My NRL Round 5 Tips

Every week it seems is as unpredictable as the last. Some teams just do not show up on the day to play, example is the Eels.

It started on Friday night with the Storm defeating the repetitive Dragons in Melbourne. It was all class on when these teams met and the Saints lacked everything, from defense and in attack. They were merely shut down, Soward's game once again being picked off with ease.

The Roosters played a flawless first half of Rugby League against a frustrated Lockyer's Broncos. However in the second half the mistakes dominated what could have been a cricket score.

JT's magic saw the Cowboys win again at home, and a Tonga hat-trick against the Titans was the highlight.

The Raiders in Canberra, I tipped them and at half-time I felt comfortable knowing I would have another tip correct, until Robbie Farah decided it was time to destroy. The Tigers came from behind in typical fashion letting other oppositions know, that they better turn up to play 80 minutes.

The Rabbitohs recording back-to-back wins and looking like a team, playing with style and aggression.

All up I had 5/8 tips correct, not bad, however I doubt anyone would have received the full 8 points this week.

This week it is too easy for me, I am choosing all the home teams.

Cahn D. Cotter's Round 5 Tips

St. George Illawarra Dragons V Brisbane Broncos

I'm tipping the Dragons. WIN Stadium, pick the Dragons.

The Broncos have an unknown team traveling away from home, and looking at Lockyer last week, his frustration is bound to grow more this game.

Out-wide in defense the Broncos looked flimsy last week; the Dragons back line of Morris, Boyd and Cooper should have a field day. Also the added strengths of Prior and Creagh is certainly only going to make it more difficult for the Broncos to defend.

The young Broncos will be under plenty of pressure this game. Last week they dropped to much ball and the Roosters made them pay early in the first half.
The Dragons will dispose of them early, and then continue dominance with match fitness later.

Gold Coast Titans V Melbourne Storm

I'm tipping the Titans

It's a hard task to defeat the Titans at home, even if your inform like the Storm at the moment.
Without Scott Prince there I was almost tempted to tip Storm, however I'm staying true to all home sides this week.

Reasons I am picking the Titans is that they are playing at home and big players such as Laffranchi, Minichello, Bailey, Rogers, Campbell and Friend can match it with the best.

Never count at the Storm in games. They have experience in the big ones which well help them here, but I think the Titans will step up for this match and it will be close.
If the Storm get out early, the Titans are gone. If the Titans stick in there, the Titans by a try.

South Sydney Rabbits V Newcastle Knights

I'm tipping the Rabbits

Back to back wins for the Rabbits against a Knights team filthy that they could not hold on to a victory against Penrith.

Sam Burgess, Dave Taylor and John Sutton are the keys here for Souths if they are to stamp dominance. Dave Taylor is getting comfortable with his role in Souths and with his stats for last week can only be more confident this week.
Sam Burgess can find the line, expect a double from him when he breaks up the middle of this Knights defense.

Corey Patterson is the only hope for the Knights. If he can get his arms free with players running off him, the Souths big men might fall victim.

Souths by 14.

Canterbury Bulldogs V NZ Warriors

I'm Tipping the Dogs

I think it is time for the big guns to fire as a team this week, and the wooden spoon contenders to show why they are in fact labeled that in 2010.

The Dogs to strong up the middle and out-wide. All players are running into form, and the Dogs forward pack are running in twos giving Kimmorley the time he needs.

Ben Barba should come off the bench and add spark late in the second half and run the warriors big pack of forwards ragged.

Josh Morris and Steve Turner to grab two tries each, Bulldogs by plenty.

North Queensland Cowboys V Wests Tigers

I'm tipping the Cowboys

Jonathan Thurston is controlling everything, his vision is far superior to any other player in the game. The only other player close is Robbie Farah.

Tough game to pick because both teams are so electrifying.

At home though, and every week the Cowboys play there, I will be calling it the fortress. Dairy Farmers stadium is a graveyard.

No Keithy Galloway this week, been ruled out with shoulder niggle and this will cause problems with go forward. Keithy averages over 150 metres a game and is on top for the Tigers in all metres run. Big Loss.

The Cowboys are on fire and in form and I cannot see them losing this one.

Manly Warringah Sea-Eagles V Cronulla Sharks

I'm tipping the Sea-Eagles

From up, up Cronulla, to down down Sharks.

Manly out at home against a Sharks outfit that could only scrape there way over the line at home against the out of form Eels will struggle with the likes of Lyon, Matai, Tony Williams and Watmough.

Manly's defense is too strong and there attack is starting to stretch there legs. Plus they have a furious coach who expects nothing more than a win.

Cronulla do not have the defense to hold out the sea-eagles attack and if Cronulla are not careful, plenty could be run in.

