Thursday 27 April 2017

NRL Round 9 Tips from The Postman | 2017 Season

The Postman's Round 9 NRL Tips
2017 National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - April 27, 2017


Hello 5/8 our old friend!

Considering that Manly and the Gold Coast pulled off last few minutes victories - 5/8 could've easily been a 7/8 in Round 8... but as much as you may have wanted to tip the Tigers (who also won late) - the Bulldogs were going just average enough (3 straight wins) to not seriously consider the Tigers - even though the Bulldogs are no world beaters this season.

Anyhoo - onto Round 9 with an almost 61% success rate and the bad news is it's a cavalcade of tough games to pick this weekend. Apologies the tips only drop at lunchtime Thursday but the short short short break between gamedays (with ANZAC Day Tuesday) - means The Postman has only just started to enter his tips for this week, let alone think of good reasons why you should tip along with him.

🚨 Podcast Alert: A fairly prophetic NOT The Footy Show Podcast went out on Monday this week - with predicted signings Ben Matulino and Josh Reynolds taking up a lot of the Tigers cap space...
🎙 Episode 165: Teddy's out of the Woods
Released 24/4/17

Subscribe to the show on iTunes
Download the MP3 version 
Tips for Round 9 2017

Broncos over Panthers
Really really really really want to pick Penrith here - they match up great with Brisbane and there's no Ben Hunt and Bryce Cartwright has had a chance to get the cobwebs out. In fact, by 7:40pm tonight there's a good chance your local Postman has changed his mind... but if you're not deranged and want to tip well this weekend - pick Brisbane as he has... at this point.

Rabbitohs over Sea Eagles
I've tipped a game involving Manly correct ONCE this year... and that was Melbourne at Brookvale. The other 7 games - I've got it totally wrong. Watch Manly make that 1 from 8 for me as I tip Souths based on the return of Adam Reynolds... and the fact Souths look to be building towards a good win of late... and Manly can't get that lucky two weeks in a row can they?

Eels over Cowboys
This tip totally rests on the fitness of Johnathan Thurston. If JT misses, stick with Parra on the road. If JT plays - change your tip to the Cowboys. You've been warned.

Titans over Knights
Jarryd Hayne to have an absolute field day as the Gold Coast start to remember they are a very good team who are finally getting most of their best players back from injury - Titans by 20.

Raiders over Bulldogs
Canberra have thrown more than a couple of games away this year - don't see that happening Saturday night. The Josh Reynolds news could be great for the Dogs... or he could find himself on the bench within a few weeks... don't forget that Des Hasler loves to get ahead of the game people.

Sharks over Tigers
Cronulla bounce back from getting pantsed by the Titans at home - win this well over the Tigers even though it is at Leichhardt.

Roosters over Warriors
Warriors are a steelier team with Foran in it - I can't doubt that after watching them stick with Melbourne on Tuesday - but their forwards and outside backs are inferior going into this one. Chooks thank you.

Storm over Dragons
Storm by 20. Saints won't win this without Widdop.


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

2017 SEASON TIPS: 
39/64 at 60.9%
Round by Round: 5/8 | 5/8 | 5/8 | 5/8 | 5/8 | 2/8 | 7/8 | 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 24 April 2017

NOT The Footy Show Episode 165: Teddy's out with the Woods | NRL Podcast



With Tedesco and Woods jumping ship, what's next for the Wests Tigers?

Stream the New Podcast Episode 165 below:

Subscribe to the show on iTunes
Download the MP3 version 

Robb Cox and Warrick Nicolson get stuck back into Round 8...
  • What's happened to the Tigers from the management to the playing group but look at free agent solutions for their loads of cap space... 
  • We praise the Titans for knocking off the Premiers and turning around their season... 
  • Ask each other if Milford knocked on - leading to the challenges of a Captains Challenge system... 
  • Embrace the war of words between Dylan Walker and Canberra... 
  • And discuss why ANZAC Day should never be about Football.
All that and a little bit more... so join us for Episode 165.

