The Queensland Cup aka Intrust Super Cup has reached the finals, and if the first two games are any guide we are in for a premium finals series.
First up was the Jets who ended the Northern Pride’s season with a 54 – 26 win, but it wasn’t all one way traffic and the Pride had their chance in the second half. Some late Ipswich magic bloated the score line.
Nothing But League have the full report here. So read it now.
Next up just over an hour after the first kick off was the local derby between the Tigers and Wynnum Manly. Easts took their revenge for two in season losses and saw the great rivals off with a 32-24 win. It looked a lot more comfortable early with a big lead, but Wynnum fought back as they can do and it was a tense finish.
Nothing But League were there, and Matt Crowhurst has the full details. Read all about that here.
That leaves us with Ipswich v Easts this Sunday on Channel 9 at 1:30pm, and if it repeats the last meeting between the sides at Tapout Energy Stadium, it shouldn’t be missed.
What also shouldn’t be missed but they are trying hard to is the major semi final between the Townsville Blackhawks and Gurgler favourite PNG Hunters. This game is on at 5pm this Saturday, and will have to battle it out for interest against the NRL finals. Anyone choosing the Qld Cup over the NRL on Saturday night will be reward many times over.
The winner of this game goes straight to the Grand Final. The loser plays either Ipswich or Easts.
Wondering what to do in the post footy season down time? Well, there’s always the A League. Seriously now, you will need something to do with your time, and if you’re not into European Football aka Soccer, and/or dread the prospect of having to sit through the summer of cricket, then The Gurgler has what you need.
We’ve assembled all our in house experts to provide you – the sports fanatic – with week long camps starting in late October. Essentially like Boy Scouts you will learn all the necessary skills you require to be the ultimate sports fan and enthusiast.
Spaces are limited so email us at gurglerultimatesportscamp@thegurgler.com
The Gurgler’s Post Footy Season Ultimate Sports Scout Camp Schedule
MONDAY Morning Session
Introduction and Q and A Session with all of the team.
MONDAY LUNCH
Guest Speaker will be BILLY J SMITH
MONDAY Afternoon Session
The Happy Jack merit badge.
Spectator Survival Skills w Kaaps Loche. Learn the best ways to smuggle alcohol into Test Match Cricket, learn the nearest drinking locations to all major sporting grounds, learn the pre and post game pub crawl details, and a special treat for the first session we have a hook up with an EPL club supporters group to teach you the art of proper chants. Aussie Aussie Aussie will no longer be acceptable. As if it ever was.
MONDAY Night Session
Settle in for the Clive James narrated 1982 FIA Review of the F1 Season.
TUESDAY Morning Session
The Insert Betting Sponsor Here merit badge.
Sports Betting Masterclass w Max Layne. Learn all the different betting types, compare the betting companies, and we even have the exclusive Betting Simulator for you to play with.
TUESDAY Lunch
Guest Speaker will be Tony Longhurst
TUESDAY Afternoon Session
The Parker-Gallen merit badge
Supercoach and Fantasy League Skills with Matt Finish. Matt takes you through the do’s and do not do’s of all Fantasy Team competition, with a particular focus on NRL Supercoach.
TUESDAY Night Session
All Five Rocky Movies back to back
WEDNESDAY Morning Session
The Rupert McCall merit badge
Sports Poetry w Patrick Heisenburg. Unleash your inner Rupert with a morning ideas shower/blue sky session of sports poetry. The session will end with a sports poetry smackdown where the winner will tickets to an A League of their choice.
WEDNESDAY Lunch
Guest Speaker will be Warwick Capper
WEDNESDAY Afternoon Session
The Smedleys merit badge
Improve Your Short Game with Rodger Davis. Former star golf professional and fashion icon Rodger Davis gives you all his expertise on our 39 hole pitch and putt course. You’ll be securing up and downs like the pros after this afternoon of golfing royalty.
WEDNESDAY Night Session
The Full 2003 Cricket World Cup Review DVD
THURSDAY Morning Session
The Yeovil Town merit badge
Know your lower football divisions with Theydon Bois.
