It’s all in the numbers. Jai Arrow’s 99th game. The top 2, top 4, top 8 all sorted as is the wooden spoon. Then there’s $190 of Bart Simpson’s money that must be won this week. 1 round to go.
Jai Racing to 100 Games
Another emotional game for Jai Arrow, NRL fans and anyone watching.
With Jai and Cody Walker leading the Rabbitohs out for Jai to be part of the kick-off to register game 99 for the Bunnies.
Congratulations to the NRL and the Rabbitohs for making this happen. Congratulations also to the Titans wearing commemorative Jai jersies that were auction after the game.
Jai Arrow played three seasons at the Gold Coast.
The Top 4
The top four has been decided if just comes down to who will finish as minor premiers and which teams have the daunting task of playing the Wah’s in Warrior-land or Panthers at CommBank Stadium.
The Wah’s hold onto 1st spot by a mere differential point (just last week). They take on the Sea Eagles while the Panthers take on the Wests Tigers.
On paper you’d expect the top two teams to swap positions but it’s the week before finals and expect a lot of ducks and drakes to occur as key players are rested. They just don’t want to follow in the Raiders footsteps last year where the minor premiers were beaten by 50+ and knocked out of the finals in straight sets.
The Dolphins are the surprise team that is finding form at the right end of the season.
While the Roosters who were leading the competition just three weeks ago have now plummeted to fourth place with two consecutive losses as well as having half Sam Walker sidelined for the remainder of the season.
The Top 8
The Sharkies have been disappointing late in the season after looking like real contenders earlier. They will host a home final regardless of next week’s results. Well, hosting a home final will not be at the dilapidated Shark Park. If only the club had invested money in the upkeep of their privately owned ground.
The finishing order is all up for grabs.
Sea Eagles and Bulldogs
Wins by the Rabbitohs and Cowboys ended the finals hopes of the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs.
Manly fans should feel frustrated. Their positive differential really should have seen them ahead of the final’s great pretenders, the Cowboys.
While the Doggies problem has been their inability to score more than three tries and constant reshuffling of the spine. I’m not sure what changes here for 2027.
The Wooden Spoon
Congratulations to the St. George Illawarra Dragons for winning their 1st wooden spoon.
I still maintain they were not the worst team in the competition. They, like the Doggies, couldn’t score points despite the forwards getting them into good attacking positions. Better things await Dragons fans in 2027 as a cavalry of players join and another cavalry departs.
This Round’s Results
This Round’s Stats
| Standouts Correct | 43 |
| Standouts Wrong | 5 |
| Round High Score | 9 – SMOG, Pablo, Splinter, Micrider, Wiley C and even Footy Tipper |
| Round Low Score | 1 – isha68, Ramin Dadisho, Lukebrooksbiggestfan |
| Average Score | 4.3 |
| Biggest Mover | +4 – gdadisho, Slave1 |
| Biggest Drop | -7 – Craig Young’s Love Child, Fouad Khochaiche |
The Standout
The four Tipsters that selected the Sharkie’s this week went as south as Cronulla’s premiership aspirations.
86% correct.
Main Competition
The Creator dared to dream big and dropped one position for it. Every other Tipster played safe.
It’s the last round. The last chance to make a move with a lot of Tipsters in striking range for better prizes, if you dare.
It’s the last round. Final week. Will it be a summer of celebration or a summer of regret.
Ah, if only…
Risk v Reward.
Second Competition
Cruella and iTerry continue their dance and swap places while murch sits by with his dance card ready to boogey into top spot.
Last round. Last chance Tipsters.
Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot
The Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot MUST be won this week.
If there is no official winner this week, the B$190 goes into a random draw for one lucky Tipster.
That’s B$190 for doing nothing more than participating and enjoying our competition.
All you have to do is submit your tips and you are in the running for the 3rd highest prize of the season.
My advice to Tipsters out of contention of the main prizes is to be creative this week with your selections especially with teams likely to rest players.
If you don’t jag the prize legitimately, you can still win it randomly.
It’s the final round.
As always, good luck with your team and tipping.
Rob
The Creator
