It’s been too long, waiting for this first week of NRL to return, and with the first pile of games to start Thursday night we couldn’t be more excited.
The best part of this time of year is there’s still hope. 2015 is forgotten and only potential awaits. Of course that can quickly disappear with a bad run or a highly cynical fan, but not forgetting the Cowboys turned a winless streak to start the year into Silverware.
The bonus for 2016 is the full telecast on Fox Sports, and we are happily waiving goodbye to Channel 9, despite their assertion this week that they are the superior broadcaster and attempting to tell us how great Ray Hadley is. Only Michael Slater would rival Hadley for most loathed sports commentator in Australia. We get that first taste of the good times this weekend. We’ve already bitched about that here.
So onto Round and our first preview of the year, and why not check out our thoughts on the year ahead from our season preview. We have our tip for each game that we offer up as our Super Multi.
PARRAMATTA v BRISBANE
2016 Premiership favourites Brisbane open the season at Parramatta who have some measure of buzz and potential around them after some high profile recruiting and an Auckland Nines victory. But rarely do the Eels turn potential into premierships, and we’ll wait to see if this season is just more of the same. We are excited to see our favourite NRL player Semi Radradra back for the year, and will enjoy more Warren Smith calling his name. Hopefully playing outside Michael Jennings means he’ll still get the ball. That’s all right Jennings goes missing enough for Semi to get his chance.
Broncos were unlucky to lose the Grand Final last year, and this was always the season to do it, and their pre season form offers up few arguments.
What price Parramatta sending their first kick off high and directed straight at Ben Hunt.
GURGLER TIPS – BRISBANE to win
MANLY v BULLDOGS
Manly had a shocker in 2015 and have recruited well for this season and also have their young star Tom Trbojevic coming through. As a Queensland Cup fans, we are looking forward to how Ipswich Jets recruit Matt Parcell goes this year, our tip for Rookie of the Year. The point of interest for us with the Bulldogs is whether their massive pack will be impacted by the reduced interchange.
GURGLER TIPS – MANLY to win
CANBERRA v PENRITH
A replay of the 90 and 91 Grand Finals and both teams glory days are a little time ago now. Both have interesting coaches in place, Ricky Stuart always looks just one week away from his next tirade or hissy fit, and Anthony Griffin was a surprise choice in the off season to go from Redcliffe Dolphins head coach to Ivan Cleary’s replacement. On field we’ll see how long Soward and Peter Wallace last given the talent waiting to break through either recruited or from the premiership winning U20 team. Players should enjoy a Canberra game in Sunshine and double digits temperatures.
GURGLER TIPS – PENRITH +8.5 start
WESTS TIGERS v NZ WARRIORS
There looked two sure bets leading into the first game this season – Jason Taylor to be first coach sacked and NZ to raise hopes then disappoint – both might still happen but not just yet. The Warriors looked awful without Shaun Johnson in late 2015, and their halfback looked good at Nines. If he hangs around they are a chance and Roger Tuivasa Sheck and Isaac Luke may just provide enough spark to make this year the year. But the golden rule of tipping is to never pick the Warriors in NSW for the first half of the season.
GURGLER TIPS – WESTS TIGERS to win
COWBOYS v SHARKS
Cowboys are trying to do what others have tried and failed to do for a long time – win back to back premierships. They look as equipped as any team ever, and have the rare distinction of naming the same side from the Grand Final to Round 1. Cronulla surprised last year, and have James Maloney on board in addition to a backline bursting with talent, and top 4 might not be a goal too far. They did beat the Cowboys both home and away last year.
GURGLER TIPS – SHARKS +10.5 start
ROOSTERS v RABBITOHS
Very few weeks have the Sunday game as the premium, but since Channel 9 dictate that just about every game on a Sunday afternoon is in Sydney and mainly the domain of all Sydney clashes, let’s enjoy a good one. Both sides don’t particularly like each other, and Souths especially wouldn’t have particularly liked their end result in 2015. Roosters looked GF certainties, and Souths were just plain awful in the last few weeks of the season. Return of Sam Burgess will allow for much hype, and the Rabbitohs will be hoping he stays fit and not suspended and playing well given the amount of players moved on to make space for him.
GURGLER TIPS – ROOSTERS to win
GOLD COAST v NEWCASTLE
The first Meh game of the season with both looking like they may struggle this year. Newcastle have picked loads of debutants, so at least have an eye for the future. The Titans may also have an eye on the future with talk of a buyout by the North Sydney Bears.
GURGLER TIPS – GOLD COAST +8.5 start
MELBOURNE v DRAGONS
Melbourne have the first of their Monday night games, and going on previous form, this may be a game to record and watch later in 6 x Fast Forward on Foxtel. Melbourne’s style may not be pretty but is effective, and the way they turn NRL minnows and journeymen into kings of the game. Dragons look improved, and we could be wrong about needing to watch this in Fast Forward.
GURGLER TIPS – DRAGONS +8.5 start
GURGLER SUPER NRL MULTI
BRISBANE to win
MANLY to win
PENRITH +8.5 start
WESTS TIGERS to win
SHARKS +10.5 start
ROOSTERS to win
GOLD COAST +8.5 start
DRAGONS +12.5 start
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