tigers, but the Bunnies are just too good at the moment.

Cowboys may have found their groove last week, and they will have a field day at home against a Dragons side in trouble, with my mate Reece Robson to have a blinder.

Eels didn’t look the same after Moses went off injured last week, and the Raiders are firing on all cylinders. Green machine for the win.

Ohhhhhhh, coin flip. Hmmmmmmm…………. Sharks.

We are rested and we are relaxed after the bye, despite what many have said we have just one player with a nice tan from Bali… as always I’m tipping my Knights.