Uncool Dad’s Bunnies TV Round 8 Preview
This week in the NRL we have the ANZAC round, something I think the NRL has always managed well. All the sides will be out in their ANZAC jerseys paying respect to those who have served. It’s a time to remember and be thankful for what we have but also a time to have some excellent footy played in front of huge crowds. On top of the traditional clashes we have every year, there’s some blockbuster games that even the casual fan will be keen to see…
Looking back at Round 7, my tips went 6 from 8. Not too bad and an improvement from last week but of course I want 8! The two games that cost me were the Friday night matches where the Sharkies overcame the Roosters and Manly had a form reversal at home over Melbourne. I got these completely wrong as I was quite keen on the Roosters and Melbourne and even had suggested bets on them. Oh well, serves me right for backing the Roosters and Storm!
The suggested bets were a bit of trainwreck last round going only 3 from 8. Even though I got most of the results right, stuffing about with lines, margins and totals cost me. You’ve got to back yourself though and I was happy with my choices even leading up to kick off in each match. Let’s see how I go this week..
Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Jai Arrow 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jed Cartwright 15. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 16. Hame Sele 17. Davvy Moale 18. Taane Milne 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Josiah Karapani 21. Ben Lovett 22. Tallis Duncan
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Matt Eisenhuth 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Luke Garner 19. Eddie Blacker 20. Liam Henry 21. Jack Cogger 22. Tyrone Peachey
Rabbitohs +6.5, Panthers -6.5
The Match
There’s probably not a bigger way to kick off a round than a Souths v Penrith clash. Thursday night and a bit of rain forecast may keep the crowd down but everyone will be tuning in on TV. I’ll certainly be at Accor hoping my Rabbitohs can turn the tables on the premiers.
The Rabbitohs have found some form with big wins over the Dogs and Dolphins but face a class rise here. Penrith had two massive wins but then just scraped home against Newcastle. I wonder if they could have been more focused on this clash?
Souths have suffered a huge loss with Keaon Koloamatangi missing for an extended period, Tatola is not quite ready either. Their pack is not full strength but they will be willing. Penrith are missing Liam Martin again which weakens them also. Both backlines are intact with Thompson returning for the Bunnies.
The Tip
Of course I will go with my Rabbitohs but I know Penrith always bring their best when playing us. They’ve never forgiven us for beating them in the major semi in 2021 and have brought their A game ever since. Every game has been tight (apart from the Dubbo disaster) so Souths haven’t been too far off.
When questioned at a press conference during the week what he had learnt from the last loss to Penrith Cam Murray replied “Nothing.” Souths know exactly what they’re going to get but can they overcome it? I hope so, they’re certainly good enough.
The Bet
No bet.
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson 14. J’maine Hopgood 15. Brendan Hands 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Matt Doorey 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Jack Murchie 20. Makahesi Makatoa 21. Bailey Simonsson 22. Daejarn Asi
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Jock Madden 21. Brendan Piakura 22. Deine Mariner
Eels +3.5, Broncos -3.5
The Match
Only the one Friday match scheduled with the two games on ANZAC day but what a good one it is? The Eels finally have all their forwards back and are starting to look a bit like the side that made the Grand Final last year. They’ve had a tough start to the year and will be keen to keep racking up wins, particularly at home.
The Broncos have been lucky with injury and look full strength. They have been brilliant this year and are at the top of the table. Despite this, they can make errors and overplay their hand in attack. Usually this doesn’t matter with the talent they have but they’ve got out of trouble a few times and got unexpectedly beaten by Canberra.
The Tip
This is a very tough game to tip and I may change my mind by kick off but for now I’m siding with the Eels. They’re at home in front of a massive crowd and they need to keep winning. The Broncos are highly dangerous and could be too good but I like Parra to bring their best. If Parra play in a similar way to when they met Penrith and the Broncos can make some of those errors it could be a home side win.
The Bet
Eels straight out is tempting but Either side 1-12 looks the best play.
