After a short hiatus here at www.wdnicolson.com - the best NRL Preview on the net is back online with all the info you need to make an 'informed decision' in your Fantasy and Tipping Competitions.
Grab the Panel's Tips below, Download the Podcast and be sure to check back on Friday for the Latest Mail as it breaks.
ROUND 8 VIDEO PREVIEW
NOT The Footy Show's Round 8 Podcast
NOT The Footy Show's Round 8 Podcast
Podcast 28/04/2011: Episode 58 NRL 2011 - Round 8 Preview
SPECIAL FRIED RICE - ROUND 8- Waz 3/7: Dragons, Matt 5/7: Storm, Dave 5/7: Tigers; Nic 5/7: Broncos -
SPECIAL FRIED RICE - ROUND 8
NOT The Footy Show Podcast is available every Thursday - subscribe now on iTunes so you don't miss out.
Welcome to Season 2011... after an off-season that often feels longer (or shorter - depends if you like cricket or not) than it is - the footy is back. Here on www.wdnicolson.com we've got all the Tuesday Team News, Wednesday Previews and Friday Late Mail that will keep your Tipping and Fantasy habit well fed. This preview integrates our NRL Injured List - which if you haven't bookmarked by now - I suggest you do so.This year not only do you get The NRL Tweet's Tips each week but the whole NOT The Footy Show team will have their picks listed by Thursday so you can back a smoky or a favourite by seeing who we all picked (or didn't pick).
Truthfully there is no perfect formula but here's a vital tip to help you cope with the copious amounts of NRL Tipping Comp's you are already in - PICK ON TUESDAY and enter your tips into all the sites no later than Wednesday. The reason for this is you can A. There is nothing worse than trying to cram your picks in late on a Friday afternoon and B. If you pick on Tuesday you can always change your mind and you would have given the Round some thought before Friday 7:29pm.
ROUND 8 MATCHUPS
28/04 Odds are courtesy of Sportingbet Australia
$1.72 V $2.15 
Fri @ Suncorp | LINE: CBY +2.5
$1.43 V $2.85 
Fri @ ANZ | LINE: CRO +6.5
$1.72 V $2.15 Fri @ Suncorp | LINE: CBY +2.5$1.43 V $2.85 Fri @ ANZ | LINE: CRO +6.5
$1.80 V $2.02 
Sat @ Skilled | LINE: SYD +1.5
$1.45 V $2.80 
Sat @ AAMI | LINE: NEW +6.5
$1.80 V $2.02 
Sat @ Dairy Farmers | LINE: MAN +1.5
$1.47 V $2.70 
Sun @ Mt Smart | LINE: PEN +6.5
$1.80 V $2.02 
Sun @ Canberra | LINE: WTG +1.5
$1.16 V $5.25 
Mon @ WIN Jubilee | LINE: PAR +14.5
THE NRL TWEET's ROUND 8 PREVIEW
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
V
Coming In...
BRONCOS 1st | 6-1 for 12 Points, +70.
BULLDOGS 6th | 5-2 for 10 Points, +22.
BULLDOGS 6th | 5-2 for 10 Points, +22.
Head to Head Last 10...
To Be Added
Tuesday Team News...
BRI: Beale, Copley, Reed, Hodges, Yow Yeh, Lockyer (c), Wallace, Hannant, McCullough, Carlaw, Glenn, Thaiday, Parker. Bench: Dodds, McGurie, Kenny, Hunt.
[Team Changes - There is speculation that Josh Hoffman could return this week at home and Dale Copley would make way for him and Gerard Beale moving into the three-quarter line. Dane Carlaw played minimal minutes in Round 7 so may be in doubt for this clash, Shane Tronc could come in from the QLD Cup. ]
CBY: Barba, Turner, Morris, Idris, Lett, Keating, Hodkinson, Tolman, Ennis, Paea, Pritchard, Ryan (c), Stagg. Bench: Eastwood, Millington, Payne, Halatau.[Team Changes - Michael Hodgson and Bryson Goodwin are injured so Michael Lett and Dene Hatalau come in. ]
Wednesday Game Preview...
