Round 12 NRL tips: Andrew Johns 'out on a limb' in 'wet and slippery' surprise
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The Bulldogs have been immaculate this season, sitting two points clear at the top of the ladder as the Origin period gets under way.
They have built their success on a mobile forward pack, fast defensive line and high completion rate - on the surface a perfect recipe for wet and wild conditions, just as Sydney is expected to serve up for their clash with the Dolphins.
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Yet, with captain Stephen Crichton, Max King and Maroons 18th man Kurt Mann unavailable due to Origin duties, Andrew Johns can smell an upset.
Viliame Kikau will lead the charge for a Bulldogs side without some key players. Getty
"This afternoon (Wednesday) it's going to pour and it's going to pour all day (Thursday)," Johns told Brad Fittler on Wide World of Sports' Freddy and The Eighth's Tips.
"So it's going to be wet and sloppy, like your underpants. Bulldogs-Dolphins, I'm going to go out on a limb. Dolphins."
It was a pick that clearly took Fittler by surprise, particularly with the wet weather forecast.
"[Josh] Curran back (from suspension). They're missing plenty but they've got their hooker, half, five-eighth and fullback and Kikau, so that's enough for me."
As well as the three players lost to Origin duties, the Bulldogs will also be missing Jacob Kiraz for the next month due to a calf injury.
On the flip side, the Dolphins have had to replace lethal fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who retained his place in the Queensland side, while star forward Tom Gilbert is facing another long stint on the sidelines due to a pec injury.
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Yet Johns is adamant the Dolphins are capable of creating a boilover at Accor Stadium, citing their missed chances against the Warriors, another high flying team.
"The Dolphins had so many opportunities," Johns said. "The Warriors had three drop outs and they [retained possession on] them all.
"I think the Dolphins can win."
Scroll below for the current leaderboard and Round 12 tips by all Nine's expert tipsters!
Nine's NRL tipping leaderboard. Nine
Andrew Johns: Dolphins, Eels, Knights, Sharks, Warriors
Brad Fittler: Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Knights, Sharks, Warriors
Paul Gallen: Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Sharks, Raiders
Darren Lockyer: Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Roosters, Raiders
Mat Thompson: Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Sharks, Warriors
Peter Psaltis: Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Sharks, Warriors
David Middleton: Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Sharks, Raiders
Danika Mason: Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Sharks, Warriors
The Mole: Dolphins, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Sharks, Warriors
Ben Glover: Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Sharks, Warriors
Johnathan Thurston: Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Sharks, Warriors
