If you are searching for AFL Round 13 Tips click here: http://wdnicolson.blogspot.com/2009/06/nrl-tips-round-16-2009-afl-tips-round.html
This is an archived story - so check the main page - www.wdnicolson.blogspot.com for the current round of tipping for NRL, AFL and Super 14. The site is also regularly updated with opinion, news and features on sport, entertainment and life.
We're pretty much halfway through the regular seasons of the NRL and AFL Premierships and the Super 14 season has been completed with the Final last Saturday Night.
So with State of Origin One played with Queensland taking a 1-0 lead in the Series after a 28-18 win over NSW (Review here) and the AFL heading into their split round over the next fortnight - it seems like a logical time to draw a deep breath and sigh in relief that my expert tips only have about three months left of being wrong.
That's refreshing...
As is kicking a goal from the sideline just 1.5 metres from the tryline - interested in giving it a go? Go to http://wdnicolson.blogspot.com/2009/05/kick-off-2009-are-you-up-to-challenge.html for more information on Kick-Off 2009!
NRL & AFL Match Previews below.
NRL ROUND 13- 2009
Even in a shortened week I still can't get close to a perfect round - despite picking two of the three upsets to occur on the weekend. Was confident in the Raiders and Sharks but wasteful Bulldogs side in the opening twenty minutes cost me big time on Sunday. Not to mention the toothless Tigers. The Dragons were morals when the Panthers lost Brad Tighe before kick-off (ok not being serious there... who misses Brad Tighe honestly?) and Wendell Sailor had a big night in Wollongong.
Onto Round 13 of the Premiership and two teams have the bye the weekend after Origin One - Canberra and Canterbury sit this one out.
As will Justin Hodges - the only confirmed player from Origin One who will NOT play this weekend - medial ligament in knee 2-6 weeks.
STORM over BRONCOS
> If Slater AND Inglis don't play then I'll be switching to the Broncos (even without Hodges) as the Storm just don't have the replacements to cover for the loss of their most dangerous runners. Even at home on a cold Melbourne night - the Broncos would be a little too potent with the Lockyer-Hunt-Folau combo on show and the packs cancelling each other out. If either Slater or Inglis play then Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk will have that one vital line breaker to playmake for and that would tip the scales back in favour of the Storm.
Last 5 Head to Head: To be added.
TIGERS over PANTHERS
> This is another game relying on a key player backing up. Robbie Farah should be good to go and he will be the difference when the Tigers host the Panthers at Leichhardt. The Panthers should have their best three players back after missing them terribly against the Dragons last week but I'm not certain they are that good a side even with them in the lineup. Home team here.
Last 5 Head to Head: To be added.
SEA EAGLES over ROOSTERS
> The Roosters won't be tippable til they beat a side above them on the ladder. The Sea Eagles aren't that far ahead of them actually so this may be winnable but unless Arthur Beetson has better luck coaching Sydney this week than he did as the main man at Cronulla in the 1990s - the defending premiers should win at Brookie... actually scratch that - they MUST win at Brookie.
Last 5 Head to Head: To be added.
RABBITOHS over COWBOYS
> As confident as I was that a Raiders team without Terry Campese had the Bunnies measure last Monday Night - I'm seriously leaning towards that same Bunnies team to travel to Townsville and give the Cowboys a real bashing on Saturday Night. The Cowboys have yet to convince me they have turned the corner and if Johnathan Thurston can't produce another 8 or 9 out of 10 performance the Bunnies forward pack will really turn this game Souths way.
Last 5 Head to Head: To be added.
WARRIORS over SHARKS
> Really can't say I rate either of these teams at the monent - while it isn't much of a statement regarding the Sharks - they are coming off the same number of consecutive wins as the Warriors... One. With Steven Price back for the Warriors and perhaps a change in attitude the Warriors will have too many attacking options for the Sharks who were fortunate Jarryd Hayne didn't play against them last Saturday Night for the Eels.
Last 5 Head to Head: To be added.
KNIGHTS over EELS
> Well I stopped believing in the Knights way too early by tipping against them when the Dogs visited last Sunday afternoon. As a result the Eels won't even get a consideration in this clash - Knights by 13+, Akuila Uate a hat-trick.
Last 5 Head to Head:
TITANS over DRAGONS
> Really want to tip the Dragons - especially with the extra couple of days rest their Origin players get with the MNF clash - but the Titans will be well rested and both Anthony Laffranchi and Luke Bailey will be itching to make up for poor performances in Origin One for NSW. Scott Prince to really test the Dragons defence and Preston Campbell and William Zillman (who I think will start at fullback - Rogers to centre, Campbell to five-eighth) will be huge factors in attack. That being said the Dragons are every chance as long as their go-forward is solid and Jamie Soward's kicking game gives them great field position.
