Thursday 11 August 2011

NRL 2011 - Round 23 NRL Preview Tips Teams Predictions Late Mail Fantasy News Odds

ROUND 23 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 77
- Round 23 Preview Released August 11, 2011 -

Right Click Save Target As This Link if you don't have iTunes.
Kevin Campion talks to us about Darren Lockyer as the champion reaches 350 NRL Games, Five Try Merritt Tribute and the Round 23 NRL Preview.
- Tipping Video Preview to Come... -

In Round 23 Darren Lockyer makes his 350th First Grade Appearance...
Here is a tribute from YouTube - Tag your tweets with #Lockyer350
SPECIAL FRIED RICE - ROUND 23
- Waz 11/22: Storm; Matt 18/22: Sea Eagles; Dave 15/22: TigersNic 18/22: Dragons -
Note: The order in which Special Fried Rice (the game we guarantee that team will win) is chosen rotates - this week Nic had 1st choice, Waz 2nd, Matt 3rd and Dave 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 23 Tipping Preview below...
ROUND 23 MATCHUPS 
11/08 Odds are courtesy of Sportingbet Australia
$1.95 V $1.87Fri @ Dairy Farmers | LINE: NQL +2.0 GAME STATS
$2.80 V $1.45Fri @ Centrebet | LINE: PEN +6.5 GAME STATS
$1.48 V $2.70Sat @ Mt Smat | LINE: NEW +6.0 GAME STATS
$3.75 V $1.28Sat @ Parramatta | LINE: PAR +10.0 GAME STATS
$6.00 V $1.13Sat @ Skilled | LINE: GLD +16.5 GAME STATS
$2.20 V $1.70Sun @ Canberra | LINE: CAN +2.5 GAME STATS
$1.11 V $6.75Sun @ WIN Wollongong | LINE: SYD +17.5 GAME STATS
$2.10 V $1.75Mon @ Toyota | LINE: CRO +2.0 GAME STATS
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 23 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
              V
7:45pm (Local) 12 August @ Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville. 
Coming In... 
4th COWBOYS TEAM RECORD 13-7 for 30 Points, +76.
3rd BRONCOS TEAM RECORD 14-6 for 32 Points, +81.
Head to Head Last 10...
COWBOYS 3 BRONCOS 7 - North Queensland won 16-14 in Round 1 to snap a 7 game winning streak by the Broncos in their head to head matches since 2007.
Tuesday Team News...
NQL: Bowen, Graham, Tate. Tonga, Fai-Fai Loa, Thompson, Thurston (c), Scott (c), Payne (OUT), Tamou, Cooper, T Sims, Johnson. Bench: Segeyaro, Hall, Bolton, A Sims, Paterson.
[Team Changes - The Cowboys were able to name Johnathan Thurston, Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa and Matthew Scott for this game but lost Aaron Payne to a facial injury in a training accident on Tuesday. James Segeyaro should start for Payne and Ben Jones, Michael Morgan or Clint Amos could come onto the bench. Will Tupou makes way for Fai-Fai Loa's return. Cory Paterson, Scott Bolton or Ashton Sims could miss out if the Cowboys decide to cover Payne's absence with a utility. ]
BRI: Hoffman, Beale, Reed, Hodges, Yow Yeh, Lockyer (c), Wallace, McGuire, McCullough, Anderson, Glenn, Thaiday, Parker. Bench: Gillett, Hunt, Te'o, Hala.
[Team Changes - The Broncos have lost Ben Hannant to a hip injury suffered last weekend and have brought Josh McGuire into the starting lineup after he impressed off the bench. David Hala is the new face on the bench. The Broncos are otherwise unchanged for Darren Lockyer's 350th Game. ]
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 12/08 - The Cowboys will start James Segeyaro at hooker for the injured Aaron Payne. Cory Paterson or Ben Jones are in line to come off the bench. The Broncos could be without Jharal Yow Yeh who is in doubt with an ankle injury for Lockyer's 350th - Dale Copley would come in (it appears Yow Yeh is OUT).
The NRL Tweet's Tip... 
COWBOYS To Win By 2 Points.
