The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions Round 13: Understrength teams tested, overlooked stars with points to prove

Hey Roarers!

What an absolute cracker of a round that was.

The Panthers were too good for the Reynolds-less Broncos, taking out a 15-4 win on Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium.

It was the stuff of fairytales at Kogarah on Friday night, when the Dragons put all of their dramas behind them for a last-minute 24-22 win over the Roosters. Same observation as last week – I don’t know what is getting put into the lattes out at Bondi, but it doesn’t seem to be working.

We then made out way to Allianz stadium, where the Eels showed us all not to write them off just yet, with a convincing 36-16 against the Rabbitohs. Was that their turning point this season?

The Sharks were too good for the Knights with a 26-6 win up at Coffs Harbour on Saturday afternoon. Nicho Hynes was superb yet again, while Kalyn Ponga showed he wouldn’t be a good math teacher, struggling to count to six. 

Just wow. I think we are all still shaking our heads with this one! It was a perfect way for the under-scrutiny Luke Brooks to bring up his 200^th NRL game, as the Tigers absolutely annihilated the Cowboys 66-18.

We headed back up to Suncorp for a fiery encounter between the Storm and the Dolphins, with ex-Melbourne stars Feliese Kaufusi and the Bromwich brothers on a mission to destroy their old teammates. But the scoreboard was in favour of the Storm in the end, taking out a 24-16 win.

And then on Sunday, we had two games that had to be seen to be believed.

Firstly at Accor Stadium, there were 80 minutes of craziness that included a hip drop tackle placed on report that never should have been along with a very questionable captain’s challenge that turned the tide of the match. But the Titans once again showed how good they are at throwing away a halftime lead, going from leading 14-0 to losing against the Bulldogs 20-18.

Then down in Canberra, the red-hot Raiders were blown off the park by the out-of-form Sea Eagles. Tommy Turbo kicked back into gear just in time for Origin selection scoring three tries during Manly’s 42-14 win.

You legends in the Crowd won the round with five, AJ, Mike and Paul tipped four, Stuart got three and Mary and I tipped two. I crashed straight back down to reality after my seven from last week! Stuart is still in the lead on 58, with Mike just behind on 56.

The Crowd are in third on 54, Paul and Mary in fourth on 53, while AJ has finally jumped off the bottom with 48………….leaving me in last place on 47. Hello darkness my old friend.

Ok, onto Round 13!

The Dolphins and the Dragons kick-off the footy tonight at Kayo Stadium at 7:50pm. Bennett is missing a few players including Origin stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Gilbert along with the suspended Kaufusi, while I’m not actually sure who is taking the field for the Red V as their entire team is out wearing the number nine jersey for Queensland.

The Eels host the Cowboys at CommBank Stadium in our only Friday night game at 8pm. The Cowboys will be determined to bounce back after their humiliating thumping by the Tigers, despite missing Valentine Holmes, Reuben Cotter, Murray Taulagi and Tom Dearden to Origin duties. The Eels are without Junior Paulo in NSW camp and Ryan Matterson who is injured, but they will be riding high from their win against the Bunnies.

The Broncos travel to New Zealand to face the Warriors on Saturday at 5.30pm. Adam Reynolds will have his work cut out for him facing the Warriors fresh off the bye. as well as missing some important teammates in Patrick Carrigan, Payne Haas, Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Thomas Flegler.

The Rabbitohs and the Raiders face off at Accor Stadium at 7:35pm. Husdon Young is out for the Raiders, along with Latrell Mitchell and Cam Murray for Souths all on Origin duty. One Bunny who is still on the team sheet is Damien Cook – will he show Brad Fittler he picked the wrong dummy half?

In Sunday’s only game at 4pm, there will be a couple more players out to prove a point. Knights duo Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai missed out on the Maroons’ side and will no doubt do all they can to put their best foot forward when Newcastle take on the Sea Eagles at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The Bulldogs, Panthers, Roosters, Sharks, Storm, Titans and Tigers have the bye. Maybe they will all go and play Bingo together or something.

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

Dolphins, Eels, Warriors, Rabbitohs, Knights

Tipping a Dragons side without the services of Ben Hunt is not something I’ll ever be doing. Wayne Bennett will have his extended squad ready to fill the gaps required as the Phins get the two points against the Red V.

Whilst the Eels are below full strength, the Cowboys have four key men stripped away due to Origin. Two on the trot for the Eels as a little momentum is built.

