ROUND 13 NRL PREVIEW - 2011 SEASON
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.Make sure you bookmark www.wdnicolson.com and compare your picks to the Podcast Panel's Tips every week. Download the Podcast and check back on Friday for the Latest Mail as it breaks.
NOT The Footy Show Episode 65
- Released June 02, 2011 - Round 13 PreviewRight Click Save Target As This Link if you don't have iTunes.
SPECIAL FRIED RICE - ROUND 13- Waz 6/12: Tigers, Matt 10/12: Storm, Dave 8/12: Dragons; Nic 10/12: Broncos -
You can check out who the NOT The Footy Show Experts picked for the 2011 Premiership via this link.NOT The Footy Show Podcast is available every Thursday - subscribe now on iTunes so you don't miss out.
02/06 Odds are courtesy of Sportingbet Australia
$4.00 V $1.25 
Fri @ Parramatta | LINE: PAR +10.5
$2.70 V $1.48 
Fri @ Toyota | LINE: CRO +6.0
$1.80 V $2.02 
Sat @ Skilled | LINE: PEN +1.5
$2.15 V $1.72 
Sat @ ANZ | LINE: CBY +2.5
$2.02 V $1.80 
Sat @ SFS | LINE: SYD +1.5
$1.65 V $2.25 
Sun @ Canberra | LINE: NQL +3.5
$2.95 V $1.41 
Sun @ Canberra | LINE: SOU +7.5
$1.35 V $3.25 
Mon @ Leichhardt | LINE: NEW +8.5ROUND 13 BYES - None
THE NRL TWEET's ROUND 13 PREVIEW
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 (sourced from SMH and beyond) 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.
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Coming In...
EELS 12th TEAM RECORD 4-7 for 10 Points, -86.
DRAGONS 1st TEAM RECORD 10-1 for 22 Points, +122.
Head to Head Last 10...
EELS 3 DRAGONS 7 - The Dragons have won the past two games by identical 30-0 scorelines and have won 6 of the last 8 since 2008.
Tuesday Team News...
PAR: Hayne, Burt, Morgan, Loko, Atkins, McGuire, Robson, Mannah, Keating, MoiMoi, Hindmarsh (c), Lasalo, Smith. Bench: Shackleton, Allgood, Webb, Horo.
[Team Changes - The Eels bring back Jacob Loko after giving him a break against the Knights for veteran Chris Walker who is demoted to the NSW Cup. Ryan Morgan keeps his spot in the centres after being a late replacement and Anthony Mitchell makes way for Carl Webb on the bench. ]
STI: Boyd, Tagive, Gasnier, Cooper, Nightingale, Soward, Hornby (c), Hunt, Young, Weyman, Scott, Creagh, Prior. Bench: Green, Fien, Cuthbertson, Merrin, Bosden, Rein.[Team Changes - The Dragons lost Brett Morris at halftime to a hammy injury against the Tigers and despite being named - Matt Cooper - is long odds to play after suffering eye socket and hand injuries during the game. Matt Prior or Beau Scott would move to the centres if Cooper is out. Peni Tagive comes in on the wing for Morris as youngster Kyle Stanley has a hamstring injury. Dean Young will start at hooker and Mitch Rein is likely to miss out once the bench is cut down, as will Jack Bosden. ]
The Dragons may not have their left edge with Matt Cooper and Brett Morris (either in doubt or out) but they should still have too much fire power for an Eels team that followed up a great performance against Cronulla with a poor one against Newcastle. A Jarryd Hayne Special is all that could possibly stop a 10th win in a row for St.George-Illawarra.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 3/06 - Matt Cooper is definitely out - and will miss 4-6 weeks for the Dragons with face and hand injuries. Nathan Fien may start at hooker with Matt Prior moving to the centres and Dean Young into lock. The Eels might be without Nathan Hindmarsh if one rumour is to be believed... yes that would be huge.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
DRAGONS To Win By 18 Points.FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
V
Coming In...
SHARKS 14th TEAM RECORD 3-8 for 8 Points, -71.
BRONCOS 6th TEAM RECORD 7-4 for 16 Points, +24.
Head to Head Last 10...
SHARKS 3 BRONCOS 7 - Brisbane won both games last year and have won 4 of the last 6 since 2008.
Tuesday Team News...
