Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
Arnold
Paladin
Craig HillNRL News Round 3 Tips
March 28th 2008 02:55
Well, wasn’t there some upsets last weekend – and I don’t think that will be the last time I say that this season!
I will try to redeem myself this week after selecting a paltry two correct tips in Round 2, although each match this weekend is another toss of the coin job. Please check back here later tonight for full match summaries of both the Broncos v Cowboys and Eels v Knights matches, whilst be sure to visit here tomorrow night for my match report of the Titans v Sharks match from Skilled Park.
For the remaining NRL fans, I will still be covering the other weekend matches, however due to time constraints; I will be only posting match reports for one Sunday match, as well as the Monday Night Football game. I will be providing short match summaries for the other three matches though, as well as complete results and NRL Table updates.
Fans of the new Toyota Under 20 competition should check back each weekend, as I will be providing complete match reports on select games each round.
Remember, it’s not too late to enter the NRL News Footy Tipping competition, with the first prize being a 2008 NRL jersey of the team of their choice. We have joint leaders after two Rounds of tipping, with both PMell and Yugogirl both tied on 10 points. But do not despair, as there are five tipsters sitting in equal second spot, and eight further entrants tied for third on 8 points.
Just follow the link below, and register.
Oz Tips
Comp Name - 2008 NRL News Footy Tipping (comp number -131369)
Password – nrlnews
So that leads us into my Round 3 tips –
Eels vs Knights
The Eels have struggled with ball control so far this season, and they will need to rectify this if they hope to beat an undefeated Knights side. Parramatta will be boosted by the return of the inspirational Nathan Hindmarsh and talented Tim Smith, and look to have too many attacking options for the visiting Knights team.
Look to the Eels secure just their second victory for 2008 in front of their hostile home crowd this Friday night.
Eels by 10
Broncos vs Cowboys
This local derby always produces high quality contests, with the dispirited Cowboys still looking for their first victory of 2008. The Cowboys have uncharacteristically produced below par second half displays in both of their losses thus far, and will need to dig deep tonight if they hope to toss the table topping Broncos.
Brisbane’s Peter Wallace and PJ Marsh have taken the attacking emphasis off skipper Darren Lockyer, and the Broncos of ’08 appear a lot more lethal given the new signings.
I am tipping the Broncos to make it three from three at Suncorp Stadium this Friday, with the expertise of Lockyer, Wallace, Hodges and Marsh slightly more dangerous then the Thurston-Bowen combination.
Broncos by 8
Roosters vs Storm
The Roosters face yet another tough test this week, with the new look Bondi based club set to face off against a battered Melbourne outfit. The Storm will be keen to bounce back after an uncharacteristic Olympic Park loss, and may well be boosted by the late inclusion of fiery backrower, Michael Crocker.
Sydney have started the season in reasonable form, but just lacked that killer punch after having the Broncos on the ropes last Friday night, which is why I am sticking with the Storm in a tight, brutal contest.
Storm by 6
Titans vs Sharks
After blitzing the Cowboys at home in Round 1, the NRL new boys came shuddering back to earth in the wet against the Dragons on Monday night. It was a mistake riddled performance by a flat Gold Coast team, but the titans are always tough to toss on their home surface.
There are no such worries for the giant killing Sharks, with victories over both of last years grand finalists signalling a renewed confidence in the Sutherland Shire. Coach Ricky Stuart has his team firing on all cylinders, but they have lost the suspended Ben Ross and the injured Brett Seymour for this away trip.
I am tipping the Titans to bounce back to form in front of their vocal home crowd, as I feel that the Sharks may be a bit jaded after their fantastic start to the season.
Titans by 6
Raiders vs Dragons
Canberra recorded a morale boosting victory over the Panthers on the road last week, and will welcome the return to their dreaded home fortress. The Raiders do have a few injuries this week though, with William Zillman, Scott Logan and Neville Costigan all unavailable, while there is still a fitness cloud hanging over livewire hooker, Lincoln Withers.
