ROUND 25 TIPS and LATE MAILPlus The Postman's NRL Dream Team/NRL Super Coach Picks
2013 NRL Premiership
By W D Nicolson - August 28, 2013
Follow @NRLTweet
EXTRA LATEST OF LATE MAIL ADDED THROUGHOUT ROUND
ALL EXPERT PICKS AND SPECIAL FRIED RICE ADDED AS RECEIVED
View 2013 @NRLTweet PLAYER OF THE YEAR Final Public LEADERBOARD
Who wants to play in a Final... anybody?| NRL LADDER |
Not many teams want to extend their stay in September evidently - as we wrote last week how 7 teams still could fit into 2 open playoff spots... and a week later - those same 7 teams can still fit into 2 open playoff spots.
Not because every one of those 7 teams played like their playoff lives depended on it in Round 24 - but because by and large - they all stink.
The Knights, Titans, Raiders and Broncos all lost after entering Round 24 in 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th spot... meaning they win and they move themselves further away from the teams in 11th, 12th and 13th.
Those teams were the Cowboys, Panthers and Warriors... who all won.
That means that entering Round 25 the ladder reads:
7th - Knights
8th - Cowboys
9th - Titans
10th - Panthers
11th - Warriors
12th - Raiders
13th - Broncos
Yet if the 13th placed Broncos beat the 7th placed Knights on Friday - it is possible that the Knights could still be in no worse than 8th spot and the Broncos will be no better than 9th.
The Cowboys, Titans and Panthers could all lose, leaving the Raiders-Warriors game effectively a playoff for a current spot in the Top 8 - regardless of who wins the Broncos-Knights clash.
Yet if the Cowboys, Panthers and Titans win... well you get the idea - the whole Top 8 makeup is all over the place.
Not because teams are playing particularly well (Cowboys aside - who are riding Johnathan Thurston as far as he can carry them) but because most of them can't string a few wins together than would secure them a playoff spot.
That all being said however - with the Sharks beating the Roosters to go into 5th - no team from 6th to 13th will trouble any of the Top 4 teams in September... but it'd be nice to at least get to play another game right?
Prove that to your fans this weekend teams 7 through 12...
Anyhoo - #NRLTweetPOTY Award voting allocation is below as is the rest of what you need for your weekend of footy.
Latest of Late Mail and Round 25 Tips below!
As far as Late Mail goes the rolling lockout for all you NRL Dream Team and NRL Super Coach nerds should have allowed you to make any last minute changes quite easily, but once again our Latest of Late Mail should help in any selections you make before the round begins.
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
Check out the Round 20 Leaderboard before it goes silent
Voting Allocation for Round 25 of the NRL is below.
ROUND 25, 2013
Wednesday Odds Courtesy of Sportingbet | NRL LADDER
Friday 7:45pm at Suncorp StadiumFOOTYTAB: NEW +2.5
Tuesday Teams Analysed on NRL Injured List
| Adrian McMurray @adrmcm Matt Vickers @mercurialmattyv |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
@NRLTweet's PREDICTION:Newcastle win this they are going to play Finals... Brisbane win this and they may play Finals. The Knights play Parra in Round 26, so even if they lose here they probably still make it but for Brisbane they need these two points baaaaaaadly. Knights capable but no one is ever sure if they realise that every week... Brisbane at home.
Broncos by 2 points.
BRONCOS - Glenn should return from his thumb injury, while you shouldn't rule out Wallace starting at halfback and Hunt going to the bench. Kahu is out with a quad strain, Maranta comes in on the wing.
KNIGHTS - Check to see if Smith and Gower travel, if so McKinnon probably drops to the bench and Costigan misses out entirely. Gidley could start, while if Gower plays - Roberts would miss out. Mason looks set to play.
PRE-GAME UPDATE? Kahu out, Maranta in. Gidley starts at halfback, Roberts to bench.
