Round 3 Tips

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Sorry but will now keep it up to date.

Round 2 5/8
Season Total 12/16

Wests Tigers vs. Roosters @ Sydney Football Stadium

TIGERS: Tim Moltzen, Taniela Tuiaki, Dean Collis, Chris Lawrence, Beau Ryan, John Morris, Benji Marshall, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah (capt), Keith Galloway, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington, Todd Payten. Interchange: Rhys Hanbury, Dene Halatau, Corey Payne, Danny Galea.

ROOSTERS: Sam Perrett, Sonny Tuigamala, Mitchell Aubusson, Sia Soliola, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Braith Anasta (capt), Mitchell Pearce, Mark O'Meley, James Aubusson, Nate Myles, Willie Mason, Craig Fitzgibbon, Setaimata Sa. Interchange: Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Lopini Paea, Shane Shackleton, Anthony Cherington, Ben Jones (one to be omitted)

Both teams have won against a depleted Raiders outfit, and been smashed in their other game. Marshall hasn’t settled in his new roll and Farah has found himself playing a new roll. For the Tigers to win Farah will need to play a blinder. Roosters have a team more than capable of shutting down Farah so I will be going with the Tri Colours.

Titans vs. Bulldogs @ Skilled Park

TITANS: Preston Campbell, Esi Tonga, Josh Graham, Brett Delaney, Chris Walker, Mat Rogers, Scott Prince (capt), Luke Bailey (capt), Nathan Friend, Michael Henderson, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Matt White, Brad Meyers, Luke O'Dwyer, William Zillman, Aaron Cannings (one to be omitted)

BULLDOGS: Luke Patten, Hazem El Masri, Josh Morris, Jamal Idris, Bryson Goodwin, Ben Roberts, Brett Kimmorley, Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis, Chris Armit, Gary Warburton, Andrew Ryan (capt), David Stagg. Interchange: Lee Te Maari, Greg Eastwood, John Kite, Ben Barba

Both teams have great line ups so should be a cracker of a game. Prince is in doubt for the Titans but have some great back up players. I am torn on this game. Titans play well at home and the Bulldogs will be furious at losing two points.
I will be keeping an eye out for late team changes but as it stands I will be tipping the Titans with no great confidence


Warriors vs. Broncos @ Mt Smart Stadium

WARRIORS: Wade McKinnon, Denan Kemp, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Aiden Kirk, Joel Moon, Nathan Fien, Sam Rapira, Ian Henderson, Steve Price (capt), Simon Mannering, Jacob Lillyman, Micheal Luck. Interchange: Stacey Jones, Russell Packer, Jesse Royal, Ukuma Ta'ai

BRONCOS: Karmichael Hunt, Antonio Winterstein, Steve Michaels, Israel Folau, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (capt), Peter Wallace, Nick Kenny, Aaron Gorrell, Joel Clinton, Sam Thaiday, Ben Te'o, Corey Parker. Interchange: Andrew McCullough, Lagi Setu, David Taylor, Alex Glenn, Ashton Sims, Josh McGuire, Michael DeVere (three to be omitted)

Warriors look great and my pre season tip of Premiers. Broncos have won both games but could easily have lost both. Broncos have some injuries, so with the Warriors on a roll at home I will be backing our cousins from across the ditch.

Eels vs. Raiders @ Parramatta Stadium

EELS: Luke Burt, Joel Reddy, Ben Smith, Krisnan Inu, Eric Grothe, Jarryd Hayne, Brett Finch, Nathan Cayless (capt), Matthew Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Joe Galuvao, Feleti Mateo. Interchange: Kris Keating, Todd Lowrie, Tim Mannah, Broderick Wright

RAIDERS: David Milne, Brett Kelly, Jarrod Croker, Joel Monaghan, Justin Carney, Terry Campese, Marc Herbert, David Shillington, Stuart Flanagan, Josh Miller, Joe Picker, Bronson Harrison, Alan Tongue (capt). Interchange: Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Trevor Thurling, Glen Turner, Nigel Plum

Eels had a poor first half in the opening game but have looked sharp since. Hayne has not found his feet in his new position and can be a weakness. Raiders have had a few injuries and I am not convinced the Raiders can play the same level of footy Neil Henry installed over his term in charge. Eels to win this comfortably.