Our resident Football expert Theydon takes you on a journey through English football avoiding the big lights of the EPL. You’ll soon know all the nicknames, rivalries and ground names, and will no doubt impress all of your work colleagues and friends on your arrival home after this intense four hour session.
THURSDAY Lunch
Guest Speaker will be Charlie Yankos
THURSDAY Afternoon Session
The Dale Shearer merit badge.
The Art of the Kicking Duel with Dr Sportz
You will all attempt to recreate one of the finest moments in Origin history as the good doctor takes you all on a on the field learning session about the lost art of the kicking duel. We round it off with a game of force ’em backs.
THURSDAY Night Session
Mandatory 3 Hour Sporting YouTube session.
FRIDAY Morning
The Shute Shield Merit badge
Avoiding Rugby Union with all of our staff
Our staff will attempt to throw you with any rugby union knowledge or anecdote, anyone with the ability to answer will be thrown out before graduation.
THE REST OF FRIDAY Morning Session
The EA Sports merit badge
Open Sports Gaming Session with Perry Thrust
A heptathlon of sporting games awaits including latest games like F1 2015, and Football Manager to Shane Warne International Cricket and Summer Games on Commodore 64.
FRIDAY Lunch
Guest Speaker will be Leroy Loggins, Phil “The General” Smyth and Larry Sengstock with Brian Kerle.
FRIDAY Afternoon Session
The Sports Nerd Test
Undertake the How Big A Sports Nerd Are You? test.
Your credentials as a ports fan and nerd will be put to the test in this exam.
FRIDAY Night
GRADUATION EVENT
You’ve earned a night of the finest alcohol and music as we hold our Graduation ceremony at the German Club in Wooloongabba.
It’s here and exciting, the Intrust Super Cup finals. Queensland Rugby League’s top competition gets a jump on the NRL and start their finals series this weekend.
With only a top 6 and four weeks to decide a winner, this week is all about teams 3 to 6 where two will progress and two will be waving goodbye to 2015.
The two games couldn’t look any different on paper. Easts v Wynnum is separated by a few kilometres, and is a fierce local rivalry that will no doubt result in a tough physical battle that will be decided by very little. The other game – Ipswich v Northern Pride – sees two teams separated by a couple of thousand kilometres and with more attack on their mind. The Pride have their weapon in Linc Port amongst others, and Ipswich have Marmin Barba as their highlight and try scoring guru amongst their extremely talented backline.
The Ipswich v Northern Pride game should be on TV, and hopefully Wynnum v Easts will be on live stream for all to enjoy.
Whilst the big boys take a rest for International break, the lower divisions get their time to shine, and we get another chance to win some street money with our super multis.
We also have a full preview of the League One and League Two weekends coming up out very soon, including a timely and about-time catch up with the Non League National League Premier. Stay tuned….
One funny part of the League One and Two weekends is the Soccer Saturday pundits scratching for knowledge and enthusiasm about the lower divisions.
We know lower division football and are going to back that up with hopefully some winning multis. Not guaranteed.
LEAGUE ONE MULTI
$1 for $61
DRAW – Walsall v Bury
GILLINGHAM to beat Doncaster
SWINDON TOWN to beat Crewe
SCUNTHORPE to beat Blackpool
BARNSLEY to beat Shrewsbury
LEAGUE TWO MULTI
$1 for $37
CARLISLE to beat Barnet
NORTHAMPTON to beat Dagenham & Redbridge
DRAW – Newport v York
PORTSMOUTH to beat Accrington Stanley
WYCOMBE to beat Hartlepool
NATIONAL LEAGUE PREMIER
$1 for $97
GATESHEAD to beat Bromley
TORQUAY to beat Guiseley
ALDERSHOT to beat Halifax
BRAINTREE to beat Kidderminster
UNDER 2.5 GOALS – Chester / Forest Green
So this is it. The final week of the NRL’s regular season, and for workplace tipping comps and Supercoach Grand Finals it is a very important week. For the rest of the competition this week is almost a bit of a non-event with really only fourth and eighth up for grabs. And fourth most likely get the honour of playing the Roosters first. If Manly can turnaround the form and sneak home in eighth the last team in the top 8 have won less games than they lost. An argument against a top 8.
