Magic Round 2026 is done and dusted. Time to move on to Origin.
Magic Round may have completed at Suncorp Stadium, but it continues today at the Jetstar terminal at Brisbane Airport. All those interstate and international fans flying home after spending big time and money in BrisVega$.
And there were some magical games over the weekend.
Friday Night Magic
The Sharks started the weekend off with a strong win over the Bulldogs.
I can’t help but feel sorry for Braith Anasta and the other Doggies fans. Every week the team looks more and more lost. As does their coach. They face off against the Storm this week (minus Origin players) before playing against the Wests Tigers who have also fallen off a cliff.
The highlight match was the Rabbitohs v Dolphins. The ‘Phins were in total control of Latrell Mitchell and therefore the Bunnies and entertained the crowd with some great tries.
The sour note was the injury to Blues legend Latrell who will miss Origin 1.
Super Saturday Magic
There were all sorts of magic on Saturday. The Sea Eagles definitely had it in spades with another big victory this time against the Wests Tigers. Again, late tries flattered the Tigers scoreline but Manly were one dropped ball away of posting 50 points.
Speaking of dropped balls, the Roosters were at their terrible worse against the Cowboys who scored all their points in the first half. Only three Tipsters saw this coming.
The final match between the Eels and Storm was akin to watching two 10-year-old nephews dueling out some ordinary card tricks before the Storm ran away with the second win in as many weeks. They have now leapfrogged the Bulldogs, Eels and Titans to sit two wins out of the top eight.
Sunday Magic
The Knights proved to be too strong for the Titans in the curtain raiser for the match of the round.
The Warriors v Broncos.
The crowd were enourmous in this match. Approximately 8000 Wah’s fans flocked the stadium and outnumbered the Broncos fans. The Wahs were super impressive especially in the first half where they had 70% possession that wore down the Broncos with a 22-0 halftime score.
The Broncos in true Broncos fashion scored immediately at the start of the second half and again a short while later before the independent bunker doctor killed any comeback sending Reece Walsh for an HIA with 15 minutes of the match remaining.
The biggest downer of the match was an ACL injury to Wah’s half Tannah Boyd who has been outstanding this season and won’t return until sometime in 2027.
The final match was the complete opposite of the Wahs v Broncos. First v Last.
The stadium may have been sold out but it certainly didn’t look it for this game. The crowd preferring to watch the game in the pub or go home and prepare for work the next day. It didn’t help that the heavens opened up and the famous Brisbane weather was on full display.
This was a dull game. The commentators patronisingly going on how gritty the Dragons were and how they stayed in the game. The reality was the Panthers were all looking at Origin and played within themselves and were always in control.
The Dragons host the Warriors at Kogarah on Saturday. Don’t expect the Wah’s to play safe like Penrith.
This Round’s Results
This Round’s Stats
| Standouts Correct | 45 |
| Standouts Wrong | 4 – isha68, Micrider, Timbo, Slave1 |
| Round High Score | 9 – 10 clever Tipsters |
| Round Low Score | 3 – isha68, Micrider, Timbo, Slave1 |
| Average Score | 5.3 |
| Biggest Mover | +5 – I miss Benji, Robert Cook |
| Biggest Drop | -14 – Slave1 |
The Standout
I still don’t understand why anyone would not tip the Panthers this round. Well except for the three diehards who thought the Dragons were going to win.
The Roosters and Bulldogs cost four tipsters this week. 90% correct for the rest of us.
Tipster MLC is now on four in a row selecting the Storm.
Main Competition
Former competition leader UpthePamfers continues to slide down the ladder with both Chunka and MB now sharing 3rd and 4th prize moneys. All others spots remain unchanged.
Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot
Splinter was the last Tipster standing going into Sunday only to be let down by the Titans.
The Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot is now B$40.
As always, good luck with your team and tipping this week.
Rob
The Creator
