NRL Round 19 – More Origin chaos makes tipping a nightmare

 

The deciding State of Origin match next week is attracting all the headlines but there are still 5 NRL games this weekend. ‘Intelligent tipping’ for those clashes is an oxymoron because of the number of players missing on Origin duty. Nevertheless, we’ll forge ahead and try to find some winners.

 

Round 18 went largely to script apart from the Sharks going down again – not totally unexpected but not what you’d really expect, if you know what I mean. The Sea Eagles were the other over-achievers after their golden point win in Townsville – they refuse to go away and now sit a solid 7th on the ladder. The Bulldogs also refuse to succumb to the pressure of maintaining a spot just outside the top four. The Broncos showed more fight but still lost and are now a game outside the eight. However, they have a healthier for and against than the two teams that sit just above them.

 

Round 19 features a few games that impact teams living on the edge as we move towards the pointy end of the season. We start tonight with the rested Dolphins up against the re-born Rabbitohs. No Hammer or Kaufusi for the Dolphins, no Mitchell or Murray for the Bunnies. The Dolphins will be keen to maintain their top eight standing. But Souths still have Origin-quality players in Walker and Wighton. Can they continue to drive the Rabbitoh revival that has other teams looking over their shoulders? I think the answer is ‘yes’, so I’ll tip South Sydney.

 

Tomorrow night it’s the Sharks versus the Wests Tigers. The Sharks are badly off the boil and have much to lose if they go down again. It’s getting close to ‘it’s now or never time’ at Shark Park. Prop and I just can’t figure them out! The Tigers racked up 28 points against the Storm last weekend, so they must be doing something right even though they’re at the bottom of the ladder. The return of Adam Doueihi has certainly added something to their potency. By contrast, it seems like it’s ‘boots into Nicho Hynes’ season at the moment. Hey, guys, he’s one of seventeen. Admittedly, a he’s a key player but he’s not the only one struggling in the aquarium at the moment. If he’s out through injury, do the Sharks’ hopes go with him? Perhaps. I must be a glutton for punishment because I’ll stick with the Sharks at home.

 

On Saturday evening the Titans host the Eels. Des’s Titans are showing a bit of mettle while the Eels can’t take a trick. (Good luck to you, Jason Ryles, as you take over the reins there next year.) The result has little bearing on anything but the Gold Coast need to continue to show that they’re building while some Eels players are probably playing for their futures. Incentive all round, you might say. I’ll go with the Titans. Then, on Saturday night, the Broncos host the Dragons with both sides missing key players because of Origin. Which side can compensate better? Both sides need the win – Brisbane to stay in touch with the top eight, the Dragons to maintain their spot there and break clear of chasers such as Brisbane. With no conviction whatsoever, I’ll allow my heart to rule and stick with the Broncos.

Finally, on Sunday, the Sea Eagles will welcome the Knights to Brookie. Again, key players are missing from both sides – DCE and Jurbo for the hosts, and Best, Gagai and Ponga for the visitors. That makes it a real toss of the coin. Perhaps it’s  an opportunity for Luke Brooks to stand up and for Turbo to hit his straps. Manly at Brookie are a tough challenge at the best of times. Trying to beat them them without three key players makes it all the harder. I’ll go with Manly.

 

The other seven have the bye.

 

State of Origin

Both sides have had to make changes because of injuries so it’s a new ballgame this time around. The replacements basically select themselves based on form. But…Capewell instead of Fifita? Two utilities on the bench for the Maroons? Will Best be at his best with a gammy hammy? How much of a factor is Lang Park? No doubt there will be a lot more to see and read as the next week unfolds. You can decide how much of it is bluster and/or filler and/or bulldust.

 

NRLW 

Just two weeks to go now until the start of the 2024 NRLW season!

 

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Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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