The 2021 Village Cricket Season Starts
PRISTON,UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 2: An aerial view of cricket being played on the Priston Cricket Club field in the village of Priston, on May 2, 2021 in Somerset, England. The easing of COVID-19 restrictions has meant the gradual return of normality in some areas of life, including amateur sport, which was halted during the previous lockdowns. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
A former medium pacer has converted to off-spin during the off-season – and is loving it.
Peter has been bowling ‘military left-arm medium pacers’ for a decade at Morningside Magpies Queensland Sub-District cricket side (mainly B and C grade), but boredom forced a change.
“I definitely struggled last year with my bowling,” Peter said. “My job is to put the ball in good areas, dry up the runs, and frustrate the batters enough to throw their wickets away. But it was getting boring, so I decided to bowl faster, but I lost my accuracy and got slaughtered!”
The final straw came in the last game of the 2024/25 season, with Peter bowling 10 overs for 0/15.
“I bowled well, but there was no joy in it. The batters either left me outside off or milked the straight balls for singles. I never looked like getting a wicket.”
After the innings finished, a frustrated Peter went to the nets to try something different.
“I shortened my run up, kept the same action, and started bowling offies. After a few wide balls, I started to hit my length and got a bit of turn and bounce. It was the most excited I’ve felt about my bowling in ages!”
Peter debuted his new faster off-breaks in the second innings, taking 2-24 off nine overs.
“It was a little more expensive than the mediums, and about 10-15 kms slower, but I got one guy caught slip with a bit of turn, and another guy at mid-wicket trying to slog a fuller ball that bounced a bit more.”
Feeling revitalised, Peter spent the next few weeks spinning a cricket ball at home, trying to strengthen his fingers and get used to the off-spin grip.
“If I get that nice WHIRR sound, then I know I’m giving it a rip. Every YouTube video I’ve watched about spin bowling says that you have to try and spin the ball, otherwise you’re just a slow bowler.”
And that work has continued in Peter’s winter cricket team, where he’s taken 12 wickets in four games and used the matting pitches to get a lot of bounce.
“My captain’s given me the new ball a few times and I love the feel of the seam in my fingers and trying to spin it as hard as I can. I can’t wait to bowl these on turf again next summer!”
The Gurgler presents stories of the Park Cricketer, where we explore the lower reaches of the great game of cricket from the suburban ovals and rural grounds across Australia.
A long-time variety show host/comedian has revitalised his interview podcast.
Ardal Morgan has interviewed countless celebrities over 30 years on his various TV shows and his Ardal Makes Friends podcast. But he’s finally had enough.
The breaking point came when he interviewed veteran English theatre actor Sir Paul Lloyd Fourvel on the latest episode of his podcast.
“The old goat was droning on with the same handful of stories he’s told a million times. I was sitting there pretending to listen and thinking, I’m so bored! I don’t know if I can do this anymore!
“I took a week off from the pod and seriously considering chucking the whole thing in! We’ve been doing this since 2019, that’s a good run for a podcast, and the fans would move on eventually. I don’t want to interview celebrities anymore, but the production company insists the celebrity interviews keep going so they can plug whatever nonsense they’re doing now. Maybe it was a good time to wind it up?”
But one night browsing his old YouTube videos gave him the idea he needed to revitalise the podcast: a sketch where a nervous intern interviews an actor.
“I forgot how funny it was. The actor was in on the joke and was a good sport. And I remember coaching the intern to be as awkward and nervous as possible as it’d be funnier.”
After some planning with his long-term assistant Sarah and producer Michael, Ardal quickly put the new idea in place.
“The celebrities come in as normal, but this time one of my staff members interviews them. I’m still there, but only as an observer. The staff member asks all the questions and drives the conversation. I’ll only step if they need help,” said Ardal. “It’ll be a different staff member every week, and we’ll make sure everyone gets a turn.”
While the production company were reluctant to change the format, Ardal insisted that he would walk away if the new format (retitled Ardal’s Assistants Makes Friends) wasn’t approved.
“I agreed to keep the pre- and post-interview chats with Sarah and Michael, so if fans don’t like the new interviews, they can listen to the silly chats and save themselves 40 minutes. I’m looking forward to the chance of pace: now if the guests bore me, I don’t have to pretend to be interested. I can focus on the assistant interviewer instead.”
Faster than an Aston Martin, more expendable than either Alpine driver, with tricks that he’s hiding from the FIA, and with more hope of getting out of Q1 than certain drivers, it’s the F1 Donkey with his unique view on F1 and more. Before each race The F1 Donkey puts the ass in sass and unloads his alternative, slightly unhinged thoughts on F1 including this week’s Bold 2025 British Grand Prix Predictions and opinion.
