Wednesday 29 March 2017

NRL Round 5 Tips from The Postman | 2017 Season

The Postman's Round 5 NRL Tips
2017 National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - March 29, 2017


5/8... 5/8... 5/8... and because we didn't change our tip with Kieran Foran out... 5/8. What an incredibly slightly above average start to the tipping season.

As a result don't bother even reading the reasons for our tips in Round 5 - just enter them as below, take the 5/8 and be happy.

Let's get into Round 5...

🚨 Podcast Alert: A fresh new NOT The Footy Show Podcast is right here: Episode 159 - Dogs of Worry

Tips for Round 5 2017

Broncos over Bulldogs
If you hadn't sat on the hill at Brookie last Saturday and watched Canterbury play in the flesh - you might be tempted to pick the 1-3 Bulldogs because they do match up well with the Broncos. But I did sit there and was totally and utterly underwhelmed by the ineptness of the Dogs - so Brisbane it is. (Now watch Canterbury rally and win easily).

Roosters over Sea Eagles
My Manly were impressive last weekend... but so were the Roosters in horrible conditions away from home. Chooks win if they keep a lid on DCE's dancing across field.

Cowboys over Rabbitohs
Danger game at home for North Queensland - Souths will produce a handful of big efforts this year that shock better teams... and though the Cowboys get some star power back in Taumalolo and Coote - they haven't looked like a real title threat yet. Stick with the Townsville boys in the tips though.

Sharks over Knights
Said last week I shant be picking the Knights away from home and I'm not about to start ignoring my own advice now.

Raiders over Eels
Canberra can kiss their Top 4 hopes goodbye if they lose this... Eels' hopes rest on Corey Norman being more effective than Sezer and Austin who may not have Hodgson to run things on Saturday night.

Storm over Panthers
Game of the Round - Penrith every single chance known to mankind but you'll still end up picking Melbourne like me. 

Titans over Warriors
After getting stung by the Warriors last week I'm practically picking the Titans on the road by default... 

Dragons over Tigers
Hurts to do but despite being encouraged by the Taylor-less Tigers last week - the Dragons are the smarter pick even at a neutral venue like ANZ.
There's my tips - got your own?
Comment below or reply on Twitter

2017 SEASON TIPS: 
20/32 at 62.5%
Round by Round: 5/8 | 5/8 | 5/8 | 5/8

2016 Tipping: 136/192 at 70.8%
2016 Round by Round: 5/8 | 6/8 | 4/8 | 5/8 | 7/8 | 5/8 | 5/8 | 7/8 | 4/8 | 4/8 | 3/4 | 5/7 | 5/8 | 4/4 | 6/8 | 3/4 | 5/6 | 7/8 | 7/8 | 4/8 | 4/8 | 6/8 | 5/8 | 7/8
2015 Tipping: 115/192 at 59.9%
2014 Tipping: 122/192 at 63.5%
2013 Tipping: 121/192 at 63.0%
2012 Tipping: 115.5/192 at 60.2%
2011 Tipping: 115/192 at 59.9%
2010 Tipping: 125/192 at 65.1%

Get your Footy Fix in 2017!
Subscribe to the NOT The Footy Show Podcast on iTunes so you don't miss any of our new Episodes.

Monday 27 March 2017

The Postman's Round 4 NRL Mailbag | 2017 Season


Download Episode 159
The Postman on Round 4
2017 National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - March 27, 2017


🚨 Brand new NOT The Footy Show Podcast is ready for consumption - Episode 159 with Robb Cox and Warrick Nicolson is a good 57 mins of Rugby League.
|-| Can someone please explain how the Dragons are the top scoring team in the comp after 4 weeks???
|-| Quotes of the Round:
• "A hopeless display..."

On the Sunday Footy Show - Andrew Johns unleashes a stinging review on the performance of Canterbury against Manly.

And you can't argue with him. Full quote on this week's Podcast.


|-| Try of the Round:
• Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic bring Brookie to life... mind you they led 20-0 already but still - watch and enjoy!