Bulldogs team: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Declan Casey 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Braidon Burns 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Matt Burton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Corey Waddell 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Jayden Okunbor 16. Andrew Davey 17. Ryan Sutton 19. Karl Oloapu 20. Jackson Topine 21. Samuel Hughes 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Reece Hoffman
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Wade Graham 15. Jack Williams 16. Royce Hunt 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Connor Tracey 20. Tuku Hau Tapuha 21. Mawene Hiroti 22. Jayden Berrell
Bulldogs +14.5, Sharks -14.5
The Match
This contest has lost a lot of interest with the Bulldogs side being absolutely decimated by injury. Their injury toll is easily the worst in the league and it’s going to be hard for them to compete consistently.
The Sharks, however, are starting to look like a top team again after seeing off the Roosters at home last week. They rode the wave of their loyal home crowd and were relentless against their more favoured rivals.
In team news, there’s too many injuries to mention for Canterbury. Their side is starting to resemble nothing of the team they hoped would be pushing for a Top 8 berth. Cronulla are still missing Rudolf and Finucane but still look very solid from 1 to 17.
The Tip
I’ve no doubt the Doggies will try hard. They may be running out of players but there seems to be a lot more spirit in the club than in previous years. Still, the Sharks should be too good here. If they bring anything like last week’s effort they should collect the two points with relative ease. I don’t know if the Bulldogs will be able to match them over 80 minutes.
The Bet
I like the Sharks to cover the line of -14.5.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Tomas Chester 15. Jake Granville 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Mitchell Dunn 18. Riley Price 19. Ben Hampton 20. Brendan Elliot 21. Taniela Sadrugu 22. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Knights team: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Kurt Mann 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Mathew Croker 17. Jack Hetherington 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Hymel Hunt 20. Jack Johns 21. Dylan Lucas 22. Adam Clune
Cowboys -2.5, Knights +2.5
The Match
The second of two games on Saturday looks like an intriguing one. The Cowboys are really in the desperation stakes and need to start banking wins. The Knights have been one of the most impressive teams. They probably should have beaten Penrith and get Ponga back.
In selection news, the Cowboys have a massive out in Jason Taumalolo missing with a knee injury. He hasn’t been anywhere near his best but someone will have to pick up his impact and workload. Jordan McLean returning may help this.
Big news for the Knights with Ponga back and also Jacob Saifiti. They’ve been going quite well without him but Kalyn will be keen to prove himself. Saifiti will add more punch to an already well-performing pack.
The Tip
It’s time for me to jump on the Knights bandwagon. I’m surprised at how well they’ve gone this year but their new recruits seem to have rejuvenated the whole side. The Cowboys have been the opposite. Their attack looks clumsy and their effort areas are down. They will be desperate but that doesn’t always translate into a good performance.
The Bet
Knights at $2.03 is a bet.
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Robert Jennings 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. JJ Collins 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Edrick Lee 21. Mason Teague 22. Valynce Te Whare
Titans team: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Erin Clark 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Klese Haas 18. Jo Vuna 19. Keano Kini 20. Thomas Weaver 21. AJ Brimson 22. Sam McIntyre
Dolphins -2.5, Titans +2.5
The Match
The first Sunday game looks like another evenly matched contest. The question has to be asked though. How many Queensland derbies can you have in 8 weeks? Plenty it seems.
The Dolphins welcome back Felise Kaufusi for this game. He was on fire before his suspension and will be a big addition here. They do lose Kenny Bromwich though to suspension after his dangerous play on Taane Milne last round.
For the Titans, AJ Brimson could be a late inclusion. He’s on the extended bench and will play if he’s close to fit. They’ve also had a bit of a re-shuffle in the backs with Schoupp getting the chop.
The Tip
There’s not a lot between these two teams, both have produced in most games this year. However, I’m going to take the Dolphins to get the win here. They were good against Souths for the first half before being blown away and Bennett will be keen to rectify that result. They’ve just been a bit more tougher and resilient than the Titans. Gold Coast are certainly not without a hope.
The Bet
Dolphins straight out at $1.72 looks good. I’d be surprised if it’s not close so let’s take Dolphins 1-12 too.