Follow NOT The Footy Show on Twitter: @NRLTweet and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nrlpodcast

Wednesday 19 April 2017

NRL Round 8 Tips from The Postman | 2017 Season

The Postman's Round 8 NRL Tips
2017 National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - April 19, 2017


Boom! Back in business with 7/8 and a missed perfect round courtesy of having too much faith in the Panthers against the Premiers... but after a 2/8 the week before - going 9 from 16 across two weeks makes things feel a little better doesn't it?

Round 8 is a looooooong one, with Friday night footy bookended by two ANZAC Day games on Tuesday. So there is a lot of time to change tips across the weekend everyone.

🚨 Podcast Alert: Another fresh new NOT The Footy Show Podcast for your consumption this week.


🎙 Episode 164: Cronulla vs The World - Released 18/4/17
Tips for Round 8 2017

Raiders over Sea Eagles
Canberra should win and win well. Manly couldn't stop Melbourne on the edges last week and that is where Canberra score their points.

Broncos over Rabbitohs
Not confident at all here... in fact I smell an upset brewing. Whether or not I back my gut and change my tip is another matter entirely - stick with Brisbane for now...

Eels over Panthers
Sure the Panthers have to come good you say...? Well I've given them too many chances to do just that with my tips and given this is not in Penrith (though it is at neutral ANZ) - I'll pick Parra for the time being. If Penrith do include Bryce Cartwright I probably change though - he's that important to them.

Cowboys over Knights
My rule of not picking Newcastle away from home is tested by North Queensland's under-strength-age but you've gotta stay the course and pick against Newcastle. Go Cowboys.

Sharks over Titans
Poor Titans - they could sneak this one away from Shark Park but your tipping livelihood says you have to pick the Premiers at home on a Saturday night. Cronulla please. Titans drop to 1-7 but remember Hayne is back...

Bulldogs over Tigers
Dogs aren't going as well as their recent 3 game winning streak suggests and the Tigers should have a 2 game winning streak had they not blown a 10 point lead on Easter Monday. Tigers have points in them sure and probably make me look bad - but Dogs are the smarter pick here and we need to keep making those picks to be competitive in a month or two.

Roosters over Dragons
Burst that bubble Easts. Burst it big time.

Storm over Warriors
Melbourne at home in a big game please.


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

2017 SEASON TIPS: 
34/56 at 60.7%
Round by Round: 5/8 | 5/8 | 5/8 | 5/8 | 5/8 | 2/8 | 7/8

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.

Tuesday 18 April 2017

NOT The Footy Show Episode 164: Cronulla vs The World (Okay Gus Gould) | NRL Podcast


Flanagan and his Sharks are hunting... Everyone!

Stream the New Podcast Episode 164 below:

Subscribe to the show on iTunes
Download the mp3 version 

Robb Cox and Warrick Nicolson cover all things Round 7...
  • Cronulla's Us v The World (alright Gus Gould) Mentality following Jack Bird's defection to Brisbane.
  • Why Josh Reynolds is gonna get paid after his Round 7 performance.
  • Matt Moylan being the right captain for Penrith.
  • Hey look the NRL Jokediciary is back! 
  • How 'Fat Thurston' scared the life out of the Dragons. 
  • We start the rallying cry to 'Bring Back Andy Raymond!' to the Commentary Box.
Yep, it's another long one... so join us for Episode 164.

Follow NOT The Footy Show on Twitter: @NRLTweet and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nrlpodcast

Thursday 13 April 2017

NRL Round 7 Tips from The Postman | 2017 Season

The Postman's Round 7 NRL Tips
2017 National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - April 13, 2017


5/8 for 5 straight weeks... then the hammer of tipping reality smashed us in Round 6. 

The Raiders and Bulldogs bailed me out with victories... but shame on you Roosters, Penrith, Manly, North Queensland, Parramatta and Melbourne for thinking you were, like... any good.