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FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
              V
7:45pm (Local) 12 August @ Centrebet Stadium, Penrith.
Coming In... 
11th PANTHERS TEAM RECORD 8-12 for 20 Points, -40.
8th TIGERS TEAM RECORD 11-9 for 26 Points, +19.
Head to Head Last 10...
PANTHERS 6 TIGERS 4 - Penrith had won 5 games straight before Round 23, 2010 but the Tigers have won the last 2 including 20-18 in Round 11 this year.
Tuesday Team News...
PEN: Jennings, Simmons, Tighe, Vaivai, Purtell, Siejka, Walsh, Grant, Seluini, Civoniceva (c), Waterhouse, Plum, Smith. Bench: Kingston, Weston, McKendry, Bell.
[Team Changes - The Panthers have made a few big moves - benching Kevin Kingston for Nafe Seluini, leaving Luke Lewis out to rest and shifting Michael Jennings to fullback. David Simmons goes to the wing for Ryan Walker and Junior Vaivai comes into the centres. Dayne Weston is another new face on the bench for Masada Iosefa. Nathan Smith starts at lock for Lewis and Harry Siejka returns from illness at five-eighth. ]
WTG: Moltzen, Ryan, Ayshford, Brown, Utai, Marshall, Lui, Gibbs, Farah (c), Galloway, Fulton, Ellis, Heighington. Bench: McKinnon, Payten, Groat, Woods.
[Team Changes - The Tigers lost Chris Lawrence to a hamstring injury and have brought Mitch Brown back into the side as cover. Wade McKinnon remains on the bench but there is a chance he could start for Tim Moltzen - with Moltzen moving into the centres for Lawrence and Brown going to the bench. Matt Utai didn't break his hand as feared and is on the wing, while Todd Payten remains a week to week proposition with a knee injury. ]
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 12/08 - The Tigers will likely use the 17 named, while the Panthers could elect to start Kevin Kingston at lock or in fact play Luke Lewis after not naming him during the week. BREAKING Mark Geyer announced on the Grill Team show that Michael Jennings will not play in the NRL this week because of a disciplinary breach.
The NRL Tweet's Tip... 
TIGERS To Win By 10 Points.
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SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
              V
7:35pm (Local) 13 August @ Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland.
Coming In... 
6th WARRIORS TEAM RECORD 11-9 for 26 Points, +81.
7th KNIGHTS TEAM RECORD 11-9 for 26 Points, +57.
Head to Head Last 10...
WARRIORS 8 KNIGHTS 2 - The Warriors are dominating this contest. They won 25-16 in Round 10 in Newcastle - their 5th straight win and 7th in the last 8 v the Knights.
Tuesday Team News...
WAR: Locke, Tupou, Moon, Berrigan, Vatuvei, Maloney, Johnson, Packer, Heremaia, Lillyman, Mateo, Mannering (c), Luck. Bench: Godinet, Sam Rapira, Matulino, Ta'ai, Brown.
[Team Changes - The Warriors have decided to rest rookie backrower Elijah Taylor for this week and it gives Ukuma Ta'ai a chance to make an impression in the top grade. Lewis Brown moves to the bench to accommodate that return of Joel Moon in the centres in the only other change. ]
NEW: Gidley (c), McManus, Sa'u, MacDougall, Uate, Stig, Mullen, Tuimavave, De Gois, Kaufusi, Houston, Costigan, Edwards. Bench: Hilder (OUT), Fa'aoso, Ciraldo, Tetevano, Lulia.
[Team Changes - The Knights lost Matt Hilder early in the week despite naming him with a head injury. Richie Fa'aoso should return from a hammy injury and Joel Edwards is expected to play despite a back injury. Isaac De Gois only played limited minutes v Canberra but should play. ]
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 12/08 - The Knights should get Richie Fa'aoso back from a hammy strain but have lost Matt Hilder to a head cut. Peter Mata'utia is expected to come in to the squad - with Keith Lulia possibly missing out, while the Warriors could rest a starting forward as they are carrying both Lewis Brown and Ukuma Ta'ai on their bench.
The NRL Tweet's Tip... 
WARRIORS To Win By 4 Points.