CRO: Gordon, M Wright, Pomeroy, Best, Mills, Graham, Porter, Snowden, Morris, Tautai, Bukuya, Tupou, Gallen (c). Bench: Vave, Mannah, Flanagan, B Wright, Frizell.
[Team Changes - The ironman streak of Luke Douglas is over at 133 due to a knee injury and Taulima Tautai has been named at prop in his place. Still no Nathan Gardner or Jeremy Smith for the Sharks. Tyson Frizell has once again been added to the bench with Josh Cordoba suffering a hamstring injury last weekend. ]
BRI: Hoffman, Copley, Reed, Beale, Yow Yeh, Lockyer (c), Wallace, Hannant, McCullough, Anderson, Glenn, Thaiday, Parker (c). Bench: Baptiste, Carlaw, Dodds, Hala.
[Team Changes - The Broncos have brought Darren Lockyer and Sam Thaiday back from their post-Origin 1 rest and Josh Hoffman also returns at fullback. Gerard Beale moves into the centres and Dane Gagai miss out. Nick Kenny is out with a shoulder injury and Dane Carlaw joins the bench with Scott Anderson starting. ]
The Sharks were gallant in defeat in Melbourne but still can't score points. The Broncos defence has taken a holiday since Coach Anthony Griffin rested his key men after the Test Match and that has to be a concern. Having said that - the likes of Lockyer, Thaiday, Hannant and the returning Josh Hoffman make the Broncos look every bit a winner on the road here. Sharks might keep it close but the Broncos should win.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 3/06 - There is some talk that Nathan Gardner and Josh Cordoba are making every effort to play despite ankle and hamstring injuries respectively. Brisbane expect to be 1-17 with Josh Hoffman a confirmed starter. Friday Update: Some talk that along with Gardner the Sharks might blood rookie half Chad Townsend and centre Ricky Leutele for this clash. Scott Porter, Colin Best and Stewart Mills could make way... Luke Douglas also apparently trained with his team-mates on Thursday... could the streak be alive? Kade Snowden may however not play.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
BRONCOS To Win By 4 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Coming In...
TITANS 16th TEAM RECORD 3-8 for 8 Points, -85.
PANTHERS 10th TEAM RECORD 4-7 for 10 Points, -30.
Head to Head Last 10...
TITANS 2 PANTHERS 2 - Although the Titans entered the competition in 2007, these two teams have never met more than once per season. The Titans won 38-24 in Round 8 last year.
Tuesday Team News...
GLD: Campbell, Michaels, Tonga, Thompson, Mead, Zillman, Prince (c), Bailey, Srama, Henderson, Bird, Minichiello, Harrison. Bench: White, James, Tagataese, O'Dwyer, Ridge, Toopi.
[Team Changes - There are doubts over William Zillman and Steven Michaels after both left last week's games with head knocks. Ashley Harrison should return after failing to backup from Origin 1 with a shoulder injury and Greg Bird will start. Matt Srama keeps the hooking job ahead of Riley Brown after an impressive debut. Clinton Toopi is the new face on an extended bench. ]
PEN: Coote, Simmons, Jennings, Tighe, Purtell, Burns, Walsh, McKendry, Kingston, Civoniceva (c), Waterhouse, Smith, Lewis. Bench: Grant, Bell, Fatiaki, Weston, Iosefa.
[Team Changes - The Panthers have kept faith with the same starting squad that beat the Rabbitohs on Monday Night and have added Dayne Weston as an extra player on the bench. ]
The Titans have to win again at home soon right? This is as good a chance as they'll get with the Panthers coming to town on Saturday Night. Yes Penrith beat Souths on Monday up the middle but that plays into the Titans hands here and surely the luck of the home team getting the ball down over the line has to change... I'll back the Titans to beat Penrith here.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 3/06 - The Titans dropped Esi Tonga and have Clinton Toopi in at centre. Steven Michaels and William Zillman should play after recovering from head knocks. Masada Iosefa has beat out Dayne Weston for the final bench spot for the Panthers.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
TITANS To Win By 7 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Coming In...
BULLDOGS 7th TEAM RECORD 6-5 for 14 Points, +23.
SEA EAGLES 3rd TEAM RECORD 8-3 for 18 Points, +79.
Head to Head Last 10...
BULLDOGS 4 SEA EAGLES 6 - The teams have split the past four games. Canterbury won 30-24 in Round 26 last season.
Tuesday Team News...
