
2014 National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - March 5, 2014
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But let's be clear from the start - it's essential time in 2014 - I'll try to write very little fluff and you'll simply (entertainingly) get my read on each game and the best Late Mail online.
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HEADS UP: We do have an NRL Tipping Comp for listeners of NOT The Footy Show - go here for the details.
So let's get off to a good start in Round 1 and see if I can reach the lofty heights of a 65-70% tipping success rate (went at almost 63% last year but were good and terrible at times). 65% is harder than it sounds people... mind you I tipped at less than that in 2010 and won a few online prizes so... maybe it's really all about tipping relatively well in any given year.
ROUND 1 TIPS and LATE MAIL
All tips are subject to last minute changes, Game Odds/FootyTab are from Wednesday night and do not update thereafter.

Rabbitohs $2.40 v $1.60 Roosters
FOOTYTAB: SOU +2.5 Teams Analysed on our NRL Injured List


@NRLTweet Player of the Year Award Voters:
| W Nicolson @NRLTweet |
| M Duncan @MrPeninsula |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
SOU - Reynolds (knee) and Walker (hamstring) will be game time decisions... expect Sutton to half and either Reddy or maybe even Lowe to five-eighth as defensive stoppers.
SYD - Not expecting any changes - especially with Casty missing out on the squad altogether (mind you, is he hurt?). Napa seems a safe bet in your DT/SC/NRLF sides and either he, Aubusson or Guerra might be a smoky to start ahead of Nuuausala.

FOOTYTAB: BRI +4.5 Teams Analysed on our NRL Injured List


@NRLTweet Player of the Year Award Voters:
| To Be Announced Thursday |
| To Be Announced Thursday |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
CBY - There's a chance... oh so small... that Thompson plays at fullback and Perrett on the wing. Can also see Mbye getting a run on the bench instead of Browne if Reynolds (shoulder) isn't considered 100% going into the game.
BRI - Who lines up at five-eighth? Well Hoffman's wearing 6... so I guess it'll be him. Brisbane look relatively healthy assuming Barba (foot) is...

FOOTYTAB: NEW +1.5 Teams Analysed on our NRL Injured List


@NRLTweet Player of the Year Award Voters:
| To Be Announced Thursday |
| To Be Announced Thursday |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
PEN - Idris (hamstring) and Grant (ribs) are reportedly in serious doubt, with Brown likely to go to the centres, and two of McKendry, Plum or Peachey to start in the pack. Yeo and Latimore would join the bench. Soward (ankle) is also no certainty with John ready to come in if required.
NEW - Smith (knee) may not play, which is why Fa'alogo is 18th man. McKinnon or Houston would start at lock.

FOOTYTAB: MEL +4.5 Teams Analysed on our NRL Injured List


@NRLTweet Player of the Year Award Voters:
| To Be Announced Thursday |
| To Be Announced Thursday |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
MAN - Was told Lyon (foot) won't play on Tuesday by a source that isn't known for making stuff up... so let's see if the mail is accurate. Matai (ankle) should play, while Hiku could end up in the centres for Lyon with Blair and Gutherson or Satini on the wings. Knowing Toovey - wouldn't be stunned to see a change on the bench with Sene-Lefao the one I worry for actually getting a run...
MEL - Cronk (shoulder) may indeed travel but Melbourne aren't likely to risk him (right?)... so Roberts will likely play in the halves. Hinchcliffe (ankle) may also be a late withdrawal despite being named with Harris likely to start if that's the case.

FOOTYTAB: CAN +10.5 Teams Analysed on our NRL Injured List


@NRLTweet Player of the Year Award Voters:
| To Be Announced Thursday |
| To Be Announced Thursday |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
NQL - Expect them to run out 1-17 with A Sims and Santo missing out.
CAN - Likewise - Stuart has his squad with Nicholls, Tupou and Sauiluma likely travelling but not playing.

FOOTYTAB: WTG +1.5 Teams Analysed on our NRL Injured List


@NRLTweet Player of the Year Award Voters:
| To Be Announced Thursday |
| To Be Announced Thursday |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
STI - Given the second rower heavy bench - don't be surprised if Hunt drops to the bench and Creagh starts at prop - giving Thompson or Frizell a starting reprieve in the 2nd row. Beale (jaw) should be fine.
WTG - Farah, Richards and Woods (boils???) have a few extra days to get over their ailment and I expect all of them to play. Slight doubts over Sue/Seumanufagai but again, they should play.

FOOTYTAB: PAR +4.5 Teams Analysed on our NRL Injured List


@NRLTweet Player of the Year Award Voters:
| To Be Announced Thursday |
| To Be Announced Thursday |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
PAR - Tanginoa (foot) is back after the club reported they didn't know when he would be just a week ago - so he may not play giving Gower or Allgood a chance if KT misses.
WAR - Not expecting changes but Nielsen (hip) has made a quickish recovery from what I believed was a longer term problem. I'd say that's why Ropati is 18th man. Vatuvei (knee) should be good to go.

FOOTYTAB: GLD +4.5 Teams Analysed on our NRL Injured List


@NRLTweet Player of the Year Award Voters:
| To Be Announced Thursday |
| To Be Announced Thursday |
Track live round votes via #NRLTweetPOTY
CRO - Graham (infection) is in doubt... but the weekend should be kind, while Ryan (neck) and Carney (hamstring) should also benefit from a full weekend watching footy and not playing it. Though as of Friday - Ryan is more of a chance to play than Carney... with Leutele and Grothe on standby.
GLD - Let's see if James (shoulder) travels - if he does - he'll play. Still question marks on Falloon (hamstring) and Harrison (hand) as well - so a big squad may actually travel.
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@NRLTweet |
Roosters, Broncos, Knights, Sea Eagles, Cowboys, Tigers, Warriors, Sharks.
LW: 0/0 | SEASON: 0/0
FOOTYTAB:
SYD -2.5, BRI +4.5, NEW +1.5, MEL +4.5, NQL -10.5, WTG +1.5, WAR -4.5, CRO -4.5.
LW: 0/0 | SEASON: 0/0
Special Fried Rice: Cowboys -10.5 | Season SFR: 0/0
TIPPING Record after 0 Rounds - 0/0 @ 0.0%
FOOTYTAB Record after 0 Rounds - 0/0 @ 0.0%
SPECIAL FRIED RICE after 0 Rounds - 0/0 @ 0.0%
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