ROUND 24 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.
- Round 24 Preview Released August 18, 2011 -
SPECIAL FRIED RICE - ROUND 24- Waz 12/23: Sea Eagles; Matt 19/23: Storm; Dave 16/23: Tigers; Nic 18/23: Warriors -
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 24 Tipping Preview below...
ROUND 24 MATCHUPS
The Leaderboard has gone silent... we will however still be posting the Votes each week in the Results Blog.
THE NRL TWEET's ROUND 24 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 Game 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...
1st STORM TEAM RECORD 18-3 for 40 Points, +257.
5th DRAGONS TEAM RECORD 12-8-1 for 29 Points, +120.
Head to Head Last 10...
STORM 8 DRAGONS 2 - Melbourne won their last clash 17-4 in Round 4 of 2010 a couple of weeks before the Salary Cap Scandal broke. They have owned the Dragons though over the last ten games.
Tuesday Team News...
MEL: Slater, Waqa, Nielsen, Champion, Quinn, M Blair, Widdop, Bromwich, Smith (c), Norrie, A Blair, Manu, Proctor. Bench: Kostjasyn, Hinchcliffe, Thompson, Lowe.
[Team Changes - The Storm lost Cooper Cronk to an ankle injury and he'll be out for at least two weeks. Gareth Widdop is the new halfback with Maurice Blair named at five-eighth but no guarantee to play due to a shoulder injury. Dane Nielsen is also in serious doubt with an ankle injury. Beau Champion comes in at centre and Matt Duffie could be a late starter for Nielsen. Rory Kostjasyn could replace Blair in the halves. Troy Thompson is again on the bench and Ryan Hinchcliffe is back from a week's rest. Justin O'Neill has fractures in his back and is done for 2011. ]
STI: Boyd, Morris, Gasnier, Cooper, Nightingale, Soward, Hornby (c), Hunt, Fien, Weyman, Scott, Creagh, Prior. Bench: Green, Merrin, Cuthbertson, Young, Stanley.[Team Changes - The Dragons get Mark Gasnier back from a hip injury for their huge clash with Melbourne. Jamie Soward wasn't right against the Roosters with a back injury and if he is ruled out, expect Nathan Fien to move into the halves and Kyle Stanley to get a run from the 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 19/08 - The Dragons lost Mark Gasnier for the second straight week with a hip injury. Kyle Stanley or Beau Scott will play right centre. Brett Morris is also in some doubt with his partner due to give birth any day and Bronx Goodwin could come in for him. The Storm won't have Maurice Blair with Rory Kostjasyn likely to replace him at five-eighth but Dane Nielsen should play and Matt Duffie could as well.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
DRAGONS To Win By 7 Points.|-| |-| |-|
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Coming In...
9th RABBITOHS TEAM RECORD 10-11 for 24 Points, -5.
4th COWBOYS TEAM RECORD 13-8 for 30 Points, +58.
Head to Head Last 10...
RABBITOHS 6 COWBOYS 4 - Souths won 32-4 in Round 13 last year and have actually won 5 of the past 6 games against the Cowboys.
Tuesday Team News...
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 go 1-17 again after their win over the Raiders. Greg Inglis is the only concern with some blurred vision but will play the Cowboys. Roy Asotasi won't play again until Round 26 at the earliest. ]
NQL: Bowen, Graham, Tate. Tonga, Fai-Fai Loa, Thompson, Thurston (c), Scott (c), Payne, Tamou, Cooper, Hall, Johnson. Bench: Segeyaro, T Sims, Bolton, A Sims, Paterson, Riethmuller.