CBY: Barba, Turner, Morris, Idris, Goodwin, Keating, Reynolds, Ryan (c), Ennis, Kasiano, Pritchard, Foster, Stagg. Bench: Eastwood, Payne, Halatau, Hodgson.[Team Changes - With Trent Hodkinson out for two weeks for a late shot, Josh Reynolds gets his 2nd chance in first grade but this time at his favoured position of halfback. There are doubts over David Stagg and Greg Eastwood however so there may be more changes. ]
MAN: B Stewart, D Williams, Lyon (c), Matai, Hopoate, K Foran, Cherry-Evans, King (c), Ballin, Rose, Watmough, Galuvao, G Stewart. Bench: Mauro, Buhrer, Robinson, T Williams, Lussick.
[Team Changes - Brent Kite is out with rib damage, while Jason King and George Rose have ankle and calf injuries that have them in doubt. Darcy Lussick joins the bench, while Michael Robertson is not available due to a knee injury. ]
We saw both teams win at Suncorp in the Double Header last Friday but the Sea Eagles were far more impressive than the Bulldogs. Canterbury still refuse to use their classy backline anywhere near enough and the opposite rings true for Manly. Defence keeps you in games but a willingness to use your outside men wins games and Manly have a better grasp on this than the Bulldogs right now - so they are my tip at ANZ.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 3/06 - Manly will make a call on Jason King and George Rose on Saturday. The Dogs have their own concerns with Greg Eastwood and David Stagg still not 100%. The Bulldogs have cleared their doubtful players while Manly are still to pass King and Rose.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
SEA EAGLES To Win By 8 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Coming In...
ROOSTERS 13th TEAM RECORD 3-8 for 8 Points, -67.
WARRIORS 5th TEAM RECORD 7-4 for 16 Points, +30.
Head to Head Last 10...
ROOSTERS 1 WARRIORS 8 DRAW 1 - The Warriors have dominated the Roosters since the Finals in 2008, winning the last five games. The 31-all draw was in Round 21, 2007.
Tuesday Team News...
SYD: Minichiello, Pritchard, J Carney, Kenny-Dowall, Leilua, T Carney, Pearce, Ryles, Friend, Myles, Anasta (c), Nu'uausala, Guerra. Bench: Waerea-Hargreaves, Arona, Riddell, Symonds, Cordner.
[Team Changes - The Roosters have named former Tigers lower grader Rhys Pritchard on the wing to replace Steve Naughton who broke his collarbone. Where Phil Graham is is anyone's guess - assume he's injured. Jason Ryles starts with Jared Waerea-Hargeaves on the bench. Body Cordner is another new face - the gun youngster has had to overcome a knee reconstruction to get this chance and Mose Masoe makes way. ]
WAR: Locke, Inu, Brown, Mannering (c), Vatuvei, Maloney, Seymour, Packer, Heremaia, Lillyman, Mateo, Taylor, Luck. Bench: Berrigan, Latimore, Matulino, Steve Rapira.[Team Changes - There is a whisper that Brett Seymour won't play with an eye socket injury and that Shaun Johnson will come in - but the team named does not reflect this and there is no Lance Hohaia. Lewis Brown is named at centre again with Shaun Berrigan on the bench, while Ukuma Ta'ai has a knee injury and Steve Rapira makes his first appearance on the bench. ]
At some point the Roosters' Triangle of Terror (that is Anasta, Pearce and Carney) will wake up and beat someone up by 40 points but the way the Warriors are playing - it won't be this week. The Warriors are winning off the back of strong defence and a rolling attack - and that should be too much for a injury hit Sydney pack to handle. Roosters in with a chance but I have to pick the Warriors.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 3/06 - The Warriors lost Brett Seymour to an eye socket injury and either Isaac John, Shaun Berrigan or Shaun Johnson will be his replacement at halfback... the other option is moving Feleti Mateo to five-eighth from the backrow. Mark Riddell is out with the flu and Boyd Cordner will début. Shaun Johnson is framing as the favourite to replace Seymour.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
WARRIORS To Win By 2 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL
2:05pm (Local) 5 June @ Canberra Stadium, Canberra.
Coming In...
RAIDERS 15th TEAM RECORD 3-8 for 8 Points, -84.
COWBOYS 4th TEAM RECORD 8-3 for 18 Points, +68.
Head to Head Last 10...
RAIDERS 4 COWBOYS 6 - The Cowboys won 26-18 in Round 6 in Townsville but the teams have split the past 4 games.
