ROUND 20 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 74- Round 20 Preview Released July 21, 2011 -
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SPECIAL FRIED RICE - ROUND 20- Waz 10/19: Dragons; Matt 15/19: Sea Eagles; Dave 13/19: Cowboys; Nic 15/19: Storm -
Note: The order in which Special Fried Rice (the game we guarantee that team will win) is chosen rotates - this week Waz had 1st choice, Matt 2nd, Dave 3rd and Nic 4th. So it isn't as easy as it sounds to tip correctly each week.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.
Check out the Round 20 Tipping Preview below...
ROUND 20 MATCHUPS
20/07 Odds are courtesy of Sportingbet Australia
NRL TWEET PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTES
The Leaderboard has gone silent... we will however still be posting the Votes each week in the Results Blog.
THE NRL TWEET's ROUND 20 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 or Thursday 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...
12th BULLDOGS TEAM RECORD 7-10 for 18 Points, -65.
13th EELS TEAM RECORD 5-11-1 for 15 Points, -92.
Head to Head Last 10...
BULLDOGS 2 EELS 8 - Parramatta might have dropped their Round 6 clash 34-14 at this venue but they have the Bulldogs covered in 8 of the other 9 games played since 2007.
Tuesday Team News...
CBY: Barba, Turner, Lafai, Idris, Wright, Roberts, Hodkinson, Tolman, Romelo, Kasiano, Pritchard, Ryan (c), Halatau. Bench: Eastwood, Taupau, Stagg, Reynolds.
[Team Changes - The Bulldogs will be without Michael Ennis for the rest of the season after an MRI found he had neck damage. Joel Romelo is the new hooker with Dene Halatau going to lock and David Stagg to the bench. Josh Morris was dropped and now joins Bryson Goodwin in the NSW Cup... 2 years ago this pair was the most lethal left edge in Rugby League. Tim Lafai starts at centre and Ben Roberts has the five-eighth jumper for a few weeks with Kris Keating's elbow injury keeping him out. Gary Warburton's spot on the bench is taken by Josh Reynolds. ]
PAR: Burt, Uaisele, Morgan, Smith, Atkins, Hayne, McGuire, Mannah, Keating, MoiMoi, Hindmarsh (c), Lasalo, Horo. Bench: Shackleton, Allgood, Maitua, O'Hanlon.
[Team Changes - After being edged out in Golden Point against the Panthers the Eels have retained the same 17 (Pat O'Hanlon was not used last week) for their clash with the Bulldogs on Friday. Jeff Robson has not been included with Etu Uaisele on the wing and Jarryd Hayne staying at five-eighth. ]
To find out the Panel's tips and why they are tipping them - listen to the Podcast or watch the Tipping Video.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 22/07 - The Eels and Bulldogs should be 1-17, with the only late changes likely to come from bench players starting.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
EELS To Win By 8 Points.|-| |-| |-|
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Coming In...
1st STORM TEAM RECORD 14-3 for 32 Points, +189.
4th BRONCOS TEAM RECORD 12-5 for 28 Points, +70.
Head to Head Last 10...
STORM 8 BRONCOS 2 - Melbourne have dominated this rivalry in recent seasons and won 29-22 in Round 9 at Suncorp. Always a tasty matchup.
Tuesday Team News...
MEL: Slater, Duffie, Nielsen, M Blair, O'Neill, Widdop, Cronk, Bromwich, Smith (c), Norrie, A Blair, Manu, Proctor. Bench: Kostjasyn, Hinchcliffe, Woolnough, Lowe, Lowrie.
[Team Changes - The Storm stick with the same 17 that beat the Raiders 26-0 with Justin O'Neill now ahead of Sisa Waqa on the wing pecking order. Jaiman Lowe is the extra player on the bench. Beau Champion and Anthony Quinn can't get out of NSW Cup. ]
BRI: Hoffman, Beale, Reed, Hodges, Yow Yeh, Lockyer (c), Wallace, Hannant, McCullough, Anderson, Glenn, Thaiday, Parker. Bench: Gillett, Hunt, Dodds, McGuire, Lui.