[Team Changes - The Cowboys have added Aaron Payne and Joel Riethmuller to the 17 that was beaten by the Broncos last Friday Night. Payne will try to overcome a facial injury, while James Segeyaro has an ankle sprain and is in doubt. Johnathan Thurston reported he was fine returning from a knee injury, while Glenn Hall starts for Tariq Sims for the second week. ]
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 19/08 - The Cowboys left Cory Paterson in Townsville according to SportsNewsFirst.com.au and Toyota Cup forward Jason Taumalolo will be 18th man. That means that Aaron Payne and James Segeyaro will probably play. Matt Scott is also likely to play despite an ongoing back injury. The Bunnies still have doubt over Greg Inglis - who has barely trained this week after suffering blurred vision against Canberra.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
COWBOYS To Win By 2 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
V
5:35pm (Local) 20 August @ Skilled Park, Gold Coast.
Coming In...
16th TITANS TEAM RECORD 5-16 for 14 Points, -225.
14th RAIDERS TEAM RECORD 6-15 for 16 Points, -177.
Head to Head Last 10...
TITANS 5 RAIDERS 4 - The Gold Coast won 23-22 thanks to Greg Bird's extra time field goal in Round 4 but neither side has looked good since. No team has won two games in a row.
Tuesday Team News...
GLD: Rankin, Michaels, Zillman, Peyroux, Mead, Henry, Campbell, Bailey (c), Srama, White, Laffranchi, Minichiello, Bird. Bench: Lawrence, Matthews, Thompson, O'Dwyer, Toopi.
[Team Changes - The Titans get Anthony Laffranchi back from a thigh injury in their only change from the team that was beaten by the Storm. Luke O'Dwyer moves back to the bench and is joined by Clinton Toopi who is set to play despite dizzy spells last weekend. ]
CAN: Milne, Ferguson, Croker, Thompson, Robinson, McCrone, Williams, White, Tongue (c), Shillington, Galea, Harrison, Fensom. Bench: M Picker, J Picker, Papalii, Mataora, Kennedy.
[Team Changes - Canberra have made two injury forced changes with Josh Dugan (Groin) out again at fullback and replaced by David Milne, and Josh Miller (Shoulder) will be replaced on the bench by Jarrad Kennedy or Joe Picker. Skipper Alan Tongue announced he will retire at the end of the season and Mick Picker is once again on the bench as cover for his captain - although both are sporting shoulder injuries. ]
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 19/08 - The Titans lost Luke Bailey to a neck strain on Thursday. Beau Henry is also out as he requires ankle surgery with Will Zillman going to five-eighth and Esi Tonga coming into the centres. Greg Bird will play with a broken hand while the Raiders will finalise their team on Saturday.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
RAIDERS To Win By 6 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Coming In...
11th PANTHERS TEAM RECORD 8-13 for 20 Points, -54.
6th WARRIORS TEAM RECORD 12-9 for 28 Points, +89.
Head to Head Last 10...
PANTHERS 3 WARRIORS 6 DRAW 1 - The Warriors won 26-18 in Auckland in Round 8 and have won 3 of the last 5 with one game drawn in 2009.
Tuesday Team News...
PEN: Jennings, Simmons, Tighe, Vaivai, Purtell, Burns, Walsh, Grant, Kingston, Civoniceva (c), Waterhouse, Plum, Smith. Bench: Seluini, Weston, McKendry, Bell, Elford.
[Team Changes - The Panthers reinstate Michael Jennings from his one match ban for an alcohol related training incident and his is back at fullback. He did have a scan on his shoulder this week though so may not be a sure thing to play. Travis Burns returns from a arm injury at five-eighth for rookie Harry Siejka and Shane Elford is the new face on the bench. Kevin Kingston starts for Nafe Seluini. ]
WAR: Locke, Tupou, Moon, Berrigan, Vatuvei, Maloney, Johnson, Packer, Heremaia, Lillyman, Mateo, Mannering (c), Luck. Bench: Hohaia, Sam Rapira, Matulino, Taylor, Brown.[Team Changes - The Warriors have recalled Elijah Taylor from a one week rest and also bring back Lance Hohaia for Pita Godinet for the bench utility role. Ukuma Ta'ai is challenging a two week ban at the NRL Judiciary on Wednesday. ]
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 19/08 - There remains doubt over Michael Jennings due to a shoulder injury but he did receive positive news Thursday after a scan. Travis Burns (Hand/Arm) may still be a week away despite being named with Harry Siejka on standby. Shane Elford would drop out. The Warriors will decide between Elijah Taylor or Lewis Brown most likely for the final bench spot unless they choose to rest a starting forward or Ben Matulino.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
WARRIORS To Win By 8 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Coming In...