The F1 Donkey’s Pre British Grand Prix Thoughts
One of the best races of the season is here – the British Grand Prix – and there’s only one thing wrong with it.
It’s not the track, as it is an old classic that’s super fast, can see overtaking and hasn’t been ruined by modernisation.
It’s not the weather, as it rains often, which is always great for watching races.
It’s not the timeslot either, as it is a standard European timeslot.
It’s the British media and the upcoming Lando-fest.
Not that he doesn’t deserve a bit of love at his home race, and deserves recognition for being bloody fast and a Championship contender. But it will be seriously over the top. Not as bad as any race where Danica Patrick is involved but close.
Then you can be sure we’ll see way more of Mr Norris than there needs to be. The smug-o-meter will be off the charts as the cameras constantly pick him up throughout the weekend. Parents at the race track are like referees in football games. Thank them for coming, give them a little bit of acknowledgement and move on. The sport is not here for them.
Nor the bunch of footballers who will no doubt hog the grid during gridwalk time.
Or the awful, awful celebritie
At least for Oscar Piastri it will be a quiet weekend, as he will be able to slip out of the McLaren motorhomes anonymously for most of the weekend. And we’ll know if Sky F1 really don’t like Oscar if they bring Jacques Villeneuve to comment. Villeneuve seems to particularly hate Australians. Which we presume is from his time being attached to Dannii Minogue, the Lance Stroll of Minogues. Understandable, as he’s hard to like, but to seemingly dislike all Australians seems harsh.
Maybe I’m a hypocrite moaning about Jacques Villeneuve when I’ve used the first half of this rant bagging Sky F1 and Mr Norris, in what looks on paper like anti British bias, but that’s not true. I love British drivers.
Not as much as French drivers like Alain Prost, Jacques Laffite, Olivier Panis, Victor Martins, and Rene Arnoux, but still I love British drivers all the same. There’s no Villeneuve agenda here.
Nigel Mansell was one of my favourites from back in the day, but not as good as Derek Warwick obviously. And who doesn’t love Martin Brundle. Well, only celebrities on the gridwalk who have no idea who he is. But I guess it’s more they don’t know him more than not liking him.
Talking of grid walks, here are the bold predictions as I wander down the field for this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
The NRL Donkey’s Bold 2025 British Grand Prix Predictions
And here they are, in a convenient team by team format, so you can ignore them all at your convenience or peril. Depending on the outcome of our prediction.
McLAREN
Lando-Mania. Double 4th for Piastri.
RED BULL
Yuki eliminated in Q1 after an early spin. Max Verstappen seen in Mercedes motorhomes.
MERCEDES
George Russell takes front row grid slot and secures a podium. Kimi to stay out of trouble, and be a little slower.
FERRARI
A Lewis Hamilton podium at last. Completing an all British driver podium which will require a very high pressure hose to clean off the Sky F1 team. Leclerc the red-headed step child for the weekend for a change.
WILLIAMS
Williams to disappoint after teasing in practice sessions. Again.
ALPINE
Colapinto to qualify and finish last. Pierre Gasly gets a mechanical fault out of sympathy. Flavio to start sharpening the knives.
RACING BULLS
Top eight qualifying for Isack Hadjar and points.
ASTON MARTIN
It’s so easy to pick Q1 exit for Lance Stroll, so I will. I also continue to pick a first lap exit, so I will again. More hard fought lower points for Alonso.
HAAS
Q3 for Oliver Bearman and the final point. Might even top a practice session for fun.
SAUBER
Wet qualifying heroics from Nico Hulkenberg who is fastest in Q1 before the track dries and slips down the order, but not out of Q3.
F1 2025 Season Stuff
We’ve worked hard getting ready for the 2025 F1 Season, and this is our best work below.
Been too distracted by the bomb cyclone or BOM? Maybe State of Origin is a distraction? Or been too busy booing your own team at half time? Do you need some last-minute NRL tipping advice? Or simply want something else to blame when the tips go wrong? Either way, saddle up for The Gurgler’s NRL Round 18 Ratings and Late Mail.
In a new additional to our stable of NRL stats and tipping products, we have used all the stats we have, smashed them against each other like atoms, and come up with a H2H rating.
It includes this year’s form with a bias because it is this year, but we don’t forget historic stats of the H2H against this week’s opponents, and the ground and day the teams are playing on.
