Richard Michael
DeanoHarmoShow Us Your Tips - NRL, June 15-18
June 14th 2007 04:37
Category: No Category
NRL
The rain last weekend wreaked havoc with the attendances, and also threw my tipping out the window with just 2 out of 6. Hopefully this week will be better….
Manly v South Sydney (Brookvale Oval, Friday 7:30pm)
Manly had the bye last weekend, but for fullback Brett Stewart it’s been a memorable week. Called into the NSW State of Origin team at the last minute, Stewart had a dream start to his rep career, going over for NSW’s only try. He’ll be taking that confidence back to his club this week to give an already strong side another edge. The Sea Eagles were defeated at their last start, but remain 2nd on the ladder. This week they take on Souths, who got away with a 14-4 win in the rain against Penrith to return to the winning list. But even with that win under their belt, it’s hard to see them being competitive against a red-hot Manly side at Brookie. Manly easily.
Bulldogs v Brisbane (Telstra Stadium, Friday 7:30pm)
Both these sides have been under-achievers this season, and desperately need a win to remain in the finals race. They both came off byes last week, which gave both a valuable 2 points. At their last start, the Bulldogs were far too strong for the Warriors and completed an easy 40-20 romp; while the Broncos had a shocker against St George and crashed to an 11-4 defeat. With only a 2-day break for players backing up from Origin, it’s a tough draw; and the Broncos in particular have struggled in those circumstances in the past. Add to this the home ground advantage, and the Bulldogs should have the edge to get up comfortably here.
Cronulla v NZ Warriors (Toyota Park, Saturday 5:30pm
The Sharks got a win in their last start, despite the absence of key playmakers Kimmorley and Bird, but much of the post-match attention was on the diving tactics. The NRL is right to clamp down on this, but on the field the Sharks have come into some good form; and this week they found themselves drawn against a disappointing NZ Warriors side. The Warriors, despite having the vast majority of possession, were unable to score a try against Melbourne last week. If they can’t score a try at home, what hope do they have on the road? Sharks comfortably.
North Queensland v Melbourne (Dairy Farmers Stadium, Saturday 7:30pm)
This match should be a beauty. The Cowboys suffered a shock loss to the Roosters last week, but this week enjoy the home ground advantage and will welcome the return of Johnathan Thurston from Origin duty. They will take on a Melbourne side that struggled to overcome the Warriors last week, but also have players returning from Origin duty. The Storm have had a sensational run at home, but against quality opposition on the road have a harder time of it; and the Townsville tropical heat will not be to their advantage at all. It will be close, but home ground advantage should just get the Cowboys over the line.
Penrith v Sydney Roosters (CUA Stadium, Saturday 7:30pm)
It’s been a disappointing season for both sides, who find themselves in the bottom section of the ladder. The Panthers were unable to find any spark in appalling conditions against Souths last week, and were held try-less in a demoralising defeat. Meanwhile the Roosters suddenly found some form, transforming themselves into the mudlarks of the NRL when they ran in 11 tries against a depleted Cowboys side. With Anasta returning to the Roosters side, just when they are getting some form on the board, the Roosters should turn their win last week into a streak with a second win in this game.
Parramatta v St George-Illawarra (Parramatta Stadium, Sunday 2:00pm)
The Eels had a shocker in Canberra last week, not clocking on until 10 minutes after the game had started, and by then the Raiders had already run in 4 converted tries. From there they fought back slightly, but the damage was done. This week they return home to take on a St George/Illawarra side that has had a disaster of a season. Last week at home, any hopes of a form revival were blown away when they were reduced to 12 men and found no way over the line to beat Cronulla. Although neither side comes in with winning form, the Eels are higher-placed and with Hindmarsh returning from Origin duty should be too good at home.
Wests Tigers v Gold Coast (Campbelltown Stadium, Sunday 3:00pm)
In tricky conditions in Newcastle last weekend, the Tigers prevailed over the Knights with a strong second-half performance. Despite crashing down in 2006, the Tigers have come closer to their 2005 form, coming into the top 4 and set to launch a serious challenge for this season. Gold Coast have been a surprise packet this season, defying all expectations to maintain a spot in the top 8. Neither side had significant losses to Origin duty, although the Gold Coast are coming off a bye. The Tigers are at home, and having had a full week to recover from the slog in Newcastle last week, should be strong enough to take the points here.
Newcastle v Canberra (Energy Australia Stadium, Monday 7:00pm)
The Knights were disappointing last week, going down at home to the Wests Tigers. It’s been tough training conditions in Newcastle, with floods and storms making conditions heavy; although the ground held up surprisingly well last week. The Knights have been inconsistent, although the injury to Mullen further underlines the difficulty the Knights have had in replacing Andrew Johns. On Monday night they take on a Canberra side flying high after jumping Parramatta and cruising to an easy win. The Raiders have been a surprise packet, but the bulk of their success has been at home; and they struggle on the road. After the emotion and damage in the Hunter region in the last week, the Knights will be primed to record a strong performance here, and with the home ground advantage should get over the line.