Tuesday Team News...
CAN: Dugan, Ferguson, Croker, Thompson, Robinson, McCrone, Williams, Tilse, Tongue (c), White, Picker, Harrison, Fensom. Bench: Buttriss, Miller, Papalii, Learoyd-Lahrs.
[Team Changes - Canberra resisted naming Terry Campese for his return from a knee reconstruction but they'll make a final decision on game day. For the time being Josh McCrone and Sam Williams are the starting halves. Matt Orford was struck down with a virus this week and was not considered. Joe Picker and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs will play with Sam Mataora out with a finger injury. Josh Dugan replaces Nathan Massey at fullback. ]
NQL: Bowen, Graham, Winterstein, Cooper, Fai-Fai Loa, Thompson, Thurston (c), Scott (c), Payne, Tamou, T Sims, Hall, Johnson. Bench: Segeyaro, Bolton, L Ah Mau, A Sims.
[Team Changes - The loss of Willie Tonga has been covered with Gavin Cooper shifting to the centres and Tariq Sims starting in the second row. Will Tupou may travel to Canberra as the 18th man but this is the same team that beat the Roosters on Saturday. ]
Well the Raiders might have Terry Campese back but they still have a 3-8 record and two of those wins have come in their last two games... so they're hardly flying high. The Cowboys on the other hand are 8-3 and have the player of the season so far - Johnathan Thurston - lining up behind a forward pack that has really stepped up in 2011. Yes the Raiders are at home but the Cowboys are playing better footy and get my tip.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 3/06 - Terry Campese remains an outside chance to play and he could come off the bench if he does. David Shillington however will likely be held out for at least another week if not three as the Raiders have another bye in Round 15. Matt Scott, Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen didn't train on Tuesday and Wednesday but that was just to freshen them up. The Cowboys signed Cory Paterson for the rest of 2011 through 2013 but he won't be playing here.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
COWBOYS To Win By 1 Point.|-| |-| |-|
SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL
Coming In...
RABBITOHS 11th TEAM RECORD 4-7 for 10 Points, -44.
STORM 2nd TEAM RECORD 8-3 for 18 Points, +110.
Head to Head Last 10...
RABBITOHS 1 STORM 9 - The Storm and Rabbitohs split their 2010 meetings but the Storm owned the head to head before then.
Tuesday Team News...
SOU: Wesser, Merritt, Corrigan, Inglis, Roberts, Sutton, Sandow, Ross, Luke, McPherson, McQueen, Taylor, Crocker (c). Bench: Pettybourne, Tyrrell, Clark, Peats.
[Team Changes - The Bunnies may have Greg Inglis back from a hip injury but lost Dylan Farrell to a leg injury in the loss to Penrith. Issac Luke limped off late in that match but has been named. Jason Clark comes in on the bench for Deon Apps, while Chris McQueen starts for Dave Tyrrell. ]
MEL: Slater, Waqa, Nielsen, M Blair, Duffie, Widdop, Cronk, Bromwich, Smith (c), Norrie, A Blair, Proctor, Lowrie. Bench: Hinchcliffe, Manu, Woolnough, Lowe.
[Team Changes - Sisa Waqa holds his spot on the wing with Anthony Quinn's back still not right. Otherwise there are no changes at all to the Storm team that beat Cronulla. ]
With Greg Inglis likely to return for South Sydney they are at least some hope in this game... but the Storm might have 3 or 4 regular first graders return to the team this week so that's a bonus for them as well. Plus all their top players are fit and firing, the same cannot be said for the Rabbitohs. If Souths win this it'll be a massive accomplishment, despite Melbourne's recent form - but it won't happen, Storm by plenty.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 3/06 - There is some talk that Beau Champion, Troy Thompson, Anthony Quinn, Justin O'Neill and Atelea Vea could be available for this clash which could result in a few changes for the Storm. Greg Inglis will play.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
STORM To Win By 14 Points.|-| |-| |-|
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
V
7:05pm (Local) 6 June @ Leichhardt Oval, Sydney.
Coming In...
TIGERS 8th TEAM RECORD 5-6 for 12 Points, +17.
KNIGHTS 9th TEAM RECORD 5-6 for 12 Points, -6.
Head to Head Last 10...
TIGERS 6 KNIGHTS 4 - The Tigers have won 3 straight since 2008.
Tuesday Team News...