We’ve also applied an adjustment for each team’s increase or decrease in win % over the Origin period.
Then slice up the scores out of 100% between the two sides. The bigger the percentage, the more likely to win.
2025 NRL Round 18 Ratings
Here are the H2H ratings and winners for the first of the Origin affected rounds.
Our ratings picked 7/8 last weekend with only Parramatta letting us and themselves down.
The Ratings also includes the team’s relevant Origin period form.
2025 NRL Round 18 Late Mail
FRI – BULLDOGS v BRISBANE (Olympic Stadium)
Stats are a bit all over the place here with Broncos have winning six of the last seven clashes v Bulldogs and they won the last game between these sides at ANZ Stadium in 2022, but lost the four games prior to that.
Bulldogs have lost their last two games at Accor Stadium to Qld teams but are 4/4 on a Friday this season. Broncos haven’t won away in Sydney since Round One this season.
It’s reasonably similar for the Origin player losses too, with arguably the team’s best attacking weapons out in Stephen Crichton and Reece Walsh, some forward grunt like Payne Haas and Max King, and centre power of Jacob Kiraz and Gehamat Shibasaki. Broncos also lose Patrick Carrigan too. It does mean man mountain Xavier Willison will get more minutes which is never a bad thing. But the Bulldogs equivalent in Kurt Mann is missing too. Some notable returns with Selwyn Cobbo getting a go at fullback and former try scoring machine Deine Mariner. The Broncos seemingly naming three hookers in the one team. If any of them were a Wests Tigers player they’d probably would have already left the club.
SAT – CANBERRA v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA
Canberra keep find in ways to win, which has been rewarded with top spot on the ladder, but that success has led to Queensland calling Josh Papali’i out of retirement to play Origin. He is being quoted as the new Allan Langer, which I presume is for the comeback not his halfback skills, although, he has proven to be a more than adequate goal kicker. Somehow Queensland have forgotten to select Corey Horsburgh again, but Qld’s potential loss is Canberra’s gain. What is a Canberra loss is their leading try scorer Hudson Young. Dragons lose Valentine Holmes and have a few more injuries to add to their list. But Tyrell Sloan returns on the wing, which is a boost.
Canberra are on a four game winning streak v Dragons plus at Canberra Stadium it’s also four in a row and it’s 14 of the last 16 matches there. Being Canberra, and likely cold, it’s no surprise that Dragons don’t like going there. One sneaky stats though, the Dragons have won the last two games on a Saturday at Canberra Stadium. Which goes hand in hand with the fact that Saturday is Canberra’s worst day this season. Although the Dragons can’t talk, they’ve won only two of their last ten games on a Saturday.
SAT – NORTH QUEENSLAND v MELBOURNE
North Queensland have won their last three home games v Melbourne, but they have been in either Origin period or late in the season primed for resting. Although, this game is in Origin period, so it does still apply. Talking of Origin, Melbourne are one of tow teams with a 100% win record during Origin period this season. Maybe the players enjoy less Craig Bellamy due to his Origin commitments, or they are scared of losing. Either way it’s working, unlike the Cowboys really. Sure, they beat the Gold Coast, but they are last, unlike Melbourne. But the Storm’s record away to Queensland sides recently is surprisingly underwhelming – W7 L6.
Cowboys will be missing four Origin players and Jake Clifford and Tom Duffy get the chance to be blamed for the loss. No Jason Taumalolo yet, which won’t help, but the Cowboys are jumping on the Shibasaki bandwagon by naming Jamal Shibasaki on an extended bench. John Bateman returning may help. Melbourne as per usual are missing stars, but they have their factory assembly line of NRL robots to take over where anyone left off. Tyran Wishart filling in at five eighth and Jonah Pezet returning via the number 14 position. They will not have Sualauvi Fa’alogo either after his unfortunate injury last round. Sad, the game needs more of him.
SUN – ROOSTERS v WESTS TIGERS
The Roosters are missing five players for Origin duty, but with their record against the Tigers at the best of times they could probably lose another five. That’s with the Tigers further depleted than usual with no Jarome Luai, and neither Tallyn Da Silva, who has done a Galvin to the Eels. That’s a bit unfair on TDS, as he never carried on near as much. The Roosters welcome back Egan Butcher and have named a bunch of players that we aren’t too sure of as we haven’t watched enough Roosters games, plus Mark Nawaqanitawase will move to centre and probably prove as hard to catch as his name is to pronounce. Sunia Turuva moves to fullback which seems like a much better idea than most others when their regular number one is out. Adam Doueihi at five eighth is not bad either. Maybe the Tigers won’t get flogged on paper.