Let's get into Round 7 and hope we never have to speak of that insipid 2/8 performance again...


We'd prefer to watch Ian Herron run down the sideline over and over again...

🚨 Podcast Alert: TWO new NOT The Footy Show Podcasts are out this week again! So fill your commute tonight or tomorrow below:
🎙 Episode 162: Mitchell Moses Appreciation Society - Released 9/4/17
🎙 Episode 163: Rugby League in the 90s with Guest Ken Shine (South Sydney Coach 1994-97)- Released 12/4/17
Tips for Round 7 2017

Bulldogs over Rabbitohs
Don't know how to split this one... as both are very average sides. Brett Morris at fullback is a win for the Dogs but they lost Klemmer to injury. By rights I should be picking Souths and still might before kick-off... Watch this space - this pick isn't set in stone whatsoever.

Roosters over Knights
Chooks bounce back in a big way with a big win over the Knights in Newcastle.

Broncos over Titans
Ben Hunt being out is a massive loss so this ain't no certainty picking Brisbane. Titans have a few troops back but you can't tip them unless you got 2/8 last week... oh wait. Nah stick with Broncos - I certainly didn't last week against the Chooks and got burnt.

Storm over Sea Eagles
Manly take care of business against St George Illawarra last week and yeah - I'd consider them in this one given Melbourne got beat at home by the Sharks. But the Dragons ripped Manly a new one - also at Brookie - so there's no way I'm picking Manly here. Storm also could get Munster and Jesse Bromwich back so you've gotta go Melbourne.

Raiders over Warriors
Shant be picking the Warriors away from home often this year (got scalded a couple of weeks back when they fell over at Kogarah) so going with Canberra. Yes Warriors are 2-0 with Foran but I'll take Canberra in Canberra please.

Dragons over Cowboys
Josh McCrone is 9-4 as the starting halfback for Saints... he'll be 10-4 after Saturday night in Wollongong with North Queensland short of just about everyone bar Jason Taumalolo (who can't win the game by himself can he?)

Panthers over Sharks
Toss a coin. Jack Bird defecting to Brisbane can't have helped preparations today at Cronulla but Penrith are dealing with their own fallout from the stance they took on some key players two weeks back. Penrith at home... I guess... it's not a strong case I admit - esp given Cronulla accounted for Melbourne last Sunday.

Eels over Tigers
Corey Norman is better than Mitchell Moses... so that decides this week. But hey they could be team-mates next week - how good is the Rugby League contract these days!


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

2017 SEASON TIPS: 
27/48 at 56.3%
Round by Round: 5/8 | 5/8 | 5/8 | 5/8 | 5/8 | 2/8

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.

Wednesday 12 April 2017

NOT The Footy Show Episode 163: Rugby League in the 1990s with former South Sydney coach Ken Shine | NRL Podcast


Former South Sydney Coach Ken Shine sits down to talk about the life and times of a First Grade Coach in the 1990s.

Stream the New Podcast Episode 163 below:

Subscribe to the show on iTunes
Download the mp3 version 

Ken joins Robb Cox and Warrick Nicolson to take a trip down Rugby League's memory lane through the 1990s...
  • We traverse Shine's 4 year tenure at Souths that encompassed unprecedented upheaval in the game with the arrival of Super League. 
  • We talk about how close Parra came to getting a Johns brother and the true genius behind their development.
  • Explore the process of player recruitment during Super League era.
  • The impact (or lack thereof) of a club board in the 1990s
  • And Ken reveals what it is like to work for Alan Jones. 
Plus a heck of a lot more in a bumper Episode 163.

Follow NOT The Footy Show on Twitter: @NRLTweet and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nrlpodcast

Monday 10 April 2017

The Postman's Round 6 NRL Mailbag | 2017 Season

The Postman on Round 6
2017 National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - April 10, 2017


🚨 Brand new NOT The Footy Show Podcast is ready for consumption - Episode 162 - 'The Mitchell Moses Appreciation Society' with Robb Cox and Warrick Nicolson is a good 85 mins of Rugby League to kick-start your week.
|-| THE PREMIERS TOPPLE THE STORM...

|-| Quotes of the Round:
• "He's gone JT!"

