What a great round. Massive crowds to pay respect to our ANZACS. Great games. Massacres. And we have our 1st perfect round for 2026, who coincidently is our 1st winner.
ANZAC in the Burbs
ANZAC Round started at Leichhardt and ended in Brookvale and didn’t the Wests Tigers and Sea Eagles fan enjoy their games.
In front of packed houses, both Clubs did a great job with their pregame ceremonies and both teams sparked their hills to life with some fantastic football.
Whether it was Jamal Fogarty racing away untouched for the Sea Eagles of big Royce Hunt charging through the Raiders defence scoring the last try of the night, there was plenty to cheer about.
Unless, you are the new hardened potty mouthed coach of the Tigers. Benji Marshall quickly turned his press conference into questioning the referees over sinbinning Api Koroisau for a hip drop. He was confused and thought the sinbinning would suffice. Api has been ruled out for three matches.
Now if you think having Ricky Stuart in the away change rooms would help your cause, think again. Sticky paraphrased his McDonalds advertisement.
“I thought they did a great job. Now let’s get some soft serves.”
Queensland ANZACs
Friday took us north of the border with the Cowboys and Sharks running a point a minute for a total of 80 and the undermanned Broncos easily accounted for the Bulldogs.
The Cows looked to be doing it easy leading the Sharks 26-12 at halftime but a hattrick to KL Iro kept them in the game. As did Cowboys Jake Clifford’s goal kicking with just 5/9 converted.
In the other game, the Broncos raced to a 20-0 halftime lead before the Doggies troubled the scoreboard.
The Bulldogs were favourites here against a decimated Broncos side but were never in the match. Their problem is scoring tries and the answer is obvious here too.
Bring in Sean O’Sullivan as halfback, move Lachlan Galvin to five-eighth and have either Bronson Xerri or Matt Burton play left centre.
But that would be admitting they’ve had the line-up wrong for two seasons.
The Touch Ups
The Roosters, Rabbitohs and Panthers put their opponents to the sword notching up big scorelines.
The Roosters were at their clinical best with fullback James Tedesco brilliant to officially put the red pen through the Dragons for 2026.
Their 62 – 16 victory mirrors their previous two ANZAC Day shellacking of the Dragons.
46 – 18 winners in 2025 and 60 – 18 in 2024.
The Dragons new kid Kade Reed bobbed up everywhere and will be someone to watch. They now have two weeks to prepare for their next match against the Knights in Wollongong.
If there is ever a team needing a bye it’s the Red V.
The Rabbitohs racked up their first ever win down in Melbourne. Latrell Mitchell had an outstanding game to inflict a sixth straight loss to the Storm. The only team below them on the competition ladder is the winless Dragons.
Now I tipped the Storm thinking it was time they won but must admit I did enjoy how lost Cameron Munster and Harry Grant looked. It must be getting close to Origin time.
ANZAC Round Colours
How good were all the pre-game events. The respect from sell-out crowds. The teams walking out together.
And the Jersey’s worn by the teams to commemorate ANZAC Day. Whether it was completely different like the Raiders, Rabbitohs, Cowboys or Newcastle or subtle like the placement of a poppy or camouflage like the Panthers, Broncos and Sea Eagles.
All teams looked the part for the round. Except…
So how disappointing to see the Bulldogs and Sharks not bother. They put up their hand for other occasions but not for the biggest round of the season. The NRL should mandate all clubs to have an ANZAC jersey.
Disgraceful.
In Other Games
- The Panthers spoilt the party at another packed McDonald Jones stadium against an error riddled Knights team.
- The Wah’s did enough to defeat the ‘Phins at Wellington’s cake tin
This Round’s Results
This Round’s Stats
| Standouts Correct | 49 – That’s everyone |
| Standouts Wrong | 0 – [insert tumbleweed], [crickets making cricket noises] |
| Round High Score | 12 – Bridie |
| Round Low Score | 4 – isha68, Fouad Khochaiche |
| Average Score | 5.8 – That is massive Tipsters! |
| Biggest Mover | +14 – Bridie (who else) |
| Biggest Drop | -11 – Fouad Khochaiche |
The Standout
100% correct this week! Pablo, is this a record?
Special mention to Tipster MLC for finally selecting a Standout winner. It’s one in a row.
Main Competition
UpthePamfers now holds a one-point lead over Bart Simpson. Our ladder leaders need to look over their shoulders at the ambush of Tipsters charging at them leading by yours truly.
Time is ticking.
Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot
Each week we post the Weekly Stats and Ladder Predictor.
ANZAC Round Stats and Ladder Predictor – Footy Tipper
If you downloaded the Ladder Predictor you would have seen what was unfolding this round.
Congratulations Bridie for being our 1st winner of the Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot for 2026.
For the rest of us, we are back to B$10.
As always, good luck with your team and tipping this week.
Rob
The Creator