📪 Email your thoughts/questions on the footy for The Postman's Mailbag here


|-| 5 Things I Think:

1. Warriors won't go anywhere til their forwards dominate...
    • They simply aren't the biggest pack in the comp (and haven't been for a long long time) and they certainly don't play like it.
      Yes Ben Matulino is back soon but they didn't look like stopping the Dragons at any stage on Sunday night and not even the likes of Shaun Johnson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (or even a fit Kieran Foran) can make up for being dominated in the middle and then exposed on the edge.
      Until the pack stands up - the Warriors will continue to wander in the wilderness...
2. $32 to sit on the hill at Brookie is utterly ridiculous...

    • And the hill was the most populated part of the 9,000 crowd on Saturday arvo... which tells you that people could barely afford the cost to sit in the hill and weren't going near the $47-70 price range to sit in a grandstand seat at Brookie...
3. Penrith's Interchangeability... 
    • No Bryce Cartwright or James Fisher-Harris - no problems for the Panthers. Corey Harawira-Naera was superb on debut and Isaah Yeo went up a level on the edges... but Penrith's roster is so deep and talented that bar perhaps a long term injury to Matt Moylan at fullback - the Panthers can cover most positions with NRL quality depth. On this basis alone it's hard to believe they won't be a Top 4 team by the end of the year because depth is such a benefit over 26 rounds.
4. Suncorp's Surfarce... 
    • Embarrassing is one word for the surface last Friday night... and given we are only just leaving March this is a real worry heading into the colder months.
      From personal experience (as in I've actually been on the field regularly) Suncorp has always been a little below standard... and the quality issue (compacted mud that can build up) isn't going away as the ground staff have to run fake sunlight over the field throughout the winter just to keep it playable.
      Just as well Brisbane don't play almost exclusively at night there........
5. Boyd Cordner is in the box seat for NSW Captaincy...
|-| The Postman's 2017 Tipping Watch:
Round 4 Tips: 5 from 8
Season Tips: 20 from 32 at 62.5%
There's my thoughts - got your own?
Comment below or reply on Twitter
NEW Episodes in 2017!
Subscribe to the NOT The Footy Show Podcast on iTunes so you don't miss any.

NOT The Footy Show Episode 159: Dogs of Worry | NRL Podcast

Stream the New Podcast Episode 159 below:

Subscribe to the show on iTunes
Download the mp3 version 


🚨 IF YOU LISTEN TO ANYTHING - MAKE IT EPISODE 1 OF BENJI WATCH starting at 53:57!! 🚨 


🔁 Robb Cox joins Warrick Nicolson on NOT The Footy Show Episode 159 to discuss: 

  • Des Hasler's Dogs stinking... 
  • Jason Taumalolo's mega 10 year deal... 
  • Penrith's extraordinary interchangeability... 
  • Wests Tigers sans Taylor... 
  • ISC Marvel Jersey Round... 
  • The state of journalism in Rugby League today... 
  • Should players warm up on the field? 
  • And we help Laurie Daley pick his NSW Captain...
⏩ Follow NOT The Footy Show on Twitter: @NRLTweet and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nrlpodcast

📸 Robb Cox has been covering Rugby League for over 20 years as an NRL photographer - follow him on Instagram and Twitter via @RobbCox

Wednesday 22 March 2017

NRL Round 4 Tips from The Postman | 2017 Season

The Postman's Round 4 NRL Tips
2017 National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - March 22, 2017


5/8... 5/8... and 5/8.

We've got the consistency people look for in a sedan so if you like that as you take on the Tipping Road in 2017 - stick with The Postman this season.
Download the MP3 File

Started 4/4 then Latrell played QB, the Cowboys wasted 98 attacking sets and Saints took advantage of a very ordinary Cronulla.

Let's get into Round 4...

🚨 Podcast Alert: A fresh new NOT The Footy Show Podcast is right here >> Episode 158 - Taylor Sacked 3 Rounds In
Tips for Round 4 2017
Roosters over Rabbitohs
The 2-1 Bunnies (2-0 with Reynolds) are at home sure... but Roosters is the pick here.

