Parramatta Eels vs. St George-Illawarra Dragons

My tip: Parramatta Eels

While you won’t win a game on paper, Parramatta won’t lose many if they can keep their top 17 on the field. This is as strong a line-up from one to seventeen in the NRL competition. The forward pack is super strong (Do you want evidence of that? The best prop running around at the back end of 09 Fui Fui Moi Moi is on the bench!) and the backline looks slick, especially with the additional of Timana Tahu.

This will be close to game of the round though I cannot go past the Eels who look a little stronger now Matt Cooper is out and they have the added advantage of playing at home. The Eels also come in to the contest as last start winners over the Dragons (25-12 in the 09 QF after losing the game before 37-0 to the Dragons).

Brisbane Broncos vs. North Queensland Cowboys

My tip: North Queensland Cowboys

Brisbane field one of their most inexperienced opening round teams that I can remember. Many of the experts suggest Brisbane will struggle in 2010, whilst I won’t look in to the crystal ball just yet, I know this much: the Cowboys aren’t going to do them any favours in this local derby.

Johnathan Thurston will be in for a big year and I think he will open 2010 with a big game in front of what should be a full house at Suncorp Stadium. Whilst the Broncos have an enviable head to head record with their Queensland cousins, I believe we will see Thurston and co get one game back here in what will be an exciting game.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs. Newcastle Knights

My tip: Canterbury Bulldogs

This is the easiest tip of the weekend and I mean no disrespect to the Newcastle Knights who have a horrendous off-season littered with off-field dramas and an injury to inspirational captain Kurt Gidley. The Canterbury Bulldogs are the team to beat in 2010 I believe, I see them being an even better side this season and I see them sounding off an ominous warning to would-be contenders putting the vulnerable Knights to the sword.

Cronulla Sharks vs. Melbourne Storm

My tip is: Melbourne Storm

Here is an interesting stat: Ricky Stuart coached teams haven’t lost an opening round since he debuted back with the Sydney Roosters. Will that trend continue? I don’t think so. Despite being at Shark Park, I see Melbourne winning in what may just be a closer than expected game.

Melbourne have had to reshuffle their side a little with Cooper Cronk still out (groin – Rd3) which moves the game’s best number nine in Cameron Smith to halfback. Whilst Smith will do the job with little fuss, the Storm will miss him out of dummy-half where he is second to none.

I like the look for the Sharks young forward pack and I think they will lay the platform for some upset wins in 2010. Luke Douglas is on the cusp of rep duties, Kade Snowden is continuing to improve, Anthony Tupou is an outstanding player and new signing Adam Cuthbertson from Manly will be a sleeper pick as ‘2010 Signing Of The Year’. Add the toughness and skill of one of the game’s best in Paul Gallen; you have a pretty good pack.

If Melbourne are off their game, Cronulla can pull off the upset of the round here at home. They will offer good value with the bookies.

Penrith Panthers vs. Canberra Raiders

My tip is: Penrith Panthers

It’s a make or break season for Matt Elliot and the Penrith Panthers. A lot of time and effort has been invested in the club’s youth coming through, it’s time this young side steps up and make it back to the NRL Finals for the first since 2004, that’s right, the year they won the Grand Final. If Penrith falter or start slow, I can see Matt Elliot being shown the door.

Pushing all negatives aside, I see Penrith winning this arm wrestle with the dogged Canberra Raiders outfit. There isn’t much in it, but the X-factor of a Michael Jennings and a home game sees me leaning toward Penrith. Let’s not forget the Panthers forward pack too, highlighted by the Great Petero Civoniceva and supported by rep stars in Luke Lewis, Trent Waterhouse and Frank Pritchard.

For Canberra, I look forward to seeing Josh Dugan again. This kid is full of potential and always a threat when returning the ball from kicks. The new down town rule will definitely work out well for him and Penrith will have to be very good in defence when he has the ball in hand.

The Raider forwards will look after themselves in typical no-frills fashion, it will be Dugan with enigma Terry Campese that need to fire if they’re to win here.

Gold Coast Titans vs. New Zealand Warriors

My tip is: Gold Coast Titans

The New Zealand Warriors are in for a long season I feel, the opening round doesn’t come much tougher for them in facing Gold Coast at Skilled Park. The Titans have a formidable home record (only one loss to NQ at home in 2009) and they look very strong all over the park.

New Titans signing Greg Bird will have a big season. This guy is a big match player who will thrive under the coaching of John Cartwright and he will form one half of potentially the best halves pairing in the game. The other guy in this partnership is the brilliant Scott Prince.

New Zealand is missing key players Steve Price, Simon Mannering and Jacob Lillyman. Wade McKinnon is also on the bench (why?) making way for New Zealand international Lance Hohaia.

Gold Coast Titans in a canter.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Sydney Roosters

My tips is: South Sydney Rabbitohs

The Rabbitohs are short priced favourites, I don’t think the bookies are giving much credit to the Brian Smith coached Roosters who do look strong on paper. I tip South’s nervously as I think this game out of any during the opening round is most difficult to tip (perhaps outside of Wests Tigers vs. Manly).

The excitement around new signings Sam Burgess and Dave Taylor is fever pitch at Redfern and I think the Bunnies will be jumping out of their skin to open the season on a positive note for John Lang. The Roosters will too, don’t get me wrong, I just think the forward pack South’s have is going to lay the platform for young halves Sandow and Sutton to get them home.

Wests Tigers vs. Manly Sea Eagles

My tips is: Wests Tigers

This will be a cracker! Like the last game, I tip here with no confidence and go Wests Tigers purely on the back of the Benji Marshall and Robbie Farrah factor for the Wests Tigers. These two guys are as good as any in turning a game on its head and I think they can be the difference here.