Friday 7:45pm at Allianz StadiumFOOTYTAB: WTG +18.5
Tuesday Teams Analysed on NRL Injured List
| Ben Hoese @gunnermcdagget Greg Delaney @gregdelaney84 |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
@NRLTweet's PREDICTION:Farah comes back for Benji's 200th but it won't be enough... Inglis plays and Souths win by 30+, he doesn't and the Tigers might make a game of it in the first half... but Souths to win.
Rabbitohs by 30 points.
TIGERS - Farah will almost certainly play, while there could be a late change on the bench. No Brooks though.
RABBITOHS - Inglis is the concern and may get rested up for Round 26 v the Roosters. Merritt would go to fullback and King would come onto the wing (or Hunt). Will Maguire start 3 Burgesses instead of 2? Asotasi to the pine makes sense with both George and Thomas named on the bench.
PRE-GAME UPDATE? Both teams 1-17 meaning Inglis is playing.
Saturday 5:00pm at Mt Smart Stadium (NZ time)FOOTYTAB: CAN +14.5
Tuesday Teams Analysed on NRL Injured List
| Justin Davies @dragonpunk12 Greg Delaney @gregdelaney84 |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
@NRLTweet's PREDICTION:The Warriors stunk for the first 40 minutes before beating the Titans last weekend and Canberra just stink period. The Warriors had a game like this two weeks ago at home to the Panthers and stunk it up... then won on the road. Canberra have blown two home games in a row and now need to win on the road to stay alive... winner moves into the box seat for a Top 8 spot, loser has to rely on results deluxe in Round 26 to think they are still breathing. Go the home team.
Warriors by 7 points.
WARRIORS - Nielsen is out, replaced by Laumape. Ropati may go into the centres.
RAIDERS - Edwards may start for Vaughan like last week but it looks like Learoyd-Lahrs might actually play this week... no he won't - TLL is out, McIlwrick onto bench. Campese is also likely. Ferguson will never play for the Raiders again...
PRE-GAME UPDATE? Ropati to centres, Laumape onto wing and Nielsen OUT. Learoyd-Lahrs OUT, replaced by McIlwrick on the bench.
Saturday 5:35pm at ANZ StadiumFOOTYTAB: PEN +10.5
Tuesday Teams Analysed on NRL Injured List
| Matt Trodden @trods2906 Maria Tsialis @mtsialis |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
@NRLTweet's PREDICTION:Neither team can win the comp but the Dogs are set in the Top 8 and the Panthers need this win badly to think they'll play playoff footy. If Barba plays then the Dogs should win, if he doesn't then Penrith's up the middle then throw it out the back style might really give the Bulldogs a lot of trouble... I'll stick with the Dogs but they aren't a good footy team without their #1. Take Penrith if you need an upset in your tipping comp.
Bulldogs by 6 points.
BULLDOGS - Barba has finally signed/transferred to the Broncos but remains an outside chance for this game. Burr gets a run with Taupau 18th man. Eastwood is the closest of the injured brigade outside of Barba to returning.
PANTHERS - Brad Tighe is named for NSW Cup but won't be rushed back for the NRL yet. Likely 1-17 with the Grant/Latimore swap before kickoff.
PRE-GAME UPDATE? Dogs 1-17, Latimore makes way for the returning Plum for Penrith.
Saturday 7:35pm at Brookvale OvalFOOTYTAB: MEL +2.5
Tuesday Teams Analysed on NRL Injured List
| Matthew Duncan @mrpeninsula Warrick Nicolson @NRLTweet |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
@NRLTweet's PREDICTION:Somehow this ends up on a Saturday night but that decision is made by higher paid people than you or me... not that they've got it right playing 3rd v 4th at 7:30pm on a Saturday two weeks before the Finals but anyhoo... the game itself loses some luster if Watmough does not play (he hasn't been named), while the Storm are getting into full gear right now and even though this is at Brookvale - the Manly pack sans Kite and Watmough looks a little outmatched. Melbourne to turn the screws.
Storm by 10 points.