On the form side, it’s horror reading for the Tigers. Their current six game losing streak is the best or worst ion the comp depending on which way you look at it. Plus their stats against the Roosters is terrible. Roosters have won eight straight v Wests Tigers and 18 of the last 19 games. Roosters have won 12 home games straight v Wests Tigers and lost only two of 18 overall at home v Wests Tigers. Roosters have also won ten straight on a Sunday v Wests Tigers. The Tigers are going to need an Origin miracle.
SUN – MANLY v SOUTH SYDNEY
An interesting, almost last chance saloon game for one if not two of these teams. Souths were the latest team to get thrashed by the Dolphins last weekend and that loss is harder to take as Cody Walker is out again after just one week back. His likely replacement Jayden Sullivan broke a leg, so Jack Wighton, who it must be said was enormous v Dolphins last weekend could be the saviour. They need him to be badly. Alex Johnston replaces Latrell Mitchell at fullback and is a good idea for the players they have left that are available, he might be having withdrawal symptoms after not scoring last weekend. He’s running out of time to beat that record this season, as the Rabbitohs looking less and less likely to be playing finals footy. A certain Brandon Smith has been named in jersey 22 and you would presume he will play.
Stats are interesting…. Souths have won eight of their last nine v Manly, and if you only count games in Australia it is eight wins in a row. Souths have won three of their last four games at Brookvale. But….Manly have won nine of the ten clashes with Souths on a Sunday anywhere. And then Souths have won one of their last eight games on a Sunday v anyone. Souths are winless during Origin and have lost five in a row. If the Tigers somehow win v Roosters, Souths will need to avoid losing not to share the season’s worst losing streak.
2025 NRL Round 17 Review + Round 18 Preview
Here’s the best of our wrap ups of last weekend and look forward to this weekend.
Time for a proper classic Grand Prix at a classic circuit, with a whole lot of classic Nigel Mansell level pre race hype. Talking of classic, our 2025 British F1 Grand Prix Prix-View will be admired by many now and bought in second hand record shops years from now.
The Gurgler’s 2025 British F1 Grand Prix Prix-View brings some thoughts on the track and race itself, a more than a few barely interesting stats.
Essentially a quick summary of what a casual F1 fan needs in the shortest possible time for your convenience.
And for F1 opinion, stand by for the F1 Donkey’s Bold Predictions and Opinion.
2025 British F1 Grand Prix Prix-view – Race Potential Rating
By Antoine266 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=97517203
The Gurgler does like to use some obscure drivers in our Race previews and report, so who better to use than Teo Fabi to determine a race rating system.
So before each race we give a rating out of ten for four key category that are loosely based on each letter of Teo Fabi’s surname. Don’t know who Teo Fabi is, you should.
FAST? 9 / 10 – It’s fast all right. A few slower corners designed to help overtaking don’t detract from the flowing masterpiece that is Silverstone. The Copse to Becketts section is among some of the best in F1. A proper F1 track despite the modernisation.
ACTION? 9 / 10 – It’s a track that usually provides either great racing, inclement weather or big moments.
BIG HISTORY? – 10 / 10 – Held Grands Prix in every decade of F1 including the first ever Grand Prix. Been exclusively at Silverstone since 1987 when Nigel Mansell was big.
INCLEMENT WEATHER? – 7 /10 – It’s England, so the chance of rain is high, from what we know of F1 in the UK and from Clarkson’s Farm. The Weather Channel says 39-42% chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday.
RACE POTENTIAL RATING 88% – It’s one of the marquee events of the season, which is always worth a follow. As long as the Sky F1 team don’t go too overboard on Lando Norris. Which they will.
2025 Austrian F1 Grand Prix Prix-view – Stats Summary
Want to know if your favourite driver for this weekend is a master of the track or the track is a master of them? Here then are some barely interesting facts and stats.
Stats include the Styrian GPs which doubled up due to Covid.
McLaren and Ferrari are on 13 wins a piece at Silverstone, the winner takes outright boss status.
Since 2000, second place on the grid has won as many races as Pole Position (nine each).
16th is the lowest grid slot for a podium at Silverstone since 2000.
Pole position has retired four times since 2000. Second place on the grid is DNF free.
Yuki Tsunoda has never made Q3 at Silverstone.
Lewis Hamilton has has 11 podiums in a row at Silverstone and last didn’t finish in the top three in 2013.
Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon and George Russell have DNFd from two of the last three British GPs.
