I missed most of round three (live) due to my other engagements. Errgh. I just want to sit home, watch footy and watch Doctor Who and get paid for it.

Everybody’s favourite Tipping for Dummies!

SolSat’s predictions from round three: 5 of 8 (62.5%) Same score as last round. Dammit.

Friday March 28, 2014
Sydney Roosters vs. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The eagerly awaited 2013 grand final rematch kicks off this round of NRL action as the premiers face the runners-up. Both teams have had an equally impressive start to the season, however Manly will be looking to right the “wrongs” from last year and beat the Roosters.
SolSat’s prediction: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
I am basing this purely on “we didn’t win last year so we’re going to get revenge and win this time.” Both teams are pretty on par with each other when it comes to skill and talent (the Pearce and Maloney duo is as effective as the Foran and DCE tandem) so I’m going to go with Manly on this one.

St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Brisbane Broncos
The still undefeated Dragons who came very close to becoming wooden spooners last week clash against the Broncos who suffered their first loss of the season last week against the Chookies. The Dragons get a two-man bench extension to an otherwise unchanged side while Josh McGuire returns for the Broncos after suspension.
SolSat’s prediction: Brisbane Broncos
Okay so now I guess it seems I’m being biased but I’m really not. I think the Dragons are talented, no question about it, but I think their “luck” is going to run out tonight. The Broncos have stellar defense and a rough forward pack, they just choked in the last minutes last week. They’ll get back into form tonight with a game which will be contender for game of the round.

Saturday March 29, 2014
Canterbury Bulldogs vs. Melbourne Storm
In a game that sees no team with a real home advantage in Perth, the honestly disappointing Bulldogs will go up against the also-undefeated Melbourne Storm. The Doggies will have to pull out the big guns to get the win here but they are capable of doing so in high pressure situations.
SolSat’s prediction: Melbourne Storm
High pressure situation or not, the Storm are on fire. Ignoring the terrible accident with Alex McKinnon last round, the Storm had a phenomenal game and it truly shows you how dominant the Victorian team are. I expect a pretty solid win for the Storm.

New Zealand Warriors vs. Wests Tigers
The Warriors go up against the Tigers on Saturday in what would’ve been viewed as a “passable” game by the end of last year. Both teams (especially the Tigers), however, have made an emphatic point that they should not be written off so quickly, highlighted by their impressive wins last week.
SolSat’s prediction: Wests Tigers
I don’t know what’s happened to Farah’s team of Tigers… whether they’re drinking some of the magic water on Space Jam or what, but they are a totally different team. They are actually quite amazing to watch. I expect a pretty decent win over the Warriors here.

Parramatta Eels vs. Penrith Panthers
The western Sydney rivals collide in the last game of Saturday at Pirtek Stadium. Captain America starts in place of the injured Ben Smith while the previously injured Peter Wallace returns for the Panthers. Josh Mansour is still out with injury. Sadface.
SolSat’s prediction: Penrith Panthers
The same about the Tigers mentioned above could be said about the Panthers, except we know why they’re changed team – their off season. The Eels have it in them to win, no doubt about it, but I just expect a Penrith win here.

Sunday March 30, 2014
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Canberra Raiders
The Bunnies will once again play at ANZ Stadium as they take on the Raiders in Sunday’s opener. Both teams are coming off a loss last week and both teams have one win to their name so far. Greg Inglis has been named despite being taken out of the game in the early minutes last week, and Dylan Walker and Chris McQueen also return for the Bunnies. Shaun Fensom returns from suspension for the Raiders.
SolSat’s prediction: South Sydney Rabbitohs
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m tentative about this tip. If last week’s game for the Bunnies demonstrated anything, it was that they rely heavily on Greg Inglis. While their big man is back, the Raiders Edrick Lee is out, and that will play against them.

Newcastle Knights vs. Cronulla Sharks
The two teams on the bottom of the ladder with no wins to their name whatsoever play against each other at Hunter Stadium where one team is guaranteed a win. Both teams have been very disappointing in the early goings of the season and hopefully this win will bounce them both back up the ladder.
SolSat’s prediction: Cronulla Sharks
Even with Korbin Sims coming on for McKinnon (I love the Sims brothers), I don’t see the Knights taking the win here, however I do expect them to put up a good fight especially because they’re dedicating the rest of the season to McKinnon. God bless.

Monday March 31, 2014
Gold Coast Titans vs. North Queensland Cowboys
In the closing round game that is unfortunately not being played at 1300 SMILES, two of Queensland’s teams collide as the Titans host the Cowboys at CBUS Super Stadium. Zillman is out for the Titans while Aidan Sezer is in doubt. The Cowboys remain an unchanged side.
SolSat’s prediction: North Queensland Cowboys
In terms of overall form, the Cowboys have got it better, which is why I’m tipping them to win this one. Both of these teams are heavy final contenders so this could very well be a classic game.

My WordPress was playing up before so thankfully it’s working now; otherwise, no Tipping for Dummies would have been up for this round. And that would’ve been darn terrible.

– by Noah La’ulu