SEA EAGLES - Taufua has been stood down for the last two rounds for an off-field incident so expect Peta Hikuu to come in. Watmough may yet play if he feels up to it on gameday, while Kite is battling a pectoral issue that could be a real concern for the coming weeks. Symonds returns from a thumb injury, while Matai's hand should be okay to play - and Brett Stewart's hammy is likely to be okay as well.
STORM - Harris will come back in after getting a rest last week, while Proctor's knee may keep him out this week. In other news - Slade Griffin and Dayne Weston are done for the season.
PRE-GAME UPDATE? Kite is back, pushing Rose to the bench and Gower OUT. Hiku replaces the suspended Taufua on the wing. Storm 1-17.
Sunday 2:00pm at Remondis StadiumFOOTYTAB: NQL +4.5
Tuesday Teams Analysed on NRL Injured List
| Adrian McMurray @adrmcm Warrick Nicolson @NRLTweet |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
@NRLTweet's PREDICTION:Got dudded by the Sharks when these teams played in North Queensland a couple of months ago... in that I picked the Sharks and the Cowboys won easily. Now I don't know what to do... the Cows are playing as well as JT is getting them to now (which is remarkably good) and Cronulla just smashed the Roosters at The Tip. Have to stick with the home team but only because I refuse to believe the Cowboys are a playoff team...
Sharks by 7 points.
SHARKS - Pomeroy escaped a 1 match ban at the Judiciary on Wednesday night, while Ryan's runs are likely to have run out by Sunday.
COWBOYS - Ashton Sims or Thorby will get the final bench spot.
PRE-GAME UPDATE? Carney surprisingly withdraws with a hamstring strain, Graham to five-eighth, Ross onto bench. Cowboys 1-17.
Sunday 3:00pm at Allianz StadiumFOOTYTAB: GLD +22.5
Tuesday Teams Analysed on NRL Injured List
| Matt Spillane @devonhead Ben Hoese @gunnermcdagget |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
@NRLTweet's PREDICTION:The Titans go into the game with 16 players... so there's that counting for the Roosters in this one... and the fact they got a fright and a half from the Sharks last start. Everything points to the Roosters ripping the Titans apart... Only way the Titans can stay in this is to throw the ball around and try and beat the Roosters with football... trying to go grind for grind with Easts undermanned will get them smashed.
Roosters by 26 points.
ROOSTERS - Minichiello should return after being named with the game on Sunday.
TITANS - No word yet on who will be their final squad member - but Dowling and Bird remain in doubt with groin and back injuries respectively. Bailey should return from an ankle sprain... he has to! Mead joins the season ending injury list with a back fracture. The club is yet to confirm their 17th man... let alone their 16th with Mead out.
Update for Titans - Bird is playing, Gordon to fullback, Michaels and Atkins into the backline and Ioane will travel as 18th man. Dowling and Takairangi are still in doubt.
PRE-GAME UPDATE? Titans changes as expected, Roosters 1-17.
Monday 7:00pm at Parramatta StadiumFOOTYTAB: PAR +2.5
Tuesday Teams Analysed on NRL Injured List
| Nigel Wilbow @parramatters Matt Spillane @devonhead |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
@NRLTweet's PREDICTION:What a disappointing end to Monday Night Football for 2013... the Eels get Hayne back but have the rest of their roster so you have to pick the Dragons... who have a couple of good players and yet still pick Nathan Fien at halfback. If you were ever going to audition a player for next season - Round 25 and 26 are the games to do it. Picking Saints because well... no reason other than they may not suck quite as much as Parra do... even if Hayne is playing this week.
Dragons by 8 points.
EELS - Hayne being named is encouraging but if he's not right there's no way he'll play injured. Mullaney would come in if he's ruled out. At some point Kelepi Tanginoa returns right?
DRAGONS - Will Drinkwater finally get a start? No idea... Price is in his own world sometimes with the makeup of his team. Expect changes nonetheless even if Drinkwater doesn't get a start.
PRE-GAME UPDATE? Hayne is apparently out, Mullaney is likely to take his place.
