NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 5
Heading into Round 5 of the NRL season, two teams – the Canberra Raiders and Parramatta Eels – are still without a win, and Brad Fittler reckons that by weekend’s end, one will have notched up their first victory, while the other will be sitting stone, motherless last with a 0-5 record.
The weekend’s action begins with the Raiders hosting the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs from GIO Stadium, live and free on Nine on Thursday night from 7.30pm, with Freddy risking his spot at the top of our tipsters’ table by predicting an upset in the Nation’s Capital.
As it stands, Locky is still the man to beat, with 16 to his name, although Freddy drew level last week. Joey is nipping at their heels with 15, while Gus had a huge week in Round 4, predicting six correctly to pull even with Wally on 14.
Poor old Sterlo only got one correct last week, and is now the proverbial caboose, with 11.
The Raiders were given a hiding last time out, going down 32-16 to Manly, with Canberra coach Ricky Stuart blasting his side as "soft".
“Well, Ricky’s played his big card, all the blame’s on the players now,” Freddy said ahead of Thursday night’s game.
“On the extended bench I see (Josh) Papalii and (Blake) Austin, be interesting to see if them two fellas sneak up into the team.”
Having noted that Aiden Tolman is out of action – the Bulldogs’ workhorse having posted pics from hospital of his recent surgery – Freddy decided, “I’m going Canberra.”
Stuart – who was coach at the Roosters when Freddy captained them to the 2002 premiership – will be praying his former charge is on the money, as going winless after five weeks makes finals footy all but a pipe dream.
Thus, on the other side of the coin, Brad Arthur – who succeeded Stuart as coach at the Eels – will be praying Freddy has made a meal of his tips for Sunday’s game.
The second Battle of the West for season 2018 sees Parramatta take on a Penrith side that Freddy says are coming off “the most impressive game of the year”.
“Not only James Maloney’s performance but they just tore in! Very aggressive!
“I don’t know if the Parramatta side has a forward pack that can contain them.
“So… Going Penrith.”
That game will be shown live and free on Nine from 3pm on Sunday.
Leaderboard
Locky – 16
Freddy – 16
Joey – 15
Wally – 14
Gus – 14
Sterlo – 11
Locky
Raiders
Roosters
Dragons
Storm
Cowboys
Broncos
Sea Eagles
Panthers
Freddy
(watch the video)
Joey
(watch the video)
Wally
Bulldogs
Sharks
Dragons
Storm
Cowboys
Broncos
Sea Eagles
Panthers
Gus
Raiders
Sharks
Dragons
Tigers
Warriors
Knights
Titans
Panthers
Sterlo
Raiders
Roosters
Dragons
Storm
Warriors
Broncos
Titans
Panthers