There are no such worries for Dragons coach Nathan Brown however, with his young charges producing a spirited effort to smash the Titans last Monday night.
Although the Raiders have an imposing record on their home turf, I am going to tip the Dragons to record back-to-back victories on the basis of a more experienced line-up.
Dragons by 8
Panthers vs Rabbitohs
Both these teams will be desperate to break their duck for season ’08, with the Rabbitohs still reeling from the lengthy injury layoff to star recruit Craig Wing. The Panthers had ample opportunities to snatch victory against an injury plagued Raiders last weekend, with ill-discipline and poor attacking options cruelling their chances.
I am tipping the Rabbitohs to break through for their first victory of the season in another low scoring contest, with the Bunnies possessing a much better defensive unit.
Souths by 6
Bulldogs vs Tigers
The Tigers have an imposing recent record over the Bulldogs, winning six of their last ten encounters. Wests are sitting pretty in second position after emphatic victories over the Dragons and Cowboys, while conversely the Bulldogs have struggled, mixing a dramatic loss to the Eels with a come form behind victory over Souths.
I am going to stick with the Tigers in what should be a fiery encounter, on the basis of the joint ventures superior early season form.
Tigers by 8
Sea-Eagles vs Warriors
Manly will be desperate to chalk up their first victory after a disappointing start to season ’08, but will find it tough against a rejuvenated Warriors outfit. Despite missing the influential Steve Price and Wade McKinnon, the Warriors have shown high renewed levels of self belief so far this season, and will like their chances against an out of form Manly outfit. Look for enigmatic Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei to be continuously bombarded with high balls.
I am going to stick with the home team in this one, but once again, there will be nothing in it.
Sea-Eagles by 2
**And in late news, Brisbane’s Karmichael Hunt has been ruled out of tonight’s local derby due to a troublesome quad injury, with Darius Boyd switching to fullback, and Denan Kemp covering housemates Boyd’s wing position.
Souths fans will happy to hear that giant outside back Fetuli Talanoa has re-signed with the Rabbitohs until the end of the 2010 season.
Cheers,
StephenP
I will try to redeem myself this week after selecting a paltry two correct tips in Round 2, although each match this weekend is another toss of the coin job. Please check back here later tonight for full match summaries of both the Broncos v Cowboys and Eels v Knights matches, whilst be sure to visit here tomorrow night for my match report of the Titans v Sharks match from Skilled Park.
For the remaining NRL fans, I will still be covering the other weekend matches, however due to time constraints; I will be only posting match reports for one Sunday match, as well as the Monday Night Football game. I will be providing short match summaries for the other three matches though, as well as complete results and NRL Table updates.
Fans of the new Toyota Under 20 competition should check back each weekend, as I will be providing complete match reports on select games each round.
Remember, it’s not too late to enter the NRL News Footy Tipping competition, with the first prize being a 2008 NRL jersey of the team of their choice. We have joint leaders after two Rounds of tipping, with both PMell and Yugogirl both tied on 10 points. But do not despair, as there are five tipsters sitting in equal second spot, and eight further entrants tied for third on 8 points.
Just follow the link below, and register.
Oz Tips
Comp Name - 2008 NRL News Footy Tipping (comp number -131369)
Password – nrlnews
So that leads us into my Round 3 tips –
Eels vs Knights
The Eels have struggled with ball control so far this season, and they will need to rectify this if they hope to beat an undefeated Knights side. Parramatta will be boosted by the return of the inspirational Nathan Hindmarsh and talented Tim Smith, and look to have too many attacking options for the visiting Knights team.
Look to the Eels secure just their second victory for 2008 in front of their hostile home crowd this Friday night.
Eels by 10
Broncos vs Cowboys
This local derby always produces high quality contests, with the dispirited Cowboys still looking for their first victory of 2008. The Cowboys have uncharacteristically produced below par second half displays in both of their losses thus far, and will need to dig deep tonight if they hope to toss the table topping Broncos.
