It’s ANZAC Round. What more can I say? Read on Tipster.
What a great round. ANZAC Round is always my favourite of the year, and it did not disappoint.
The teams walking out together. The respect shown from all crowds during the ceremonies and minute silence. This was across all games, yet each ceremony was unique in how they commemorated the Day/Weekend.
If you haven’t already read it, you can check my ANZAC DAY preview below:
The games themself were also great to watch with the weekend starting with some thrashings and ending with a golden point victory. Here are my highlights.
Hot and Cold
Broncos v Bulldogs
The Broncos kicked off ANZAC weekend with a clinical first half performance against the unbeaten Bulldogs.
The Broncos are a Tipster’s nightmare with how inconsistent they can be, even in this match, leading 34-0 at halftime only to invite the Bulldogs back into the game to end up winning 42-18.
Canterbury resorted to the days of the dirty dogs with three players sin-binned, three players facing bans, with more that could have been binned or sent-off. The fact they were easily the better team in the 2nd half shows their resolve, but this was their first big test against a competition heavyweight.
We will see how the Bulldogs bounce back from this.
Roosters v Dragons
The Roosters v Dragons game is the NRL’s jewel in the ANZAC Day crown. These matches are mostly torrid affairs with either team able to win despite their standing on the table.
For the second year running, the Roosters ran away big victors in this match.
Again, both teams are hard to gauge. The Roosters previous wins were only against heavyweights Panthers and Storm while the Dragons had won three of their last four games (including the Storm).
Both teams join an ever-growing group of teams that are Tipsters selection nightmares. What works and looks like certainties one week are, standing behind the goal posts the next.
So inconsistent. Speaking of which…
Panthers v Sea Eagles
The Premiers(4x) Panthers now sit dead last. Bottom of the ladder. Every team at least 2 points clear.
Yet most Tipsters continue to pick them and are waiting for them to turn the table around. The Panthers were Ferraris last week and clunkers again this week. Coach Cleary said their ladder position wasn’t important until July-Aug. Is that when we start tipping them again? I have more detailed analysis on this to share this week.
And Manly? The Sea Eagles are probably the most frustrating team to tip. I guess if Tommy Turbo plays, they are a chance. Most times?
Comebacks
Most other games went according to plan but what about the comebacks by the Cowboys and Raiders!
The Titans led the Cowboys 18-12 at halftime and never troubled the scoreboard again. The Cows piled on 50 points meaning the Titans can now join the Roosters, Eels and Panthers for Mad Monday or try and make history (which won’t happen).
Similarly, the Dolphins led the Raiders 28-10 at halftime and also failed to trouble the scoreboard with the Raiders amassing a total of 40 points.
Oh, what could have been for supporters of these Clubs and some of our Tipsters.
Golden Day
The final match of the round again featured the Wests Tigers in a golden point classic against the Sharks.
Runaway player Lachlan Galvin returned to the fold and didn’t the Tiges look the better for it. In front of a packed Leichhardt Oval crowd, it was great to see smiles on the players and fans faces again. It even made me smile to see the reaction of the entire Oval when Adam Doueihi kicked the winning penalty in the 2nd stanza of golden point.
Sharkie fans will rue missed opportunities to win including Nicko Hynes’ 45m field goal that hit the upright in the final minutes of regulation time
You couldn’t have scripted a better finish. Well, unless you were Timbo or Shagger who had standouts riding on this game or the sole Tipster who had the BS Weekly Jackpot on the line (more below).
Round 8 Results
Round 8 Stats
| Standouts Correct | 44 |
| Standouts Wrong | 7 |
| Round High Score | 9 – Chunka |
| Round Low Score | 1 |
| Average Score | 4 |
| Biggest Mover | +9 – Chunka |
| Biggest Drop | -24 – Fouad Khochaiche |
The Standout
That’s better. 44 Tipsters got this correct with only the die-hard fans missing out this week.
One Tipster still believes the last placed Panthers were a sure thing. Not so sure they will be tipping that way again in Magic Round.
Main Competition
Only one change to our competition leaders with Big Moose returning to the prize money at Wiley C‘s (flash in a pan) expense.
It’s also good news for all Tipsters watching the fortunes of former competition leader Robert Cook. He remains on $30 and looks to be righting his ship. Look out C.Y.L.C.
Magic Round
Round 9 is Magic Round with all matches played at Suncorp Stadium over three days. Please keep this in mind when selecting your winners and that the cut-off is Friday 6:00pm AEST.
I will have a Magic write up during the week.
Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot
The Wests Tigers golden point victory over the Sharkies in the final match of the round is all that stood in the way of our PNG Tipster Chunka from taking out the BS Weekly Jackpot.
Better luck next round.
The Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot continues to grow and now stands at B$60.
Good luck with your team and tipping this Magic Round.
Rob
The Creator