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SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
              V
7:35pm (Local) 13 August @ Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta.
Coming In... 
15th EELS TEAM RECORD 5-14-1 for 15 Points, -147.
2nd SEA EAGLES TEAM RECORD 15-5 for 34 Points, +185.
Head to Head Last 10...
EELS 3 SEA EAGLES 7 - Manly won 22-18 at Brookvale in MNF Round 15 but Parramatta had won both games in 2010.
Tuesday Team News...
PAR: Burt, Uaisele, Horo, Smith, Atkins, Hayne, McGuire, Mannah, Keating, MoiMoi, Hindmarsh (c), Lasalo, Maitua. Bench: Shackleton, Allgood, O'Hanlon, Poore.
[Team Changes - After their 56-6 pumelling by the Bunnies - Stephen Kearney has barely made a change to the team. But they did play Monday Night so the squad could change dramatically come Saturday v Manly. Jordan Atkins is named to return from a neck injury for Chris Hicks, while Etuate Uaisele is also named despite getting hooked in the second half. Reni Maitua is expected to return from a virus while Justin Poore holds his spot after being a late starter Monday and Rory Brien is omitted. Carl Webb announced his retirement effective immediately during the week. ]
MAN: B Stewart, Robertson, Lyon (c), Matai, Hopoate, K Foran, Cherry-Evans, Rose, Ballin, Kite, Watmough, Galuvao, G Stewart. Bench: Lussick, Buhrer, Rodney, T Williams, Robinson.
[Team Changes - Manly have lost skipper Jason King for the rest of the season with a pectoral injury and George Rose is the new starting prop. Will Hopoate slightly aggravated his hamstring and is in doubt and Michael Robertson has been recalled for Michael Oldfield. Tim Robinson is the extra man on the bench with Darcy Lussick. Tony Williams should be fine despite having ice on his hammy late in the game. ]
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 12/08 - The Eels could still make a number of changes after playing in MNF. Manly will make a decision on Will Hopoate, Steven Matai Michael Robertson and Tony Williams on Saturday. Michael Oldfield is on standby.
The NRL Tweet's Tip... 
SEA EAGLES To Win By 12 Points.
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SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
              V
7:35pm (Local) 13 August @ Skilled Park, Gold Coast.
Coming In... 
16th TITANS TEAM RECORD 5-15 for 14 Points, -201.
1st STORM TEAM RECORD 17-3 for 38 Points, +233.
Head to Head Last 10...
TITANS 3 STORM 3 - The Titans have held their own v the Storm since 2007. But Melbourne put them to the sword 40-12 in Round 2 this year.
Tuesday Team News...
GLD: Rankin, Michaels, Zillman, Peyroux, Mead, Henry, Campbell, Bailey (c), Srama, White, Laffranchi, Minichiello, O'Dwyer. Bench: Lawrence, Matthews, Thompson, Toopi, Bird.
[Team Changes - The Titans will be without Scott Prince for the rest of the season after he broke his arm against the Sharks. Preston Campbell comes into halfback with Matt Srama back at hooker after starting from the bench. Clinton Toopi is recalled on the bench and Greg Bird is there as well as they try to build on their first win in a while last week. ]
MEL: Slater, O'Neill, Nielsen, M Blair, O'Neill, Widdop, Cronk, Bromwich, Smith (c), Norrie, A Blair, Manu, Proctor. Bench: Champion, Hinchcliffe, Vea, Lowe.
[Team Changes - The Storm bring back Jesse Bromwich after he was rested last weekend and he replaces the injured Adam Woolnough in the squad. Anthony Quinn holds his spot on the wing with Matt Duffie still not fit and Beau Champion remains on the bench as the extra back. Troy Thompson makes his return to the field in the NSW Cup after a long layoff. ]
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 12/08 - The Storm could keep their rest rotation going - likely candidates are any of the Big 3 (Cronk, Smith or Slater) or other players who haven't had a break in Proctor, Hinchcliffe or Adam Blair. Jesse Bromwich is no certainty with an elbow injury, while Matt Duffie and Todd Lowrie might be late starters. The Titans should get Greg Bird back but Anthony Laffranchi is in doubt with a corked leg (GC Bulletin says Laffranchi will not play).