WTG: McKinnon, Tuqiri, Ayshford, Moltzen, Brown, Marshall, Lui, Woods, Farah (c), Galloway, Dwyer, Ellis, Heighington. Bench: Ryan, Fulton, Gibbs, Fifita.[Team Changes - This may well be the strongest team the Tigers have had in two months. Only Chris Lawrence, Todd Payten and the newly injury Matt Utai could force their way into this side - and getting Lote Tuqiri, Gareth Ellis and Wade McKinnon back is a huge boost. Aaron Woods also starts ahead of Bryce Gibbs is is on the bench with Liam Fulton. ]
NEW: W Naiqama, McManus, Sa'u, Lulia, Uate, Henry, Gidley (c), Fa'aoso, Hilder, Tuimavave, Houston, Costigan, Edwards. Bench: De Gois, Kaufusi, Ciraldo, Tolar.[Team Changes - The loss of Jarrod Mullen (possibly for the season) to a pectoral injury sees Kurt Gidley go to halfback and Wes Naiqama shift to fullback. Junior Sa'u has been named to return from an ankle injury and Keith Lulia is his centre partner. ]
The Tigers get two huge inclusions with Lote Tuqiri and Gareth Ellis named to return from long term injury and another big addition with Keith Galloway overcoming a head knock. With those three coming in the Tigers should wallop the Knights who lost Jarrod Mullen long term last weekend. Kurt Gidley is a heck of a club footballer but surely he can't inspire the Knights here, Tigers by quite a few with Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah carving up.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 3/06 - The fitness of Wade McKinnon remains a concern as his hammy still isn't 100%. Tim Moltzen would move to fullback, Mitch Brown to the centres and Beau Ryan to the wing if McKinnon can't play. Lote Tuqiri and Gareth Ellis will play. Kurt Gidley has a sore knee but will play.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
TIGERS To Win By 16 Points.|-| |-| |-|
ROUND 13 BYESNone
|-| |-| |-|
NRL TWEET PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTES
AFTER ROUND 12
SCORE UPDATE
Phase Two of NOT The Footy Show's Fantasy League.
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TIPPING TIPS: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
@NRLTWEET's 2011 TIPPING RECORD
TOTAL AFTER 12 ROUNDS - 49/88 @ 55.7%
The NRL Tweet finished with 125 correct tips from 192 Games in 2010 at a strike rate of 65%.
ROUND 13 SELECTIONS
Warrick Nicolson, The NRL Tweet + NTFS Host
Dragons
Broncos
Titans
Sea Eagles
Warriors
Cowboys
Storm
Tigers
| SEASON 49/88
Broncos
Titans
Sea Eagles
Warriors
Cowboys
Storm
Tigers
| SEASON 49/88
Nic McInerney, NTFS Co-Host
Dragons
Broncos
Panthers
Sea Eagles
Warriors
Cowboys
Storm
Tigers
Broncos
Panthers
Sea Eagles
Warriors
Cowboys
Storm
Tigers
| SEASON 57/88
Matt Duncan, 101.5 FM's SportsFever
Dragons
Broncos
Panthers
Sea Eagles
Warriors
Raiders
Storm
Tigers
Broncos
Panthers
Sea Eagles
Warriors
Raiders
Storm
Tigers
| SEASON 52/88
Dave Chapman, NTFS Co-Host
Dragons
Broncos
Panthers
Sea Eagles
Warriors
Cowboys
Storm
Tigers
Broncos
Panthers
Sea Eagles
Warriors
Cowboys
Storm
Tigers
| SEASON 55/88
Maria Tsialis, Big League Magazine
Dragons
Broncos
Titans
Bulldogs
Roosters
Cowboys
Storm
Tigers
Broncos
Titans
Bulldogs
Roosters
Cowboys
Storm
Tigers
| SEASON 48/88
Andy Raymond, Fox Sports Commentator
To Come...
| SEASON 44/88
Eyes, The Kid Who Sees AllDragons
Broncos
Panthers
Sea Eagles
Roosters
Raiders
Rabbitohs
Tigers
Broncos
Panthers
Sea Eagles
Roosters
Raiders
Rabbitohs
Tigers
| SEASON 41/88
|-| |-| |-|
]-[ 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 and girls from NOT The Footy Show.1st Prize is an Official Steeden Match ball.
Fantasy League Phase 2 is underway...
Phase 3 Begins in NRL Round 19 - your final chance to win some Rugby League Clothing.
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.