I am also a little hesitant, initially early anyway, in the Manly side. Matt Orford was for so long the centre piece of their attack and whilst I don’t doubt the potential or ability of young Keiran Foran, I still see the Manly side taking a little time to adjust without their former playmaker.

Great read mate, Im all over the Eels first up tomoz ..

Dragons V Eels- pretty evenly matched me thinks, eels have the x-factor in hayne but bennett always has a plan. out on a limb, EELS by 9

Broncos V Cowboys- dont rate the cowboys chances here. very young broncos side but lockey will run the show as usual, probably a high scoring game. BRONCOS by 16

panthers V raiders- pretty hard to judge this one, i think both sides will surprise many this season. toss up but PANTHERS by 8

Sharks V storm- not sure what to think of cronulla yet, young team who could surprise the storm as long as they dont go behind early. usual suspects will secure the win for the STORM by 10

Bulldogs V knights- one way traffic BULLDOGS by 20



rabbitohs V roosters- closer game than many think, if Carney, anasta and Pearce can get a grip on the game the roosters will edge it. crocker will be a miss for the vermin. ROOSTERS by 4

titans V warriors- too many key players out for the warriors, but i expect them to do better than last season. TITANS by 14

eels, cowboys, dogs, panthers, storm, titans, souths, tigers

best games : eels / dragons, souths / easts, tigers / manly

sydney will be buzzing

Eels
Cowboys
Dogs
Raiders
Sharks
Souths
Warriors
Tigers

Thanks Burnzy, all the best in your tipping or punting mate

I'm all over the Warriors smashing the Titans but I can't see it.

Eels
Cowboys
Bulldogs
Storm
Raiders
Titans
Rabbitohs
Tigers

Not the start I was hoping for, 0 from 2, though two exciting games decided only by 6 points! Parramatta and St George-Illawarra both looked good, they can improve in areas, but both looked good to justify top four hype in the pre-season. Brisbane surprised with their unbelievable first half, their attack in that first 40 minutes was first class. They blew the Cowboys out of the water. The second half was the Johnathan Thurston show in what was one of the most dominant halves of rugby league by an individual in some time despite the fact his team fell short.

two cracking games, this season is gonna be a cracker! 1 for 2 myself

The young full-back Corey Norman for the Broncos had a great game. He made a mess of a kick that led to the Williams try but he saved 3 tries in the first half and then made the final pass for 2 at the other end. Karmichael Hunt will be forgotten in no time. The Cowboys should of won that game, Thurston is simply head and shoulders above the rest. He'll win the Dally M this year IMO, at a good team he'd win it every year. The Cowboys wingers where dog$hit, Bani and John Williams, cant defend, come flying out of the line and leave an overlap but they were the same last year and cost them the game IMO. Should follow the Broncos and give some youngsters like Malone and Geia a chance.
Dogs to smash the Knights
Storm easily over Sharks
Panthers in a high scoring one against Raiders
Roosters just against the Rabbitohs
Titans to beat Warriors
Manly just against Tigers if Stewart is playing

lucky i gave up tipping

knights looking at the upset over dogs!!!!

I just joined that que Dally Messenger



"My tip: Canterbury Bulldogs

This is the easiest tip of the weekend and I mean no disrespect to the Newcastle Knights who have a horrendous off-season littered with off-field dramas and an injury to inspirational captain Kurt Gidley. The Canterbury Bulldogs are the team to beat in 2010 I believe, I see them being an even better side this season and I see them sounding off an ominous warning to would-be contenders putting the vulnerable Knights to the sword."

Hillarious.

Damn, I'm looking at a 0-3 to start

yeah i gave up tipping and just enjoy the upsets now. great game

Feckit, I'm at 0-5, wtf?

penrith played good tonight

brilliant attack

together with the eels, tigers they will be the entertainers

Well, the blood has stopped flowing a little - I am 2/5. Won some cash too back on Penrith and Melbourne after losing a chunk on Canterbury. This is going to be a tough season. I am hoping Souths and the Gold Coast can get the job don a long with Wests Tigers. I could handle getting at least a pass mark (4/icon_cool.gif on the opening weekend.

In other news, I heard a Toyota Cup player was called in to the Tigers side to be on standby for Benji Marshall (from another forum) - not sure how much truth is in that. If he is out though, Manly resume favouritism.

What a sh*t 1st half that was. Turner played like it was his 1st FG game. Our completion was crap and we let them destroy us up the middle. Oh, and we're going to miss El Masri's goal kicking this year FFS!

Yeah, I was wondering about the kicking, for so many years now, the bulldogs have scrapped home with a good goal kicker, it could really hurt them this year.

We've had the best kickers in the game for what, nearly 20 years now? Ennis better get practising, or give the job to Turner.

Anyway I think the 1st set actually killed us today you know. Morris bombed the overlap after Idris had gone 40 metres and I reckon they believed the hype that it was going to be 1 way traffic. Next thing you know were 16 down and have a mountain to climb.

What killed the Bulldogs was the Bulldogs. There first half was terrible and that set up the Newcastle win. Forget the missed attempts by Ennis, the inept Canterbury defence coupled with what appeared to be a lack of intensity put them in a hole. There are positives in the sense they came back, but that first half is a worry. With that said, it's the first game of the season. Canterbury when they get it right will still in my opinion, be the team to beat in 2010.

thatll be blake lazarus, nephew of glen

Yeah, that's the guy. As I said, not sure what truth is in it.

warriors v.unlucky.

roosters very good. carney a revelation