Round 23 is your chance to make up some tipping ground.
We're at that stage of the season where you're tipping fate for 2009 is going to be decided this week.
There are a number of games in Round 23 that have upset written all over them - can you pick which teams are legitimate chances against a more fancied opponent? We'll try and steer you towards a winner below.
Friday Night Football features the Cowboys hosting the Bulldogs and the Rabbitohs facing the Titans at ANZ Stadium to begin Round 23 of the 2009 NRL Premiership.
The first and second parts of our 2009 NRL Premiership Reflections Series are also available on this site and are well worth a read.
The Saints will be perfect.
They bring their best players back after giving them a week off (and they still beat Hawthorn) and it'll be a 22-0 record heading into the Finals.
1-1 with 1 to play!
Stuart Clark plays and Australia win the 4th Ashes Test. Funny how that happened... now watch Australia drop Stuart Clark and probably draw the 5th Test.
Looks like Australia are wasting their time in the Tri-Nations. Morne Steyn's boot and the Wallabies ill-discipline was a recipe for Springbok success in Cape Town. There's a two week break before Australia take on New Zealand in Sydney for the Bledisloe Cup and 2nd place in the Tri-Nations.
You can follow these sports and more, here on wdnicolson.blogspot.com or via my Twitter feed.
Can you kick 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.
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NRL ROUND 23 - 2009
Quick hit Previews for the Greatest Game of All.
COWBOYS over BULLDOGS
> North Queensland have to win this to stay in the Top 8 and the Dogs aren't playing impressive football. No Ben Hannant for the Dogs is a massive loss and Matt Scott and Shane Tronc take the Cowboys forward better than most.
TITANS over RABBITOHS
> Get on the Gold Coast. Their pack will match the Souths unit without Roy Asotasi and Scott Prince and Preston Campbell will out-create John Sutton and Chris Sandow.
SEA EAGLES over ROOSTERS
> Manly don't lose this. They win by 20.
EELS over WARRIORS
> If the Eels really miss Nathan Cayless up the middle, the Warriors are a chance. But Parramatta are playing a very open game in attack and are defending well - something the Warriors are failing to do on both counts.
DRAGONS over RAIDERS
> If you really need an upset to boost your tipping score - then take the Raiders at home. I don't think they'll win, but St.George are going to have a down week sometime before the Finals begin and this could very well be a night the Raiders show up to play expansive football.
TIGERS over SHARKS
> Tigers will unload some serious points on the Sharks this week. Cronulla will be doing well to crack double figures.
PANTHERS over BRONCOS
> Penrith are the special fried rice of the weekend. Brisbane are terrible and won't be able to defend at an acceptable level. Unless Brisbane use Justin Hodges in every attacking play - Penrith will win.
KNIGHTS over STORM
> This is a game the Storm can win without Greg Inglis but at this stage I'm playing it safe and taking the home team - who are desperate for a win. But if you do pick Melbourne - don't do it with a high level of confidence.
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AFL ROUND 20 - 2009
Hawthorn are shot to bits, the Cats couldn't pull off another 4th quarter fightback and the Bombers bombed another must-win game. The result - There's still four teams fighting for one playoff spot entering Round 20.
CROWS over HAWKS
Hawthorn are very average and the Crows still have eyes on a Top 4 birth. The visitors to win, yet Hawthorn will still be in Finals contention!
MAGPIES over TIGERS
Richmond aren't without hope in this one, but Collingwood can secure 3rd spot with a victory and a Western Bulldogs loss. Great incentive for victory.
KANGAROOS over EAGLES
North are a roughie on the road but they did kick 19.9 in a decent performance against Melbourne. The Eagles found a way to beat the lackluster Dogs but nearly blew it in the final term. Roos a smokey on the road.
LIONS over BULLDOGS
If the Lions take this one they'll leapfrog the Bulldogs into 4th and cast serious doubts over the Bulldogs premiership aspirations for 2009.
CATS over SWANS
Steve Johnson was terrible in the loss to Carlton, he'll kick 6 or 7 goals and destroy the Swans at ANZ Stadium this Saturday Night. Cats secure 2nd spot in the process, yet the Swans remain a chance for the Finals with a loss.
WHARFIES over DEMONS
Jack Grimes is a big loss for the Demons and they fell away badly in the final term against North. Freo shocked the Power and can jump past North and Richmond into 13th with a win here... oh wait that'll impact their draft pick... watch this space, might be changing to Demons.
BLUES over POWER
Only taking the Blues on the back of two results. Carlton beat the Cats and the Power got done by Freo - those results convince me it's Carlton in this one.
SAINTS over BOMBERS
Given how bad the Bombers have struggled in games they had to win in recent weeks - you'd think they'll lift against St.Kilda or be beaten by 100.
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2009 ASHES UPDATE
England and Australia are locked at 1-1 with the 5th Test at The Oval next week to decide the series.
If Stuart Clark plays - Australia win the Test and the Series 2-1. If Australian selectors have another brain melt and don't play him - it's a draw and Australia retain the Ashes.
I know which match I'd prefer to watch.
There'll be a 5th Test Preview uploaded to YouTube in the next 24 hours.