Panthers over Knights
Shant be picking the Knights away from home this season... clearly the only option here is Penrith.

Raiders over Broncos
Can't believe I'm consigning the Broncos to a 1-3 record after 4 rounds but the Raiders come into this one with a heck of a lot of fresh confidence in their style and Brisbane have tried their guts out the last two weeks and come away with nothing.

Bulldogs over Sea Eagles
It's at Manly and I should be giving the Sea Eagles the benefit of the doubt but I did that in Round 1 and Manly got trounced by Parra... I believe the Bulldogs are in the same level of team as Parra and Manly and I like their forward pack more than Manly's - so Dogs at Brookie.

Sharks over Eels
Cronulla starting 1-3... at this point I can't agree with that eventuality. But I probably come back tomorrow and pick Parramatta... then I realise the game is at ANZ and not Parra - so Sharks at the minute.

Cowboys over Titans
Gutsy stuff from the Titans last week and incredibly sloppy from the Cowboys... I'm with the Cowboys because of Johnathan Thurston (and no Jarryd Hayne). That's the only reason given this is on the Gold Coast. 

Storm over Tigers
You pick the Tigers if you want after the last week of change and the game being at Leichhardt but I certainly won't be picking against the 3-0 Storm - even with no Munster or Vunivalu. 

Warriors over Dragons
Already regretting this... check back Thursday arvo to see if I've come to my senses.
There's my tips - got your own?
Comment below or reply on Twitter

2017 SEASON TIPS: 
15/24 at 62.5%
Round by Round: 5/8 | 5/8 | 5/8

2016 Tipping: 136/192 at 70.8%
2016 Round by Round: 5/8 | 6/8 | 4/8 | 5/8 | 7/8 | 5/8 | 5/8 | 7/8 | 4/8 | 4/8 | 3/4 | 5/7 | 5/8 | 4/4 | 6/8 | 3/4 | 5/6 | 7/8 | 7/8 | 4/8 | 4/8 | 6/8 | 5/8 | 7/8
2015 Tipping: 115/192 at 59.9%
2014 Tipping: 122/192 at 63.5%
2013 Tipping: 121/192 at 63.0%
2012 Tipping: 115.5/192 at 60.2%
2011 Tipping: 115/192 at 59.9%
2010 Tipping: 125/192 at 65.1%

NEW Episodes in 2017!
Subscribe to the NOT The Footy Show Podcast on iTunes so you don't miss any.

Tuesday 21 March 2017

The Postman's Round 3 NRL Mailbag | 2017 Season

The Postman on Round 3
2017 National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - March 21, 2017


The Postman is back for Round 3's NRL Mailbag...


📸 Can't add anything to just how good this photo from Robb Cox is... and it's 18 months old!

➤ Quote of the Round:
|-| "Jason (Taylor) has overseen significant change within the Club over the past two seasons and we thank him for his efforts..."
Wests Tigers Chairwoman Marina Go as she announced that this change wasn't quite the kind of change the Tigers were after... Taylor lasted just 51 games as Head Coach at the Tigers and was let go after his team was outscored 82-8 in the Rounds 2 and 3.

➤ Try of the Round:
|-| The Raiders go 60m to practically end their clash with the Tigers just before halftime - significantly Austin had pulled off a try-saving tackle only a few minutes earlier and the Raiders ran away with the game in the 2nd Half.
  • Watch how the try unfolds for yourself below...