The NRL Tweet's Tip... 
STORM To Win By 24 Points.
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SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL
              V
2:05pm (Local) 14 August @ Canberra Stadium, Canberra.
Coming In... 
14th RAIDERS TEAM RECORD 6-14 for 16 Points, -148.
9th RABBITOHS TEAM RECORD 9-11 for 22 Points, -34.
Head to Head Last 10...
RABBITOHS 3 RAIDERS 7 - South Sydney won 26-24 in Canberra last year but haven't had a great record v the Raiders - losing 4 of the past 5 since 2007.
Tuesday Team News...
CAN: Dugan, Ferguson, Croker, Thompson, Robinson, McCrone, Williams, White, Tongue (c), Shillington, Galea, Harrison, Fensom. Bench: Picker, Miller, Papalii, Mataora.
[Team Changes - Canberra lost two players to injury last weekend with Dane Tilse (Quad) and Glen Buttriss (Pectoral) out. Alan Tongue (Shoulder) and Josh Dugan (Elbow/Ankle) are not 100% either and Bronson Harrison has been recalled after missing with a shoulder injury last weekend. Josh Papalii goes to the bench for Harrison. Sam Mataora is back on the bench, while Daniel Vidot has been granted personal leave and is replaced by Reece Robinson on the wing. The club tried to get dispensation to recall Travis Waddell from the QLD Cup after a heavy injury toll at hooker. ]

SOU: Merritt, Farrell, Corrigan, Inglis, McQueen, Sutton, Sandow, Ross, Luke, McPherson, Pettybourne, Taylor, Crocker (c). Bench: L Burgess, Tyrrell, Clark, Peats.
[Team Changes - The Bunnies were awesome on Monday Night against the Eels and unsurprisingly are unchanged 1-17. Rhys Wesser did not get a recall after Nathan Merritt's amazing 5 try performance. Roy Asotasi is still a few weeks away yet. ]
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 12/08 - The Raiders are no sure things to have Alan Tongue, Reece Robinson, Josh Dugan or Jarrod Croker for this clash as they are all battling injury. The Bunnies should be 1-17 with Chris Sandow's Achilles the only concern.
The NRL Tweet's Tip... 
RABBITOHS To Win By 16 Points.
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SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL
              V
3:05pm (Local) 14 August @ WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
Coming In... 
5th DRAGONS TEAM RECORD 12-7-1 for 29 Points, +128.
13th ROOSTERS TEAM RECORD 6-14 for 16 Points, -135.
Head to Head Last 10...
DRAGONS 8 ROOSTERS 2 - The second rematch of the 2010 Grand Final in the 2011 season looks set to be a continuation of the Dragons 6 match winning streak since 2009.
Tuesday Team News...
STI: Boyd, Morris, Gasnier (OUT), Cooper, Nightingale, Soward, Hornby (c), Hunt, Fien, Weyman, Scott, Creagh, Prior. Bench: Green, Merrin, Cuthbertson, Young, Stanley.
[Team Changes - The Dragons have named the the same 17 that lost to the Tigers but there could be a few changes. While Jamie Soward is expected to overcome his back spasms, Beau Scott's hammy strain is a big concern and Trent Merrin or Dean Young could start for him. Kyle Stanley would then come onto the bench. Nathan Fien copped a bad cheek knock on Friday so could be in some doubt. ]
SYD: Minichiello, Perrett, Leilua, Kenny-Dowall, Graham, TBA, Pearce, Ryles, Friend, Waerea-Hargreaves, Anasta (c), Guerra, TBA. Bench: Mitchell, Masoe, Takairangi, Tasi.
[Team Changes - The Roosters were thrown into disarray after Nate Myles, Frank-Paul Nu'uausala and Todd Carney were found to have breached a team 'no booze' agreement on Tuesday Morning. All three are suspended for Round 23 with a decision on their long term future to come. The Roosters named the same 17 that lost to the Sea Eagles - but obviously this will change come Sunday against the Dragons. ]
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 12/08 - The Dragons ruled Mark Gasnier out with a hip injury on Thursday and Jamie Soward is only 50/50. Kyle Stanley will replace Gasnier, while Nathan Fien would move to five-eighth for Soward and Mitch Rein would come onto the bench. Beau Scott is also in doubt with a hammy strain. The Roosters won't announce replacements for Myles, Nu'uausala and Carney til the weekend but expect Braith Anasta to go to five-eighth, Brad Takairangi to start in the second row and Tom Symonds would likely join the bench..
