Round Two
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Last season's match was a close one and this will be no different. But the Dragons were more clinical and precise last week than the Dogs, which will serve them well. Another worry for the Dogs is that they no longer have the accuracy of Hazem El Masri's kicking to rely on getting them home in a tight contest. And the final scoreline will show just how much they miss him.
The winner: Dragons.
The sure thing: Brett Morris to win the battle of the brothers over Josh by scoring more tries.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Gold Coast Titans
After spending the pre-season listening to various Bunnies forwards talking up the size of their pack, they were humiliated last week by the lowly Roosters. I think they'll have learned something from that game, but I'm not sure it'll be enough to knock over the quiet but consistent Titans. What will just get them over the line is the Titans' shaky road form.
The winner: Rabbitohs
The sure thing: Preston Campbell will do something freakish.
New Zealand Warriors vs Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks were faced with a Storm side seriously off their game last week - and they still couldn't beat them. They're up against the tipster's nightmare side in the Warriors. They're such a schizophrenic side - you never really know which team will turn up to play from week to week. That said, they're at home so I that will help ensure the good Warriors turn up.
The winner: Warriors
The sure thing: That I wouldn't recognise half of the Warriors team if I fell over them.
Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm
The Knights staged the boilover of the round, beating the all-but unbackable Bulldogs. It's a win that also took some of the pressure off the Knights, still coping with their drugs drama. Unfortunately for them, they're coming up against a Storm team no doubt keen to make amends for a bludger of a game they had against the Sharks.
The winner: Storm.
The sure thing: Cameron Smith to continue to look uncomfortable as a makeshift halfback.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers
The Panthers had a strong win over the Raiders while the Cowboys had to fight their way back into their match against the Broncs after trailing 24-blot - but lost. The Cowboys are much stronger on their home ground, but that doesn't bother the Panthers, who've won the last three games up north. There's just something about the Panthers this year - and I think they'll show a little of that in Townsville on Saturday night.
The winner: Panthers
The sure thing: The Cowboys' Luke O'Donnell to get fired up about something in a tackle.
Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles
They lost to the Dragons last week but the Eels showed enough form there to really worry a Manly side missing a on-field general and a fullback. The Sea Eagles let the Tigers back into the game last week but that won't matter here, because the Eels will play from in front all afternoon.
The winner: Eels
The sure thing: Manly to try kicking it dead to keep the ball away from Jarryd Hayne. The commentators will blame it on the Dragons, who did it last week.
Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers
It was a bit of surprise to see all the papers heaping praise on the Roosters Todd Carney after the game against Bunnies last week. I mean, we always knew he could really perform on the field - it's what he does off-field that causes the problems. This week's rivals, the Tigers staged a strong comeback to beat Manly, but I can't see the Roosters letting them to that again.
The winner: Roosters
The sure thing: Carney to outplay the Tigers' Benji Marshall.
Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos
Forget that this match is being played in Canberra - that idea about teams hating to play there only kicks in during winter. Right now, the weather isn't that chilly in the nation's capital so the Raiders can't rely on the weather for a helping hand. They'll have to rely on their squad of kids and journeymen - which will actually almost be enough. But the Broncos will just have their neck out in front at full time.
The winner: Broncos
The sure thing: Broncos coach Ivan Henjak won't smile once in the post-match press conference.
Season tipping total: 7/8
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