The only problem with Manly is the consistent drop ball which has hurt them in the opening month, and out times they lack go forward. But at Brookvale watch the Sea-Eagles soar.

Penrith Panthers V Sydney Roosters

I'm tipping the Panthers

Last week the Roosters got off to a flyer against Brisbane, but then nothing in the second half.

Brisbane had virtually unknowns in the side and Sydney could not put them away. They played complacent football which they cannot do against Penrith.

Penrith too strong at home and vice versa to the Roosters last week, came home strong with a dismal first half. I think momentum and self belief is there now for the Panthers who will start to win consistently until the final rounds.

Panthers by 12.

Parramatta Eels V Canberra Raiders

I'm tipping the Eels

When and where I do not know, but the Eels need to pull their fingers out now and start winning or September football is gone, going, gone.

If Hayne or Moi Moi are not doing it for the Eels, no one is.

The Raiders do not travel well away from home, but are in for a chance this week. Hard tip as I see this match as a non-result almost. Pointless if you will.

The Eels. Only because they must start winning and at Parra Stadium, it is the place to start.

Good Luck all tippers this week.

Cahn D. Cotter

Sharks Well Deserved Win

Written by Cahn D. Cotter

Not to take anything away from Cronulla-Sutherland, but a win is a win. Even-though the first half was ordinary from both sides, and that the Eels did not show up to play, Sharks still managed to overcome a horrendous losing streak to get a win.

I am one to give credit where it is due, and the Sharks deserve it, especially Trent Barrett.
The first half was lack luster from both sides offering very little scoring opportunities. The consistent dropped ball in own halves was understandable with the torrential rain that did fall.
However the Sharks defended the few opportunities that Jarryd Hayne tried to create, and once nil all at half time, I turned and spoke to another fan, "the sharks have got this". He nodded in agreement and we continued watching.

Twenty minutes into the second half I saw the confidence growing in the Sharks attack, something that has not been there for sometime. The flare of Trent Barrett, Gallen and Douglas running towards the line with meaning, and then the break through.

The Sharks players, I supposed looked at their loyal supporters, standing and sitting in the rain singing and cheering once Blake Ferguson scored the first try. Was it that that gave inspiration?

The Sharks still have a long way to go, but that win was well deserved considering the battering the media gave the players and coach. I personally think that that was a win for the loyal fans who turned out in droves to back their side.

They needed it and I only hope that they can go back to back now. It is what the club needed for so long.

Congratulations Cronulla-Sutherland...

Melbourne outclass repetitive Dragons

Written by Cahn D. Cotter

The Storm showed all of us just why they are the benchmark this year. As explained in my tips for round 4, I said that this will be the match for the Storm.
And with that, it was.

The Dragons repetition of attack phases did not trouble the Storm one bit, as the likes of Soward, Hornby and Creagh were shut down with ease.
It is this repetition that will see the Dragons struggle with there season, unless Coach Bennett addresses it.

Soward struggled all night with the Storms defense, and was brought back down another level. Soward's anger and frustration showed at the end of the match, turning his back on Billy Slater's hand shake.

The Storm showed persistence, class and above all that they were still a level above any team with there clinical style of play. It is something that the Dragons are trying to achieve on their own, but without the class of Slater, Cronk and Smith, will not be able too.

Even though statistics show both these team being fairly even on the night, it was the Storm that completed more sets of six, less errors and the Dragons lack of discipline that gave away to many penalties.

Lockyer Frustrated; Warrants Rep Decision

Written By Cahn D. Cotter

Watching Darren Lockyer play on Friday Night was as frustrating for me as it was for him.
The inexperienced Broncos fumbled there way through the mistake-athon match, offering any assistance to the brilliant mind of 5/8th Darren Lockyer.

The frustration could be read all over Lockyer face. Up until now, the Broncos have had a great run of players and talent but this year they lack the quality that they once had, and even with the mastermind there, will find making the eight, impossible unless vast improvements are made suddenly.

Personally, I do not think Darren has ever played with the quality of players he did on Friday night. Most of the players aged under 20 years were debutantes or players with little experience in first grade.

I think this decision will warrant Lockyer to continue his rep football. Even after 30 origins and 50 tests for Australia, the veteran will want to finish his career on a high. Rep football is indeed what Locky needs.
Locky needs to be amongst the greats of the game, and after Friday nights exhibition match, will only warrant his decision to continue.

Locky gave balls to forwards that dropped them hitting up. He fed ball to the back-line that could not score. He attacked the line on his own only to find another bronco player in his way or no-one backing up.

It is great for these young broncos to be bucking under Lockyer, but in his final years of NRL, he needs to be playing amongst the greats.