Fox Sports commentator Andrew Voss as he spotted Johnathan Thurston in all sorts of trouble on the sideline late in the Cowboys-Tigers game... like Voss - most of us thought the worst - but the diagnosis is only a calf tear and the champion halfback will play again this season... he won't make the Test but Origin remains very much in play.

|-| Try of the Round:
• Well it's not so much a try but the stopping of one this week - at 2:31 of the below video watch as Andrew McCullough finds a way to stop Michael Gordon with a brilliant ankle tap and witness Gordon's disbelief as he hurtles to the deck...



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


|-| 5 Things I Think:

1. We've got another mediocre competition...
    • People keep talking about how close the comp is - and yes I get that half full point of view - but we saw only two good games of footy on the weekend. Broncos-Roosters was an end to end festival of footy that was closer than the final scoreline suggested and the Panthers-Rabbitohs game was a classic example of the final ten minutes lifting a game into the good category (which is 100% fine). But the Grand Final replay was a dour game that really delivered what we expected and only the Raiders 1st Half try-flurry on Saturday night was worth watching on replay unless you are a Dragons or Tigers fan (great wins but against below average performing opponents).
    • Right now we've got only 5 genuinely good teams:
      • Melbourne
      • Roosters
      • Broncos
      • Sharks
      • Raiders
      • The Cowboys are slipping out of this company as poor form and injury take hold, and yes by virtue of their start you've gotta give the Dragons some credit but they aren't a contender by any stretch. 
    • But that's only 5 of 16 teams who are really any good right now (with the Panthers on the fringe despite their 2-4 record) ... I'll wait if you want to put the case forward for any other side being truly deserving of 'good' status.
2. Wish I knew what the Obstruction Rule was...

    • I worked at the NRL for 3 seasons and never truly understood how the obstruction rule was enforced and evidently I still don't. The difference between the Warriors and Parramatta tries that were referred to the Bunker for adjudication is evidently what the Bunker decides to look at... because despite being identical forceful contact by the lead runner on the key defender - the Bunker decided to ignore contact on the Hoffman decoy and isolate the contact on the Jennings decoy...
    • I'd try to explain it more but seriously... it won't make one iota of difference - I need to just accept that it's a total mess and just when you think it's getting cleaned up the same Video Referee makes two totally different decisions on two identical plays.
3. So glad we'll see JT again in 2017... 
    • Robb Cox and I discussed the potential devastation that a serious long term injury to Johnathan Thurston could have had (On the new Podcast we reflected on times when injuries to Ricky Stuart and Andrew Johns killed their team's title hopes in the past) - but the diagnosis looks medium term calf tear so that's good news.
    • The downside is he won't play the May Roos-Kiwis Test but he should be back by Origin 1... phew.
4. I didn't enjoy watching Jason Taylor on Fox Sports... 
    • It was just too soon... especially given he was on the couch for the Cowboys-Tigers game. I understand why the TV executives did it - but it was just a train wreck waiting to happen and hearing him speak about how the Tigers played (and how he knew they could play that way) had to be another gut punch for Taylor.
    • At least they didn't force him to ask Mitchell Moses a question in the post-match interview (where Moses sung the praises of the simplified approach of new coach Ivan Cleary) - but I'm fairly sure Moses had no idea Taylor was listening directly either...
5. Josh McCrone is 9-4 as St George Illawarra's starting halfback...
    • Let that sink in... The Solution is finding all the answers for the Red V right now... with more than a little help from Gareth Widdop.
|-| The Postman's 2017 Tipping Watch:
Round 6 Tips: 2 from 8
Sorry everyone - that was a horrible tipping week... lots of work to do to get back into the 60% success rate now...
Season Tips: 27 from 48 at 56.3%
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 162: Mitchell Moses Appreciation Society | NRL Podcast

JT goes down in Round 6, as Benny Elias steers the MMAS to Parramatta.