The NRL Tweet's Tip... 
DRAGONS To Win By 13 Points.
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MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
              V
7:05pm (Local) 15 August @ Toyota Stadium, Cronulla.
Coming In... 
12th SHARKS TEAM RECORD 7-13 for 18 Points, -95.
10th BULLDOGS TEAM RECORD 9-11 for 22 Points, -60.
Head to Head Last 10...
SHARKS 3 BULLDOGS 7 - Cronulla upset the Bulldogs 26-10 in Round 15 but the Dogs had won the previous 4 games dating back to 2007.
Tuesday Team News...
CRO: Gardner, Gordon, Pomeroy, Leutele, Stapleton, Graham, Townsend, Snowden, Morris, Douglas, Smith, Bukuya, Gallen (c). Bench: Tupou, Tagataese, Kelly, Best, Cordoba.
[Team Changes - The Sharks will challenge the 1 match ban handed out to Paul Gallen for striking and his fate will be determined Wednesday Night. There are some big changes with Matt Wright, Taulima Tautai and Paul Aiton dropped and Nathan Gardner, Albert Kelly, Jayson Bukuya and Colin Best recalled. ]
CBY: Barba, Turner, Morris, Idris, Wright, Roberts, Hodkinson, Tolman, Reynolds, Kasiano, Pritchard, Ryan (c), Halatau. Bench: Eastwood, Armit, Payne, Paea.
[Team Changes - The Bulldogs have regained Ben Roberts from a quad injury and he replaces the suspended Joel Romelo. Trent Culter makes way for Mickey Paea on the bench. Josh Reynolds is expected to play after leaving the field late last weekend. ]
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 12/08 - Paul Gallen beat his striking charge and will definitely play for the Sharks - providing his calf is ok. The Dogs should be 1-17.
The NRL Tweet's Tip... 
SHARKS To Win By 8 Points.
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ROUND 23 BYES
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FANTASY LEAGUE SCORE UPDATE
PHASE THREE LEADERBOARD AFTER 4 ROUNDS (RD19-26)
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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
@NRLTWEET's 2011 TIPPING RECORD 
TOTAL AFTER 22 ROUNDS - 95/160 @ 59.4%
The NRL Tweet finished with 125 correct tips from 192 Games in 2010 at a strike rate of 65%.

ROUND 23 SELECTIONS
Warrick Nicolson, The NRL Tweet + NTFS Host
Cowboys
Tigers
Warriors
Sea Eagles
Storm
Rabbitohs
Dragons
Sharks
| SEASON 95/160
Nic McInerney, NTFS Co-Host
Broncos
Tigers
Warriors
Sea Eagles
Storm
Rabbitohs
Dragons
Bulldogs
| SEASON 106/160
Broncos
Tigers
Warriors
Sea Eagles
Storm
Raiders
Roosters
Bulldogs
| SEASON 96/160
DC Chapman, NTFS Co-Host
Broncos
Tigers
Warriors
Sea Eagles
Storm
Rabbitohs
Dragons
Bulldogs
| SEASON 100/160
Maria Tsialis, Big League Magazine
Broncos
Tigers
Warriors
Sea Eagles
Storm
Raiders
Dragons
Bulldogs
| SEASON 89/160
Andy Raymond, Fox Sports Commentator
TBA
| SEASON 87/160
Eyes, The Kid Who Sees All
Cowboys
Tigers
Knights
Sea Eagles
Titans
Raiders
Roosters
Bulldogs
| SEASON 82/160
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]-[ There are just 4 weeks left in NOT The Footy Show's Tipping Competition and the outright winner walks away with an Official Steeden Match ball.
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TIPS DONE, GO OUT AND ENJOY THE FOOTY!