NRL Round 5 tips: Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler and Nine's experts give their predictions
NSW coach Brad Fittler says the Dragons won't know how they're really going until their clash with the Eels on Sunday night.
Speaking to Andrew Johns for Wide World of Sports' Freddy and Joey's Tips, Fittler interjected as Johns was winding up his praise of the joint venture outfit that sits sixth on the ladder with a 3-1 record.
It's a start to the season that has been surprising to some, with coach Anthony Griffin clearly prioritising strong defence, set completions and physicality, and reaping the rewards.
Zac Lomax and Corey Norman celebrate a Dragons try against the Knights. Getty
The Dragons impressed Johns on Sunday afternoon "bashing" the Knights in a forward dominated contest that marked their most attention grabbing win of 2021 season so far.
Fittler was more measured in his appraisal, saying "the one thing that's been proven" over the opening four rounds is that there's "a couple of levels" separating the genuinely good teams and the battlers.
He said he needed to see the Dragons come through a test against one of the proven heavyweights before he'd jump on the bandwagon.
"They've played the Knights, Cowboys and Manly," Fittler said, adding that their clash with Parramatta would give a more accurate assessment of their progress.
"This is one where the Dragons need to step up, it'll be a great game, and [a win] would sort of shut a lot of people up."
Both Fittler and Johns tipped the Eels, who are flying alongside the Panthers at the top of the ladder after an unbeaten start.
Scroll below for the current leaderboard and Round 5 tips by Johns, Fittler and all Nine's expert tipsters!
Nine's NRL tipping leaderboard. Nine
Andrew Johns: Rabbitohs, Warriors, Panthers, Titans, Roosters, Tigers, Eels
Brad Fittler: Rabbitohs, Warriors, Panthers, Titans, Roosters, Tigers, Eels
Peter Sterling: Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Titans, Storm, Roosters, Tigers, Eels
Ruan Sims: Rabbitohs, Warriors, Panthers, Titans, Storm, Roosters, Tigers, Dragons
Billy Slater: Rabbitohs, Warriors, Panthers, Titans, Storm, Roosters, Tigers, Eels
Darren Lockyer: Broncos, Warriors, Panthers, Titans, Storm, Roosters, Tigers, Eels
Wally Lewis: Rabbitohs, Warriors, Panthers, Titans, Storm, Roosters, Tigers, Eels
Paul Gallen: Rabbitohs, Manly, Raiders, Titans, Storm, Roosters, Cowboys, Eels
James Bracey: Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Titans, Storm, Sharks, Tigers, Eels
Peter Psaltis: Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Titans, Storm, Roosters, Tigers, Eels
Mat Thompson: Rabbitohs, Warriors, Panthers, Titans, Storm, Roosters, Tigers, Dragons
The Mole: Rabbitohs, Warriors, Panthers, Titans, Storm, Roosters, Tigers, Eels
Tim Elbra: Rabbitohs, Warriors, Panthers, Titans, Storm, Roosters, Wests Tigers, Eels
Ben Glover: Rabbitohs, Warriors, Panthers, Titans, Storm, Sharks, Tigers, Eels