The rain last weekend wreaked havoc with the attendances, and also threw my tipping out the window with just 2 out of 6. Hopefully this week will be better….
Manly v South Sydney (Brookvale Oval, Friday 7:30pm)
Manly had the bye last weekend, but for fullback Brett Stewart it’s been a memorable week. Called into the NSW State of Origin team at the last minute, Stewart had a dream start to his rep career, going over for NSW’s only try. He’ll be taking that confidence back to his club this week to give an already strong side another edge. The Sea Eagles were defeated at their last start, but remain 2nd on the ladder. This week they take on Souths, who got away with a 14-4 win in the rain against Penrith to return to the winning list. But even with that win under their belt, it’s hard to see them being competitive against a red-hot Manly side at Brookie. Manly easily.
Bulldogs v Brisbane (Telstra Stadium, Friday 7:30pm)
Both these sides have been under-achievers this season, and desperately need a win to remain in the finals race. They both came off byes last week, which gave both a valuable 2 points. At their last start, the Bulldogs were far too strong for the Warriors and completed an easy 40-20 romp; while the Broncos had a shocker against St George and crashed to an 11-4 defeat. With only a 2-day break for players backing up from Origin, it’s a tough draw; and the Broncos in particular have struggled in those circumstances in the past. Add to this the home ground advantage, and the Bulldogs should have the edge to get up comfortably here.
Cronulla v NZ Warriors (Toyota Park, Saturday 5:30pm
The Sharks got a win in their last start, despite the absence of key playmakers Kimmorley and Bird, but much of the post-match attention was on the diving tactics. The NRL is right to clamp down on this, but on the field the Sharks have come into some good form; and this week they found themselves drawn against a disappointing NZ Warriors side. The Warriors, despite having the vast majority of possession, were unable to score a try against Melbourne last week. If they can’t score a try at home, what hope do they have on the road? Sharks comfortably.
North Queensland v Melbourne (Dairy Farmers Stadium, Saturday 7:30pm)
This match should be a beauty. The Cowboys suffered a shock loss to the Roosters last week, but this week enjoy the home ground advantage and will welcome the return of Johnathan Thurston from Origin duty. They will take on a Melbourne side that struggled to overcome the Warriors last week, but also have players returning from Origin duty. The Storm have had a sensational run at home, but against quality opposition on the road have a harder time of it; and the Townsville tropical heat will not be to their advantage at all. It will be close, but home ground advantage should just get the Cowboys over the line.
Penrith v Sydney Roosters (CUA Stadium, Saturday 7:30pm)
It’s been a disappointing season for both sides, who find themselves in the bottom section of the ladder. The Panthers were unable to find any spark in appalling conditions against Souths last week, and were held try-less in a demoralising defeat. Meanwhile the Roosters suddenly found some form, transforming themselves into the mudlarks of the NRL when they ran in 11 tries against a depleted Cowboys side. With Anasta returning to the Roosters side, just when they are getting some form on the board, the Roosters should turn their win last week into a streak with a second win in this game.
Parramatta v St George-Illawarra (Parramatta Stadium, Sunday 2:00pm)
The Eels had a shocker in Canberra last week, not clocking on until 10 minutes after the game had started, and by then the Raiders had already run in 4 converted tries. From there they fought back slightly, but the damage was done. This week they return home to take on a St George/Illawarra side that has had a disaster of a season. Last week at home, any hopes of a form revival were blown away when they were reduced to 12 men and found no way over the line to beat Cronulla. Although neither side comes in with winning form, the Eels are higher-placed and with Hindmarsh returning from Origin duty should be too good at home.
Wests Tigers v Gold Coast (Campbelltown Stadium, Sunday 3:00pm)
In tricky conditions in Newcastle last weekend, the Tigers prevailed over the Knights with a strong second-half performance. Despite crashing down in 2006, the Tigers have come closer to their 2005 form, coming into the top 4 and set to launch a serious challenge for this season. Gold Coast have been a surprise packet this season, defying all expectations to maintain a spot in the top 8. Neither side had significant losses to Origin duty, although the Gold Coast are coming off a bye. The Tigers are at home, and having had a full week to recover from the slog in Newcastle last week, should be strong enough to take the points here.
Newcastle v Canberra (Energy Australia Stadium, Monday 7:00pm)
The Knights were disappointing last week, going down at home to the Wests Tigers. It’s been tough training conditions in Newcastle, with floods and storms making conditions heavy; although the ground held up surprisingly well last week. The Knights have been inconsistent, although the injury to Mullen further underlines the difficulty the Knights have had in replacing Andrew Johns. On Monday night they take on a Canberra side flying high after jumping Parramatta and cruising to an easy win. The Raiders have been a surprise packet, but the bulk of their success has been at home; and they struggle on the road. After the emotion and damage in the Hunter region in the last week, the Knights will be primed to record a strong performance here, and with the home ground advantage should get over the line.
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