What are your tips for Round 25? Let us know by commenting below or replying on Twitter.
@NRLTWEET's 2013 TIPPING RECORD
TIPPING TOTAL AFTER 24 ROUNDS - 112/176 @ 63.6%
FOOTYTAB TOTAL AFTER 24 ROUNDS - 92/176 @ 52.3%
SPECIAL FRIED RICE involves each tipster taking a 'certainty' in a set order, with the tipster with the highest score at the end of the year literally winning a mountain of Special Fried Rice. The SFR Order rotates every week and is a fun way to put your rice where your mouth is.
ROUND 25 SELECTIONS | The Awesome Foursome
TIPPING:
Broncos Rabbitohs Warriors Bulldogs Storm Sharks Roosters Dragons
LW: 6/8 | SEASON: 112/176
FOOTYTAB:
NEW +2.5 SOU -18.5 CAN +14.5 PEN +10.5
MEL +2.5 CRO -4.5 SYD -22.5 STI -2.5
LW: 5/8 | SEASON: 92/176
Special Fried Rice: STORM over Sea Eagles (Has 4th Pick)
Season SFR: 17.5/24
CAN4 CBY3 SOU2 MEL1 CRO4 MAN3 SYD2 SYD1 SOU4 MEL3 NQL2 SOU1 MEL4 CRO3 CBY2 SOU1 SOU4 CBY3 CAN2 CBY1 SOU4 BRI3 WAR2 MEL1 MEL4
Broncos Rabbitohs Warriors Bulldogs Storm Sharks Roosters Dragons
LW: 6/8 | SEASON: 112/176
FOOTYTAB:
NEW +2.5 SOU -18.5 CAN +14.5 PEN +10.5
MEL +2.5 CRO -4.5 SYD -22.5 STI -2.5
LW: 5/8 | SEASON: 92/176
Special Fried Rice: STORM over Sea Eagles (Has 4th Pick)
Season SFR: 17.5/24
CAN4 CBY3 SOU2 MEL1 CRO4 MAN3 SYD2 SYD1 SOU4 MEL3 NQL2 SOU1 MEL4 CRO3 CBY2 SOU1 SOU4 CBY3 CAN2 CBY1 SOU4 BRI3 WAR2 MEL1 MEL4
TIPPING:
Broncos Rabbitohs Warriors Bulldogs Storm Sharks Roosters Dragons
LW: 1/8 | SEASON: 95/176
FOOTYTAB:
BRI -2.5 SOU -18.5 CAN +14.5 PEN +10.5
MEL +2.5 CRO -4.5 GLD +22.5 STI -2.5
LW: 2/8 | SEASON: 87/176
Special Fried Rice: ROOSTERS over Titans (Has 2nd Pick)
Season SFR: 16/24
SOU2 SOU1 MAN4 PAR3 NQL2 MEL1 BRI4 WAR3 STI2 BRI1 NEW4 NEW3 CBY2 SOU1 MEL4 NEW3 SYD2 BRI1 WAR4 BRI3 MEL2 MEL1 BRI4 NA3 SYD2
Jake Hauritz, Channel 9 Darwin
Broncos Rabbitohs Warriors Bulldogs Storm Sharks Roosters Dragons
LW: 1/8 | SEASON: 95/176
FOOTYTAB:
BRI -2.5 SOU -18.5 CAN +14.5 PEN +10.5
MEL +2.5 CRO -4.5 GLD +22.5 STI -2.5
LW: 2/8 | SEASON: 87/176
Special Fried Rice: ROOSTERS over Titans (Has 2nd Pick)
Season SFR: 16/24
SOU2 SOU1 MAN4 PAR3 NQL2 MEL1 BRI4 WAR3 STI2 BRI1 NEW4 NEW3 CBY2 SOU1 MEL4 NEW3 SYD2 BRI1 WAR4 BRI3 MEL2 MEL1 BRI4 NA3 SYD2
 |
| @Horry37 |
TIPPING:
Broncos Rabbitohs Warriors Panthers Storm Sharks Roosters Eels
