NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 19
With Origin now behind us we start the run into the NRL finals, with Round 19 the last of the shortened rounds for the season.
Freddy’s lead at the top of the table remains at four points, after he managed three from four last weekend.
Wally and Gus also scored three, while Sterlo slipped further off the pace with just one correct tip from four games.
Following the Blues’ Origin loss on Wednesday night, neither Joey or Freddy are in a fit state to be facing the camera, so we’ve taken pity on both of them and given them the day off. In the meantime, for those that need their regular fix of the pair of legends, you can get two for the price of one and see Freddy impersonating Joey here.
The round gets underway with the Warriors playing Penrith, and it’s a vital match for both sides, who sit in equal ninth spot, four points outside the top eight.
You feel it could be curtains for the loser of this match, and most of our panel believe it will be the Warriors who get the two points.
When the two sides met earlier this year it was the Panthers who took the points, but only after they overcame a 28-6 deficit to win 36-28, and Penrith coach Anthony Griffin is expecting the Warriors to bounce back.
“I’d imagine it’s something they weren’t proud of, so there’ll be a response for sure,” Griffin said.
You can catch the match between the Raiders and Dragons live and free on Channel Nine from 7:30pm Friday, and there’s overwhelming support for Canberra in this match, although Wally doesn’t think the result is clear cut.
“It's with little confidence, but I favour the Raiders,” he said.
The Rabbitohs and Cowboys are also live and free on Channel Nine from 4pm Sunday, and despite the continued absence of the injured Johnathan Thurston, the panel believe the Cowboys can get the cash.
Elsewhere the panel expect the Broncos to consolidate their spot in the top eight when they play the struggling Newcastle, while second placed Cronulla are overwhelming favourites against the Titans who languish in 14th spot on the ladder, and Manly are strong favourites to dispose of the Wests Tigers.
Leaderboard
Freddy 80
Wally 76
Gus 75
Joey 74
Locky 74
Sterlo 72
Freddy
Warriors
Raiders
Broncos
Sharks
Sea Eagles
Cowboys
Wally
Warriors
Raiders
Broncos
Sharks
Sea Eagles
Cowboys
Gus
Panthers
Raiders
Broncos
Sharks
Sea Eagles
Cowboys
Joey
Warriors
Raiders
Broncos
Sharks
Sea Eagles
Cowboys
Locky
Warriors
Raiders
Broncos
Sharks
Sea Eagles
Cowboys
Sterlo
Tips to come