Driver Stats – British Grand Prix
Team Stats – British Grand Prix
History Stats – British Grand Prix
99 = a DNF. Grid position 20 is overstated as that was also used for cars starting in pitlane. Results from 2000 unless otherwise stated.
F1 2025 Season Stuff
We’ve worked hard getting ready for the 2025 F1 Season, and this is our best work below. Read it before it become too/more irrelevant.
Here are The Gurgler’s 2025 Austrian Grand Prix Ratings – our way of rating the performances on the track without injuring our wrist or running up the back of our team mate’s car.
Our G-Power Rankings goes a little bit deeper than just points scored on the Sunday and has a slightly cooler name than most. We take on board Free Practice, Qualifying, performance in relation to teammate, fastest lap, and a few more stats that are attempting to highlight a driver outperforming the car and/or thrashing their teammate.
Normally we have a season long bunch of stats, but we’re saving that for the end of season review that will be way too long for anyone to want to read. Regardless, here is our shortened version for contractual obligations.
Here are the current overall standings for our Driver of the Year winner – the Martini Medal. Named in honour of one of F1’s most unsung heroes – Pierluigi Martini of Minardi fame.
We have the overall scores as they stand, plus a visual which shows the flow of each driver’s position throughout the season, plus a few points of interest below.
Here is the breakdown of the Driver of the Year points from the most recent race and the season so far. Remembering our ratings go across a whole weekend, so the race winner who may not have had a great qualifying or sprint race may not come out on top.
LATEST RACE RATINGS & DRIVER OF THE YEAR UPDATE
2025 Austrian Grand Prix Ratings – Teams
This is essentially using the same drivers stats but in reverse for the worst score, but taking out anything that is a H2H between the drivers.
And our annual award focuses on the other end of the grid, highlighting the worst team of the season.
Of course, the worst team of the season award needs to be named after the worst F1 team of all time. And if you want to fund out more about Andrea Moda, follow this link.
LATEST RACE & SEASON RATINGS
Here is the best of the stats from the 2025 F1 season so far. Which we admit isn’t much, but stay tuned throughout the year for more.
H2H
Here is the ultimate H2H comparison, with the overall qualifying and race measures, plus one that calculates all official sessions across the weekend.
QUALIFYING – DRIVERS
With qualifying becoming all important, here are some key stats from the season that is.
QUALIFYING – TEAM
And some Teams trends too.
FASTEST LAP
The most random of stat to follow, but good filler.
1ST LAP PROGRESS
FREE PRACTICE
Some say Free Practice is a giant waste of time, and they are probably right. Regardless here is the average position for each drivers in Free Practice this season. Each round an average of all the sessions.
2025 F1 Season Power Rankings – Points Explanation
Here’s how the points work this season. Essentially the perfect race (Win from Pole, Fastest Lap, thrash team mate, best in race etc) should amount to the perfect 100 points.
FIRST LAP GAINS +0.5pts per position gained -0.5pts per position lost.
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS – 25pts to 1pt as per World Championship – Sprint Race Points added.
BEAT TEAM MATE (RACE) – 10pts (if both finish or other driver got self inflicted DNF)
FASTEST LAP – 5pts – 1pt for top five drivers.
GRID POSITION TO RACE POSITION – formula +/- relative finish to grid
BEST OF THE REST (RACE) – 5pts to 1pt – top five non Mercedes-Red Bull drivers
QUALIFYING – 20pts to 1pt – Grid Position 1 to 20.
BEAT TEAM MATE (QUALIFYING) – 5pts
BEST OF THE REST (QUALIFYING) – 5pts to 1pt – top five non Mercedes-Red Bull drivers
GREAT/GRAPE – 5pts Great 2pts Honourable Mention -2Pts Dishonourable Mention -5Pts Grape
BEAT TEAM MATE (QUALIFYING) Time Gap – Formula for % beaten team mate by
BEAT TEAM MATE (QUALIFYING) Position – 0.5 Pts for every position team mate is beaten by. 0 points for second car.
FREE PRACTICE HERO – 10Pts to 1Pt – Average Position across all three practice sessions.
WIN FROM POLE – Bonus 5 Points
WIN FROM POLE WITH FASTEST LAP – Bonus 10 Points
DNF Not Driver or Team Fault Minus 2 Points
DNF CAUSED BY DRIVER/TEAM INCOMPETENCE Minus 5 Points
SPRINT RACE POINTS – Points 8 to 1 as handed out in the sprint race.
SPRINT RACE CHANGE – 0.5 Points per change in end position to starting position.