LW: 2/8 | SEASON: 120/176
FOOTYTAB:
BRI -2.5 SOU -18.5 CAN +14.5 PEN +10.5
MEL -2.5 CRO -4.5 SYD -22.5 STI -2.5
LW: 2/8 | SEASON: 92/176
Special Fried Rice: RABBITOHS over Tigers (Has 1st Pick)
Season SFR: 16/24
MEL1 BRI4 MEL3 CRO2 MEL1 CAN4 NQL3 MEL2 MEL1 CAN4 MAN3 CBY2 SYD1 BRI4 CAN3 MEL2 MEL1 MAN4 MAN3 SOU2 MAN1 CBY4 CRO3 NA2 SOU1
Broncos Rabbitohs Warriors Panthers Storm Sharks Roosters Eels
LW: 2/8 | SEASON: 120/176
FOOTYTAB:
BRI -2.5 SOU -18.5 CAN +14.5 PEN +10.5
MEL -2.5 CRO -4.5 SYD -22.5 STI -2.5
LW: 2/8 | SEASON: 92/176
Special Fried Rice: RABBITOHS over Tigers (Has 1st Pick)
Season SFR: 16/24
MEL1 BRI4 MEL3 CRO2 MEL1 CAN4 NQL3 MEL2 MEL1 CAN4 MAN3 CBY2 SYD1 BRI4 CAN3 MEL2 MEL1 MAN4 MAN3 SOU2 MAN1 CBY4 CRO3 NA2 SOU1
TIPPING:
Knights Rabbitohs Warriors Bulldogs Storm Cowboys Roosters Dragons
LW: 5/8 | SEASON: 109/176
FOOTYTAB:
NEW -2.5 SOU -18.5 CAN +14.5 PEN +10.5
MEL -2.5 NQL +4.5 GLD +22.5 STI -2.5
LW: 6/8 | SEASON: 79/176
Special Fried Rice: DRAGONS over Eels (Has 3rd Pick)
Season SFR: 16.5/24
NEW3 MAN2 CRO1 NEW4 SOU3 NEW2 MEL1 NEW4 BRI3 SOU2 SOU1 GLD4 PEN3 MEL2 SOU1 STI4 MAN3 PEN2 SOU1 MAN4 NEW3 SYD2 SYD1 SYD4 STI3
Knights Rabbitohs Warriors Bulldogs Storm Cowboys Roosters Dragons
LW: 5/8 | SEASON: 109/176
FOOTYTAB:
NEW -2.5 SOU -18.5 CAN +14.5 PEN +10.5
MEL -2.5 NQL +4.5 GLD +22.5 STI -2.5
LW: 6/8 | SEASON: 79/176
Special Fried Rice: DRAGONS over Eels (Has 3rd Pick)
Season SFR: 16.5/24
NEW3 MAN2 CRO1 NEW4 SOU3 NEW2 MEL1 NEW4 BRI3 SOU2 SOU1 GLD4 PEN3 MEL2 SOU1 STI4 MAN3 PEN2 SOU1 MAN4 NEW3 SYD2 SYD1 SYD4 STI3
Remember if you want game-specific Late Mail every week, then check out our Round Previews Every Wednesday and they are updated with all the very latest Late Mail on Friday.
The Prestigious Award is closing in on naming a new champion in 2013.
Warrick Nicolson @NRLTweet | Nigel Wilbow @parramatters
Justin Davies @dragonpunk12 | Greg Delaney @gregdelaney84
Matt Spillane @devonhead | Matt Trodden @trods2906
Matt Vickers @mercurialmattyv | Ben Hoese @gunnermcdagget
Adrian McMurray @adrmcm | Matthew Duncan @mrpeninsula
Maria Tsialis @mtsialis | Ben Jones @benwah87
Jake Hauritz @horry37
Review all of the voting results from 2012 right here
Remember you can track all the votes each week after each match in 2013 via the Twitter hashtag #nrltweetpoty
