Hey Roarers!

Another sensational weekend of rugby league, Round 9 had it all!

Let’s recap……

On Thursday night’s episode of ‘Reynolds Revenge’ Adam got the last laugh when he and his new pals gave it to his old club. The former Rabbitoh put in a superb performance to steer his Broncos to a 32-12 win over the Bunnies. 

The Raiders played for the entire game on Friday night against the Bulldogs – and they won!  Breaking a five-game losing streak with a 14-4 victory. But the win was dampened when returning captain Jarrod Croker left the match early with yet another injury. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery. 

As for the second Friday night game – Hooley Dooley! The Battle of the West was one of the best games so far this season, with the match going down to the wire. Both teams gave it their all, with Parramatta playing close to perfect and ending the Panthers unbeaten season with a 22-20 win. 

Turbo, Jurbo and Burbo (I’m pretty sure they are all Lord of The Rings characters) made history on Saturday afternoon when they all joined forces for the very first time. Ben Trbojevic played a staring roll in the Sea Eagles 36-22 win over the Tigers……but geez Manly had some very lucky calls go their way that could have made a huge difference to the outcome. 

The Roosters earnt themselves a much-needed win against the Titans on Saturday night. With captain James Tedesco leading the charge and bagging himself a hat trick, the Mackay weather must have agreed with the Tricolours, thrashing the Gold Coast 44-16.

Ok, so, the Knights lost 36-16. But we actually scored a try this game.! Three to be precise! I have to celebrate what I can. Hats off to the Cowboys though, they are having a sensational season.  

The Red V would have crossed the border thinking they were in with a chance up against the Storm on Sunday afternoon. Then the ref blew the whistle for kick off. Melbourne absolutely walloped the Dragons 42-6. Their past three games the Storm have won 162-18 – just phenomenal. 

And I still cannot get over what we saw in the last match of the round. Having Will Kennedy sent off early in the match and then losing Jesse Ramien to the sin bin throughout the game, the Sharks put on one of the strongest and courageous performances I have seen in a long time. Down on troops they still played some gritty footy and beat the Warriors 29-10. The Warriors were awful, but credit where credit’s due – Cronulla were brilliant. 

AJ and his never-ending loyalty to the Green Machine finally paid off, tipping 6/8. Mary, Paul, Mike and you legends out there in The Crowd got 5/8, and I had an absolute Barry Crocker, tipping a woeful 3/8. 

Paul and The Crowd are still tied out in front on 48, Mary and AJ are sharing second spot on 47, Mike is on 44 and I have decided to pick up a part time job as a golf caddy with all my time out here on the golf course, sitting on 42. 

Moving on, let’s get into Round 10 – MAGIC ROUND!

Kicking off the magic tomorrow night at 6pm (remember, there are no games on tonight) are the Knights and Bulldogs in the ‘We didn’t know Nick Meany would end up being that good’ Cup. Some negative Nancys out there are saying that we are getting the rubbish out of the way early. I’d like to put a positive spin on it and say we are getting the rubbish out of the way early. 

Straight after the Knights thump the Bulldogs, we have the Broncos and Sea Eagles at 8pm. Both teams have found some good form and are coming off great wins. 

Super Magical Saturday kicks off at 3pm with the Warriors and the Bunnies. Kodi Nikorima has swapped jerseys this week and immediately faces his former club The Warriors are coming off a humiliating loss, and the Bunnies are a bit off the pace and have slipped out of the eight. 

5.30pm sees the Titans come up against the Dragons. Another two teams coming off some big losses….. this could be a tough one or a doozy.

And then at 7.30pm – the big one. Storm v Panthers. Hold onto your hats! 

The Magic Show continues Sunday, with the Sharks and the Raiders kicking off the day at 1.50pm. Canberra finally jumped back into the winner’s circle, but will they be able to back it up against a side that did the unthinkable with just 11 men? 

At 4pm the Roosters and the Eels battle it out. Parramatta will still be on a high from the win against the Panthers – Teddy and the boys better be ready for battle. 

Then, wrapping up all the magical-ness for the last game of the round are the Tigers and the Cowboys at the special time of 6.25pm. Make sure you order extra take out on Saturday night, so you don’t have to cook Sunday night! 

If you would like to see how you go up against the Experts this round, just remember to get your tips in below by 5pm tonight to be counted in The Crowd’s tips.

AJ gets to lead us off this, after his Raiders finally gave him a win and the edge over the rest of us last round. 

I have a feeling this is going to be a very tough round for all tipsters – good luck with your tipping everyone!

(Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

AJ Mithen

Knights, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Dragons, Panthers, Raiders, Roosters, Cowboys

Magic round! The most magical of all the rounds. And to play my part in adding to the magic, watch me pull out some tipping tricks – prepare to be amazed!

Newcastle will beat the Dogs cos they got points in them, and Canterbury do not. This will be a horrible, horrible game.