So here’s our last round up of the year including the last super multi of the season for the NRL.
There’s also the Intrust Super Cup finals coming up this weekend so stay tuned for our preview.
THURSDAY 7:45pm – BRONCOS v STORM
With news of Ben Hunt not playing the Storm are firming for this clash of two of Sydney’s most hated teams. Broncos turned on the style against Souths and destroyed them giving everyone in the comp plenty to think about. Melbourne did what they do best, choke the life out of the opposition, this time it was the Cowboys. Melbourne can still finish fourth, whilst Brisbane can’t sink lower than second and first is unlikely given how busted arse Souths are at the moment – the Roosters opponents. Who knows who else will be missing by kick off. GURGLER MULTI TIP: MELBOURNE +4.5 start
FRIDAY 7:45pm – ROOSTERS v RABBITOHS
Only one winner here, and although this game looked a blue ribbon event a while ago, it looks a mere formality for the Roosters to grab the minor premiership. It’s not just last weekend, as a fan I’ve seen all of the Rabbitohs games and they’ve been below par for a most of the second half of the season and not much better before. Seventh is an appropriate result for their season. Equally deserving is the Roosters first place which thy are likely to get this weekend. GURGLER MULTI TIP: ROOSTERS -9.5 start
SATURDAY 3:00pm – PANTHERS v KNIGHTS
Giving the punters what they need for the last week of the year – a head to head battle for last. It is a little hard on these two sides that they are the only two in line for the spoon, as any of the bottom six could have claims of deserving the title. Ultimately one of this teams will win the spoon despite all the injuries, off field dramas and other interruptions, unless there is a draw after 90 minutes of football. Given some of mediocrity shown this year don’t rule it out. GURGLER MULTI TIP: TOTAL POINTS SCORED +44.5 points
SATURDAY 5:30pm – DRAGONS v TIGERS
The Robbie Farah saga continues, and with even Alan Jones chiming in with his tuppence, it is one of the biggest NRL stories behind the Hayne Plane NFL gear. The Tigers will hope getting rid of Farah works, as they are running out of people to sack. A shame with the exciting bunch of youngsters at their disposal. Dragons meanwhile need to win or avoid a huge defeat to finish eighth. Maybe one of the most mediocre sides to do so for a while. GURGLER MULTI TIP: TIGERS +8.5 start
SATURDAY 7:30pm – COWBOYS v TITANS
A game with next to no meaning, and an opportunity for the Cowboys to get some form under their belt so they can blame the referees and not their poor form when they get knocked out of the finals. Happily for the Cowboys they are guaranteed a home finals this time which should make the “50-50 calls at best” less likely. Gold Coast meanwhile saw Dave Taylor play one of his best game of his Titans career. As that kind of fomr is limited to once or twice a year, it’s hard to see the Gold Coast doing that again, go with the Cowboys. GURGLER MULTI TIP: JAKE GRANVILLE to score anytime
SUNDAY 2:00pm – PARRADRADRA v CANBERRA
The Eels are quite deserving of playing for last this weekend, which puts the try scoring feats of Gurgler and Rugby League World’s favourite Semi Radradra into perspective. And he missed several weeks during the year. Canberra haven’t been too bad really, and a few less contentious calls and no Ricky Stuart would have seen them make the finals. But it’s all about Radradra. It’s even fun to type as well as say, and hear Warren Smith call. GURGLER MULTI TIP: SEMI RADRADRA to score anytime
SUNDAY 4:00pm – SHARKS v MANLY
Sunday afternoon in it’s usual location, some Sydney suburban ground so Rabs doesn’t have to fly anywhere. But granted Channel 9 picked the right games this weekend, as none of the other games have as much riding on them. The Sharks can finish an unlikely 4th and Manly an unlikely 8th given their lowly position earlier in the year. Hard to pick. GURGLER MULTI TIP: MANLY to win
SUNDAY 6:30pm – BULLDOGS v NZ
NZ’s end of season slide since losing Shaun Johnson has been well worthy of last place, if there were an extra week of the season they probably would have. Bulldogs were pushed to the wire last weekend, but their boost in form has seen many a punter wager some of the hard earned on the Dogs.