Last 5 Head to Head: To be added.
AFL ROUND 11 - 2009
Last week, RICHMOND WON... I cannnot believe it.
Just a few days after I declared I would never tip them again in 2009... may the winning streak continue lads because I figure (for your benefit - not mine) if I don't tip you - you'll just keep winning.
BULLDOGS over TIGERS
Terry Wallace will step down at the end of this match and he could be leaving the Tigers two wins into that 13 match winning streak I predicted for Richmond last week. But then again the fact the Tigers made a mockery of my 'never tip them again this season' line by beating Fremantle last week has me on the Bulldogs deluxe!
SAINTS over KANGAROOS
Don't mind the Roos chances in this one but like the Cats - St.Kilda are 10-0 and don't deserve to be tipped against until they lose (it makes sense if you really think about that statement) or until they play the Cats in Round 14.
LIONS over BLUES
Brisbane got a valuable away win over North last week and host the Blues at the Gabbatoir and they'll get the cash again. Carlton may have had the Eagles measure on Friday Night but that really isn't saying much in 2009... in 2005 or 2006 perhaps it'd be another story..
POWER over WHARFIES
Port let me down big time by getting rolled by the Magpies on Sunday and despite not having a few key men (Chad Cornes the massive injury loss) they are at home and Freo let the Tigers beat them in the final minutes at home last round. Port at home the key.
BOMBERS over CROWS
Adelaide are away which is one concern and doubts over skipper Simon Goodwin's fitness is a bigger one. The Bombers will add the Crows to their conquered list on Sunday.
HAWKS over SWANS
The Swans were run all over by the Bulldogs in the first half last week but got it together when the game was gone to at least look capable going into this one. The Hawks might have Luke Hodge back which is key and they are at home so the premiers get my tip.
CATS over EAGLES
Catastic fever continues to catch on despite doubts over the fitness of Gary Ablett going into this one. If the Eagles get within 4 goals it'll be a miracle, if they win - the Cats are no longer worthy of the Catastic catchphrase that is catching on from last week's inception.
DEMONS over MAGPIES
The Demons have been building towards knocking off a superior side for weeks now and Collingwood are my pick to be done by the Demons on Monday afternoon. The Jack Watts debut and the fact the Demons are actually playing pretty well considering their position on the ladder has me picking them without second guessing myself.
SUPER 14 CHAMPIONS- 2009
THE BULLS
The Bulls dealt the Chiefs a thrashing and a half in the Super 14 Final last Saturday Night - dishing out the punishment to the tune of 61-17 in Pretoria.
The Bulls were the top seed going into the Semi Finals and blew the second seed Chiefs away in the opening stages and never looked back.
Congratulations to the players, coaching staff and fans for being the best team in 2009.
Good luck with your tips this weekend!
NRL ROUND 13- 2009
Even in a shortened week I still can't get close to a perfect round - despite picking two of the three upsets to occur on the weekend. Was confident in the Raiders and Sharks but wasteful Bulldogs side in the opening twenty minutes cost me big time on Sunday. Not to mention the toothless Tigers. The Dragons were morals when the Panthers lost Brad Tighe before kick-off (ok not being serious there... who misses Brad Tighe honestly?) and Wendell Sailor had a big night in Wollongong.
Onto Round 13 of the Premiership and two teams have the bye the weekend after Origin One - Canberra and Canterbury sit this one out.
As will Justin Hodges - the only confirmed player from Origin One who will NOT play this weekend - medial ligament in knee 2-6 weeks.
STORM over BRONCOS
> If Slater AND Inglis don't play then I'll be switching to the Broncos (even without Hodges) as the Storm just don't have the replacements to cover for the loss of their most dangerous runners. Even at home on a cold Melbourne night - the Broncos would be a little too potent with the Lockyer-Hunt-Folau combo on show and the packs cancelling each other out. If either Slater or Inglis play then Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk will have that one vital line breaker to playmake for and that would tip the scales back in favour of the Storm.
Last 5 Head to Head: To be added.
TIGERS over PANTHERS
> This is another game relying on a key player backing up. Robbie Farah should be good to go and he will be the difference when the Tigers host the Panthers at Leichhardt. The Panthers should have their best three players back after missing them terribly against the Dragons last week but I'm not certain they are that good a side even with them in the lineup. Home team here.
Last 5 Head to Head: To be added.
SEA EAGLES over ROOSTERS
> The Roosters won't be tippable til they beat a side above them on the ladder. The Sea Eagles aren't that far ahead of them actually so this may be winnable but unless Arthur Beetson has better luck coaching Sydney this week than he did as the main man at Cronulla in the 1990s - the defending premiers should win at Brookie... actually scratch that - they MUST win at Brookie.