SPRINT RACE QUAL – Points 8 to 1 as handed out in the order of qualifying 1st to 8th.
Angrier than a room full of Fox League writers, more biased than your club’s most hated referee, and ducking for cover like a Melbourne Storm Assistant Coach, it’s time for the weekly Rugby League rant of The Gurgler’s NRL Donkey, who provides his NRL Donkey’s 2025 NRL Round 18 Expert Tips as well as offers an alternative, slightly unhinged view full of sass of the world of rugby league and beyond for another week.
The NRL Donkey’s 2025 NRL Round 18 Weekly Rant
So Origin III is upon us, and this massive inconvenience to the NRL season is nearly done and dusted, and call me a moaning donkey, not Eeyore, he’s all right, but I just can’t wait for it to be over.
Sure, I get into the game on the night, after putting on enough bets to tickle my interest, especially around standout performances from Kurt Capewell aka Captain Plod, who I have hammered constantly via this forum, but am smart enough to know that karma means he’ll do good and I need to get piece of that pie. I’m also hanging out to see historic performances like Wolfmother, Channel Nein and Ashley Klown, the latter providing top notch entertainment in conjunction with a game I made up. I have to open a new tallie of XXXX bitter with every penalty and ruck infringement and finish it before the next one, which leaves me wondering the next morning who won, by how many, and which states actually play in the State of Origin.
You may ask why XXXX Bitter, and that’s a very good question, because anytime is never the right time to drink XXXX Bitter, or to put it another way, never is the right time to always drink XXXX Bitter. But to answer my question on your behalf, if you are still listening that is, like referees, drinking games should involved punishment not enjoyment, so like swallowing any of Ashley Klown’s performances, the beer choice in my game should also be terrible. If they don’t pick referees on form why should I pick the beer on form.
But is Origin ruining everything all worth it for that two hour fix?
Never, if it means watching Channel Nein for a minute. I tried to watch the first State of Origin on Fox League delay, but playing the Klown-XXXX Tallie game meant I wasn’t legally able pull the cart around the farm the next morning. Didn’t stop me as there weren’t any police on the farm that I work in, but the hangover was too much to bear.
Although, world’s worst hangover is how I’d describe the Channel Nein call, where not even throwing up can cure it. So there you go.
Then, there’s way too much Billy Slater, especially after that blub fest last time. There’s probably also too much of the NSW coach, but it doesn’t feel as irritating.
There’s certainly too much of the Westpac ads. Which were better last year when Gus told the ad to shut up. If only he did that this year. To those ads, and himself.
I guess we’re sort-of lucky this year that the Lachlan Galvin saga and the accompanying sucking up from the media has covered over the impact of Origin a little.
But now the finale is set, and the teams picked we can look forward to a fantastic round on NRL with five games. From those ten teams playing there are 27 players ruled out. Hmmmm, almost at the point with just letting the NSW and Qld Cups have a crack instead. Well, they sort of are.
Again, is it really worth it. Why play this weekend at all? Except for maybe the Tigers, but they would probably need the Roosters supply every player to both states for them to break their winless run against them. At least the game isn’t on a Friday where the Tigers have lost as many games as young potential superstars.
But the 18th Man is a joke. If the NRL insist on having rubbish five game, origin player depleted, XXXX Gold weak rounds of NRL, then the 18th man has to come from a team not playing this weekend. It’s only fair.
But both state teams have picked key players for their clubs to sit on a seat rather than lighting up the NRL this weekend. Funnily enough, both comes from teams involved in what would be called a blockbuster on Friday night. I mean, Fox League will still call it a blockbuster, and Matt Nable will probably still do that voiceover thing, but they aren’t kidding anyone, or are only kidding themselves. And possibly a gullible segment of the population who only get their news through Twitter, formerly known as X.
Although Billy Slater is crafty enough to select Reece Walsh as 18th man, then do a big switcheroo an hour before kick off, moving the Hammer back into the centres and replacing Gehamat Shibasaki and costing us a great comeback story. It would be pure Billy/Channel Nein to do so.
Amazing looking at the Origin teams that the best centre pairing in Queensland had played a combined three games over the previous two seasons leading into the 2025 season. That doesn’t mean they don’t deserve their spots, they do, just amazing to think the best two centres in Queensland weren’t really playing NRL last season. Or the season before.
But watch the Origin I will, along with this weekend’s NRL dross. And you can be rest assured that I will be whingeing about it some more next week, and next year and the year after that until Origin is standalone, with Pacific Nations test series, Youth and Police Services games, kicking off the NRLW season a bit earlier and more in an annual festival of rugby league.