Brisbane finally forced me to pick them after hurting my tips for the last few weeks... and of course now watch the Dogs win.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH Late Mail Coming 29/4 - Darren Lockyer will play despite back spasms, and Gary Warburton is 18th man for Canterbury.
More Late Mail SNF 28/4 - Gary Warburton has travelled to Brisbane as 18th man for the Bulldogs, while Darren Lockyer is a certainty to play.
More Late Mail SNF 28/4 - Gary Warburton has travelled to Brisbane as 18th man for the Bulldogs, while Darren Lockyer is a certainty to play.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
BRONCOS To Win By 10 Points.|-| |-| |-|
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
V
Coming In...
RABBITOHS 15th | 2-5 for 4 Points, -56.
SHARKS 11th | 2-5 for 4 Points, -26.
Head to Head Last 10...
To Be Added
Tuesday Team News...
SOU: Roberts, Merritt, Farrell, Inglis, McQueen, Sutton, Sandow, Ross, Luke, Asotasi (c), Taylor, Tyrrell, Crocker. Bench: Clark, McPherson, Peats, Pettybourne.
[Team Changes - Sam Burgess is out with a serious ankle injury with Ben Ross to start and Jason Clark comes onto the bench for the first time this season. James Roberts hurt his arm in the loss to the Bulldogs but has been cleared to play this weekend. ]
CRO: Gordon, M Wright, Pomeroy, Best, Williams, Graham, T Smith, Snowden, Aiton, Douglas, J Smith, Tupou, Gallen (c). Bench: Cordoba, B Wright, Flanagan, Bukuya.
[Team Changes - The losses of Nathan Gardner and Albert Kelly to leg injuries hurts and Isaac Gordon and Tim Smith are their replacements. Jason Bukuya also comes into first grade after a hamstring injury cost him a spot at the start of the season. ]
South Sydney have been below par the last few weeks but get a Cronulla team minus their best attacking players - take the Bunnies.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH Late Mail Coming 29/4 - Taulima Tautai was a late addition to the Sharks bench last week and could again come on to it for Jason Bukuya who is no certainty to play despite being named for his first game of the season. THere is a tip that Nathan Gardner might in fact play, despite his ankle injury last week. Souths are good to go, with Nathan Merritt tipped to play fullback.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
RABBITOHS To Win By 12 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
V
5:35pm (Local) 30 April @ Skilled Park, Gold Coast.
Coming In...
TITANS 13th | 2-5 for 4 Points, -50.
ROOSTERS 12th | 2-5 for 4 Points, -30.
Head to Head Last 10...
To Be Added
Tuesday Team News...
GLD: Capewell, Michaels, Tonga, Thompson, Mead, Zillman, Prince (c), Bailey, Friend, White, Bird, Minichiello, Harrison. Bench: Henderson, James, Ridge, O'Dwyer.
[Team Changes - The Titans kept the same 17 that lost to Parramatta on Sunday but Preston Campbell is a chance to return from a knee injury. ]
SYD: Minichiello, J Carney, Aubusson, Kenny-Dowall, Leilua, Anasta (c), Pearce, Ryles, Riddell, Kennedy, Symonds, Nu'uausala, Myles. Bench: Waerea-Hargreaves, Masoe, Friend, Conn, Arona, Graham.
[Team Changes - The return of Jason Ryles will be a boost to a team that had a real crack against the Dragons. Mark Riddell is named to start at hooker again with Tom Symonds coming into the backrow and Mitchell Aubusson moving to the centres. Phil Graham and Tinirau Arona were late starters on Monday and are on the bench. ]
Wednesday Game Preview...
