The long wait is over. Footy is back and for the next 6 months we can sit back and enjoy the twists and turns of the NRL comp. I promised a top eight to begin with and here it is:
1. Parramatta
2. Melbourne
3. Souths
4. Roosters
5. Manly
6. Cowboys
7. Warriors
8. Cronulla
I could be wrong about the order and reckon the Dragons could be bolters but there you have it. Now onto the previews, the tips and where my 20 bucks is going this week.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters, ANZ Stadium, Friday 7:30pm
No love lost between these two sides. This will be a heavy and willing contest. The Roosters pack is much stronger with the purchase of Mason and O’Mealy but the Souths pack should be able to hold them. The new interchange rules will favour Souths little men and they could cause havoc at times during the games. I reckon the Roosters could do ok this year but Souths will get the money.
Gold Coast Titans vs North Queensland Cowboys, Skilled Park, Friday 7:30pm
The Titans have a new home ground and it will be the graveyard of a few teams this year. I predict the Cowboys will be the first team to go down at Skilled park. It does depend on whether Thurston will play. But the excitement of christening the new stadium and Scott Prince will get the Titans home.
Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs. ANZ Stadium, Saturday 5:30pm
The last time these teams met was in the finals when the Eels romped home. The Bulldogs pack is nowhere near as strong last year even with Sonny Bill. Michael Williams is a great buy for the Dogs and will terrorise teams around the ruck. However, Parra has too many 80 minute men and the better collection of backs (even with Hayne out). Eels start their season with a win.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sutherland Sharks, Brookvale, Saturday 7:30pm
Manly were awful in the one trial I saw and it was evident that Monaghan will be missed. Orford will really have to step up this year if Manly are going to do anything. As for Cronulla, they could have a good season. A lot depends on Kimmorely, Bird and Gallen making it through the season. This will be a close game with Manly just taking the honours.
Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders, EnergyAustralia Stadium, Saturday 7:30pm
Newcastle fans will be hoping, nay praying, that whatever Smith’s designs on the club are that they work this year. The cleaning out was needed and the angst unavoidable but rebuilding can take time. The Knights will run ok in a few games but soon find themselves working towards Mad Monday. Which the Raiders will understand. The Raiders away from home will be very average but never discount them when brass monkeys are rendered incomplete in Canberra. But as this game is up in the Hunter, Newy all the way.
Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers, Suncorp Stadium Sunday 2:00pm
The Broncos should feature in calculations this year as they want to do one for Benny. The trouble I see is the fitness of Lockyer. If he stays on the field, the Broncos compete. Any injuries and the Broncos are gone. Also, the loss of Webcke and Civoniceva weakens the Broncos up front. As for Petro, he is going to have a long, tough season. The Panthers are rebuilding and will need all the luck they can get. Broncos to get the season underway with a win.
Wests Tigers vs St George Illawarra Dragons, Sydney Football Stadium, Sunday 3:00pm
You know, the Dragons could put together a decent season this year. Oh, they taunt us every year with a few good wins but usually fall into a heap at some stage. But they haven’t a bad side on paper. Depends on whether Gaz keeps injury free and out of trouble off the field. The Tigers are going to be middling this year (sorry Bismarck ole mate). Worse if Hodgson or Marshall have any extended periods with injury. They will pull off a few suprises. Almost had ‘em for my roughy this week but can’t be swayed and they will be slayed by the Dragons.
Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors, Olympic Park, Monday 7:00pm
I loved Monday night footy last year. What a great innovation and looking forward to it again in 2008. Not the best match up. The Storm are missing Inglis but they will cover for him easily. The Storm will do well again this year but they won’t be that far ahead of the pack. But they will be hard to beat. McKinnon was one of the Warriors’ best last year and they will miss him. It also remains to be seen if they carry any scars from the finals campaign. But they do have an attractive style of footy about them. But not enough this game. Storm to storm home.
Two new features this year. Shaun’s Sure Thing and The Roughy.
The Sure Thing is an experiment to see how far $10 can go. Starting this round, $10 will go on the team with the shortest odds. Next round, the winnings will go on the team in round 2 with the shortest odds etc. The idea is to see how much one $10 bet can accumulate.
The Roughy is $10 on a team on the wrong side of the odds but but in with a chance. It may not even be a team I’ve tipped.
So for round 1, Shaun’s Sure Thing will be the Storm and 10 bucks going on the Raiders as The Roughy.
May your team win. Unless they are playing the Eels of course.
8 responses so far ↓
Damian // Mar 14, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Probably the worst top 8 prediction I have seen so far..
Shaun // Mar 14, 2008 at 3:46 pm
We’ll know in about 6 months Damian. Btw, what you your top eight be?
Shaun // Mar 15, 2008 at 7:15 pm
CHOKEDOGS! What a comeback that was. I was very down in the dumps at half time. All I wanted the Eels to do is hold the ball. And they did.
A victory that will go down in history. The Eels of 2008 are most definitely not the Eels of the past few years.
Bismark O'Measles // Mar 16, 2008 at 11:29 am
Yes, very gratifying – you must have been stoked Shaun.
Shame the Bunnies couldn’t pull off the same stunt!
A little stunned by the Sharks right now… even without the players they missed in Gosford last month, they didn’t look like fighting their way out of a paper bag let alone beating the S.Eagles at Brooky.
Ho Hum
Shaun // Mar 16, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Sharks have good defense and that will help. But I don’t think the Sharks can chase teams down.
I feel so sorry for Benji. The lad has had the most rotten luck with injuries. Hopefully the diagnosis will be a good one.
Shaun // Mar 17, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Melbourne look good at times and while the Warriors were willing, they let themselves down with poor handling and discipline. A lesson a few teams have learned from this round.
Price’s injury doesn’t look good. Without him, the Warriors will have a rough time of it.
5 from 8. Ok start but need to pick it up for the rest of the year.
The Roughy failed to pay but got $12.50 back from the Storm. That will rollover into the Sure Thing for next round.
MAd b // Mar 28, 2008 at 9:03 am
you know nothing of the sport NRL
MAd b // Mar 28, 2008 at 9:04 am
do u even watch the sport you are the worse tipper in the world]