[Team Changes - The Broncos have named Scott Anderson to return from an illness against his former club on Friday in Melbourne. Dunamis Lui will make way. Kurt Baptiste has been named in Toyota Cup. ]
Wednesday Game Preview...
To find out the Panel's tips and why they are tipping them - listen to the Podcast or watch the Tipping Video.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 22/07 - The Storm might start Cameron Smith from the bench but given the sizeable nature of the game - expect him to start. Darren Lockyer has the flu but will play.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
STORM To Win By 10 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
V
5:35pm (Local) 23 July @ Skilled Park, Gold Coast.
Coming In...
16th TITANS TEAM RECORD 4-13 for 12 Points, -167.
5th COWBOYS TEAM RECORD 11-6 for 26 Points, +64.
Head to Head Last 10...
TITANS 4 COWBOYS 4 - The least heralded Queensland derby has seen the Cowboys win 3 of the last 4 games including a 22-12 result in Round 5.
Tuesday Team News...
GLD: Capewell, Michaels, Zillman, Toopi, Mead, Henry, Prince (c), Bailey, Srama, Laffranchi, Thompson, Minichiello, Bird. Bench: White, Lawrence, O'Dwyer, Campbell.
[Team Changes - The Titans lost Ashley Harrison early v the Broncos and he is out 2-3 weeks with an elbow injury. Greg Bird goes to lock, Bodene Thompson from the centres to the second row and William Zillman moves to the centres for Beau Henry to come in at five-eighth. Brenton Lawrence is the new face on the bench with Michael Hendrson out due to a finger injury. ]
NQL: Bowen, Graham, Tate. Tonga, Fai-Fai Loa, Thompson, Jones, Scott (c), Payne, A Sims, Cooper, T Sims, Johnson. Bench: Segeyaro, Hall, Riethmuller, J Tamou, C Paterson, W Tupou, L Ah Mau, .
[Team Changes - The Cowboys have punted Michael Morgan and replaced him with Ben Jones at halfback, while Ashton Sims starts for James Tamou at prop. Matthew Scott missed last round with a back injury and has been named. Leeson Ah Mau and Joel Riethmuller are the new faces on an extended bench. ]
To find out the Panel's tips and why they are tipping them - listen to the Podcast or watch the Tipping Video...
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 22/07 - The Titans might lose Luke Capewell to a foot injury (they lost him to the Broncos for 2012 on Thursday), while Mark Minichiello is struggling with a calf injury. Matt Scott will play for the Cowboys after missing last week.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
COWBOYS To Win By 4 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Coming In...
10th SHARKS TEAM RECORD 7-10 for 18 Points, -43.
9th KNIGHTS TEAM RECORD 8-9 for 20 Points, -23.
Head to Head Last 10...
SHARKS 4 KNIGHTS 6 - Newcastle just held on 24-20 in Round 6 to make it two in a row dating back to Round 18 last year.
Tuesday Team News...
CRO: Gardner, Williams, Pomeroy, Best, Stapleton, Graham, Townsend, Cordoba, Morris, Douglas, Smith, Tupou, Gallen (c). Bench: Snowden, Tagataese, Flanagan, Tautai, Mannah.
[Team Changes - The Sharks could be without skipper Paul Gallen who came off late with a calf injury against the Dragons. Jayson Bukuya is also out with an ankle injury and Matthew Wright (neck) is replaced by John Williams. Anthony Tupou starts for Bukuya while Johnny Mannah is added to the bench. Josh Cordoba starts at prop ahead of Kade Snowden who returned from injury on Monday. ]
NEW: Gidley (c), McManus, Sa'u, Lulia, Uate, Stig, Mullen, Fa'aoso, De Gois, Kaufusi, Houston, Costigan, Edwards. Bench: Hilder, Taufua, Ciraldo, Tolar, Southern.[Team Changes - The Knights have named Kurt Gidley to return from a hamstring injury but he is not a sure thing. James McManus (Rib) and Junior Sa'u (Neck) are also in doubt. Antonio Kaufusi starts for Evarn Tuimavave who has been a late withdrawal the past few weeks and wasn't named. Matt Hilder and Mark Taufua return on the bench and Tyrone Roberts goes back to Toyota Cup. ]
To find out the Panel's tips and why they are tipping them - listen to the Podcast or watch the Tipping Video.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 22/07 - Both teams are sweating on the fitness of their skippers - Paul Gallen and Kurt Gidley. Junior Sa'u is firming to play after a neck injury against Manly. Later reports have Gallen missing this game and Jeremy Smith will lineup with a broken hand because of Gallen's absence. Neville Costigan's knee is giving him grief and he could be a late scratching as could Daniel Tolar with an ankle problem. Zane Tetevano could debut for the Knights and Gidley should play.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
KNIGHTS To Win By 6 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Coming In...