The Gold Coast at home are always hard to pick against but the Roosters are ready to fire for mine and they get the tip on the road.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH Late Mail Coming 29/4 - The Roosters lost Jason Ryles to a hamstring injury with Tinirau Arona likely to get a run off the bench and Mose Masoe will start. Preston Campbell is a good chance to replace Luke O'Dwyer on the Titans bench.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
ROOSTERS To Win By 8 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
V
Coming In...
STORM 3rd | 5-2 for 10 Points, +75.
KNIGHTS 7th | 4-3 for 8 Points, +33.
Head to Head Last 10...
To Be Added
Tuesday Team News...
MEL: Slater, Duffie, Nielsen, Champion, Quinn, Widdop, Cronk, Bromwich, Smith (c), Norrie, Blair, Proctor, Lowrie. Bench: Hinchcliffe, Vea, Woolnough, Lowe.
[Team Changes - No changes for the Storm, although Adam Woolnough and Bryan Norrie weren't 100% against the Warriors. ]
NEW: McDonnell, McManus, Sa'u, W Naiqama, Uate, Gidley (c), Mullen, Fa'aoso, Hilder, Tuimavave, Houston, Paterson, Edwards. Bench: Roberts, Kaufusi, Karawana, Tolar.
NEW: McDonnell, McManus, Sa'u, W Naiqama, Uate, Gidley (c), Mullen, Fa'aoso, Hilder, Tuimavave, Houston, Paterson, Edwards. Bench: Roberts, Kaufusi, Karawana, Tolar.[Team Changes - After a good win over the Raiders there are no changes to report. ]
Melbourne will be hungry to put last week's poor performance behind them and I just can't tip the Knights at AAMI.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH Late Mail Coming 29/4 - The Storm could still lose Bryan Norrie who is struggling with a head knock from two weeks ago and there may be a reshuffle in the team that could see Justin O'Neill make a return. Newcastle look 1-17.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
STORM To Win By 13 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
7:35pm (Local) 30 April @ Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville.
Coming In...
COWBOYS 4th | 5-2 for 10 Points, +52.
SEA EAGLES 5th | 5-2 for 10 Points, +33.
Head to Head Last 10...
To Be Added
Tuesday Team News...
NQL: Bowen, Graham, Winterstein, Tonga, Fai-Fai Loa, Thompson, Thurston (c), Scott (c), Payne, Tamou, Cooper, Hall, Johnson. Bench: Bolton, L Ah Mau, T Sims, A Sims, Segeyaro.
[Team Changes - James Segeyaro has been added to the bench this week after being a late scratching against the Sharks. Willie Tonga is carrying a hamstring injury with Will Tupou on standby. ]
MAN: B Stewart, Robertson, Lyon (c), Matai, Hopoate, K Foran, Cherry-Evans, King (c), Ballin, Kite, Watmough, Galuvao, G Stewart. Bench: Robinson, Buhrer, Rose, Mauro, Robinson, Oldfield, T Williams.
MAN: B Stewart, Robertson, Lyon (c), Matai, Hopoate, K Foran, Cherry-Evans, King (c), Ballin, Kite, Watmough, Galuvao, G Stewart. Bench: Robinson, Buhrer, Rose, Mauro, Robinson, Oldfield, T Williams.[Team Changes - Tim Robinson was added to the bench and is joined by Michael Oldfield who makes way for the potential return of Brett Stewart from a hamstring injury. ]
North Queensland are playing good footy at the moment but so are Manly. This shapes up as a beauty but the Cowboys at home deserve slim favouritism and my pick here.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH Late Mail Coming 29/4 - With Brett Stewart out again, Oldfield goes to the wing and Hopoate to fullback. The Cowboys still have a doubt on Willie Tonga.
More Late Mail SNF 28/4 - Brett Stewart will not play with Michael Oldfield coming in on the wing and William Hopoate shifting to fullback for this game.
More Late Mail SNF 28/4 - Brett Stewart will not play with Michael Oldfield coming in on the wing and William Hopoate shifting to fullback for this game.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
COWBOYS To Win By 4 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SUNDAY FOOTBALL
V
2:05pm (Local) 1 May @ Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland.
