NRL tips with The Thinker

• Round one predictions
• Current NRL ladder
• NRL tips with Wally Lewis
• Season stats for The Thinker
• Season stats for Wally Lewis
• Season predictions for The Thinker

Who is “The Thinker”?

Born under and raised by goal posts at Redcliffe's Dolphin Oval, “The Thinker” was always expected to take a keen interest in the great game of rugby league. As a young tyke he was an outstanding football talent. Fame and fortune beckoned but things would soon go tragically awry.

In 1983 he received a copy of the Guinness Book of World Records as a birthday gift. Later that day he attempted to break the endurance record for plate-spinning. Some thirteen minutes into his attempt, and just nine days short of the record, “The Thinker” was struck down with what we now know as a repetitive strain injury to both wrists. He never passed a football again.

Following this tragic injury his life became a series of mis-steps, until early this century when he stumbled across a faded maroon cap in a local Salvation Army store. This cap bore an uncanny resemblance to the one worn by the great Arthur Beetson when he coached the 1989 Queensland State of Origin side. In an astonishing turn of events, a routine analysis of the cap proved it was nothing of the sort.

Undeterred and needing a hat, he soon found that with cap donned he was able to predict NRL matches with stunning clarity. This clarity...or gift if you will...is shared with you all below.

Wally Lewis - round one selections (in bold)

• BRONCOS vs Cowboys
• ROOSTERS vs Rabbitohs
• Titans vs DRAGONS
• Warriors vs EELS
• Storm vs SEA EAGLES
• RAIDERS vs Sharks
• PANTHERS vs Knights
• Bulldogs vs TIGERS

NRL round one selections from The Thinker

Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys - Friday night - Suncorp Stadium

How young is this Broncos back five? Plasterer Jack Reed makes his debut in the centres at 22 and he’s the second oldest (fullback Josh Hoffman turns 23 today). Young they may be, but Hoffman and Yow Yeh have plenty of first grade experience and there are big wraps on the other three - particularly winger Dane Gagai whom I’ve pencilled in as a potential star (and he’s 100-1 to be the top try scorer in the NRL this season if you have a lazy dollar or two that you need to part with). These kids will need to be on their game though, because they take on some wise and experienced opponents in the Cowboys backline (particularly Bowen and Tonga – who as individuals have more first grade experience than the Broncos back five combined). The Broncos have been installed as favourites and deservedly so – they have won the last seven times these sides have met and the Cowboys won just five games last season. On top of that the Broncos have been absolutely humming in pre-season and their trial form has been outstanding. The Cowboys simply must improve this season, and this game will be closer than many think, but it might be a few weeks before the Henry reforms start to bear fruit.

Verdict - Broncos

Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs - Friday night - Sydney Football Stadium

Two key inclusions for the Bunnies (Sam Burgess and Greg Inglis) and one key omission for the Roosters (Todd Carney) have me swaying to the red and greens in the game between the two oldest clubs in the competition. That said I can’t sway that way heavily, because the Rabbitohs trial form has been absolutely woeful and Inglis has to be a month away from his best at this stage of the season. Roosters captain Braith Anasta shifts to his preferred position in the absence of Carney and he’s no slouch but it does change their shape in attack. In the corresponding game last season the Roosters tore the Bunnies apart but the Bunnies will be ready for this one. The Roosters are warm favourites but I smell the first upset of the 2011 season.

Verdict - Rabbitohs

Gold Coast Titans vs St George Illawarra Dragons - Saturday night - Skilled Park

Two teams with a (recent) history of starting the season well face off in what looms as the game of the round. A full-strength Titans would win this clash but unfortunately for them they are without Nathan Friend. His workload is second to none in the NRL and he will be sorely missed. Couple that with the absence of Anthony Laffranchi and I expect the Dragons to win the forwards battle and edge away in the final twenty minutes of this clash.

Verdict - Dragons

New Zealand Warriors vs Parramatta Eels - Saturday night - Eden Park

The Warriors have the upper hand in recent clashes between these sides – winning five of the last six. That’s compelling enough, but Feliti Mateo suits up for the Warriors this season and he’ll be keen to show his wares after the Eels showed him the door last year. On his day Mateo is a match-winner and he can celebrate his move across the ditch with two points.

Verdict - Warriors

Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea Eagles - Saturday night - AAMI Park

For eight seasons in a row the Melbourne Storm have won their first match of the year. Keen to put the salary cap scandal behind them, the men in purple are sure to put in a spirited performance in front of their home crowd. Custodian Billy Slater needs just one try to equal the club record, and I think he’ll score two. Manly have a good record against the Storm but they have lost their opening round match for three seasons in a row. All eyes will be on debutant halfback Daly Cherry-Evans – an emerging talent but one can assume Cooper Cronk will have his measure at this point in their careers.

Verdict - Storm

Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks - Sunday afternoon - Canberra Stadium

Two of the best forward packs in the competition face off here but the Raiders look to have a distinct advantage in the backs. The Sharks have a surprisingly good record against the Raiders – winning five of the last six clashes in the capital. Mind you the Sharks record on Sunday afternoons last season was simply awful. If the rain arrives this is a 50-50 contest, but dry weather looks likely and the Raiders have too many points in them under those conditions.

Verdict - Raiders

Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights - Sunday afternoon - Centrebet Stadium

These sides have produced some very entertaining clashes in recent times and another close game seems likely. The Knights are starting the season with a new combination in the halves and it may take some time for them to gel. Meanwhile the Panthers combination of Walsh and Burns should know their way around the park by now. The Panthers also have a goal kicker who doesn’t know how to miss in Michael Gordon. Expecting a nail-biter and one conversion could prove the difference.

Verdict - Panthers

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Wests Tigers - Monday night - ANZ Stadium

Many are talking up the Bulldogs this season and I think they’ll improve but the Tigers are almost certainties this weekend. The only unknown surrounds the Benji Marshall drama, and whether or not that unsettles him on the field. Until I know otherwise I’ll assume that he will cope (although I’m expecting Michael ‘the menace’ Ennis to remind him of his looming court case through the course of the game). The Bulldogs have recruited well in the off-season, but they have lost a wealth of experience in Kimmorley and Patton and plenty of muscle in the middle with the departures of Hannant, Hickey and Tandy. On the other hand the Tigers bring most of their 2010 squad to this clash – and welcome back the very talented Tim Moltzen to give them yet another facet in attack. If Benji is in the right headspace the Tigers win. If he isn’t they might sneak home anyway.

Verdict - Tigers

Current NRL Ladder

Season statistics (2010)

• The Thinker - 121 correct out of 201 - (60.2% winning strike rate)
• Wally Lewis - 125 correct out of 201 - (62.2% winning strike rate)

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