13th ROOSTERS TEAM RECORD 7-14 for 18 Points, -127.
12th SHARKS TEAM RECORD 7-14 for 18 Points, -102.
Head to Head Last 10...
ROOSTERS 6 SHARKS 4 - Cronulla won 18-4 in Round 10 to build a 3 game winning streak dating back to 2010.
Tuesday Team News...
SYD: Minichiello, Perrett, Leilua, Kenny-Dowall, Graham, Anasta (c), Pearce, Ryles, Friend, Waerea-Hargreaves, Takairangi, Guerra, Cordner. Bench: Mitchell, Masoe, Arona, Tasi, Symonds.
[Team Changes - The Roosters continue to stand down Nate Myles, Todd Carney and Frank-Paul Nu'uausala for off-field indiscretions. Boyd Cordner returned from injury last week and is at lock again. Shaun Kenny-Dowall is back at centre for Kane Linnett who re-injured his knee and is done for 2011. Tom Symonds is the new face on the bench alongside Tinirau Arona. ]
CRO: Gardner, Gordon, Wright, Best, Stapleton, Graham, Townsend, Snowden, Morris, Douglas, Smith, Tagataese, Gallen (c). Bench: Tupou, Mannah, Aiton, Frizell, Cordoba.
[Team Changes - The Sharks have dropped Ben Pomeroy after an ordinary display Monday and recalled Matt Wright into the centres. Isaac Gordon is also back on the wing for Ricky Leutele, while a recurrence of an ankle injury rules out Jayson Bukuya. Sam Tagataese starts and Jon Mannah and Tyson Frizell are the new faces on the bench. Paul Gallen will attempt to play out the season on a bad calf... so he could be a late withdrawal in any of the next 3 weeks. ]
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 19/08 - The Roosters could be without Joseph Leilua (Hammy), Sam Perrett (Foot) and Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Groin) - and that would see at the very least Tom Symonds play, while Justin Carney could return from a hamstring injury. Wade Graham is still not 100% after his high shot from Frank Pritchard and could miss. As could Isaac Gordon, Kade Snowden, Paul Gallen and Anthony Tupou - all with niggles.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
ROOSTERS To Win By 4 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL
Coming In...
2nd SEA EAGLES TEAM RECORD 16-5 for 36 Points, +191.
10th BULLDOGS TEAM RECORD 10-11 for 24 Points, -54.
Head to Head Last 10...
SEA EAGLES 6 BULLDOGS 4 - Manly won 38-4 in Round 13 in a dominant performance but the Dogs did win 30-24 in Round 26 at Brookie last year.
Tuesday Team News...
MAN: B Stewart, Robertson, Lyon (c), Matai, D Williams, K Foran, Cherry-Evans, Rose, Ballin, Kite, Watmough, Galuvao, G Stewart. Bench: Lussick, Buhrer, Rodney, T Williams, Robinson.[Team Changes - Manly have been forced to make one change with Will Hopoate out with a knee injury that forced him from the field against Parramatta and his absence opens up the door for David Williams who returns from a hamstring strain. Tim Robinson is again the 18th man. ]
[Team Changes - The Bulldogs got David Stagg back against the Sharks and he is once again named on the bench. Kris Keating also made his comeback and is at five-eighth for Ben Roberts who goes back to the NSW Cup. Joel Romelo comes back from a one week suspension on the bench, while Chris Armit is back from a leg injury for Mickey Paea. Frank Pritchard may be missing if he cannot beat a 1 match suspension for a high shot on Wade Graham. ]
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 19/08 - The Dogs will have Frank Pritchard after he had his high contact charge downgraded. Tim Robinson is the player to be cut from the Manly bench.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
SEA EAGLES To Win By 14 Points.|-| |-| |-|
SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL
Coming In...