I was going to tip Brisbane last week but chickened out, not this week though. Broncos in a close one over Manly.

New Zealand are the best side in the competition… at dragging an opponent down to their diabolical level. South Sydney can rise above, surely. There’s going to be 76 errors made in this one. 

I’ve got the Dragons over the Titans in a battle of bludgers, a Titans win wouldn’t surprise though. Both these sides are as mediocre as each other.

Penrith to get the Storm because they’re riled up by losing to Parra and won’t let Melbourne just stroll through them like everyone else does.

The match of the round will see the presumptive champion, the people’s team, the Canberra Raiders ambush a Cronulla side who are too busy smelling themselves after beating the useless Warriors. Raiders by 56. 

On Sunday, I’ve got the Roosters to knock over Parramatta in the round’s upset, and the Cowboys will eventually break down Wests Tigers and notch a run-of-the-mill win.

Mike Meehall Wood

Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Titans, Panthers, Sharks, Eels, Tigers

I’m still on the Dogs train: they’ll beat Danielle’s Knights (and I know she will tip them, so points for me).

I’m a Manly fan, and the Broncos game is pretty much equal – so I’ll go for my boys.

The Warriors are rubbish and Souths are due a hefty reversion to the mean, so I expect them to win, and win big. Also never tip the Warriors.

The Titans are bad and so are the Dragons, but I’ve seen enough in the changes that Holbrook has rung to make me think that the Gold Coast might improve. I’m on them.

It’s hard to tip against Melbourne, but with Papi out and a remodelled back line, I expect Penrith to be too good.

The Sharks every day of the week over the Raiders.

Eels and Roosters is a great clash and very close: Eels to back up their success in Penrith with more at Magic.

Last game is hard…but I’m going upset. No reason. Just think the Tigers will do the business.

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Mary Konstantopoulos

Knights, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Dragons, Storm, Sharks, Eels, Cowboys

I honestly have no idea who to tip in this game. The Bulldogs burned me last week and truth be told, both teams are very average. I’m going to tip Newcastle given that they have a couple of inclusions in this game, including Mitch Barnett. As appalling as Barnett’s conduct was a couple of weeks ago, he is crucial to the Knights go forward. On that basis I am tipping them against a Bulldogs team, who do not seem to have any idea what to do when they have the ball in attack.

I’ve enjoyed watching the Broncos over the last couple of weeks and am tipping them to defeat the Sea Eagles in an upset. One of the Broncos strengths, even over the last couple of years when they have struggled to string wins together, is that they perform at Suncorp Stadium. Payne Haas also returns for them this week which will be a significant boost. 

The Rabbitohs will beat the Warriors and the Dragons will beat the Titans, who just seem to be in a world of pain at the moment. 

The next one should be a cracker. So many competing considerations – the Panthers to bounce back after a loss last week, the Storm’s formidable record at Suncorp Stadium. I’m going to tip the Storm because even without Ryan Papenhuyzen this is a team that always finds a way to win.

The Sharks will beat a Raiders side that is on struggle street and the Cowboys will beat the Tigers.

I’m also really looking forward to the game between the Roosters and the Eels. It’s an important one for the Eels to prove they can back up after an impressive performance last week against the Panthers and I’m expecting a strong performance.

Paul Suttor 

Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Titans, Panthers, Sharks, Eels, Cowboys

With the way the Bulldogs and Knights are playing both teams are primed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Canterbury in a tight one. 

Manly haven’t been too convincing but should overcome Brisbane. 

The Warriors have jagged a few wins more than their form suggest they should have but Souths won’t let this one slip. 

Titans to beat the Dragons in something of an upset although St George Illawarra have been in a mini mid-season camp after flying to Brisbane after Sunday’s game in Melbourne. 

Penrith should get on top of the Storm only because Ryan Papenhuyzen is out. 

Cronulla should cruise to victory over Canberra. 

The Eels were superb last week, the Roosters have been middling for a while. Parra by double figures. 

The Tigers are punching above their weight but North Queensland’s too strong for them. 

(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Danielle Smith

Knights, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Dragons, Storm, Sharks, Eels, Cowboys

Manly and Brisbane are both playing some great footy, but I think the Broncos will get the job done. 

Far out – I don’t know how the Warriors come back after last week. Bunnies for sure.

Dragons v Titans – this was my back and forth one for this week. Hmmmmmmm……Titans in an upset.

Oh my God I cannot wait for Storm v Panthers! It doesn’t matter who is out, Melbourne always seems to find a way to win. Storm in golden point. 

I think the Raiders celebrations from last week will be short lived. Sharks to win easily. 

The Eels will be riding high from their victory over the premiers last week and will have no problems handling the patchy Roosters. 

I think Tigers v Cowboys will be a close match, but Cowboys are just so good at the moment and will get the two points. 

And as for the Spoon-Bowl – as always, I’m tipping my Knights.