Tipping Competition2024

Friday, 24th August 2007

MELBOURNE V CANTERBURY
Telstra Stadium, 7.30pm
Referee: Ben Cummins
GRL Tip:Storm
One gets the feeling that the Storm are due for a loss before they become the first side to win back to back minor premierships since the Brisbane Broncos. In the same corresponding round last season they went down by 4-points against the Warriors. Of most concern to their fans south of the border have been their points per game average which has not lived up to what the experts have expected from a team coached by the best in the busineess. The Storm failed to score a point in the second-half last week and if they repeat that sort of performance, the Bulldogs will win. Two of the best point-scoring centres in the game are Willie Tonga (Dogs) and Israel Folau. They are good odds to score double tries. With showers expected, the result of this clash could come down to which team handles the wet conditions better.

BULLDOGS:

Luke Patten, Hazem El Masri, Daryl Millard, Willie Tonga, Cameron Phelps, Ben Roberts, Brent Sherwin, Mark O'Meley, Corey Hughes, Chris Armit, Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Ryan (c), Reni Maitua. Interchange: Adam Perry, Nick Kouparitsas, Fred Briggs, Jarrad Hickey. Coach: Steve Folkes

STORM:

Billy Slater, Matt Geyer, Anthony Quinn, Israel Folau, Will Chambers, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Ben Cross, Cameron Smith (c), Brett White, Clint Newton, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson Interchange: Jeremy Smith, Michael Crocker, Garret Crossman, Jeff Lima, James Aubusson (one to be omitted). Coach: Craig Bellamy

NEWCASTLE V NORTH QUEENSLAND
EnergyAustralia Stadium, 7.30pm
Referee: Jared Maxwell
GRL Tip: Newcastle.
Panthers fans will be hoping the Cowboys can win big tonight against the unhappiest team in the NRL. The loss of Steve Simpson won't help but the return of hooker Danny Buderus will give the locals some hope of a competitive contest at the very least. I smell an upset on the cards. North Queensland have not been convincing in their last two away games, winning their round 22 clash against the Panthers by four while going down by 44-points against the Wests Tigers in round 20. The visitors have won three of their last five clashes against Knights but have only won at EnergyAustralia Stadium in two of their last 17 fixtures at that venue.

KNIGHTS:

Kurt Gidley, James McManus, Brad Tighe, George Carmont, Cooper Vuna, Chris Bailey, Luke Walsh, Adam Woolnough, Danny Buderus (c), Josh Perry, Steve Simpson, Daniel Abraham, Reegan Tanner Interchange: Michael Young, Zeb Taia, Mitchell Sargent, Jesse Royal, Cory Paterson (one to be omitted). Coach: Brian Smith

COWBOYS:

Matt Bowen, Ty Williams, Ashley Graham, Paul Bowman, Neil Sweeney, Justin Smith, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott, Aaron Payne, Carl Webb, Sam Faust, Matthew Bartlett, Mark Henry. Interchange: David Faiumu, Jason Smith, Jacob Lillyman, Ray Cashmere, Ben Farrar (one to be omitted). Coach: Graham Murray. - Read More, Here