Follow me on Twitter during the Day's Play.
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WALLABIES TEST SERIES WINTER 2009
The Tri-Nations is pretty much decided with Morne Morkel (err that's what Channel Nine told me on Sunday Night's News) kicking the Springboks to a firm grip on the silverware. Australia are still a slim chance in the Bledisloe but have to win all 3 remaining games, starting in Sydney on August 22.
Here is the Test Schedule for Winter 2009:
June 6 Sydney 7:30pm (EST)
Bundaberg Rum Series v Barbarians
Won 55-7
June 13 Canberra 7.30pm (EST)
Bundaberg Rum Series v Italy
Won 31-8
June 20 Melbourne 8.00pm (EST)
Bundaberg Rum Series v Italy
Won 34-12
June 27 Sydney 8.00pm (EST)
Bundaberg Rum Series v France
Won 22-6
July 18 Auckland 5.35pm (EST)
Tri-Nations v New Zealand
Lost 22-16
August 8 Cape Town 11.00pm (EST)
Tri-Nations v South Africa
Loss 29-17
August 22 Sydney 8.05pm (EST)
Tri-Nations v New Zealand
August 29 Perth 8.05pm (EST)
Tri-Nations v South Africa
September 5 Brisbane 8.05pm (EST)
Tri-Nations v South Africa
September 19 Wellington 5.35pm (EST)
Tri-Nations v New Zealand
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Good luck with your tips this weekend!
AFL ROUND 20 - 2009
Hawthorn are shot to bits, the Cats couldn't pull off another 4th quarter fightback and the Bombers bombed another must-win game. The result - There's still four teams fighting for one playoff spot entering Round 20.
CROWS over HAWKS
Hawthorn are very average and the Crows still have eyes on a Top 4 birth. The visitors to win, yet Hawthorn will still be in Finals contention!
MAGPIES over TIGERS
Richmond aren't without hope in this one, but Collingwood can secure 3rd spot with a victory and a Western Bulldogs loss. Great incentive for victory.
KANGAROOS over EAGLES
North are a roughie on the road but they did kick 19.9 in a decent performance against Melbourne. The Eagles found a way to beat the lackluster Dogs but nearly blew it in the final term. Roos a smokey on the road.
LIONS over BULLDOGS
If the Lions take this one they'll leapfrog the Bulldogs into 4th and cast serious doubts over the Bulldogs premiership aspirations for 2009.
CATS over SWANS
Steve Johnson was terrible in the loss to Carlton, he'll kick 6 or 7 goals and destroy the Swans at ANZ Stadium this Saturday Night. Cats secure 2nd spot in the process, yet the Swans remain a chance for the Finals with a loss.
WHARFIES over DEMONS
Jack Grimes is a big loss for the Demons and they fell away badly in the final term against North. Freo shocked the Power and can jump past North and Richmond into 13th with a win here... oh wait that'll impact their draft pick... watch this space, might be changing to Demons.
BLUES over POWER
Only taking the Blues on the back of two results. Carlton beat the Cats and the Power got done by Freo - those results convince me it's Carlton in this one.
SAINTS over BOMBERS
Given how bad the Bombers have struggled in games they had to win in recent weeks - you'd think they'll lift against St.Kilda or be beaten by 100.
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2009 ASHES UPDATE
England and Australia are locked at 1-1 with the 5th Test at The Oval next week to decide the series.
If Stuart Clark plays - Australia win the Test and the Series 2-1. If Australian selectors have another brain melt and don't play him - it's a draw and Australia retain the Ashes.
I know which match I'd prefer to watch.
There'll be a 5th Test Preview uploaded to YouTube in the next 24 hours.
Follow me on Twitter during the Day's Play.
===================================================================
WALLABIES TEST SERIES WINTER 2009
The Tri-Nations is pretty much decided with Morne Morkel (err that's what Channel Nine told me on Sunday Night's News) kicking the Springboks to a firm grip on the silverware. Australia are still a slim chance in the Bledisloe but have to win all 3 remaining games, starting in Sydney on August 22.
Here is the Test Schedule for Winter 2009:
June 6 Sydney 7:30pm (EST)
Bundaberg Rum Series v Barbarians
Won 55-7
June 13 Canberra 7.30pm (EST)
Bundaberg Rum Series v Italy
Won 31-8
June 20 Melbourne 8.00pm (EST)
Bundaberg Rum Series v Italy
Won 34-12
June 27 Sydney 8.00pm (EST)
Bundaberg Rum Series v France
Won 22-6
July 18 Auckland 5.35pm (EST)
Tri-Nations v New Zealand
Lost 22-16
August 8 Cape Town 11.00pm (EST)
Tri-Nations v South Africa
Loss 29-17
August 22 Sydney 8.05pm (EST)
Tri-Nations v New Zealand
August 29 Perth 8.05pm (EST)
Tri-Nations v South Africa
September 5 Brisbane 8.05pm (EST)
Tri-Nations v South Africa
September 19 Wellington 5.35pm (EST)
Tri-Nations v New Zealand
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Good luck with your tips this weekend! 
