Time for our NRL Round 20 preview, and amazing to think that we’ve reached Round 20 before the competition returns to full mode.
Not that State of Origin talk is over yet, with the Bacardi Booze Brothers Dugan and Ferguson taking the brunt of the Origin blame this week.
For the rest of us, be thankful that the NRL Round 20 preview has a full eight games to go through, and with State of Origin over, the only real whinge for us remains the Sunday 4pm Channel Nein game.
We’re even back to a Thursday night kick off, allowing that weekend to start that little bit earlier.
THE NRL ROUND 20 PREVIEW MATCH BY MATCH IN 20 WORDS OR LESS OR SO
THURSDAY – BRONCOS v BULLDOGS
Broncos looking to seal a top four position and should beat the Bulldogs. The Boredogs aren’t going well, and Des Hasler is not safe from the axe yet, despite a recent contract extension.
FRIDAY – ROOSTERS v KNIGHTS
Who knows where Newcastle’s next win comes from. Certainly would be surprise if it came against the Roosters.
FRIDAY – SHARKS v RABBITOHS
Hard to think a team with the nickname Sharks and are located by the sea don’t like water, referring to last weekend’s wet clash on the Gold Coast. Souths got the better weather last weekend in Cairns. It made no difference to their form.
SATURDAY – PANTHERS v TITANS
Two teams with unexpected wins last weekend meet. Penrith have slightly disappointed to be as low as they are right now, but can still make the eight. As can Titans who have found winning ways and respected toughness.
SATURDAY – RAIDERS v STORM
Two of rugby league’s most fiery coaches. Glimpses to the coach’s boxes should be fun.
SATURDAY – COWBOYS v WARRIORS
Should be entertaining if nothing else. Although can’t see the Warriors turning up for this one after last week’s loss to Penrith. Cowboys proved that they can win without JT and that Souths aren’t great.
SUNDAY – DRAGONS v SEA EAGLES
Manly continue to win, and a top four spot awaits on the back of some great Trbojevic work and Martin Tapau. Dragons slide out of the top 8 almost complete.
SUNDAY – EELS v TIGERS
One last chance for the Tigers to take out some anger of Mitchell Moses, it’s unlikely to happen in the finals for the Tigers. Eels looking good for a lower top 8 finals berth, and playing well.
THE BIG QUESTION FOR THE NRL ROUND 20 PREVIEW
Whose fault is it for the NSW Origin loss?
Popular belief and standard operating procedure leaves the blame right at the door of Laurie Daley. 1 series win in five isn’t a great record, and it is hard to argue that the team has improved. If he were a European Football manager he would have been sacked last year.
Some blame the Bacardi Booze Brothers Dugan and Ferguson.
Others have blamed Andrew Fifita for allegedly saying no to the tactical switch involving David Klemmer.
Of course there’s always Mitchell Pearce. And our own Frankington Stanley went to town on him last week for your reading pleasure.
Jarryd Hayne gets a bake from a few wishing to blame him to ensure he never plays Origin again.
A select few are still blaming Bob Fulton.
Queenslanders could argue that they should blame it on the Boogie. As good a person as any.
NRL ROUND 20 PREVIEW “FUN” FACTS
Ever wondered which club’s website is the most popular? Of course you have, and here’s all the figures you need to impress so many friends, family members and random fellow public transport users this weekend.
Some surprises in there, some not so.
| Team | Ranking in Aust |
| Storm | 4693 |
| Broncos | 8038 |
| Eels | 8706 |
| Roosters | 9961 |
| Titans | 13363 |
| Sharks | 13752 |
| Tigers | 14147 |
| Cowboys | 15873 |
| Dragons | 16586 |
| Sea Eagles | 17562 |
| Rabbitohs | 18136 |
| Warriors | 23857 |
| Raiders | 28879 |
| Knights | 29974 |
| Bulldogs | 31994 |
| Panthers | 36549 |
Stats taken from Alexa.com
THE GURGLER’S NRL TIPPING COMPETITION
Each week we will supply our tips for the week ahead, plus take on some guest tipsters. They are likely to determined by a ridiculous method. Will arse beat class? Probably. Pity we’re neither.
We have done it for the EPL, and no one reads it. So we hope to get at least half of those people for the NRL tipping.
THE GURGLER’s NRL ROUND 20 PREVIEW TIPS
BRONCOS to beat Bulldogs
ROOSTERS to beat Knights
RABBITOHS to beat Sharks
PANTHERS To beat Titans
STORM to beat Raiders
COWBOYS to beat Warriors
SEA EAGLES to beat Tigers
EELS to beat Tigers
NRL ROUND 20 PREVIEW – GUEST TIPSTER – BEST RANKED WEBSITE
Club’s website ranking position in Australia in brackets
BRONCOS (8,038) to beat Bulldogs (31,994)
ROOSTERS (9,961) to beat Knights (29,974)
SHARKS (13,752) to beat Rabbitohs (18,136)
TITANS (13,363) to beat Panthers (36,549)
STORM (4,693) to beat Raiders (28,879)
COWBOYS (15,873) to beat Warriors (23,857)
DRAGONS (16,586) to beat Sea Eagles (17,562)
EELS (8,706) to beat Tigers (14,147)
NRL ROUND 20 PREVIEW – REGULAR GUEST TIPSTER – THE DOG
BRONCOS to beat Bulldogs
KNIGHTS to beat Roosters
RABBITOHS to beat Sharks
TITANS to beat Panthers
STORM to beat Raiders
WARRIORS to beat Cowboys
DRAGONS to beat Sea Eagles
EELS to beat Tigers
RESULTS SO FAR
Here’s a list of our results and the ridiculous things we’ve put our tips up against this year so far.
Best Worst Coaches – 88% – 7/8
R3 Ladder Improvement from 2016 – 75% – 6/8
Deadliest Mascot – 75% – 6/8
Scrabble – 63% – 5/8
Penalties Conceded 63% – 5/8
Twitter – 63% – 5/8
Number of Jerseys – 63% – 5/8
<strong>The Gurgler – 59% – 80 / 136 </strong>
Jersey Sponsor’s Annual Turnover – 4/7 – 57%
Selections by Postcode – 55% – 22/40
<strong>The Dog – 54% – 74 / 136</strong>
4 Rounds Form – 50% – 4/8
Errors – 50% – 4/8
Odds Change from Start of Season – 50% – 4/8
Leagues Club Turnover – 38% – 3/8
Selection by Mascot – 38% – 3/8
Most Interesting Fan – 38% – 3/8
Pack of Cards – 25% – 2/8
Best Chart Position of Club’s Fan -16% – 1/6
Origin Players from last 3 Years – 0% – 0/4
GURGLER NRL ROUND 20 SUPER MULTI
BRONCOS to beat Bulldogs
ROOSTERS to beat Knights
RABBITOHS +8.5 start v Sharks
PANTHERS – 5.5 start v Titans
STORM to beat Raiders
COWBOYS to beat Warriors
EELS to beat Tigers
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