Stream the New Podcast Episode 162 below:

Subscribe to the show on iTunes
Download the mp3 version 

Spend 85 good minutes with Robb Cox and Warrick Nicolson as they...
  • Reflect on the wide ranging Club, Test and Origin impact of Johnathan Thurston dodging a major injury bullet.
  • Look at how Benny Elias has established the Mitchell Moses Appreciation Society.
  • Our Footy Legend for this week sees us Remembering Ian 'Chook' Herron.
  • We ponder the Australian team for the Roos-Kiwis Test in May.
  • Dr Cox looks at his preferred NSW spine to find a place for Mitchell Pearce.
  • And we heap praise on Mary's Dragons as they go top of the ladder as we cover the NRL after Round 6.
All that and actually a little bit more on Episode 162.

Follow NOT The Footy Show on Twitter: @NRLTweet and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nrlpodcast

Wednesday 5 April 2017

NRL Round 6 Tips from The Postman | 2017 Season

The Postman's Round 6 NRL Tips
2017 National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - April 5, 2017


5/8 for 5 straight weeks... thanks for nothing Brisbane, Roosters and Titans.

So we've been as regular as the end results of muesli on a Monday so far this season... just go to the tips and expect what's turning out to be painfully slightly above average.

Let's get into Round 6...

🚨 Podcast Alert: TWO new NOT The Footy Show Podcasts are out this week already - so fill your commute tonight or tomorrow below:

🎙 Episode 160: Billy The Australian Kangaroo - Released 3/4/17
 Download Episode 160 in MP3 Form
Download Episode 160 in Mp3 Form
🎙 Episode 161: Cronk Bolts Melbourne - Released 4/4/17
Download Episode 161 in Mp3 Form
Tips for Round 6 2017

Roosters over Broncos
Both teams hurt me last week... but no Dylan Napa should tip the balance in the Broncos favour... then you see James Roberts on one leg for a game and remember the Broncos don't pass to Tautau Moga and you lean back to the Roosters... For mine - Pearce/Keary in better touch than Hunt/Milford so let's roll the dice with the Chooks on the road.

Bulldogs over Knights
No real reason other than Canterbury are a better squad on paper than Newcastle... this is in Newy but let's give the Bulldogs yet another game to let us down when tipping them in 2017.

Panthers over Rabbitohs
Yeah there's no Moylan, Cartwright, Peachey, Hiku, Fisher-Harris or Blake... but Souths are Souths and Penrith will still trot out a good pack and their starting halves. If this was at ANZ - yeah I'd favour Souths but this one is at Penrith.

Sea Eagles over Dragons
This one is at Brookie (yes Manly are only 1-2 there this year) but no Dugan is a factor here. Both forward packs have been great in recent weeks - so I'll go with DCE and Tommy Trbojevic being the difference makers on Saturday arvo.

Raiders over Titans
Gold Coast have played their guts out this year with a single win to show for it... Canberra have won 2 of 3 and started looking like the team that many expected them to be this season - so you pick Canberra but you should totally expect a great contest despite the Titans having about 40 players injured.

Cowboys over Tigers
Who knows if Mr I Now Love Parramatta (Mitchell Moses) will turn out for the Tigers or not, but despite the Cowboys not having a hooker and a patched up team in places - you stick with North Queensland at home.

Eels over Warriors
Parra win these kinds of games under Brad Arthur - Kieran Foran is great and all but this is still the same Warriors pack we're talking about. Parra on the road thanks to a Corey Norman master-class.

Storm over Sharks
Cronk kicks the match-winning field goal. That is all.
There's my tips - got your own?
Comment below or reply on Twitter

2017 SEASON TIPS: 
25/40 at 62.5%
Round by Round: 5/8 | 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.