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The Dragons won’t let Ben Hunt go, Christian Welch forgot there were recording devices at press conferences, Luke Brooks signed with Manly, and we were treated to a judiciary session that could be turned into a mini-series as Reece Walsh was suspended for being a very naughty boy.
In amongst all of that was a top round of footy!
The Warriors made a tough week even tougher for Red V fans on Friday night with a 48-18 win over the Dragons down in Wollongong on Friday. DWZ was on fire scoring four tries, while Ben Hunt did all he could to get fired.
The Dolphins had their rostrums just in front of the Dragons by two points during their 48-20 loss to the Eels on the Sunshine Coast. The honeymoon may be over for the league’s newest franchise as the Eels continue their surge to September.
No Origin stars? No worries. The Panthers just keep on keeping on as they took down the Knights 20-12 on Saturday at the foot of the mountains. Is Adam O’Brien the next coach in the firing line?
The Storm machine seems to have found its rhythm again, with a comfortable 24-6 win over the Sea Eagles down in Melbourne. Manly won the pre-season competition and were on top of the ladder at one stage – where has it all gone wrong?
Um-mah. Reece Walsh said a very naughty word. The Justin Holbrook sacking, Big Tino being rested after Origin, and David Fifita and Moe Fotuaika backing up was not enough to stop the Titans from causing an upset against the Broncos on Sunday. Little Brother held on for an 18-12 win, while the biggest talking point was Walsh’s friendly conversation with the referee, I mean, Pat Carrigan.
The Cowboys have brushed off their slow start to the season and have hit their strides with a 31-6 win over the Rabbitohs. The Cowboys Origin stars – including my mate Reece Robson – looked fresh as daisies, while Damien Cook looked much more at home not being thrown into the centres.
And things went from bad to worse for the Roosters on Sunday night, going down 20-18 to the Raiders in the last match of the round. The tricolours are getting further and further from the Top 8.
AJ was the winner of the round with six, while Paul and Stuart both tipped five. Mary, Mike and I tipped four, and it was a tough week for you legends in the Crowd getting just two. Stuart has a comfortable lead on 79, with Mary, Mike and Paul all tied for second on 74. The Crowd in on 71, AJ on 68, while I’m still on the golf course with 63.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Ok, onto Round 18 – the very important Beanies for Brain Cancer Round.
The Sharks and the Dragons kick off the footy at 7:50pm tonight at Pointsbet Stadium. This local derby always serves up some great footy – will the dramas for the Red V get in the way?
The Warriors host the Rabbitohs at Go Media Stadium on Friday at 6pm. The Bunnies have hit a rough patch while the Wahs are on a roll.
Then it’s off to Marvel Stadium to see the Storm and the Panthers battle it out at 8pm. It could look a bit like Queensland vs NSW!
Super Saturday starts in a chilly nation’s capital at 3pm, when the Raiders and the Titans face off at 3pm.
We make our way up to warmer temperatures for the Cowboys and the Tigers at Queensland Country Bank Stadium at 5.30pm. A bunker blunder last season gave the Cowboys the win, followed by a 66-18 thrashing by the Tigers in May. Who knows what will happen this time?
Sticking with the good weather (according to Ben Hunt) it’s off to The Gabba to see the Broncos and the Dolphins at 7.30pm.
Then Sunday brings us a couple of games that could be…..um…..interesting.
It’s 15 vs 16 as the Bulldogs take on the Knights at Accor Stadium at 2pm. Then it’s the 13th-placed Sea Eagles hosting the 12th-placed Roosters to finish off the round at 4 Pines Park at 4pm.
If you would like to 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 – and make sure you go out and buy a beanie!
Sharks, Warriors, Storm, Raiders, Cowboys, Broncos, Knights, Sea Eagles
It is hard to see anything but a Sharks win against old foe St George-Illawarra on Thursday night, with the Ben Hunt saga having a clear impact on the Red V team.
Logic says the Bunnies bounce back after a poor performance against the Cowboys, however, a spot in the top four awaits the Warriors with a win and they could do it in style against a Souths side that desperately needs Latrell Mitchell back on deck.
It is likely the Storm and Panthers will face off during the finals at some stage, yet a statement could be made by either with a win at AAMI Park on Friday. The home side to get the job done.
Despite the mayhem of the last fortnight, the Titans are still well in the hunt for a semi-final birth. No Papali’i for the Raiders is key, but can Gold Coast cope with the chilly Canberra air? Nope. Raiders continue their surge towards finals.
The Cows stunned the Bunnies last time out and should belt the Tigers who are losing interest quickly, whilst the Broncos simply could not play as poorly as they did last week for a second successive match and will be too good for a struggling Dolphins outfit in Brisbane.
Good luck picking the winner of the Dogs and Knights on Sunday afternoon at Accor Stadium. What a toss-up it is. I’ll back the Knights for a reason I’m unable to explain.
Feathers will fly when the Sea Eagles rumble with the Roosters in the final match of the round. It is almost impossible to tip the Roosters right now, so I won’t be. Cherry-Evans to star for the home side.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Sharks, Warriors, Storm, Raiders, Cowboys, Broncos, Bulldogs, Roosters
We know much the Sharks love to win against teams not sitting in the top eight and that will continue against the Dragons this week. Not only are the Dragons outside the top eight but there are plenty of challenges at the Dragons, including the ongoing situation with Ben Hunt, which may impact their performance this week.
