Before we kick of this week - I thought it prudent to highlight my record so far this year, just to give readers an idea of my credentials as a tipster... or lack thereof.
My results from the last 6 weeks..
round 8 - 3/8
round 9 - 0/4
round 10 - 3/8
round 11 - 2/5
round 12 - 2/7
round 13 - 4/8
Total - 14/40 (that's a 35% strike rate)
So, get your wallets out and ready to bet. I'm obviously a lock.
Gold Coast v Manly
The Titans at $1.25??? Amazing. How can anyone be that confident after watching the NRL this season? The home side’s defence is under pressure and they will be desperate to right the ship in this match. Manly’s discipline, however, will bring the biggest challenge for the Titans to overcome.
They will. Preston Campbell and Nathan Friend combine well with Prince and Greg Bird to put the Titans season back on track. Manly gallant in defeat as they make things very difficult early on for Titans but eventually, Scott Prince the difference. George Rose a standout off the bench for Manly.
Man of the Match Prediction: Scott Prince
Tip: Titans 26-16
Result: Titans 28-14
Man of the Match: Greg Bird
Snap Review:
When the Titans play like this they are a pleasure to watch. Forwards hitting hard and running great lines, backs hitting harder than the forwards and running away for long distance tries. Super entertaining. Having Matt Rogers back in the squad made a big difference to the performance of Greg Bird as well. Experience counts. Credit also to the Titans bench who lifted for this one and collectively made an instant impact.
North Queensland v Canberra
The last time the Cowboys played without Jonathan Thurston, they put the Roosters to the sword in Sydney. In that match, the responsibility of guiding the team around the park was done by committee. At least 5 different players shared kicking duties and first receiver roles that night and this will be the same plan of attack against the visiting Raiders on Saturday night.
It could work, but I’m betting it won’t. The Raiders will kick this match off with a bang and run through the Cowboys defence often. Joel Thompson and Josh Dugan will cause problems for the Cowboys outside backs and if the home side play like they did last week, it will be a long night for fans up in Townsville.
Man of the Match Prediction: Joel Thompson
Tip: Raiders 24-20
Result: North Queensland 16-8
Man of the Match: Matt Bowen
Snap Review:
With the amount of ball the Raiders had in the 2nd half, they should have scored at least 3 tries. I counted 7 or 8 line breaks that all ended in error. The Cowboys played well enough to put pressure on the visitors from the start and that was enough. Josh Dugan out injured made a huge difference to the design of the raiders attack. The Cowboys are 2 from 2 without JT this year. Interesting.
Newcastle v NZ Warriors
Surprising how similar these two teams are. Not only do they have exactly the same points differential, but they are almost identical in a number of other statistical categories. Before I keep writing about stats… does anyone care...? Didn’t think so. Newcastle to win.
Scott Dureau has had a number of defensive lapses this season and will be under pressure to retain his spot. He and Jarrod Mullen must turn up in this match against a willing Warriors side boasting a fit Manu Vatuvei. I say they will turn up, but with home ground advantage the only real difference here. Knights use the amazing talents of Akuila Uate to their advantage and get a much needed victory.
Man of the Match Prediction: Jarrod Mullen
Tip: Newcastle 30-18
Result: Warriors 32-24
Man of the Match: Lewis Brown
Snap Review:
The Newcastle Knights have two very big problems. 1 - their right side defence and 2 - the play of Scott Dureau. Both these issues have not only cost them victories, but they are arguably the two most important parts of a league team - your halfback and your defence. Dureau's defence is at times embarrassing and the Knights defence, as a whole for the entire season so far, is of similar standard. The Warriors, however, came to play and led by James Maloney, were entertaining as always and despite the closeness of the score, looked winners for the most part.
Brisbane v South Sydney
Both teams enter this game on the back of good recent form with plenty of emerging young talent providing the spark. The Broncos head home after 2 solid away wins at Toyota Park and Brookvale Oval with Darren Lockyer almost single handedly responsible for both victories.
This generation’s greatest player will obviously be missed by the Broncos in this match but Souths have their own issues through 5 players missing from their regular 17.... all forwards. A resurgent John Sutton and Chris Sandow will struggle to find space because of this, and the home side’s pack will take full advantage. Corey Parker and Ben Teo the chief opportunists.
Man of the Match Prediction: Andrew McCullough
Tip: Brisbane 23-16
Result: Brisbane 50-22
Man of the Match: Corey Parker
Snap Review:
It's not often you see the type of aggression and enthusiasm shown by the Broncos outside of semi final footy. They are on a hot streak and the Bunnies were just a speed hump in this match. Tough to pay this victory though as Souths were missing 3 internationals and a host of others from their starting 17. However keep an eye on the Broncos, they are running wild.
Melbourne v Eastern Suburbs
This game again raises an issue that many league fans have with the scheduling of representative football. A potentially great game ruined by conflicting arrangements does test the depth of all clubs, but one cannot help but wonder what we are missing. The Roosters have not looked good this season without Mitchell Pearce but head into this game as favourites nonetheless.
Usually, I find myself hesitant to oppose the bookies: not today. Todd Carney struggles with the switch to halfback and the Roosters in-turn struggle to punch holes in a committed Melbourne defence. Keep an eye on 20 year old Storm halfback Luke Kelly who captained the clubs NYC premiership winning squad last year. Big things expected from this rookie.
Man of the Match Prediction: Aidan Tolman
Tip: Melbourne 18-16
Result: Roosters 38-6
Man of the Match: Frank-Paul Nuuausala
Snap Review:
See our "Minute by Minute Monday Night" blog. Delivered in retro from every Tuesday.
For live updates of every match over the weekend, go to http://www.leagueunlimited.com/
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