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Opinion
Just when you think NRL tipping is getting easy, it bites you on the backside.
Last round looked like a pretty open and shut case but after the first match out, all but only the foolhardy of tipsters was off to a losing start after the Gold Coast shocked the Warriors in Auckland.
The rest of the matches went to script except for Newcastle bursting the Dolphins’ bubble in Brisbane on Sunday.
This week’s upcoming Round 9 also appears to be one for the favourites to reign supreme.
The Knights, rated as $2.36 outsiders at home to the Warriors, are considered the best chance of the underdogs by the bookmakers to cause an upset.
We’ll see, we’ll see.
Among The Roar’s panel of experts last week, there were no perfect rounds but Stuart Thomas, Mike Meehall Wood and Paul Suttor tallied sixes to remain at the top of the leaderboard.
All eyes will be on interim coach Ben Hornby when the Rabbitohs kick off Round 9 at Accor Stadium against premiers Penrith. Talk about a baptism of fire after the not so unexpected sacking of Jason Demetriou.
The match of the round will probably be Brisbane’s Friday night blockbuster against the Roosters although Brisbane are heavy favourites now they have got nearly all their big guns on deck.
Here’s how the experts see Round 9 unfolding.
Panthers, Sea Eagles, Broncos, Bulldogs, Storm, Cowboys, Warriors, Sharks
The following tips are as rock solid certainties as Wayne Bennett is to coach the Rabbitohs in 2025. Pick the Bunnies at your peril, despite the new coach bounce that often becomes a reality. The Sea Eagles will enter their clash with the Raiders as firm favourites and with good reason. Daly Cherry-Evans being available is all it takes to swing the odds heavily in their favour.
Broncos at home is a tough trip for most and even after a thrashing of the Dragons in Round 8, the Roosters don’t have the weapons to compete with what looks an improving Broncos unit. This is the first occasion that I have tipped the Bulldogs in 2024 and I am mighty scared in doing so. This is precisely the contest the Tigers are looking for to get their season back on track, yet Wests concede too many and don’t score enough. The mighty Dogs by 40.
The Titans found form last week but the Storm will simply be a bridge too far for them, despite being at home on the Gold Coast. The Cowboys and Dolphins meet in one of the most difficult matches to gauge and perhaps the home ground makes the difference for North Queensland. Maybe?
It is mighty tough to pick the Knights right now and the towelling up at the hands of the Dogs a fortnight ago, despite a gutsy win against the Dolphins to follow, makes the Warriors the likely winner on Sunday afternoon. The match to anchor your multi’s is the Sharks belting the Dragons down in the shire. If that happens two weeks in a row, plenty
will be asked of Shane Flanagan and the attributes he claimed to be bringing to the Red V.
Daly Cherry-Evans. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Panthers, Sea Eagles, Broncos, Bulldogs, Storm, Cowboys, Knights, Sharks
Actually very curious to see if any folks go for Souths in this clash. JD is gone, the chaos over the last few weeks, a few names out – no way is it gonna happen.
The Eagles have bulked up well in their squad, so that’s scary enough. Add on top of that the Raiders are such a mixed bag on the road, so the home side should be comfortable favourites. Ezra Mam is back for the Broncos, which is a very welcome return. Add that the match is at Lang Park and I’m going with the hosts by a smidge. What the Chooks do with their bench will be interesting – this game should be a belter!
The Bulldogs should get home here, but Benji naming an unchanged side is an interesting move given their loss to Brisbane. There is some gold in there, but Canterbury looks a rejuvenated beast at home. I mean, maybe? The Titans finally grabbing a win will be a welcome monkey off the back, especially against the Wahs in New Zealand. But Melbourne is gonna Melbourne here.
The Cowboys have been all over the shop, but they should get home. The Dolphins have been whacked with a few injury concerns, and in terms of sheer firepower, they should struggle to back up near the end of the match. Warriors are a good side, but Newcastle is a different beast at home, even without Ponga. Consider it more a feeling than anything else, I see them getting the job done here.
Cronulla will clean up in this closing game. Right now the Sharks are men-possessed, especially in the Shire.
Panthers, Sea Eagles, Broncos, Bulldogs, Storm, Dolphins, Warriors, Sharks
Even though teams seem to rally the week after their coach is sacked, I can’t see the Rabbitohs having the discipline to beat the Panthers.
Despite the Raiders getting toasted last weekend, they have played some good footy through this year. I’m tipping Manly but think this will be a closer game, with Ricky’s team generally backing up well the week after a shellacking.
The next game will be game of the round with both teams in good form. I’m tipping the Broncos but only just.
Both the Bulldogs and Tigers have improved significantly this year. The Dogs especially now that they have finally worked out how to use Villiame Kikau. I think they will get the job done here.
The Storm will beat the Titans. The next game should be a cracker. I’m going to tip the Dolphins because they have shown up in recent weeks despite their injuries.
I’m also tipping the Warriors and the Sharks and thanking God that the Eels have the bye.
Panthers, Sea Eagles, Broncos, Bulldogs, Storm, Dolphins, Warriors, Sharks
David Armstrong scores. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Panthers, Raiders, Broncos, Bulldogs, Storm, Cowboys, Warriors, Sharks
I haven’t checked the tipping scoreboard for a few weeks but I assume I’m still well on top of all you pretenders. Here’s this week’s guarantees…
Penrith will beat the Bunnies with a minimum required effort so the score might not look too bad.
Your presumptive champions, the people’s team the Canberra Raiders will rebound from being cheated last week and lay a casual 56 on the hapless Manly Sea Eagles.
Broncos unconvincingly over the Roosters, Bulldogs convincingly over the Tiggs, Storm convincingly over the Titans.
Cowboys barely over the Dolphins although a The win would not surprise.
Warriors over Knights with no real confidence, then Sharks to do a number on the Dragons. That is all.
Panthers, Manly, Broncos, Bulldogs, Storm, Cowboys, Warriors, Sharks
Souths might have sacked their coach but they’re still miles off Penrith. Easy tip for the Panthers.
DCE is in and Manly are yet to lose at home, so my Beaches Boys will take this one over AJ’s Raiders.
Brisbane at full strength and at home is impossible for me to tip against, though the Chooks are looking decent and should make it a great game.
Dogs off a bye v a Tigers team who will have had this one circled…it’s close, but I’ll go for Canterbury to defend well enough to get the win.
The Titans have looked better than their results but they’re still untippable, especially against the Storm who are in red hot form.
The Phins phlatter to deceive at times and are still missing big names with injury. NQ at home have too much.
Newcastle got a much-needed victory last time out, but the Wahs have been there or thereabouts and will come good eventually. They take this one.Sharks are good, Dragons aren’t quite yet. Up Up Cronulla.
| Round 9 | Stuart Thomas | Nick Wasiliev | Mary Konstantopoulos | Paul Suttor | AJ Mithen | Mike Meehall Wood | The Crowd |
| SSR v PEN | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | ? |
| MSE v CBR | Manly | Manly | Manly | Manly | Raiders | Manly | ? |
| BRI v SYD | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | ? |
| CBY v WST | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | ? |
| GCT v MEL | Storm | Storm | Storm | Storm | Storm | Storm | ? |
| NQC v DOL | Cowboys | Cowboys | Dolphins | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | ? |
| NEW v NZW | Warriors | Knights | Warriors | Warriors | Warriors | Warriors | ? |
| CRO v SGI | Sharks | Sharks | Sharks | Sharks | Sharks | Sharks | ? |
| Last Round | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| 2024 tally | 42 | 40 | 34 | 43 | 36 | 43 | 42 |
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