➤ Email your thoughts/questions on the footy for The Postman's Mailbag here

➤ 5 Things I Think: 
  • |-| You should listen to NOT The Footy Show Episode 158...
    • Shameless plugola here - Download Episode 158 (or right click save target as) - NRL Photographer Robb Cox joins Warrick Nicolson (aka The Postman) for a look at the NRL after 3 Rounds and a little bit about the Jason Taylor sacking... it's time well spent with nothing else to occupy your time on the way to or from work.
  • |-| Huge fines for breaching concussion protocol...
    • The game was strict on players getting temporarily dazed from head shots last year - but after 3 Rounds it appeared like there were more and more players staying on after being dazed... now perception is reality for the NRL it seems after SMH's Peter Fitzsimmons went on a crusade over the weekend... the fines to the Titans, Knights and Dragons may yet be suspended but the issue that rises to the top out of this action is the club doctors/trainers are going to have to battle it out with head coaches as much as players on the field as it is their reputations that cop the most impact of these fines. Good luck to these professionals who now have to stand up to coaches who want their players staying on through almost anything as a rule. Now if only the NRL would crack further down on the lifting tackle rules we might see the end of that tackle altogether... 
  • |-| Manly's defence...
    • Was desperation personified v the Cowboys in Townsville. North Queensland weren't bad in this game by any stretch and had plenty of the ball in good field position to get back into the game after halftime - but Manly kept turning up in defence and the Cowboys kept dropping the ball when things got tough. With no Matt Scott for the season and no Jason Taumalolo for this (or next) game - the Cowboys for sure weren't carrying all their ammo but how they bounce back against the Titans on the Gold Coast is going to be watched very closely by those of us who had the Cowboys as our Premiers at the beginning of the season... and again, great job Manly.
  • |-| Parramatta's switch off job...
    • You see it every so often in the NRL... one team explodes out of the blocks and the other team gets exposed by ability and then injury to compound things... but then something changes. That happened on Friday night when the Titans were dead and buried early and got a bevvy of injuries on to of their horrible start... then won the game. Parramatta didn't do a heck of a lot of wrong outside of perhaps thinking the job was done and the Titans couldn't come back with so many injuries... but come back they did and pull off a famous victory for the Gold Coast fans who turned out. What was most annoying after the game was certain 'experts' heading to Twitter after the game pointing to the absence of Jarryd Hayne as the reason the Titans won... please get your head out of your rear ends and realise that not everything is about you... Hayne makes the Titans infinitely better - it's total dribble to suggest otherwise.
  • |-| The Dragons are 2-1 and last year's Premiers are 1-2...
    • Yeah I can't believe it either... and get this the Dragons get the Warriors at Kogarah and Cronulla have to face Parramatta with Corey Norman... what world are we living in?.
      ..
      ...
      ....
      Josh McCrone's ladies and gentlemen.

Yes... this YouTube video is all about Josh McCrone and appears to be uploaded by Josh McCrone himself!

|-| The Postman's 2017 Tipping Watch:
Round 3 Tips: 5 from 8
Season Tips: 15 from 24 at 62.5%
There's my thoughts - got your own?
Comment below or reply on Twitter
NEW Episodes in 2017!
Subscribe to the NOT The Footy Show Podcast on iTunes so you don't miss any.

Monday 20 March 2017

NOT The Footy Show Episode 158: Taylor Sacked 3 Rounds In | NRL Podcast

Photographer Robb Cox joins Warrick Nicolson to discuss Jason Taylor's sacking at the Tigers, Trent Hodkinson's run in with the Referee, Premiership storylines 3 Rounds in, Rugby League Week Memories and we help Laurie Daley pick his NSW Team.

Stream the Podcast below or direct DOWNLOAD:

Subscribe to the show on iTunes 
Download the mp3 version 

Robb Cox has been covering Rugby League for over 20 years as an NRL photographer - follow him on Instagram and Twitter via @RobbCox

Follow us on Twitter: @NRLTweet and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nrlpodcast 

Wednesday 15 March 2017

NRL Round 3 Tips from The Postman | 2017 Season

The Postman's Round 3 NRL Tips
2017 National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - March 15, 2017


Well back to back respectable 5 from 8s to start 2017... so we're in the game but we need a little improvement from Round 3. Super Saturday killed us in Round 3 with the Titans, Manly and Canberra getting dusted by Newcastle, Souths and Cronulla respectively. That said - we had a good start with Roosters, Storm and Cowboys and came home strong with two easy wins - Penrith and Parramatta.

