Hey Roarers! This season has got us all on our toes, unpredictable from one week to the next.
Thursday night saw a tough outing for the Tigers up on the Gold Coast. Not only did they go down 28-12 to the Titans, but they also lost their skipper Api Koroisau with a nasty broken jaw and halfback Luke Brooks to a hamstring injury.
It wasn’t quite the fairytale 300th game for Raiders veteran Jarrod Croker, as the Warriors spoiled the party with a 36-14 win over the Green Machine in Canberra on Friday night. But hey, all of the nation’s capital were there to see it, so Ricky Stuart should be happy, right?
We then made our way up to the Northern Beaches, where the Sea Eagles turned it on for their fans. A 58-18 thumping of the Dolphins with Reuben Garrick having a blinder scoring a hat-trick and kicking 9/10.
The Dragons finally had something to smile about with a 36-30 win against an understrength Rabbitohs at Kogarah on Saturday afternoon. The Red V held off a late surge from the Bunnies who scored three late tries in five minutes – their fans would have been asking why they didn’t play like that earlier!
The Broncos and Knights put on a show up at Suncorp Stadium, with the home team scoring a superb late try thanks to the magic of Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds to snatch a 24-20 win. It’s the fifth game this year the Knights have lost the game thanks to poor goal kicking.
The Panthers were too strong for the struggling Roosters even without Nathan Cleary, with a 30-6 win at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night. But the talking point has to be the scuffle between Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Spencer Leniu and the water bottle. I had my popcorn ready!
The Storm bounced back from their shellacking by the Cowboys last round to smash the Sharks 54-10 in Melbourne on Sunday afternoon. It was the biggest win for the Storm this season, and another loss to a Top 8 side for Cronulla. Oh Nicho, you poor bugger.
It certainly was the King’s Day on Monday, as the Eels took down the Bulldogs 34-12 at Accor Stadium. King Gutho scored a hattrick on his public holiday birthday, while Mitch Moses put in a performance that earned him a Blues jersey. Unfortunately for Tevita Pangai Jr he put in another performance that saw him lose his.
Mary was our winner for the week with a superb six, while AJ, Paul, Stuart and you legends in the Croiwd tipped five. Mike got three……and I got one. (Sigh) I don’t want to talk about it.
Stuart is still in the lead on 70, with Mike close behind on 68. Mary is third on 67, the Crowd fourth on 66, and Paul in fifth on 65. Aj is coming sixth on 59… and I’m back in last spot on 56. Yep, still don’t want to talk about it.
OK, moving on to Round 16!
The Panthers travel to Townsville to take on the Cowboys tonight at 8pm. Both teams will be heavily affected by Origin, including my mate Reece Robson! He was finally picked! The home side is also fresh off their bye and have a wrecking ball named Jason Taumalolo fit and ready to go.
The Knights host the Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday at 3pm. The Knights have been so close yet so far with their results, and as for the Roosters, I have no idea what game they are even playing.
We then make our way to CommBank Stadium for the Eels and the Sea Eagles at 5.30pm. No Moses or Junior Paulo for Parra, and Manly are without Turbo and DCE. But it is Arthur vs Arthur as Jake faces his dad BA for the first time as a Sea Eagle.
Then it’s across to Campbelltown Sports Stadium for the Tigers and the Storm at 7.35pm. Tigers smashed the Cowboys who smashed the Storm. Storm beat the Broncos who thumped the Tigers – who knows how this game goes!
The Sharks and the Bulldogs finish off the round in our only Sunday game at PoinstBet Stadium at 4pm.
The Broncos, Dolphins, Dragons, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Titans and Warriors all have the bye. Don’t get into any mischief you lot!
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!
Cowboys, Knights, Eels, Storm, Sharks
Goodness me, how on earth does one pick a winner when both teams are stripped of their Origin stars and Nathan Cleary is added to the talent unavailable? I’d say you back the team with the more settled halves combination. North Queensland to win at home.
The Knights did plenty right against the Broncos and I’m jumping on board with Danielle this week, seeing the Roosters’ season being killed off for good and Jackson Hastings and Tyson Gamble to steer the winning ship for Newcastle.
The Eels and Sea Eagles looks like a clash to be decided by which team will cope with the loss of their two Origin stars the best. With zero confidence I will side with the Eels in this one and a win should move inside the top eight.
The Storm machine went to work against the Sharks last Sunday and they should beat the Tigers, despite having to do so with some big Origin names absent. Jahrome Hughes to be the difference for the visitors.