Logic says the Broncos simply cannot win without their Origin stars, yet if Adam Reynolds plays, there is still enough talent there to match the Warriors. Sadly, he looks doubtful and New Zealand should move further up the ladder with a strong win in Napier.

The Raiders were officially rolling until last week’s loss to the Sea Eagles and the Bunnies were also towelled up by the Eels in a shock defeat. With Latrell Mitchell, Jai Arrow and Cameron Murray all called away to Origin, can they rebound and manage the green machine? I think they can.

Newcastle lose Tyson Frizell to Origin, yet still look solid across the park, especially with Kalyn Ponga available after being snubbed for Game 1. Manly have four massive outs due to representative footy and injury and if the Knights cannot capitalise this Sunday, they never will.

Marata Niukore and Shaun Johnson celebrate. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Mary Konstantopoulos

Dragons, Eels, Warriors, Rabbitohs, Knights

Despite my disappointment that the Dragons have decided to name Jack de Belin as captain, I am tipping them to beat the Dolphins this weekend. Wayne Bennett has been a magician in the past with teams impacted by Origin but given the Dolphins’ injuries and the number of players missing through Origin, I think they will struggle on Thursday night.

The Eels may be short on forwards, but I am still tipping them to beat the Cowboys on Friday night. No doubt the Cowboys will be looking to bounce back following their big loss to the Tigers, but I think the Eels’ class in key positions will see them get the two points.

I’m not sure if it is tipping an upset, but I have really enjoyed watching the Warriors this year and have been impressed with all aspects of their game. It’s a shame how impacted by injuries they have been. With the Broncos missing so many players due to Origin and the Warriors having the home ground advantage I’m tipping a Warriors win.

The Rabbitohs will bounce back with a win against the Raiders.

I’m tipping the Knights at home to beat a Manly team missing several key players.

Will Penisini. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Mike Meehall Wood

Dolphins, Eels, Warriors, Raiders, Knights

Highly-scientific as this sounds, the Dolphins are the sort of team that beat the sort of team that the Dragons are. Redcliffe for me.

Parra will thrash the Cowboys.

The Warriors are missing nobody, the Broncos are missing everybody. Let’s gone.

Canberra are stronger and will take advantage of the Bunnies’ lack of Latrell and Murray to win.

The Knights will sneak by my Beaches boys, who are nothing without DCE, even less without Jurbo and even less than that without Turbo.

(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Paul Suttor

Dolphins, Eels, Warriors, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles

Dolphins are missing a few key players but the Dragons look rudderless. Dolphins by 8.

The Eels are hot and cold whereas North Queensland have been cold hot and subzero last week. Eels by 10.

Brisbane still have Kurt Capewell and Adam Reynolds but with five Origin stars out, it’s all come up Milhouse for the Warriors in Napier. Warriors by 7.

Souths are depleted and the Raiders are not too affected by Origin but the Bunnies still have a lot of talent. Rabbitohs by 4.

Knights and Sea Eagles? Sheesh. Coin tossed and Manly by 1.

(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

AJ Mithen

Dolphins, Eels, Warriors, Raiders, Sea Eagles

Origin period is where the best of the best make their moves. Last year I ran away with the comp over these six weeks, this year I’ll use it for a Phar Lap-style charge to the victory post. 

The Dolphins will beat the Dragons in a tight one cos I lean ever so slightly toward Wayne’s men and their defence. 

Parra over the Cowboys by a million.

Warriors over Broncos cos we’ve seen how the ponies do without stars. 

Your presumptive champions, the people’s team the mighty Canberra Raiders will head to Sydney and lay a casual 56 on the South Sydney Rabbitohs, starting a free fall from which the Bunnies may never recover. 

Finally, Manly over Newcastle in what’s probably going to be a bludger.

(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Danielle Smith

Dolphins, Cowboys, Warriors, Raiders, Knights

It was a wonderful rugby league moment seeing the Dragons come back from a bad week to snatch a last-minute victory. But they won’t get the points two weeks in a row – Dolphins will get the job done at home.

It was a great win by the Eels last week, but I’m tipping the Cowboys to bounce back and my mate Reece Robson will show everyone he should be the NSW number nine!

The Warriors are playing some great footy this year, and will have no issues against an understrength Broncos.

This is my coin flip game………hmmmmmm……..Raiders in a close one.

The last time these two met it ended in a draw. Not this time! My boys will have a party against the Sea Eagles missing some big names. As always, I’m tipping my Knights.

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