Let's get into Round 3... look who is back!
🚨 Podcast Alert: New NOT The Footy Show Podcast is recording Monday with NRL Photographer Robb Cox - if you've got something you want us to discuss email us
Tips for Round 3 2017
Storm over Broncos
Slater is back and I'm switching from the Broncos to the Storm... yup, I had Brisbane all week. But Slater back, Storm at home... Brisbane coming off a tough golden pointer (even though it was last Friday)... Storm win if they hold Brisbane in the middle.

Bulldogs over Warriors
Des Hasler's thrown the two kids into the mix and he had to. Injuries to Hopoate and Holland could help the Dogs in the short and long term because Abbey and Montoya add some much needed freshness to the Dogs. Warriors lost RTS today and still don't have Foran... upside is game is in Dunedin.

Titans over Eels
Dale Copley is a new face likely after joining from the Roosters today... the Titans will be without Hayne but the Eels lost Norman... Titans find a way at home with Norman not pulling the strings for the visitors. He's absolutely crucial to how attacking Parra can play.

Rabbitohs over Knights
Both impressive last start winners - but even at home I'm not confident the Knights are back in the tip them wisely category yet. Souths I guess.

Panthers over Roosters
Game of the Round... leaning Penny Panthers at home. Just.

Cowboys over Sea Eagles
As long as JT is playing you pick North Queensland here. Ponga v Trbojevic is going to be a battle we'll enjoy watching for a long long time... 

Raiders over Tigers
Canberra are getting troops back and just cannot afford to start the year 0-3 (including two games at home) if they want to be a Top 4 team... 

Sharks over Dragons
Better team wins here. It's that simple - local derby or not.


There's my tips - got your own?
Comment below or reply on Twitter

2017 SEASON TIPS: 
10/16 at 62.5%
Round by Round: 5/8 | 5/8

2016 Tipping: 136/192 at 70.8%
2016 Round by Round: 5/8 | 6/8 | 4/8 | 5/8 | 7/8 | 5/8 | 5/8 | 7/8 | 4/8 | 4/8 | 3/4 | 5/7 | 5/8 | 4/4 | 6/8 | 3/4 | 5/6 | 7/8 | 7/8 | 4/8 | 4/8 | 6/8 | 5/8 | 7/8
2015 Tipping: 115/192 at 59.9%
2014 Tipping: 122/192 at 63.5%
2013 Tipping: 121/192 at 63.0%
2012 Tipping: 115.5/192 at 60.2%
2011 Tipping: 115/192 at 59.9%
2010 Tipping: 125/192 at 65.1%

NEW Episodes in 2017!
Subscribe to the NOT The Footy Show Podcast on iTunes so you don't miss any.

Tuesday 14 March 2017

Video: How to fillet Barra in under 60 seconds | Arnhem Land Australia

Watch Darren Nickolls from Dhipirri Barra Lodge in Arnhem Land slice up a Barramundi with precision... 


That's one sharp knife 😲

Darren Nickolls (Owner Dhipirri Barra Lodge in Arnhem Land) puts on a clinic showing how to expertly fillet a Barramundi in under a minute.


Vision Copyright: Warrick D. Nicolson 2017 


Please ask his permission if you wish to use this vision.

If you want to chase Barra in Australia's Northern Territory - I thoroughly recommend Dhipirri - more info: http://www.dhipirribarra.com.au/

Follow @wdnicolson on Instagram

...

Monday 13 March 2017

The Postman's Round 2 NRL Mailbag | 2017 Season


The Postman on Round 2
2017 National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - March 13, 2017


The Postman is back for his weekly NRL Mailbag...

📫 Email your thoughts/questions on the footy to the The Postman's Mailbag

|-| Quote of the Round:

• "He's definitely got a knee issue, so we'll know more once we've got those scans..." North Queensland Coach Paul Green on Matt Scott's potential ACL tear after the Cowboys defeated Brisbane 21-20 in Golden Point.

