The NRL is only in Round 2 but it feels like it’s been around for ages. That’s a good thing as there’s plenty more to come.
Round 1 produced few surprises, except for the size of Souths win v Roosters. Bulldogs were probably the most impressive of all the winners, and the Wests Tigers v NZ provided the most action, although all Super Saturday’s games could say that.
How did we enjoy Channel 9’s coverage? No longer required. Except for Queensland Cup. Fox Sports was great, and Channel 9’s argument about lost viewers due to different games is strange considering they are the ones that get first choice.
THURSDAY – PENRITH v BULLDOGS
50 years for Penrith is being celebrated on Thursday night against their very first opponent on that day, so plenty of reasons for the Panthers to be in the mood for a big game. And a big game they will need if the Bulldogs play to the standard of last weekend. There was plenty to like about Penrith last weekend too, and we think the big occasion will get them over the line over the NRL’s Premiership dark horse.
GURGLER TIPS – PENRITH +8.5 START
FRIDAY – BRONCOS v NZ WARRIORS
Broncos return to familiar surroundings in Suncorp Stadium and a familiar timeslot – Friday night. Now that Fox Sports are covering all NRL games, the question about whether Ray Hadley is trotted out as lead commentator is now obsolete. Hopefully they give it to the excellent Mat Thompson in a nod for future duties when Ray Warren retires. Commentary aside, these clashes are usually quite exciting and full of hard hitting and great attacking league. Broncos were as solid as can be for Round 1 last weekend, whereas the Warriors were pure Warriors with the Tale of Two half in the usual schizophrenic display that you come to expect. Shaun Johnson will only get better too, a dangerous prospect for oppositions in the coming weeks.
GURGLER TIPS – SHAUN JOHNSON to score
SATURDAY – CANBERRA v ROOSTERS
Canberra looked good last weekend as they tend to do early, and that will keep Ricky Stuart happyish, and that’s a good thing. No one wants to piss off the Angry Any aka Carlos Smearson. The Roosters started their year off in the worst possible way, being smashed by local rivals Souths. Many tipped the Roosters to struggle in 2016 but the UK trip changed a few minds. It may be a one off, and maybe Mitchell Pearce will come back to save them, and for Queensland’s sake, play himself into the NSW Origin side.
GURGLER TIPS – OVER 40.5 POINTS
SATURDAY – SOUTHS v NEWCASTLE
The competition’s biggest winners last week are facing the team who were well beaten by one of the teams widely tipped to challenge the Knights for last in 2016. And Souths destroyed the Knights in the first half of the most recent clash last year in one of their rare good games in the second half of 2015. With Sam Burgess looing the goods on his return and Cody Walker filling in admirably, Souths should have enough on paper to cover no Reynolds or Sutton. On paper. Sutton.
GURGLER TIPS – SOUTHS -4.5 START @ HALF TIME
SATURDAY – PARRAMATTA v COWBOYS
Parramatta are apparently involved in a Salary Cap scandal as was spread through the press during the week, and it shows the level of incompetence or drama off field that they allegedly cooked the books and still couldn’t achieve anything. All that will outshadow Kieran Foran’s debut for the club, and they weren’t too far away from Brisbane last week so his addition may be all they need. North Qld arrive probably with memories of the ultimate Parra choke last year in this corresponding fixture, and one of the major steps forward in their premiership year.
GURGLER TIPS – PARRARADRA +8.5 start
SUNDAY – CRONULLA v DRAGONS
The Shire derby, and a game featuring two sides who went very close last weekend to knocking off two of the competition’s big sides away in Townsville and Melbourne. Bragging rights are on the line, as is the prize of avoiding 2 straight losses to start the season.
GURGLER TIPS – CRONULLA to win
SUNDAY – MELBOURNE v GOLD COAST
Always great to see how much Craig Bellamy enjoys his rugby league. Even better watching the faces of the assistant coaches. Melbourne were good last weekend, and so were the Gold Coast, who looked the better of the two main spoon contenders. But Melbourne is not a great hunting ground for the Titans. The 16.5 start is certainly generous and we’ll take a piece O that pie.
GURGLER TIPS – GOLD COAST +16.5 start
MONDAY – WESTS TIGERS v MANLY
Wests Tigers were specials last weekend, but left all on edge as they almost choked their way to a loss. Manly looked ordinary, and have a poor record at Leichhardt and Monday night.
GURGLER TIPS – WESTS TIGERS to win.
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PENRITH +8.5 START v Bulldogs
SHAUN JOHNSON to score – Broncos v NZ
OVER 40.5 POINTS – Canberra v Roosters
SOUTHS -4.5 START @ HALF TIME v Newcastle
PARRARADRA +8.5 start v Cowboys
CRONULLA to win v Dragons
GOLD COAST +16.5 start v Melbourne
WESTS TIGERS to win v Manly