Last 5 Head to Head: To be added.
RABBITOHS over COWBOYS
> As confident as I was that a Raiders team without Terry Campese had the Bunnies measure last Monday Night - I'm seriously leaning towards that same Bunnies team to travel to Townsville and give the Cowboys a real bashing on Saturday Night. The Cowboys have yet to convince me they have turned the corner and if Johnathan Thurston can't produce another 8 or 9 out of 10 performance the Bunnies forward pack will really turn this game Souths way.
Last 5 Head to Head: To be added.
WARRIORS over SHARKS
> Really can't say I rate either of these teams at the monent - while it isn't much of a statement regarding the Sharks - they are coming off the same number of consecutive wins as the Warriors... One. With Steven Price back for the Warriors and perhaps a change in attitude the Warriors will have too many attacking options for the Sharks who were fortunate Jarryd Hayne didn't play against them last Saturday Night for the Eels.
Last 5 Head to Head: To be added.
KNIGHTS over EELS
> Well I stopped believing in the Knights way too early by tipping against them when the Dogs visited last Sunday afternoon. As a result the Eels won't even get a consideration in this clash - Knights by 13+, Akuila Uate a hat-trick.
Last 5 Head to Head:
TITANS over DRAGONS
> Really want to tip the Dragons - especially with the extra couple of days rest their Origin players get with the MNF clash - but the Titans will be well rested and both Anthony Laffranchi and Luke Bailey will be itching to make up for poor performances in Origin One for NSW. Scott Prince to really test the Dragons defence and Preston Campbell and William Zillman (who I think will start at fullback - Rogers to centre, Campbell to five-eighth) will be huge factors in attack. That being said the Dragons are every chance as long as their go-forward is solid and Jamie Soward's kicking game gives them great field position.
Last 5 Head to Head: To be added.
AFL ROUND 11 - 2009
Last week, RICHMOND WON... I cannnot believe it.
Just a few days after I declared I would never tip them again in 2009... may the winning streak continue lads because I figure (for your benefit - not mine) if I don't tip you - you'll just keep winning.
BULLDOGS over TIGERS
Terry Wallace will step down at the end of this match and he could be leaving the Tigers two wins into that 13 match winning streak I predicted for Richmond last week. But then again the fact the Tigers made a mockery of my 'never tip them again this season' line by beating Fremantle last week has me on the Bulldogs deluxe!
SAINTS over KANGAROOS
Don't mind the Roos chances in this one but like the Cats - St.Kilda are 10-0 and don't deserve to be tipped against until they lose (it makes sense if you really think about that statement) or until they play the Cats in Round 14.
LIONS over BLUES
Brisbane got a valuable away win over North last week and host the Blues at the Gabbatoir and they'll get the cash again. Carlton may have had the Eagles measure on Friday Night but that really isn't saying much in 2009... in 2005 or 2006 perhaps it'd be another story..
POWER over WHARFIES
Port let me down big time by getting rolled by the Magpies on Sunday and despite not having a few key men (Chad Cornes the massive injury loss) they are at home and Freo let the Tigers beat them in the final minutes at home last round. Port at home the key.
BOMBERS over CROWS
Adelaide are away which is one concern and doubts over skipper Simon Goodwin's fitness is a bigger one. The Bombers will add the Crows to their conquered list on Sunday.
HAWKS over SWANS
The Swans were run all over by the Bulldogs in the first half last week but got it together when the game was gone to at least look capable going into this one. The Hawks might have Luke Hodge back which is key and they are at home so the premiers get my tip.
CATS over EAGLES
Catastic fever continues to catch on despite doubts over the fitness of Gary Ablett going into this one. If the Eagles get within 4 goals it'll be a miracle, if they win - the Cats are no longer worthy of the Catastic catchphrase that is catching on from last week's inception.
DEMONS over MAGPIES
The Demons have been building towards knocking off a superior side for weeks now and Collingwood are my pick to be done by the Demons on Monday afternoon. The Jack Watts debut and the fact the Demons are actually playing pretty well considering their position on the ladder has me picking them without second guessing myself.
SUPER 14 CHAMPIONS- 2009
THE BULLS
The Bulls dealt the Chiefs a thrashing and a half in the Super 14 Final last Saturday Night - dishing out the punishment to the tune of 61-17 in Pretoria.
The Bulls were the top seed going into the Semi Finals and blew the second seed Chiefs away in the opening stages and never looked back.
Congratulations to the players, coaching staff and fans for being the best team in 2009.
Good luck with your tips this weekend!