And more moaning with this week’s expert tips offerings.
The NRL Donkey’s 2025 NRL Round 18 Expert Tips
FRI – BULLDOGS v BRISBANE (Olympic Stadium)
Both teams affected by Origin and the 18th man, so I guess it sort of evens out. Shame not to see another blockbuster after last weekend. NRL at Origin time sucks. Hopefully Matt Burton can entertain the crowd with some enormous bombs. During and after the match.
Brisbane by 2
SAT – CANBERRA v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA
Fancy Canberra leading the comp. Wouldn’t Ricky be loving it. The Canberra fans will no doubt be rewarded for their loyalty with a solid zero degree temperature to watch them beat the Dragons.
Canberra by 20
SAT – NORTH QUEENSLAND v MELBOURNE
Lucky Cowboys get Melbourne in Origin mode. And seem to get the Storm in Origin mode or last round of the season so who cares mode. Good on them. Melbounre aren’t playing very well either, as you can tell by the Bellometer going through the roof. Once again, Fox League, Red Button, Bellamy coaching box. Make it happen. No excuses for losing for the Cowboys then.
Melbourne by 6
SUN – ROOSTERS v WESTS TIGERS
Wests Tigers record v Roosters is one of the worst in the competition. But the Roosters have a few out for Origin. Even then. Na, can’t see it.
Roosters by 24
SUN – MANLY v SOUTH SYDNEY
Excellent, a game between two sides bang out of form to end the week. Well Manly did win last weekend. Against the Tigers. Might go and see the F1 movie instead.
Round 18 of the NRL is here and the less said about it the better. Not talking of anything, our 2025 NRL Round 18 Tips Predictions & Stats Preview is here and covers all your tipping bases.
Each week this season we offer up a quick preview glance for each match, throw in a bunch of barely interesting stats, and mix in a pinch of opinion, some spicy tips and you have a rugby league soup with probably more flavour than one could ever need or want. It’s all you can eat NRL stats.
2025 NRL Round 18 Tips
Here are our tips for the week ahead. How did we get to here? By going through all the visuals and stats below.
BRISBANE by 2
CANBERRA by 12
MELBOURNE by 8
ROOSTERS by 36
MANLY by 8
Our famed barely interesting stats all in the one place for this week of fewer games.
FRI – BULLDOGS v BRISBANE (Olympic Stadium)
Going back to 2020, Broncos have won 6/7 clashes v Bulldogs.
Broncos won the last game between these sides at ANZ Stadium in 2022, but lost the four games prior to that.
Bulldogs have lost their last two games at Accor Stadium to Qld teams.
Bulldogs have won four of their last five at Accor Stadium on a Friday v all teams.
Bulldogs are 2/2 on a Friday this season.
Broncos have lost four away games in a row.
Broncos have lost their last three away games to Sydney clubs. One of them was at Suncorp Stadium.
SAT – CANBERRA v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA
Canberra are on a four game winning streak v Dragons.
At Canberra Stadium it’s also four in a row. Plus 14 of the last 16 matches there.
Although, the Dragons have won the last two games on a Saturday at Canberra Stadium.
Canberra lost their last home game on a Saturday when they blew a big half time lead.
Canberra’s Win % on a Saturday this season is 50%, by far their worst performed day.
Canberra have a 100% win rate during Origin period this season.
The Dragons have won just once in their last nine Saturday games.
SAT – NORTH QUEENSLAND v MELBOURNE
North Queensland have won their last three home games v Melbourne.
North Queensland’s home record on a Saturday this season is W3 D1 L3
Melbourne have a 100% win rate during Origin period this season.
Melbourne have won their last five games on a Saturday v Qld sides.
Melbourne’s record away to Queensland sides recently is surprisingly underwhelming – W7 L6.
SUN – ROOSTERS v WESTS TIGERS
Roosters have won eight straight v Wests Tigers and 18 of the last 19 games.
Roosters have won 12 home games straight v Wests Tigers and lost only two of 18 overall at home v Wests Tigers.
Roosters have also won ten straight on a Sunday v Wests Tigers. Lachlan Galvin was four the last time the Tigers beat Roosters on a Sunday.
Roosters have also won 12 of their last 13 v Sydney teams at home on a Sunday.
Wests Tigers are winless during Origin period this season.
Wests Tigers have lost six in a row, which is the season’s longest losing streak so far. But if they win and the Rabbitohs lose, at least it will be shared.