Cowboys vs. Storm @ Dairy Farmers Stadium

COWBOYS: Matt Bowen, John Williams, Ashley Graham, Ty Williams, Ben Farrar, Travis Burns, Johnathan Thurston (capt), Shane Tronc, Aaron Payne, Antonio Kaufusi, Carl Webb, Ben Harris, Luke O'Donnell. Interchange: Grant Rovelli, Scott Bolton, Matthew Scott, Manase Manuokafoa, Clint Amos, Shannon Hegarty (two to be omitted)

STORM: Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Will Chambers, Willie Isa, Anthony Quinn, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Jeff Lima, Cameron Smith (capt), Adam Blair, Wairangi Koopu, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Ryan Hinchcliffe, Kevin Proctor, Aiden Tolman, Scott Anderson, Sika Manu, Joseph Tomane (two to be omitted)

Cowboys are looking strong and will benefit from Neil Henry’s expertise. Isa for the Storm is suspended with injury concerns over Inglis. With Cameron Smith confused in his new role I can’t tip them and feel The Cowboys will have too much at home.

Rabbitohs vs. Knights @ Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford

RABBITOHS: Rhys Wesser, Shaune Corrigan, Colin Best, Beau Champion, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi (capt), Ben Lowe, Shannan McPherson, David Fa'alogo. Interchange: Craig Wing, Eddy Pettybourne, Jaiman Lowe, David Kidwell

KNIGHTS: Kurt Gidley (capt), James McManus, Junior Sau, Adam MacDougall, Akuila Uate, Ben Rogers, Scott Dureau, Mark Taufua, Isaac De Gois, Ben Cross, Chris Houston, Cory Paterson, Zeb Taia. Interchange: Matt Hilder, Keith Lulia, Richie Fa'aoso, George Ndaira

I like the look of the Rabbitohs they have Wing and Champion return, while the Knights have to play their third game in twelve days without Mullen and Simpson. Rabbitohs look good to win this game by 13+.


Dragons vs. Sharks @ WIN Jubilee Stadium

DRAGONS: Darius Boyd, Jason Nightingale, Beau Scott, Matt Cooper, Wendell Sailor, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby (capt), Jarrod Saffy, Dean Young, Michael Weyman, Matt Prior, Ben Creagh, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Dan Hunt, Neville Costigan, Mathew Head, Luke Priddis

SHARKS: David Simmons, Misi Taulapapa, Ben Pomeroy, Blake Ferguson, Luke Covell, Trent Barrett, Blake Green, Kade Snowden, Corey Hughes, Luke Douglas, Reece Williams, Anthony Tupou, Paul Gallen (capt). Interchange: Reni Maitua, Grant Millington, Bryan Norrie, Tony Caine, Mitch Brown (one to be omitted)

This local derby is one of the most spiteful in the NRL. The Dragons return to their spiritual home with Wayne Bennett leading them as only a Master Coach can.
The Sharks have lost several players to injury and are backing up after Monday night football. Their backline lacks fire power to trouble the Dragons.
Dragons to win a fiery encounter.

Sea Eagles vs. Panthers @ Brookvale Oval

SEA EAGLES: Michael Robertson, Michael Bani, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Shane Neumann, Chris Bailey, Matt Orford (capt), Brent Kite, Matt Ballin, Josh Perry, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Hall, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Heath L'Estrange, Jason King, Adam Cuthbertson, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, George Rose (one to be omitted)

PANTHERS: Lachlan Coote, Michael Gordon, Michael Jennings, Brad Tighe, Shane Elford, Luke Lewis, Jarrod Sammut, Frank Puletua, Paul Aiton, Petero Civoniceva (capt), Trent Waterhouse, Matthew Bell, Nathan Smith. Interchange: Masada Iosefa, Frank Pritchard, Tim Grant, Adam Woolnough, Wade Graham, Joseph Paulo (two to be omitted)

I had the Panthers as Wooden Spooners at the start of the season, but have been impressed by their defence, they will be competitive in most their matches.
Manly have been disadvantaged by not training with the two referee system in the off-season but must be accustomed by now. Manly look to strong on paper and being at home I have to pick the Sea Eagles.