Welcome back Tipsters!
We hope you enjoyed the offseason. The warmer weather. The sports that were not footy.
How good was the test series against India? The Hurricanes winning their first BBL trophy? Rabbitohs reject Jordan Mailata (and his friends) winning the Super Bowl for the Eagles? Oh, and there was the Australian Open and probably some golf and darts. But this is where my interest starts to wane.
The NRL is back and what an exciting season we have on offer. It all starts this weekend with an extended round one kicking off in Las Vegas.
It’s year two of the Vegas tour and it just gets bigger and better.
- NRL – Raiders v Warriors
- UK Super League – Wigan v Warrington (featuring fan favourite Matt Dufty)
- Womens International – Jillaroos v England
- NRL – Panthers v Sharks
This is before the round continues with highlight matches being the local derby between Dragons v Bulldogs and, new coaches going up against their mentors in the Dolphins v Rabbitohs and Storm v Eels.
Tipping at the start of the competition is always tricky and it doesn’t get any easier this season. Yes, the Storm and Panthers will be up there (and nobody wants another Munster/Bellamy v The Clearys GF) but there has been plenty of movement across the other clubs.
Jason Ryles has finally been unleashed on the NRL taking the coaching reigns at Parramatta. Likewise, Kristian Woolf for the Dolphins.
The Rabbitohs welcome back Super Coach Wayne Bennett.
The Broncos have the hard edge of Coach Maguire as well as the return of Ben Hunt (any team is better with Benny in it).
The Dragons traded in “said” Benny for an entire backline in Saint Gutho, Damien Cook, Val Holmes and Lachlan Illias.
The Wests Tigers have added premiership winners in Jarome Luai and Jack Bird to the team and WILL avoid a 4th wooden spoon.
The Roosters have lost half their representative players (which equates to 25% of their salary cap) in a return to youth that may see slimmer pickings this season.
Both Warriors and Manly are looking at sell-out crowds to turn their home into fortresses.
Normally I would say tip with your head and cheer with your heart. But its round one and if you can’t tip your team this week, when can you?
Please ensure your tips are in before kick-off or you will start the season on the lowest score.
As usual we will be accepting new Tipsters right up until kick-off so feel free to extend the fun with family, friends, work colleagues etc.
Good luck with your tipping and your team in 2025.
Rob and Paul
Image(s) courtesy of: yourlocalclub.com.au
