55
Dubbo Photo News April 20-26, 2017 TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP – ROUND 8 RAIDERS VS VS. SEA EAGLES RABBITOHS VS. BRONCOS EELS VS. PANTHERS COWBOYS VS. KNIGHTS SHARKS VS. TITANS TIGERS VS. BULLDOGS ROOSTERS VS. DRAGONS STORM VS. WARRIORS
The Sharks are back, folks! By Kevin Engeler Some years ago, indeed before the turn of the century, Geoff Mann and I played in a Whitney Cup cricket semi-final for Newtown against Colts. We were chasing 234 to win. At 5-52, I ventured to the middle. Feeling as though we had as much hope as me winning Lotto the following night, I said to Geoff that we may as well have fun. Geoff said, “I have confidence in you... we’ll get this done.� We steered the team to a win, mainly because Geoff had confidence in me. Again, he has shown confidence in my ability, this time to continue this column. Thank you Geoff. So, what did we learn after round seven? For starters, the Sharks are back folks. Their defence is outstanding. And Wade Graham’s form surely has him as the first man Laurie Daley picks for the Blues’ State of Origin campaign. Secondly, I have jumped off the Penrith bandwagon. They cannot win the competition. I think they are a good side, but their halves – Cleary and Martin – are too inexperienced. And thirdly, the Tigers are experts in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. The next round kicks off with the Raiders taking on Manly in the national capital. Young Raider captain Croker and coach Stuart have the Green Machine ticking over brilliantly. There is no way Manly can win this one despite a brave effort against the Storm. Yes, the Broncos were somewhat lucky against the Titans last week, but with a little more luck this season they could well be on top of the ladder. Souths were no match for the Doggies last week and I see a similar scenario against Brisbane. The battle of western Sydney sees Parramatta take on the Panthers. Former Panther Wade Graham reckons his old club is not far away from getting back to the winner’s list. And whilst I think the Liquorice Allsorts need to improve, I can see them getting the chocolates in this one. The Cowboys need to get used to playing with JT for a little while and they learned how to do it in the final 20 minutes against the competition leaders last week. Home form should count in this battle against the Knights. The Knights are not far off a win, do not worry. The Sharks meet the Titans south of the bay having not conceded a try in their past two games. The defending premiers are tracking perfectly at present and any thoughts of not being able to go back to back by the disbelievers are quickly being distinguished. Yes, the Titans should have beaten Brisbane, but no, they cannot beat Harold Holt’s boys. The day of the 1989 grand final I was forced to watch my Tigers get smashed by the Doggies. And on that day my great mate Lloyd Walker, who recently celebrated his galloper winning the Australian Cup, gave me heaps. For that same reason I will not be going anywhere near him on Sunday. The Doggies, led by Graham and Kasiano, will be far too good for the legless Tigers. The Roosters meet the Saints in what is the match of the round. I hate tipping against my main Mann’s side. But the Chookies are a side capable of giving this comp a shake. I believe they will prove that in round eight. Melbourne turned off the clock against Manly last weekend and I can imagine coach Bellamy giving them a real dressing down this week prior to taking on the Warriors. Back home, they should be too good for the New Zealand boys. The Macquarie Inn’s Josh continues to lead our tipping competition. But Winx comes off the pace to win... well, that is the attitude the rest of us have in 2017. - Good tipping!
2017 TIPPING CHALLENGE THE CHALLENGE IS ON!
Raiders Broncos Panthers Cowboys
Sharks Bulldogs Roosters Storm
PH: 6884 1955
70
PHIL Raiders Broncos Eels Cowboys
Sharks Bulldogs Roosters Storm
THE TOSSER Sea Eagles Broncos Panthers Knights
70
Titans Bulldogs Roosters Storm
PH: 6885 4433
70
PETER Sea Eagles Broncos Panthers Knights
Titans Bulldogs Dragons Warriors
PH: 6884 0008 MICHAEL Raiders Broncos Panthers Cowboys
68
Sharks Bulldogs Roosters Storm
PH: 1300 800 301 SCOT T GEOFF Raiders Broncos Panthers Cowboys
66 Sharks Bulldogs Roosters Storm
PH: 6885 4433
SSCOT T SCOTT Raiders Rabbitohs Eels Knights
GAME ON!
76
SCOT T JOSH
62 Sharks Tigers Roosters Storm
PH: 0429 404 294
PH: 1300 854 727 HELEN Raiders Broncos Eels Cowboys
68 Sharks Bulldogs Roosters Storm
PH: 6841 2600 SHANE Raiders Broncos Panthers Cowboys
66 Sharks Bulldogs Dragons Storm
PH: 6884 7554
LUKE Raiders Rabbitohs Eels Cowboys
52 Sharks Tigers Roosters Storm
PH: 6882 2304