The Sharks were simply awful against the Storm and I tipped them! Thanks guys. Produce that again and the Dogs might sneak a rare win. Something tells me there will be an instant reaction and Nicho Hynes will rediscover the form that earned him representative football honours.
Panthers, Knights, Eels, Storm, Sharks
The Panthers have proven that it doesn’t really matter who wears the number seven jersey, that they have enough depth in their squad to cover key positions. Even with so many players out due to Origin and injury, the Panthers will beat the Cowboys, who will also be missing a host of players due to the State of Origin.
The Knights were extremely impressive against the Broncos last week and with the home-ground advantage, I think they will beat the Roosters, whose attack just looks clunky and overwhelming at the moment.
I can’t quite get a read on the Sea Eagles, but I’m tipping Parramatta at home. A lot will hinge on how the new halves pairing of Ryan Matterson and Deajarn Asi goes.
The Storm will beat the Tigers and given that the Bulldogs are not in the top eight, the Sharks will get the win.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Cowboys, Knights, Eels, Storm, Sharks
Townsville Blackhawks vs St Marys. Correction, Cowboys sans Origin players vs Panthers sans Origin players. Home team has Jason Taumalolo back so that’s something. Cowboys by 2.
Knights are almost back to full strength and the Roosters are playing on past reputations. With no confidence whatsoever, Knights by 1.
Parra don’t have their main halves but Manly are missing their best three players. Eels by 4.
Tigers are going to really miss Api Koroisau while Melbourne are getting back to their machine-like best. Storm by 10.
Cronulla and Canterbury are paddling mid-season. Sharks can swim better than Dogs. Sharks by 8
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Cowboys, Knights, Sea Eagles, Storm, Sharks
A depleted Panthers will struggle against the Cowboys, so let’s say home advantage counts and North Queensland take it.
The Roosters are untippable at the moment so it has to be Newcastle, albeit with little confidence.
My Beaches boys are back and they’ll go to Parramatta and win.
No amount of outs will make me tip the Tigers, so Storm it is.
The Sharks are unaffected by Origin and desperately need the win. They will.
Nicho Hynes (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Cowboys, Knights, Eels, Tigers, Sharks
I continue to roll on, here are more winners for you all. Interesting tips this week as Origin wrecks everything.
North Queensland will beat the Penrith reserves because they’ve got a slightly less impacted team.
Newcastle will get the Roosters, who are really, really bad in attack.
I’m on Wests Tigers to knock over Melbourne’s reserves as the farewell to Luke Brooks begins.
Finally, Cronulla to win cos the Bulldogs aren’t in the top eight. Simple!
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Cowboys, Knights, Sea Eagles, Storm, Sharks
Even without my mate Reece Robson, the Cowboys will get the job done at home against the Panthers.
Coin flip time….hmmmmmm, Sea Eagles in a close one.
I think no Api or Brooks will hurt the Tigers, so I’m going with the Storm.
Tipping the Sharks to bounce back from their woeful effort against the Storm last week to get the Dogs.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – what is going on at Bondi?! As always, I’m tipping my Knights.
| Round 16 | AJ | Danielle | Mary | Mike | Paul | Stuart | Crowd |
| NQL V PEN | NQL | NQL | PEN | NQL | NQL | NQL | ? |
| NEW V SYD | NEW | NEW | NEW | NEW | NEW | NEW | ? |
| PAR V MAN | PAR | MAN | PAR | MAN | PAR | PAR | ? |
| WST V MEL | WST | MEL | MEL | MEL | MEL | MEL | ? |
| CRO V CBY | CRO | CRO | CRO | CRO | CRO | CRO | ? |
| Last week | 5 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 59 | 56 | 67 | 68 | 65 | 70 | 66 |
Outrageous from the Broncos skipper on 'a wooden leg!'
The Wests Tigers threw the ball around like it was a grenade with the final kick sitting up perfectly for Charlie Staines to collect…
It was already going horrendously for Benji Marshall and the Tigers, 22-0 down at the hour mark, when their captain walked off the field.…
Samuela Fainu thought he pulled off a great tackle on Corey Oates, the problem was he was running for a quick restart, instead, he…
Api Koroisau thought he slammed the ball down for a try but on review, the bunker said there was separation and ruled no try.…
Deine Mariner had a shocker dropping the last pass with the line open, but he made up for it moments later with a diving…