Coming In...
WARRIORS 9th | 3-4 for 6 Points, -13.
PANTHERS 14th | 2-5 for 4 Points, -55.
Head to Head Last 10...
To Be Added
Tuesday Team News...
WAR: Hohaia, Locke, Brown, Mannering (c), Inu, Mateo, Maloney, Sam Rapira, Heremaia, Lillyman, Brown, Taylor, Luck. Bench: Mara, Packer, Matulio, Ta'ai.[Team Changes - Kevin Locke keeps his wing spot ahead of Bill Tupou but there are rumblings that Manu Vatuvei could make a return here from a knee injury. ]
PEN: M Gordon, Simmons, Jennings, Tahu, Tighe, Burns, Walsh, Grant, Kingston, Civoniceva (c), Waterhouse, Plum, Fatiaki. Bench: Seluini, Bell, Y Gordon, McKendry, Purtell.
[Team Changes - The axe has fallen on Sandor Earl again, with Brad Tighe going to the wing and Timana Tahu starting in the centres. Yileen Gordon and Adrian Purtell are added to the bench. ]
The Warriors stunned everyone by beating the Storm in Melbourne and return home to play a Penrith team that had a dig but didn't have any points in them against Manly. Go with the home team.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH Late Mail Coming 29/4 - The Warriors have given no indication later in the week that Manu Vatuvei will return, so consider the Warriors 1-17. The Panthers will decide on gameday who to cut from their 5 man bench.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
WARRIORS To Win By 7 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SUNDAY FOOTBALL
V
2:05pm (Local) 1 May @ Canberra Stadium, Canberra.
Coming In...
RAIDERS 16th | 1-6 for 2 Points, -43.
TIGERS 8th | 3-4 for 6 Points, -5.
TIGERS 8th | 3-4 for 6 Points, -5.
Head to Head Last 10...
To Be Added
Tuesday Team News...
CAN: Dugan, Ferguson, Croker, Thompson, Vidot, McCrone, Orford,Tilse, Buttriss, Shillington (c), Thurling, Harrison (c), Fensom. Bench: Tongue (c), Miller, Learoyd-Lahrs, White.
[Team Changes - The return of Josh Dugan was a boost but Alan Tongue had an unhappy return of his own. Matt Orford is the big inclusion for Sam Williams. ]
WTG: McKinnon, Brown, Ayshford, Moltzen, Utai, Marshall, Lui, Fifita, Farah (c), Galloway, Dwyer, Fulton, Heighington. Bench: Ryan, A Schirnack, Gibbs, Woods.
WTG: McKinnon, Brown, Ayshford, Moltzen, Utai, Marshall, Lui, Fifita, Farah (c), Galloway, Dwyer, Fulton, Heighington. Bench: Ryan, A Schirnack, Gibbs, Woods.[Team Changes - The return of Wade McKinnon is a boost and Beau Ryan has been benched after his poor return game last weekend. Tim Moltzen goes to centre and Mitch Brown onto the wing, while Blake Ayshford is in doubt with an ankle injury. Liam Fulton starts and Alan Schirnack comes onto the bench after Gareth Ellis broke down with a recurring ankle injury. ]
Canberra are playing a game plan that just can't compete with the attacking brilliance of the Tigers - so even though they are due to win eventually - go with the team that's willing to play attacking footy.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH Late Mail Coming 29/4 - The Tigers could lose Bryce Gibbs to an ankle injury on gameday but he will travel to Canberra. Matt Orford and Josh Dugan are confirmed starters.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
TIGERS To Win By 7 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SUNDAY FOOTBALL
V
3:05pm (Local) 1 May @ Win Jubilee Stadium, Sydney.
Coming In...
DRAGONS 2nd | 6-1 for 12 Points, +67.
EELS 10th | 3-4 for 6 Points, -74.
Head to Head Last 10...
To Be Added
Tuesday Team News...