GURGLER MULTI TIP: NZ +24.5 start GURGLER MULTI TIP TOTAL: $1 for $129
Don’t you just love a parade of semi-meaningful qualification games intewrupting your usual servings of UK and European Football.
Of course you do. And why not with Blockbusters like Australia v Bangladesh, Iran v Guam, Ireland v Gibraltar and El Salvador v Curacao on offer over the next few days.
Here for you street money consideration is our selections of a super multi and roughie multi. Both as folowable as the games themselves.
Enjoy and please accept.
SUPER INTERNATIONAL MULTI
KUWAIT to beat Myanmar
AUSTRALIA to beat Bangladesh
JAPAN to beat Cambodia
SOUTH KOREA to beat Laos
UZBEKISTAN to beat Yemen
IRAN to beat Guam
UAE to beat Malaysia
QATAR to rig a world cup and beat Bhutan
SAUDI ARABIA to beat East Timor
EL SALVADOR to beat Curacao
JAMAICA to beat Nicaragua
CROATIA to beat Azerbaijan
WALES to beat Cyprus
CZECH REP to beat Kazakhstan
HOLLAND to beat Iceland
ITALY to beat Malta
TURKEY to beat Latvia
DENMARK to beat Albania
NORTHERN IRELAND to beat Faroe Islands
REP IRELAND to beat Gibraltar
AUSTRIA to beat Moldova
SPAIN to beat Slovakia
SERBIA to Armenia
ENGLAND to lead at HT and FT.
$1 pays $74 if you can be arsed following all those games.
ROUGH MULTI
DRAW or BOSNIA v Belgium
DRAW – Georgia v Scotland
SLOVENIA to beat Switzerland
NORWAY to beat Bulgaria
With the last round of the Intrust Super Cup run and won, we offer the final review of the regular season courtesy as ever from our friends at Nothing But League.
Those very few regulars here at The Gurgler would know we love a multi, and you could have loved a multi if you followed our Qld Cup Super Multi last weekend. Don’t believe us? We don’t blame you, but it’s true. See?
Stay tuned for more on the upcoming finals series.
Welcome to the Own Goal – the Gurgler’s UK Football Weekly. Another does of tedious news snippets, perceived highlights and rarely successful mutli tips. But you wouldn’t have it any other way. That’s why you’re here.
It’s the last week of EPL action before the internaional break, and some of the talk is around the Champions League draw, and how hard Manchester City’s draw is again. Although with their ambitions to win the tournament some day, it should be seen as an opportunity.
Chelsea and Man Utd got comparitively easier draws, and Arsenal get the chance of avoiding Bayern knocking them out of the tournament by playing them in the first round.
With the transfer window still open, all the other talk is about the potential players coming in, and how many millions can be spent on draining the other european leagues of their talent.
Chelsea looking to sepnd plenty on Man Utd reject Paul Pogba, and Man City bringing Chelsea reject Kevin de Bruyne in for a second EPL chance.
HIGHLIGHTS
EVERTON v SPURS looks the closest game on paper, Spurs fans are waiting for something to kick into gear.
CHELSEA v CRYSTAL PALACE appears an easy Chelsea win, but with Crystal Palace deadly away from home last year under Alan Pardew, and Chelsea’s early season form this could get quite interesting.
EPL MULTI
$1 for $37
DRAW – Spurs v Everton
MAN CITY to beat Watford
LIVERPOOL to beat West Ham
ARSENAL to beat Newcastle
SUNDERLAND to beat Aston Villa
And so onto the other 72 Football League Teams…
Here’s the official preview of the Football League weekend we’ve already written and supplied to the Roar. Australia’s best fans sport site. Why not catch up here now.
There’s also the review of last weekend’s action worth keeping an eye on, also posted at the Roar. Read more here.
But fear not, our Multis are here as always, get that street money ready now.