7th TIGERS TEAM RECORD 8-9 for 20 Points, +8.
15th ROOSTERS TEAM RECORD 5-12 for 14 points. -104.
Head to Head Last 10...
TIGERS 4 ROOSTERS 6 - The Roosters won 24-6 in Round 4 and their epic semi final 19-15 last season. In face the Roosters have won 4 straight in this contest.
Tuesday Team News...
WTG: Moltzen, Tuqiri, Ayshford, Lawrence, Ryan, Marshall, Lui, Gibbs, Farah (c), Galloway, Fulton, Ellis, Heighington. Bench: Flanagan, Brown, Woods, Payten, Fifita.[Team Changes - The Tigers have named winger Lote Tuqiri to return from injury with Mitch Brown moving to the bench. Todd Payten is also listed on the bench, as is Mark Flanagan who announced a move in 2012 to St.Helens during the week. Matt Groat and Sean Meaney make way. ]
SYD: Minichiello, Perrett, Linnett, Kenny-Dowall, Leilua, T Carney, Pearce, Ryles, Friend, Myles, Anasta (c), Guerra, Nu'uausala. Bench: Mitchell, Waerea-Hargreaves, Takairangi, Arona, Symonds.
[Team Changes - The Roosters bring Anthony Minichiello back from an illness but there is no guarantee he will play - Phil Graham will remain on standby. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is a welcome addition to the bench after a shoulder injury and coach Brian Smith will cut down his five man bench closer to game day. ]
To find out the Panel's tips and why they are tipping them - listen to the Podcast or watch the Tipping Video.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 22/07 - The Tigers will have Lote Tuqiri and Beau Ryan will play in head gear after a nasty head cut last weekend. Todd Payten will be a game time decision. The Roosters will decide on Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (shoulder) come game day.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
TIGERS To Win By 10 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL
Coming In...
11th RABBITOHS TEAM RECORD 7-10 for 18 Points, -62.
6th WARRIORS TEAM RECORD 9-8 for 22 Points, +31.
Head to Head Last 10...
RABBITOHS 4 WARRIORS 6 - The Warriors won 12-6 in Auckland in Round 11 but Souths had won 4 of the previous 5 games before that
Tuesday Team News...
SOU: Wesser, Merritt, Farrell, Inglis, McQueen, Sutton, Sandow, Ross, Luke, McPherson, Clark, Pettybourne, Crocker (c). Bench: L Burgess, Tyrrell, Lowe, Peats, Corrigan.
[Team Changes - The Bunnies still have doubt over Rhys Wesser and Shaune Corrigan has once again been named on an extended bench as his cover. Otherwise the Bunnies are unchanged with only Shannan McPherson and Michael Crocker (both concussion) in any real doubt. ]
WAR: Locke, Tupou, Moon, Berrigan, Vatuvei, Maloney, Johnson, Packer, Heremaia, Lillyman, Mateo, Mannering (c), Luck. Bench: Hohaia, Sam Rapira, Matulino, Taylor.[Team Changes - The Warriors are unchanged from the team that beat the Bulldogs 36-12 last Friday Night. Brett Seymour, Glen Fisiiahi, Krisnan Inu, Steve Rapira and Ukuma Ta'ai are all playing NSW Cup. ]
To find out the Panel's tips and why they are tipping them - listen to the Podcast or watch the Tipping Video.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 22/07 - There is a suggestion that Greg Inglis could miss for the Bunnies but there has been no official word yet. Rhys Wesser remains in some doubt with Shaune Corrigan on standby. The Warriors expect to be fine.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
WARRIORS To Win By 8 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL
Coming In...
8th PANTHERS TEAM RECORD 8-9 for 20 Points, -4.
