The last round before the international break, and plenty to soak up too. After Thursday night there should be plenty of games worth tuning in for.
We have our quick run down of each, trying desperately to find something of interest in each one, and with our tips that are long overdue for a win for a super multi for your consideration / avoidance.
THURSDAY – SOUTHS v WESTS TIGERS
Much like our tipping, both sides are terrible and in need of a win. Souths’ record is slightly less terrible with five losses from their last six, whereas the Tigers have lost six in a row. But it could be argued that the Tigers are playing slightly better than the Rabbitohs, before last weekend that is. Tigers head man Jason Taylor used to coach Souths before he was sacked, and he looks odds on to add another club to that list and be the first coaching casualty of the season. Although Michael Maguire might not be too safe either. All in all it sounds like great Thursday night viewing doesn’t it? Hard one to tip too.
GURGLER TIPS – WESTS TIGERS +10.5 start
FRIDAY – PARRARADRA v BULLDOGS
Back in the day this game would be relegated to late night TV on a Friday night in Qld, but NRL have understood that viewers mostly want to see the best games possible, mostly, and this should be one. Back in the day there was no Australian representative and Gurgler favourite Semi Radradra either. The way Semi carved up the Bulldogs earlier in the season we hope that his new found Australian-ness gives him a big boost and he serves up some more this Friday night.
GURGLER TIPS – PARRAMATTA to win
SATURDAY – PENRITH v CANBERRA
Penrith are almost a great side, and almost win a lot, hence why we’ve taken them with 8.5 start every game to 100% success. Canberra put all their awful home form behind them and scored three games worth of wins with 60-6 against the Tigers. Penrith are also very generous as this game is being played in Bathurst, which is almost as far away from Penrith than it is from Canberra. It worked for Penrith last season as they belted the Gold Coast 40-0 in Bathurst in their last visit.
GURGLER TIPS – PENRITH +8.5 start
SATURDAY – ROOSTERS v NEWCASTLE
Hard to think that this is a bottom of the table clash. Especially given the Rooster’s multiple Minor Premierships of recent seasons. But Mitchell Pearce is back from his rest period and with enough time to gain the Blues jersey and win the series for Queensland. Big prop JWH also returns which should give them a lot of what’s been missing.
GURGLER TIPS – NEWCASTLE +18.5 start
SATURDAY – MANLY v COWBOYS
Familiar Saturday night at an unfamiliar location for the Cowboys. Not quite as strong on the road although Manly aren’t quite as strong as they used to be. There might be some emotion after Jamie Lyon’s retirement announcement, and they’ll need that as they are likely to be playing a full strength Cowboys with a third string fullback. Lachlan Coote has announced he’s staying at the North Queensland side after turning down big offers down south.
GURGLER TIPS – COWBOYS to win.
SUNDAY – NZ v DRAGONS
Dragons have worked out that scoring points leads to winning games, and that’s great for everyone. They also have a phenomenal record against NZ with the overall tally 18-4 and they have haven’t lost to the Warriors since 2007. Big stats to mull over, and the Dragons are starting to look OK too after two straight wins. NZ proved just how unpredictable they were after being on the end of a de-trousering by the Storm on Monday. Who knows which one will turn up on Sunday, the form lines say Dragons.
GURGLER TIPS – DRAGONS to win.
SUNDAY – GOLD COAST v MELBOURNE
Two of the NRL’s more forgotten teams. Both rarely feature on commercial TV these days, although we don’t care anymore as Foxtel snobs. It could be a great game between these two rugby league outposts, but it may not even best rugby league game on the coast on Sunday as the Queensland Cup features top 4 sides Burleigh v Townsville kick off at 1:40pm just down the road.
GURGLER TIPS – GOLD COAST +8.5 start
SUNDAY – SHARKS v BRONCOS
Love Sunday footy. And you know where it is being played – in Sydney of course. Channel 9 like Shark Park (or insert new current sponsor here), maybe Rab’s house is just down the road. Just 12 points scored in this game last year, but with Brisbane in a great attacking mood at the moment, you would presume that 12 points will be racked up pretty quickly. Sharks too look good enough for the Top 4 and beating the competition’s current benchmark will underline that. Some could be tempted into a Sharks win, we won’t.
GURGLER TIPS – BRONCOS to win
GURGLER SUPER MULTI
WESTS TIGERS +10.5 start
PARRAMATTA to win
PENRITH +8.5 start
NEWCASTLE +18.5 start
COWBOYS to win.
DRAGONS to win
GOLD COAST +8.5 start
BRONCOS to win
$1 “pays” $54