Scans on Monday revealed Scott did do serious damage to his knee and the Cowboys' title hopes just took a massive hit.


|-| Try of the Round:
  • Joe Greenwood finishes off a spectacular hot potato team effort from the Titans - just watch the tape below!


|-| 5 Things I Think after Round 2:
  • Matt Scott and Greg Inglis will be missed...
    • Well that goes without saying for the Cowboys and Souths - and of course Queensland and Australia - but both are the kind of players you just love watching play footy. Scott's injury has the biggest impact on his career as the 31 year old is off-contract at the end of 2017 and his bargaining position just got hammered... he'll likely be back but if anything this probably helps the Cowboys keep him as it'll be caveat emptor (buyer beware) for any team who was thinking of signing him pre-injury...
      As for Inglis - he's going to be back but I'll really miss seeing him run around especially at rep level in 2017. He's just such a tremendous footy player.
  • The Whitehead solution...
    • Canberra's hype train got derailed well and truly by the Sharks on Saturday night but it might result in Ricky Stuart reuniting Blake Austin (and if fit - Joseph Leilua) with their safety net called Elliott Whitehead. The Englishman covered up a lot (and I mean a lot) of defensive mistakes by the Raiders right edge last year and by Stuart moving him to the left to cover for Jarrod Croker he left the right side without their most important defensive player and the Sharks tore through that gaping hole time after time to crush the Raiders.
      With Croker possibly back, Whitehead would definitely go back to the right edge where Sia Soliola has been overwhelmed the last two weeks. That's not a go at Soliola who has been very good but he's been left isolated by Austin and Leilua (esp) who couldn't adjust to Whitehead not being there to bail them out. Soliola is a fine player but the middle is where he does his best work for the Raiders.
  • Dragons and Tigers come crashing back to earth... 
    • Who honestly didn't see the Dragons crash coming? Well other than Paul McGregor and overly optimistic Dragons fans?
      As for the Tigers - they got outplayed by a better team but didn't stop trying... but the loss showed how overmatched their pack can be at times and how glaringly that leaves Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses exposed on both sides of the ball. Matt Ballin can't come back to hooker fast enough either - and Tim Grant was desperately missed as a late withdrawal.
  • No Hayne v Parra... 
    • Very disappointing for the Titans - forget about the Eels fans who wanted to see it. The Titans may be 0-2 after back to back losses to the Roosters and Knights but had Hayne been at fullback v Parra at home on a Friday night they could've approached 20,000 fans at Cbus Super Stadium... now without Hayne (and still being 0-2) that figure may drop to barely over half that... it's a cruel blow to a team that looked devoid of depth entering the season and now have lost a number of players it appears they simply can't replace.
      They aren't done for 2017 by any means but an 0-3 hole with a loss to Parra isn't going to help discourage that line of thought growing...
  • Time for Brad Abbey Des...
    • Des Hasler's men are 0-2 after blowing two games of footy... they might've sported Melbourne a 12-0 lead in Round 1 but had enough of the pill to win three games of footy thereafter and had an 8-0 lead over the Roosters away from home last Thursday night and despite rallying late - got beat 28-24.
      The points for was the only positive of Round 2 - as they lost Will Hopoate and Kerrod Holland for the next month or two to injury... so Hasler now has to decide if it is finally time to inject young Kiwi Brad Abbey and 21 year old winger Marcelo Montoya into the mix to liven things up for the Bulldogs...
      Brett Morris arguably makes more of an impact at fullback than on the wing for Canterbury but Abbey in the #1 could help Hasler's team play some different footy... something they simply have to find if they are to 'change things up' as the off-season headlines suggested they would...
      Hasler probably goes with Morris at fullback but for the sake of all Canterbury fans it'd be great to see him give Abbey and Montoya their NRL debuts in Dunedin on Friday night against the Warriors and simply try to energise a team that looks tired already and it's only Round 2...
|-| The Postman's 2017 Tipping Watch:
Round 2 Tips: 
5 from 8
Season Tips
10 from 16 at 62.5%

Tips go up on www.wdnicolson.com every Wednesday night.
There's my thoughts on the Round - got your own?
Comment below or reply on Twitter
NEW Episodes in 2017!
Subscribe to the NOT The Footy Show Podcast on iTunes so you don't miss any.