Brisbane’s Peter Wallace and PJ Marsh have taken the attacking emphasis off skipper Darren Lockyer, and the Broncos of ’08 appear a lot more lethal given the new signings.
I am tipping the Broncos to make it three from three at Suncorp Stadium this Friday, with the expertise of Lockyer, Wallace, Hodges and Marsh slightly more dangerous then the Thurston-Bowen combination.
Broncos by 8
Roosters vs Storm
The Roosters face yet another tough test this week, with the new look Bondi based club set to face off against a battered Melbourne outfit. The Storm will be keen to bounce back after an uncharacteristic Olympic Park loss, and may well be boosted by the late inclusion of fiery backrower, Michael Crocker.
Sydney have started the season in reasonable form, but just lacked that killer punch after having the Broncos on the ropes last Friday night, which is why I am sticking with the Storm in a tight, brutal contest.
Storm by 6
Titans vs Sharks
After blitzing the Cowboys at home in Round 1, the NRL new boys came shuddering back to earth in the wet against the Dragons on Monday night. It was a mistake riddled performance by a flat Gold Coast team, but the titans are always tough to toss on their home surface.
There are no such worries for the giant killing Sharks, with victories over both of last years grand finalists signalling a renewed confidence in the Sutherland Shire. Coach Ricky Stuart has his team firing on all cylinders, but they have lost the suspended Ben Ross and the injured Brett Seymour for this away trip.
I am tipping the Titans to bounce back to form in front of their vocal home crowd, as I feel that the Sharks may be a bit jaded after their fantastic start to the season.
Titans by 6
Raiders vs Dragons
Canberra recorded a morale boosting victory over the Panthers on the road last week, and will welcome the return to their dreaded home fortress. The Raiders do have a few injuries this week though, with William Zillman, Scott Logan and Neville Costigan all unavailable, while there is still a fitness cloud hanging over livewire hooker, Lincoln Withers.
There are no such worries for Dragons coach Nathan Brown however, with his young charges producing a spirited effort to smash the Titans last Monday night.
Although the Raiders have an imposing record on their home turf, I am going to tip the Dragons to record back-to-back victories on the basis of a more experienced line-up.
Dragons by 8
Panthers vs Rabbitohs
Both these teams will be desperate to break their duck for season ’08, with the Rabbitohs still reeling from the lengthy injury layoff to star recruit Craig Wing. The Panthers had ample opportunities to snatch victory against an injury plagued Raiders last weekend, with ill-discipline and poor attacking options cruelling their chances.
I am tipping the Rabbitohs to break through for their first victory of the season in another low scoring contest, with the Bunnies possessing a much better defensive unit.
Souths by 6
Bulldogs vs Tigers
The Tigers have an imposing recent record over the Bulldogs, winning six of their last ten encounters. Wests are sitting pretty in second position after emphatic victories over the Dragons and Cowboys, while conversely the Bulldogs have struggled, mixing a dramatic loss to the Eels with a come form behind victory over Souths.
I am going to stick with the Tigers in what should be a fiery encounter, on the basis of the joint ventures superior early season form.
Tigers by 8
Sea-Eagles vs Warriors
Manly will be desperate to chalk up their first victory after a disappointing start to season ’08, but will find it tough against a rejuvenated Warriors outfit. Despite missing the influential Steve Price and Wade McKinnon, the Warriors have shown high renewed levels of self belief so far this season, and will like their chances against an out of form Manly outfit. Look for enigmatic Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei to be continuously bombarded with high balls.
I am going to stick with the home team in this one, but once again, there will be nothing in it.
Sea-Eagles by 2
**And in late news, Brisbane’s Karmichael Hunt has been ruled out of tonight’s local derby due to a troublesome quad injury, with Darius Boyd switching to fullback, and Denan Kemp covering housemates Boyd’s wing position.
Souths fans will happy to hear that giant outside back Fetuli Talanoa has re-signed with the Rabbitohs until the end of the 2010 season.
Cheers,
StephenP
| 76 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Go to Craig Hill's home page by clicking here