Wests Tigers are actually W2 L1 for away games on a Sunday this season.
SUN – MANLY v SOUTH SYDNEY
Souths have won eight of their last nine v Manly, and if you only count games in Australia it is eight wins in a row.
Souths have won three of their last four games at Brookvale.
But….Manly have won nine of the ten clashes with Souths on a Sunday anywhere.
Souths have won one of their last eight games on a Sunday v anyone.
Manly have lost their last two home games on a Sunday.
Souths are winless during Origin period this season.
2025 NRL Season Stats
The best of the stats from the season that has been.
We separate the rugby league Wheat/Chaff to present the 2025 NRL Round 17 Team of the Week & Player Stats.
First we have our Team of the Week, which takes some of the key player stats from the weekend and using various scoring methods come up with the best players in their positions from the latest round of the NRL.
Then there’s additional player stats from this weekend that was and the season that is.
2025 NRL Round 17 Team of the Week
We’ve used the stats for each position and picked the best starting 13 players from the most recent round, the stats and points assigned are explained at the end.
On top of the best starting 13, we also include the best four interchange players of the week. Seeing who has provided maximum impact from the bench.
2025 NRL Round 17 Player Stats Summary
Want to see which players topped the key stats for the latest round of the NRL this weekend?
2025 NRL Team of the Season….So Far
Here’s our stats rolled up into the team of the season so far.
Want more NRL information than just the draw, results or the current ladder? Then you are in the right place and the right time with the home of the right NRL Stats and Stuff via our 2025 NRL Round 17 Results Stats Summary for the weekend that was.
Each week we compile and keep up to date a wide range of stats from the latest weekend of NRL action plus the best 2025 NRL Season Stats to help you to the top of the tipping competition, land a few responsible winners or even make your Supercoach team better. And now with a match by match summary full of all the stats you need and/or want.
It’s all stats, and never Slats. Never.
2025 NRL Round 17 Results and Match Summaries
Want or need a quick summary of every game from last weekend? Well here they all are in all their summary glory.
Thursday, 7:50pm
Penrith 8 Bulldogs 6
Friday, 6:00 pm
Manly Warringah 28 Wests Tigers 10
Friday, 8:00 pm
Newcastle 18 Canberra 22
Saturday, 3:00 pm
Brisbane 26 Warriors 12
Saturday, 5:30 pm
St George Illawarra 34 Parramatta 20
Saturday, 7:50 pm
Dolphins 50 South Sydney 28
Sunday, 2:00 pm
Melbourne 30 Cronulla 6
Sunday, 4:05 pm
Gold Coast 24 North Queensland 30
2025 NRL Round 17 Stats of the Week
Need some barely interesting stats to round up your weekend NRL experience? Here’s the choicest cuts of data from the weekend that was.
PEN v BUL – Penrith have won eight straight v Bulldogs.
PEN v BUL – It was a first win for either side on a Thursday this season. Penrith 1-3 and Bulldogs 0-3.
MAN v WTI – Wests Tigers have lost 13 games in a row on a Friday.
MAN v WTI – It’s also ten losses in a row away on a Friday for the Wests Tigers with a last win in July 2019.
NEW v CAN – Canberra have won seven straight games away from home.
NEW v CAN – Newcastle have lost five straight games on a Friday.
BRI v WAHS – Broncos have won six in a row at home on a Saturday v non-Sydney teams.
BRI v WAHS – The Warriors loss broke good runs of form away from and against Qld sides this season.
STI v PAR – It was just the Dragons second win in ten Saturday games. Parramatta have now lost five in a row on a Saturday.
STI v PAR – the win for the Dragons broke a run of losses v Eels.
DOL v SOU – The Dolphins are averaging 46 points per game during this season’s Origin period. Next best is Melbourne on 30.
DOL v SOU – The three Dolphins home games v Souths since they joined the comp average 64 points per game.
MEL v CRO – Melbourne have won all five home games this season v Sydney teams.
GCT v NQL – Gold Coast have lost all three games v Queensland teams this season.
2025 NRL Round 17 Stats Hit
Here’s a quick hit of some interesting stats inspired by this weekend’s games.
This week it is about when team’s score their tries by ten minute blocks with the overall result to see if there is a magic time to score and win.
It did point out that Newcastle have yet to score this season between minutes 31 and 40.
It also points out that if the Bulldogs score in the first 30 minutes they win.
2025 NRL Season Stats Summary
Do you need NRL 2025 Season stats, or just want 2025 NRL Season stats?
Either way, here’s more than you could probably ever need, or want.