CHAMPIONSHIP MULTI
$1 for $74
UNDER 2.5 GOALS – Blackburn v Bolton
DRAW – Derby v Leeds
BRENTFORD to beat Reading
BRISTOL CITY to beat Burnley
IPSWICH to beat Brighton
LEAGUE ONE MULTI
$1 for $22
WALSALL to beat Blackpool
SWINDON to beat Sheffield Utd
DONCASTER to beat Fleetwood
BRADFORD to beat Port Vale
LEAGUE TWO MULTI
$1 for $10
PLYMOUTH to beat Newport
WYCOMBE to beat Crawley
OXFORD to beat Yeovil
HARTLEPOOL to beat Carlisle
Welcome to the Gurgler’s European Football Weekly. A bit slack we know, as all of the major season in Spain’s La Liga, Serie A in Italy, Bundesliga in Germany and Ligue 1 in France are well and truly underway. But we’ll abide in the better late than never, so take that.
Like our UK football Weekly we’ll give them briefest of information on the top European leagues, enough for you to be able to pass yourself off as sporting trendy at any social engagement and stroke your imaginery goatee as you discuss which of the Milan clubs you like best. Anyone more serious more serious than that has gone elswhere to begin with. And who could blame them with the preview we have below.
LA LIGA – SPAIN
What happening?
5 teams all won their first game, Barcelona was one, Real Madrid was not. The title can now be delcared officially over. Maybe not yet, but any advantage that either of these giant clubs get early is gold.
8 teams drew in week 1 with 4 x 0-0 draws giving the punters what they really want. Ties? You bet.
Who’s new?
Las Palmas are the most interesting addition as they are from the Canary Islands. Sporting Gijon are back for the first time since 2012, and Real Betis rebound straight away and now there’s a Seville derby to be had.
This Week’s Highlight?
SEVILLA v ATLETICO MADRID
BUNDESLIGA – GERMANY
What happening?
The BayernMunichLiga aka the Bundesliga has been up and running for 2 weeks now, and there would be no surprise that the title holders are top again. But they have company in the shape of Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund on 2 wins from 2. Dortmund getting off to a much better start than last year when they looked busted arse and in the bottom three. This may provide opposition to Bayern which can only be a good thing.
Who’s new?
Darmstadt return after 33 years out of the top flight, and the big story is Ingolstadt who have climbed from Bavarian regional leagues recently to the big time.
This Week’s Highlight?
BAYERN MUNICH v BAYER LEVERKUSEN
WOLFSBURG V SCHALKE
SERIE A – ITALY
What’s happening?
Just one game has been played and just the one draw from Round 1. So not too much to report on yet.
Although there’s soon to be plenty to report on as Mario Balotelli returns home to unite with AC Milan, and despite clauses written into his loan contract people will be waiting for the next edition of the naughty Mario.
Who’s new?
Bologna return to Serie A, but are the least interesting story of the newcomers. Carpi and Frosinone Calcio arrive in the Serie A for the first time. and both have interesting stories, which are best described as ever by Wikipedia.
What’s happening?
3 games in and moneybags PSG top the league with 3 wins. No surprise given their spending ways. Other teams’ only chance is PSG getting distracted by Champions League.
Although those teams able to challenge are continually picked off for the talents by the cash rich clubs in England and Spain, and a cycle of never-ending PSG wins continues.
Who’s new?
Troyes return after 5 years, Angers after 23 years, and there’s new comers GFCO Ajaccio from the island of Corsica. Ignorance of lower division French football explains why I didn’t know there were two teams in Ajaccio. Now you know too.
This Week’s Highlight?
MONACO v PSG
THE GURGLER EURO SUPER MULTI
$1 pays $84
BORUSSIA DORTMUND to beat (Hertha Berlin)
OVER 2.5 GOALS – B Munich v B Leverkusen
REAL MADRID to beat Real Betis
REAL SOCIEDAD to beat Sporting Gijon
BARCELONA to beat Malaga
VALENCIA to beat Deportivo
SEVILLA/DRAW v At Madrid
DRAW – Roma v Juventus
DRAW – Monaco v PSG