The Warriors and the Rabbitohs will be one of the games of this round. I know that historically the Bunnies have struggled in New Zealand. Coupled with their missing players and the dip in form they have had, tipping the Warriors for a big home game win.
The next game will be a cracker too and should give us a real indication of where both teams are at. I think the Storm are going to make a statement in this game and I’ve been particularly impressed as to how Jahrome Hughes has stepped up, given the impact State of Origin will have had on Cameron Munster and Harry Grant.
The Raiders are one team that is still very much in the hunt for a top-four position. It’s hard to tip games the Titans play in because of how unpredictable they are, but after their win against the Roosters, I’m expecting the Raiders to go on with it.
With Scott Drinkwater, anything is possible, including the Cowboys’ sudden resurgence in form. The Tigers have had moments this year, but I do not see them beating the Cowboys at home.
The Broncos will beat the Dolphins, who are really struggling for troops right now.
The Bulldogs and Knights will be an interesting one as I would argue both teams have underperformed this year. I think the Knights are exhausted after so many ‘brave’ losses so will tip the Dogs.
The Roosters will beat a Manly team that really isn’t going anywhere without Tom Trbojevic.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Sharks, Warriors, Panthers, Raiders, Cowboys, Broncos, Knights, Roosters
Cronulla are rested and refreshed, St George Illawarra are disjointed and disappointing. Sharks by 18.
Warriors are no longer the hot and cold side they once were, Souths are in a mini-slump with a few injuries striking. Warriors by 6.
The Storm will be up for this one big time, particularly with no VFL AFL in Melbourne so there should be a huge crowd to “greet” the premiers. Panthers by 10.
Gold Coast benefitted from the overblown new coach bump last week but the reality is it will be a struggle for them to regroup to make the finals after Justin Holbrook’s dismissal. Raiders by 14.
Nth Qld are starting to finally build momentum circa 2022, the Tigers’ brief resurgence has stalled. Cowboys by 20.
Brisbane have injury and judiciary dramas but the Dolphins’ problems run much deeper. Broncos by 16.
Canterbury and Newcastle are both mathematical playoff hopes but in reality no hope at all. Knights by 2.
Manly are all over the shop while the Roosters are at least showing some signs of life. Roosters by 4.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Sharks, Rabbitohs, Panthers, Raiders, Cowboys, Broncos, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles
The Sharks over the Dragons is the tippiest tip that ever tipped. If they played 100 times, the Sharks would win 99. Cronulla, obviously.
The Warriors are red hot, Souths are not. But Souths desperately need it, and I’ll stick my neck out for them.
The Storm underwhelm against the best at the moment. Panthers will take it.
The Raiders will smash the Titans.
Whatever the Raiders beat the Titans by, the Cowboys will beat the Tigers by more. NQ by a million.
Brisbane are missing a few, but the Phins are so done. Broncos to win.
Dogs need to win, Knights always find a way of losing. Canterbury in a tight one.
It’s make or break for Manly, and I’ll be backing my Beaches boys to the hilt. No confidence, just vibes.
(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
Sharks, Warriors, Panthers, Raiders, Cowboys, Broncos, Knights, Sea Eagles
My launch continues upwards, upwards upwards towards more tipping glory.
The week begins with Cronulla smushing the Dragons and making the most of their soft draw.
Then the Warriors will add to the Bunnies’ woes when they take them apart in front of a huge home Kiwi crowd.
Penrith will have the defence to handle the Storm, even though it’s in Melbourne.
Your presumptive champions, the people’s team, the Canberra Raiders will wander onto GIO Stadium and lay a casual 56 on the hapless Titans. I’ll be at this game, it’ll be fun.
North Queensland will get the Tigers at home.
The Broncos will do what’s necessary against the Dolphins.
The Knights should have too much for Canterbury to handle.
And I’ve got Manly over the Roosters in the battle of the losers.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Sharks, Warriors, Storm, Raiders, Cowboys, Broncos, Knights, Sea Eagles
The Sharks will get the job done in the local derby against the unravelling Dragons.
Packed out home crowd and playing sensation footy? Let’s Gone Warriors!
Coin flip time! Hmmmmmmmmm………. Storm in a close one.
Big Tino is back and I”think it will be a closer match than many predict, but I’m tipping the Raiders at home.
The Cowboys will be out to make amends for their embarrassment in Round 12.
I’m going to go with the Broncos but I’m not confident.
Oh my goodness, I think I need two coin flips this round……………hmmmmmmmmmm……Sea Eagles.
They continue to break my heart, yet I continue to support them – loyalty is a crazy thing. As always I’m tipping my Knights.
| Round 18 | AJ | Danielle | Mary | Mike | Paul | Stuart | Crowd |
| CRO V STI | CRO | CRO | CRO | CRO | CRO | CRO | ? |
| NZL V SOU | NZL | NZL | NZL | SOU | NZL | NZL | ? |
| PEN V MEL | PEN | MEL | MEL | PEN | PEN | MEL | ? |
| CAN V GLD | CAN | CAN | CAN | CAN | CAN | CAN | ? |
| NQL V WST | NQL | NQL | NQL | NQL | NQL | NQL | ? |
| BRI V DOL | BRI | BRI | BRI | BRI | BRI | BRI | ? |
| CBY V NEW | NEW | NEW | CBY | CBY | NEW | NEW | ? |
| MAN V SYD | MAN | MAN | SYD | MAN | SYD | MAN | ? |
| Last week | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Total | 68 | 63 | 74 | 74 | 74 | 79 | 71 |