2nd SEA EAGLES TEAM RECORD 13-4 for 30 Points, +155.
Head to Head Last 10...
PANTHERS 4 SEA EAGLES 6 - Manly won 22-16 at Brookvale in Round 7 but the teams have gone back and forth with victories in the last few years.
Tuesday Team News...
PEN: Coote, Simmons, Jennings, Tighe, Purtell, Burns, Walsh, McKendry, Kingston, Civoniceva (c), Waterhouse, Plum, Lewis. Bench: Seluini, Weston, Smith, Grant, Bell.
[Team Changes - The Panthers have injury concerns over Trent Waterhouse (Knee), Luke Lewis and Nigel Plum (both shoulders) but have named all three. Matthew Bell or Dayne Weston will be the 18th man if all three are good to go. ]
MAN: B Stewart, Robertson, Lyon (c), Matai, Hopoate, K Foran, Cherry-Evans, King (c), Ballin, Kite, Watmough, Galuvao, G Stewart. Bench: Mauro, Buhrer, Rodney, Rose, Robinson, Lussick.[Team Changes - Manly lost David Williams to another hamstring injury but get Will Hopoate back from a hamstring injury and in the process actually upgrade. In fact Williams might not be seen in the top grade again barring injury - Hopoate is that good. Anthony Watmough (Shoulder) and Jason King (Hammy) have been named. Tim Robinson is the new face on an extended bench. ]
To find out the Panel's tips and why they are tipping them - listen to the Podcast or watch the Tipping Video.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 22/07 - The Sea Eagles are expecting Anthony Watmough and Jason King to play, while Will Hopoate will come back from a hammy strain. The Panthers won't know if Luke Lewis, Trent Waterhouse or Nigel Plum will play until Saturday or possibly as late as Sunday.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
SEA EAGLES To Win By 4 Points.|-| |-| |-|
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Coming In...
14th RAIDERS TEAM RECORD 5-12 for 14 Points, -102.
3rd DRAGONS TEAM RECORD 12-4-1 for 29 Points, +145.
Head to Head Last 10...
RAIDERS 9 DRAGONS 1 - Canberra has St.George-Illawarra's number deluxe for the best part of this decade and they are currently riding a 5 game winning streak. Astounding stuff given the Dragons record in recent seasons.
Tuesday Team News...
CAN: Dugan, Ferguson, Galea, Thompson, Vidot, McCrone, Williams, White, Tongue (c), Tilse, Picker, Harrison, Fensom. Bench: Buttriss, Miller, Thurling, Mataora.
[Team Changes - Canberra were average last week out wide with Danny Galea replacing the injured Jarrod Croker but even with Croker not fit to return - Galea held his spot. In fact Canberra are 1-17 after being held scoreless at home for the first time ever. Matt Orford's groin has flared up again and he is likely to be put on ice for the rest of the season. Centre Joel Thompson took an early plea for a big hit on Rory Kostjasyn and will play. ]
STI: Boyd, Morris, Gasnier, Cooper, Nightingale, Soward, Fien, Hunt, Stanley, Weyman, Scott, Creagh, Prior. Bench: Cuthbertson, Green, Merrin, Rein.[Team Changes - The Dragons have lost Dean Young for a few weeks with a knee injury and Kyle Stanley is his new replacement at hooker with Nathan Fien staying at halfback with Ben Hornby out. Mitch Rein holds his spot on the bench, with Jake Marketo and David Gower omitted with the return of Stanley and Beau Scott from injury. ]
To find out the Panel's tips and why they are tipping them - listen to the Podcast or watch the Tipping Video.
Tipping + Fantasy Late Mail...
SMH and Other Late Mail 22/07 - The Raiders might get a big boost with gun youngster Josh Papalii expected to return early from a groin strain, he could start in the centres for Danny Galea if passed fit. Ben Hornby trained this week despite a hand injury but is expected to be held back this week.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
DRAGONS To Win By 20 Points.|-| |-| |-|
ROUND 20 BYES|-| |-| |-|
FANTASY LEAGUE SCORE UPDATE
PHASE THREE LEADERBOARD AVAILABLE AFTER ROUND 20
|-| |-| |-|
2011 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