Two field goals have changed the course of this year’s finals series.
Home Finals
The Wests Tigers last minute field goal win over the Roosters and the Wah’s final seconds field goal has changed the shape of the top of the ladder.
The Roosters started the round in 1st place, only to see the Panthers reclaim the lead before the Wah’s field goal put them into 1st place by a mere 1 differential point.
The Panthers led the Storm 22-0 but allowed the Storm to score 14 unanswered points in a game that was a sin-bin-athon. This left the door ajar for the Wah’s with a 19-point win over the Rabbitohs.
The Roosters entered their game with the second biggest margin this season and was expected to beat the Wests Tigers that hadn’t won in over two months.
But the Tiges out played the Chooks and a one-point winning scoreline wasn’t reflective of how much better the Wests Tigers were.
The Warriors are now in a strong position to finish top two and host home finals. They will have a massive advantage and could walk straight into the Grand Final.
But as we saw this round, anything can happen in the next two weeks.
The Warriors host the Knights and Sea Eagles.
The Panthers, Bulldogs and Wests Tigers.
While the Roosters are up against the Dolphins and Rabbitohs
Papa’s Party Poopers
Big Josh Papalii played his final home game in Canberra after 16 years representing the Club. When Papa started the Dragons were defending premiers.
But there were no celebrations on the scoreboard. The Raiders blew a 30-12 lead with the Broncos spoiling the party scoring three tries in the final 15 minutes.
There is a rumour Raiders fans are petitioning the NRL to ensure they don’t play the Broncos in Canberra when they create the 2027 schedule.
Eighth Spot and the Spoon
Wins by Manly and the Bulldogs keeps their seasons alive, sort of. The Doggies are a bigger chance needing the Cowboys to drop one more game than them to make the finals.
The Cows are at home against Wests Tigers and Raiders while the Bulldogs face the Panthers and Broncos.
Likewise, the Dragons loss to the Bulldogs now sees their sites on the Titans to avoid the wooden spoon.
The Dragons need to beat the Sea Eagles and Eels by a lot and hope the Titans lose to the Rabbitohs and Dolphins (also by a lot).
There is still hope Dragons fans.
This Round’s Results
This Round’s Stats
| Standouts Correct | 10 |
| Standouts Wrong | 38 |
| Round High Score | 7 – murch, Bridie, Shagger, Timbo, BillyB, MLC |
| Round Low Score | 0 – blakey94, Ramin Dadisho, Lukebrooksbiggestfan |
| Average Score | 1.7 |
| Biggest Mover | +5 – Timbo, Neville |
| Biggest Drop | -3 – Robert Cook |
The Standout
It wasn’t our lowest of the season but it was up there. Almost nobody thought the Tiges had any chance. Well, unless you were Timbo who pulled a rabbit out of the hat selecting the Wests Tigers as Standout.
20% correct this week.
Main Competition
All the front runners continue to play it safe selecting favourites and the top three were punished for it.
But look out for murch and Bridie who, with just two rounds remaining, are one good round away from stealing the major prizes.
It’s the final two weeks for 2026.
Risk v Reward.
Second Competition
iTerry and Cruella continue to hold onto the top two prizes but lookout, murch could gazump all and win this competition too.
Two rounds remain. Tick, tick, tick…
Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot
The Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot is the 3rd highest paying prize in the competition at B$180.
Two weeks to go. Who wants Bart’s money? I bet it’s murch here too.
Risk v Reward. You are running out of time Tipster.
As always, good luck with your team and tipping.
Rob
The Creator
