I hate the first few rounds for tipping. While a few teams seem to be sure things there is still too much uncertainty with the others. But already, a few teams seem destined for long seasons and their coaches destined for an early shower. So over the fold for the round 2 preview, tips and where my money is going this weekend.
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury Bulldogs, Friday 7:30pm ANZ Stadium
This has the potential of being a good match. It all depends on which team decides to turn up. Form wise both teams were smashed but the Bulldogs suffered the worst, blowing a 20 point half time lead. To Souths credit, they tried hard all game against the Roosters and finished with a few face saving tries. Matt Utai can expect plenty of high kicks when Souths are on the Bulldogs line. Apart from the Dogs inability to play without Sonny Bill, Utai is now a big liability.
Given the Bunnies finished the stronger last week, they have my tip of approval.
Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos, Friday 7:30pm Sydney Football Stadium
The Roosters were clinical in the first 50 minutes against Souths. The Broncos relished the return of Lockyer and demolished the toothless Panthers. For the Roosters, Anasta has benefited greatly from Fittler at the helm and it is good to see him with some regular form. And the Broncs are starting to build a good, young side. This should be the game of the round and I’m quite looking forward to the clash.
And even if they are gilmae’s team, I still going for Easts in this one.
Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders, Saturday 5:30pm CUA Stadium.
Bloody hell. Who do you pick? Both teams are looking already as also rans in the comp. The Panthers were woeful in Brisbane. As for the Raiders, there were moments against the Knights when they seemed to put some decent footy together. That would be then be followed by a brain snap that would undo the good work. If they hold their heads…
Coin toss. Calling heads for Panthers and…tails it is. The Raiders.
Newcastle Knights v Manly Sea Eagles, Saturday 7:30pm Energy Australia Stadium
The Knights played well against the Raiders and deserved their win even with some luck going their way with a few tries. On the other hand, Manly seem to be lost in attack without Monaghan. This season will really show if Lyon has any real ability at five-eighth. He may well prove me wrong but he won’t add much to the Manly attack. Much better out in the centres.
A chance of an upset but I don’t smell one. Manly has the better side on paper and should win.
North Queensland Cowboys v Wests Tigers, Saturday 9:30pm Dairyfarmers Stadium
Has Thurston come back too soon? Mat Rogers thinks so. And he has a point. The Cowboys defence is not that great and a crippled Thurston could be a liability no matter his freakish ability in attack. The Tigers played well against the Dragons and could be a team that does better than expected.
The bookies have this one wrong. At the time of writing you can get $3.60 for the Tigers. Go for it.*
New Zealand Warriors v Parramatta Eels, Sunday 2:00pm Mt Smart Stadium
The Warriors were willing but lacked discipline against the Storm last Monday. The loss of Price after McKinnon will hurt the Warriors. They are dangerous at home but the Eels are up to something. Yes, the first half against the Dogs was awful but that was just blowing out the cobwebs. The second half was just brilliant. The loss of Inu is countered by Hayne coming back into the side.
The Eels of course.
Melbourne Storm v Cronulla Sharks, Sunday 3:00pm Olympic Park
The question is were the Storm all that convincing against the Warriors last week? I’m not sure that they were. And even through all common sense points to an easy Storm win I don’t think it will be a stroll in Olympic Park. The Sharkies showed against Manly they still have that good defence. Attack is a worry but this will be a very tight fight.
The Storm but not the walk over some expect.
St George Illawarra Dragons v Gold Coast Titans, Monday 7:00pm Win Stadium
I can’t believe the bookies have the Dragons favourite for this one. The thinking may be along the lines of a backs to the wall effort for Brownie but how many chances have the Dragons had? The Titans looked sharp last week and I question their ability to win away from home. But then I have questions about the Dragons after last week’s dismal effort.
The Titans should get this if they play to their ability.
Shaun’s Sure Thing: I have my money on the Eels this round. I really do think the bookies have some of the other teams odds that are way to short.
The Roughy: Go the Tigers. As I said, $3.60 are great odds.
* Shaun is not responsible for any financial or psychological distress received from following his crazy tips. However, if you do win some dosh betting on my prognosticational powers, a beer of gratitude would be welcome if we cross paths
22 responses so far ↓
Amanda // Mar 21, 2008 at 8:52 am
RABBITS
ROOSTERS
PENRITH
KNIGHTS
COWBOYS
STORM
WARRIORS
TITANS
Sorrynfor caps, just cutting and pasting from my office tipping comp email and can’t be bothered to retype. I picked the cows but you’re right the Tigers are a good bet.
Bismark O'Measles // Mar 21, 2008 at 9:56 am
Roosters (Grrrrrr…..)
Bunnies
Panthers (Go Petro!)
Manly
Cowboys
Eels
Storm
Dragons
Footy gods be nice.
Despite Shauns disclaimer I will be popping a bob or two on the Tiges as instructed - buy you a beer on the 6th if I win!
