This pontificating punditry prognosticating about the weekend results is a mug’s game. But I’m back again because if there is one thing sports loves and that is the chance for a good redemption narrative. Last week was woeful but this week I aim to set the record straight. To once get back on the path to footy tipping dominance.
Tips compiled with the assistance of the East Bunny. No Easter eggs for guessing who his favourite team is.
Eels v Dragons, Friday 7:35pm, Parramatta Stadium
The Dragons are deserved favourites and they will have my tip. But as an Eels fan, I’ll be putting some cash on them and living and dying every minute as I watch the game. Eels fans just want a competitive performance. A win will be a bonus.
Roosters v Broncos, Friday 7:35pm Sydney Football Stadium
The Roosters had a good win but there form is really erratic. The Broncos paid the price for errors last week. A disciplined performance will see them home.
Sharks v Raiders, Saturday 5:30pm, Toyota Park,
Even though the Raiders are backing up after a Monday night game they are going to win. The only thing the Raiders need to do is fix the second half snooze. With Gallen and few other players out, the Sharks have nothing to offer. They will be desperate for a win but Canberra have more points.
Storm v Panthers, Saturday 7:30pm, Olympic Park
Give the Panthers credit. Considered favourites for the spoon they have surprised a little so far. And while I don’t think they can knock over the Storm, they will give it a red hot go. The Storm a fading compared to last year. They are still a strong side but any lapse or failure to turn up costs you in this comp. I expect a much stronger showing and the Storm gaining two points.
Cowboys v Titans, Saturday 7:30pm, Dairy Farmers Stadium
The Cowboys are really lacking this year. Maybe it is settling in the new coach but they lack potency even with Thurston and Bowen together again. The Titans on the other hand are winning without Prince and away from home. Prince will be wanting a big game against Thurston. I’m not sure why the bookies have the Cowboys as favourites as the Titans seem to be a far more cohesive unit.
Knights v Warriors, Sunday 2:00pm, Energy Australia Stadium
The Warriors have been very disappointing. But with both Price and Tate out they are going to continue to struggle. Brian Smith’s plan for the Knights to be working and they are going to be a tough team at home this year. I like what I saw against Manly and reckon the Novacastrians can do it again.
Sea Eagles v Tigers, Sunday 3:00pm, Brookvale Oval
Stewart is back to the relief of Manly fans. But is that enough for them to get back into the winner’s circle? Manly will win a game sometime and the Tigers are as good as side as any to open the season’s account. The Tigers defense is pretty much non-existent for the most part of games. They will find it tough again as Manly will be fired up.
Bulldogs v Bunnies, Monday 7:00pm ANZ Stadium
The most even and intriguing match up of the round. This game will help us determine if the Bunnies are the real thing this year. They are riding high at the top of the table which hasn’t happened since I had a full head of hair. The Bulldogs have been impressive in their own right showing a lot more steel than last year. A coin toss really but being Easter, the Bunnies of course.
The Sure Thing: Not sure if any team is a “sure thing” this year. But I do reckon the Sea Eagles will win.
The Roughy: Personally it will be Parra but the Titans are at good odds so give them a go.
13 responses so far ↓
Mountain Boy // Apr 10, 2009 at 11:12 am
my picks using the ’07 wooden spoon to mix together 3 parts logic and 2 parts illogic are Dragons, Roosters, Raiders, Panthers, Titans, Knights, Tigers, Bulldogs.
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 10, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Dragons
Roosters
Raiders
Storm
Cows
Kerrniggets
Sea-Eagles
Bunnies
I think that stacks up with yours except the Cows. Scotty lost me a point a few weeks ago when I switched my tip when he didn’t play (I think that got you too Shaun) and I’m damned if I’m going to be lulled into that again.
The Cows are at home and MB/JT will rise to the occasion.
The toughie for me this week is the Tigers/Manly. The Tigers will want to stay in touch and Manly have yet to open their account so there will be plenty of passion. In the meantime, “One cuckoo doth not a whole summer make” and now he’s been slugged with a second charge of “Buying Some Gold-Digger A Beer On The Central Coast With Intent To Talk To Her” I suspect he can leave all this stuff on the sideline and get on with the job at hand.
My Heart says Tigers but logically, it’s the Eagles.
In the meantime, I’ve never seen you with a ‘full head of hear’. Are you sure you don’t mean beer?
HopHop BOM
Shaun // Apr 10, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Thank you BOM. I must of been a bit harebrained last night. But as they say, here today gone tomorrow. Blogging can be a little hairy in the presence of observant readers.
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 10, 2009 at 9:53 pm
50 mins into the second half at Parra…. Why do you lot put up with E Grothe?
Can’t help feeling you’d be better off without him………
Just a thought.
BOM
Shaun // Apr 10, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Grothe was ok. Made a good run soon after.
Ya know, I liked what I saw from the Eels tonight. Plenty of passion in defense. Final passes let them down close to the Dragons line but a much improved performance.
Kris Keating deserves a go as the Eels halfback. He looked quite dangerous at times up the middle of the ruck and has a decent kicking game.
Well done lads. Not a win but you won a lot of fans back with the performance.
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 12, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Bloody Titans.
And to think, I used to barrack for Prince S at Leichhardt..
You’re right, Keating C was good – I maintain Grothe needs work.
BOM
Shaun // Apr 12, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Come on Bunnies. Give me a perfect round.
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 12, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Ahhhhh were it not for the flippin’ Titans!
Great to see the Kerniggets get up in a nail biter Amanda.
BOM
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 13, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Damn those dogs but the Buns put on a real nail-biter.
I didn’t see it but it sounds like Capewell had a spot of the Corrigan’s about him which probably didn’t help.
Never mind… 2 points is no disgrace, particularly given the weather and the Dragons take over at the top of the table.
I’m off to see the Tigers play the Storm next week at my favourite ground – just me ‘n Pixi Frou-Frou.
Boohoo
BOM
Shaun // Apr 13, 2009 at 10:06 pm
The Bunnies kicking was off and they dropped too much ball in good field position. Better hands and they might have got the points.
Have fun at Leichardt. Next match up here is Rorters v Storm on the 11th.
Mountain Boy // Apr 13, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Looking at more than just how many right….5 games decided by 4 points or less and each of those could have gone either way. The guy who tipped 3 could easily have tipped 8. From the other side of that hedge, the guy (..or gal sorry) who tipped 8 could easily have tipped 3. Not a dominant performance in the 8 games. No clear favourite for the title, and picking any team as a definite top 4 team would be premature in my books. If you are thinking Dragons, then I would not totally disagree, but then you would have to go back to the Bronze Age when last there was a defence-orientated team that won the comp.
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 14, 2009 at 7:53 am
I was just checking the BNPSS tipping comp Shaun… looks like your heart got the better of you & you tipped the Eeeeeeels by mistake giving you 6, not 7.
Shaun // Apr 14, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Yes, stupid Eels and Bunnies. A quick glance at this weekend and it doesn’t seem that much easier.