STI: Nightingale, Morris, Gasnier, Cooper, Tagive, Soward, Hornby (c), Hunt, Fien, Weyman, Scott, Creagh, Prior. Bench: Green, Young, Merrin, Stanley, Cuthbertson, Rein.[Team Changes - Darius Boyd is out with a hamstring injury and Jason Nightingale goes to fullback and Peni Tagive gets a start on the wing. ]
PAR: Hayne, Burt, Reddy, Loko, Atkins, Mortimer, Robson, Mannah, McGuire, MoiMoi, Hindmarsh (c), Lasalo, Horo. Bench: Rogers, Shackleton, Allgood, Smith.
[Team Changes - No changes from the team that beat the Titans 22-18 last weekend although Billy Rogers might like a minute or two on the field this week. ]
Wednesday Game Preview...
No Darius Boyd is a blow for the Dragons but Jason Nightingale will excel at fullback... plus there's no Jarryd Hayne for the Eels so you have to pick the Dragons.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH Late Mail Coming 29/4 - The Dragons expect to cut Mitch Rein and Adam Cuthbertson from their bench if Nathan Fien's hamstring continues to improve, while the Eels may bring in a late change on their bench for Billy Rogers who was not used against the Titans.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
DRAGONS To Win By 14 Points.|-| |-| |-|
|-| |-| |-|
@NRLTWEET 2011 TIPPING RECORD
TOTAL AFTER 7 ROUNDS - 26/56 @ 46.4%
The NRL Tweet finished with 125 correct tips from 192 Games in 2010 at a strike rate of 65%.
ROUND 8 SELECTIONS
Warrick Nicolson, The NRL Tweet + NTFS Host
Broncos
Rabbitohs
Roosters
Storm
Cowboys
Warriors
Tigers
Dragons
Rabbitohs
Roosters
Storm
Cowboys
Warriors
Tigers
Dragons
| SEASON 26/56
Nic McInerney, NTFS Co-Host
Broncos
Broncos
Rabbitohs
Roosters
Storm
Cowboys
Warriors
Tigers
Dragons
Roosters
Storm
Cowboys
Warriors
Tigers
Dragons
| SEASON 32/56
Matt Duncan, 101.5 FM's SportsFever
Broncos
Sharks
Roosters
Storm
Cowboys
Warriors
Raiders
Dragons
Sharks
Roosters
Storm
Cowboys
Warriors
Raiders
Dragons
Dave Chapman, NTFS Co-Host
Broncos
Rabbitohs
Titans
Storm
Sea Eagles
Warriors
Tigers
Dragons
Rabbitohs
Titans
Storm
Sea Eagles
Warriors
Tigers
Dragons
Maria Tsialis, Big League Magazine
Bulldogs
Rabbitohs
Titans
Storm
Cowboys
Warriors
Raiders
Dragons
Rabbitohs
Titans
Storm
Cowboys
Warriors
Raiders
Dragons
Andy Raymond, Fox Sports Commentator
Bulldogs
Rabbitohs
Roosters
Storm
Sea Eagles
Warriors
Raiders
Dragons
Rabbitohs
Roosters
Storm
Sea Eagles
Warriors
Raiders
Dragons
Eyes, The Kid Who Sees AllBroncos
Rabbitohs
Roosters
Knights
Cowboys
Warriors
Raiders
Dragons
| SEASON 25/56
]-[ It's not too late to join our Tipping Competition as long as you're already signed up for Tipping on the Daily Telegraph Website. We use that site because their overall prize is pretty good and you'll be on there for Super Coach anyway. Our League Code is 446386 and you can invite as many people as you want to take on the boys & girls from NOT The Footy Show.1st Prize is an Official Steeden Match ball.
And if you miss the Round 1 Deadline for our Fantasy League - don't worry the 2nd phase begins in Round 10.
As an added bonus - here is a Fantasy League BYE Week Cheat Sheet. Especially for the NRL Dream Team, Super Coach or Fantasy NRL minded crew.
SO GO OUT AND ENJOY THE FOOTY!