Wests Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Starford To’a 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Daine Laurie 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Alex Twal 17. Tommy Talau 18. Alex Seyfarth 19. Shawn Blore 20. Justin Matamua 21. David Nofoaluma 22. Jake Simpkin
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ethan Bullemor 13. Josh Aloiai 14. Samuela Fainu 15. Sean Keppie 16. Aaron Woods 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Cooper Johns 19. Kaeo Weekes 20. Ben Condon 21. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 22. Christian Tuipulotu
Tigers +10.5, Sea Eagles -10.5
The Match
The only winless team of the NRL take on a Manly side on a high after a huge win over the Storm. To make matters worse for Wests, they have lost one of their more consistent performers in Adam Doueihi. This means a halves combo of Wakeham and Brooks which is hardly the NRL’s best. The Tiges also have a debut player in Jahream Bula at fullback. I know nothing about him so it will be interesting to see what he brings.
Manly have two very handy inclusions in their backline with Schuster and Garrick returning. This only makes them stronger. Their forwards look intact and ready to dominate.
The Tip
I can only see this going one way. Manly to win.
The Bet
I was going to leave this one but after looking at the teams more closely, I like Manly to cover the line. Manly -10.5 for me. I’d say this will blow out further by kick off.
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Paul Momirovski 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Joseph Manu 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Terrell May 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Corey Allan 19. Nathan Brown 20. Naufahu Whyte 21. Jake Turpin 22. Sam Walker
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Zane Musgrove 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jack Bird 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Michael Molo 16. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr 18. Jaiyden Hunt 19. Max Feagai 20. Jayden Sullivan 21. Billy Burns 22. Viliami Fifita
Roosters -12.5, Dragons +12.5
The Match
An enormous ANZAC Day crowd will be on hand here for one of the NRL’s best traditional matches. No matter where each team is on the table both sides are usually inspired by the occasion. This will be the first one at the new Allianz (Trellianz) which will be a good spectacle for the fans.
Coach Robinson has wielded the axe after a few lacklustre performances. Crichton and Tupouniua also return, strengthening their pack. Momirovski comes into the centres whilst Manu comes into the halves for the dropped Walker. It’s a very different looking Roosters side but probably a better one.
The Dragons side looks more or less the same but it looks as if Jayden Sua has been dropped which seems odd. He’ll be in a Dolphins jersey before you can say “sly old gunslinger”.
The Tip
I’d be surprised if the Roosters don’t win this. These games are always tight but they look a lot better on paper. The Dragons don’t lack in effort but they do in execution and that should be enough to see the Roosters winning.
The Bet
Roosters to win but it should be close, I’ll take them to win 1-12.
Storm team:1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Tariq Sims 18. Grant Anderson 19. Aaron Pene 20. Tyran Wishart 21. Jonah Pezet 22. Jack Howarth
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Marcelo Montoya 4. Adam Pompey 5. Edward Kosi 6. Dylan Walker 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Jazz Tevaga 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Bayley Sironen 15. Josh Curran 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Tom Ale 18. Viliami Vailea 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Demitric Sifakula 23. Zyon Maiu’u
Storm -12.5, Warriors +12.5
The Match
This game is probably never as big as the daytime ANZAC clash but this is still a pretty special game. Like the earlier clash, these matches are usually close. The way both teams have gone so far I expect this to be definitely the case this year.
In team news, the Storm are looking a lot stronger this week. Big Nelson comes back for his first match in ages and the in-form Meaney returns at fullback allowing Munster to shift back to the halves.
The Warriors are still missing a couple of stars in Martin and Egan but I thought Walker and Lussick were good in their absence last week. Niukore returns though which bolsters their forwards.
The Tip
This looks a great game to finish the round and I’m looking forward to it. I’m going to go the default selection of Melbourne at home even though the Warriors have been impressive every week so far. I may change my mind by kick off but it’s unlikely.
The Bet
I may have reluctantly tipped the Storm to win but I’m not discounting the Warriors. They’ve been great this year and could well win. For that reason, the 12.5 start for NZ looks a solid bet.
Going through all these games one by one always makes me look forward to a round of footy even more. This week is no different with a stack of great games to get stuck into. My Rabbitohs finally broke the Thursday night curse in Round 7 so why not make it 2 in a row? I’d love to see it!
Join me for Uncool Dad’s Round 8 Recap when this week in league has concluded.
Match info from NRL.com
Team info from foxsports.com.au
Betting info from Sportsbet.com.au
Uncool Dad’s Bunnies TV Round 8 Preview
By Greg Allan for BunniesTV.au
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