7th TIGERS TEAM RECORD 12-9 for 28 Points, +33.
15th EELS TEAM RECORD 5-15-1 for 15 Points, -153.
Head to Head Last 10...
TIGERS 3 EELS 7 - Parramatta won 22-6 in Round 18 and although the last 5 games see the Tigers have a slight edge with 3 wins - Parra won a bunch in a row before 2009.
Tuesday Team News...
WTG: Moltzen, Ryan, Ayshford, Brown, Utai, Marshall, Lui, Gibbs, Farah (c), Galloway, Fulton, Ellis, Heighington. Bench: McKinnon, Payten, Groat, Woods.[Team Changes - The Tigers resisted the temptation to bring Lote Tuqiri back a week early from a quad injury and Mitch Brown holds his spot in the three-quarter line. Still no Andrew Fifita anywhere so he must be injured. ]
PAR: Burt, Morgan, Horo, Smith, Hicks, Hayne, McGuire, Mannah, Keating, MoiMoi, Hindmarsh (c), Lasalo, Maitua. Bench: Shackleton, Allgood, O'Hanlon, Poore.
[Team Changes - The Eels have kept the same 17 that was defeated by Manly or actually the same 16 plus Justin Poore who despite being on the bench - never got off it due to dizzy spells. Poore is named once again. There could be changes though by Sunday. ]
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 19/08 - The Tigers could spring a surprise and bring back Lote Tuqiri from a quad strain given the game is on Sunday. The Eels could also make late changes.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
TIGERS To Win By 10 Points.|-| |-| |-|
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Coming In...
8th KNIGHTS TEAM RECORD 11-10 for 26 Points, +49.
3rd BRONCOS TEAM RECORD 15-6 for 34 Points, +99.
Head to Head Last 10...
KNIGHTS 4 BRONCOS 6 - Brisbane won 17-6 in Round 5 at Suncorp but the Knights had won 3 in a row before that including 2 at AusGrid Stadium.
Tuesday Team News...
NEW: Gidley (c), McManus, Sa'u, MacDougall, Uate, Stig, Mullen, Tuimavave, De Gois, Kaufusi, Houston, Costigan, Edwards. Bench: Hilder, Fa'aoso, Ciraldo, Tetevano, Lulia.[Team Changes - The Knights get Matt Hilder back on the bench but doubt surrounds Neville Costigan and Junior Sa'u with calf and hamstring injuries respectively. Joel Edwards has a groin strain but should play. ]
BRI: Hoffman, Beale, Reed, Hodges, Copley, Lockyer (c), Wallace, McGuire, McCullough, Anderson, Glenn, Thaiday, Parker. Bench: Gillett, Hunt, Te'o, Hala.
[Team Changes - The Broncos will keep Ben Hannant and Jharal Yow Yeh in cotton wool for their trip to Newcastle and that means Dale Copley holds his spot on the wing and David Hala remains on the bench. Josh McGuire was impressive playing extended minutes in Hannant's absence last Friday and starts again. ]
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 19/08 - The Knights are hoping to have Junior Sa'u (Hammy) and Neville Costigan (Knee) available and the Monday game helps their chances. The Broncos should be fine - with Ben Hannant and Jharal Yow Yeh remote chances of an early return.
The NRL Tweet's Tip...
KNIGHTS To Win By 6 Points.|-| |-| |-|
ROUND 24 BYES|-| |-| |-|
FANTASY LEAGUE SCORE UPDATE
PHASE THREE LEADERBOARD AFTER 5 ROUNDS (RD19-26)
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