Stephen Hill // Mar 21, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Bulldogs (the biter will take care of the best prop in the game Asotasi)
Sydney City Rorters
Panthers
West Tigers
Eels
Storm
Gold Coast
Amanda // Mar 22, 2008 at 5:10 am
0/2 . oh well.
Go the Knights!!!
Shaun // Mar 22, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Bugger.
The Roosters v Broncos was a great game. The hit on Anasta by Hunt was lineball at best. The Roosters seem ok with it which suggest they think it was an accident as well. If the finishing by the Roosters was a little better they may have won.
Alas poor Bunnies. Got a good start and then the Bulldogs did a second half revival. Folkes is safe for another week.
Go the Tigers tonight!
Mungo Amanda // Mar 22, 2008 at 7:18 pm
@36.00 Kidley you donkey.
Mungo Amanda // Mar 22, 2008 at 7:21 pm
@3900 HA. Lyon YOU (judas) MUG! HA!!
Mungo Amanda // Mar 22, 2008 at 8:03 pm
@6500 WHOOOOOOOOOO Come ON!
Mungo Amanda // Mar 22, 2008 at 8:19 pm
D’oh
Yay!
D’oh!
Yay!
D’oh!
Yay!
Mungo Amanda // Mar 22, 2008 at 8:20 pm
……….
Mungo Amanda // Mar 22, 2008 at 8:27 pm
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NEWC
ARSE
ULLLLLLLL!
Stephen Hill // Mar 22, 2008 at 8:31 pm
‘Eadbut, Perry obviously didn’t like some of his old teammates
Shaun // Mar 22, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Fa’aoso, the classic villain to hero. Good on the Knights gutsing out a great win. A Manly win would have given me a perfect day in tipping but who cares. Great stuff. Amanda, you have summed it up perfectly.
As for the Beagles, Lyons will be their achilles heel in attack. When you have a five eighth with bugger all ability playing outside a halfback with limited skills, don’t expect much.
As for the Tigers, sometimes is does pay to accidentally put 20 on instead of 10. The first Roughy of the season comes in and a nice little win for me.
It was a great game and the Tigers took an awful lot of punishment in the first half. It was almost the league equivalent of rope a dope. But they kept a coming and the Cowboys look shaky early on this year.
And as I texted to Bismarck O’Measles at the concluding of the Panthers and Raiders, I’ve saw second last beat last. Both teams are in for a long season judging on today’s efforts.
Go the Eels in NZ. Bring home the Sure Thing.
Bismark O'Measles // Mar 23, 2008 at 8:51 am
1 from ‘kin 5.
Nice roughie though Shaun - near-on $50.00 makes up for the $5.00 top-tipper bonus in the comp.
Go your sure thing! What odds did u get for your $12.00 or so?
Shaun // Mar 23, 2008 at 9:42 am
I got $3.60 for my twenty on the Tigers which returned a nice $72. Just noticed that the Eels are out to $2.00 and the Warriors favourites at $.183. Which is a bugger as I took the Eels when they were $1.73.
Phil Gould had a good comment in today’s Sun Herald as he couldn’t believe the Dragons were the bookies favourite. Gould reckons he wouldn’t even use free money to bet on the Dragons.
Unsure of early season form, the markets seem to be rewarding home ground advantage and/or past season form.
Shaun // Mar 23, 2008 at 9:43 am
Oh noes! Just found Hindy is out hence the movement to the Warriors.
Shaun // Mar 23, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Stupid Eels.
Bismark O'Measles // Mar 23, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Stupid game full stop - & stupid Bismark… I wasn’t 1 from 5, I was 0 from 5!
I’m now 0 from 7 & I thought I was tipping on the conservative side this week.
Having trouble understanding why the Storm didn’t take the shot from any one of their five plays of the ball whilst in field-goal teritory - Noddy done good though.
Too terrified to tip next week.
But.. Shauns tip paid off - consolation prize.
Shaun // Mar 23, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Too right Bismarck. The Storm had a chance to take that game. Warren Ryan was very bemused by all this when I heard him on the radio. And two sent off. Ross and White will not be playing for the next few weeks.
Will have something to say on shoulder charges going wrong after tomorrow’s match.
As for the Eels, they played poorly, lack penetration and hence did not enjoy any good field position. Tim Smith will be back next week and give those Novacastrians a lesson in how to play footy.
Bismark O'Stupid // Mar 24, 2008 at 9:21 pm
In a desperate attempt to steal a single game out of this week, I changed my mind and tipped the Titans.
0 from 8.
I’m going to try & put this weekend behind me.
Shaun // Mar 24, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Beer is what you need. Lots of it.
Still, I’d say a tough round for everyone. A quick squiz at the draw for round 3 suggests it ain’t going to get any easier.
Amanda // Mar 25, 2008 at 10:25 am
Good one, Gus.