Just the two rounds of the regular NRL season to go, and so we have our NRL Round 25 Preview.
Full of our shortest possible match by match preview, plenty O Jarryd Hayne, and we have worked out which team has the best FTA win % since 2015.
All of it is mildly interesting at best, so enjoy our NRL Round 25 Preview.
THE NRL ROUND 25 PREVIEW MATCH BY MATCH IN 25 WORDS OR LESS OR SO
THURSDAY – BRONCOS v EELS
The last time the NRL weekend didn’t start off with either the Eels or Bulldogs was Round 19. Luckily this is a 2nd v 5th head to head rather than another appallingly boring Bulldogs game. Hopefully it lives up to the previous clash in Round 21.
FRIDAY – RAIDERS v KNIGHTS
Raiders finals tilt came unstuck last weekend, as did the Knights great run of three straight wins. Knights have more to play for. Raiders amongst the most disappointing teams this year. Newcastle have tried hard and have the wins they deserve now.
FRIDAY – TIGERS v COWBOYS
Cowboys have been hit hard with injuries, and are limping their way out of the eight. Tigers could have beaten the Roosters last weekend, and would have been no less than they deserve. Cowboys need a win badly, they haven’t won since Round 20 v NZ Warriors.
SATURDAY – TITANS v BULLDOGS
The rugby league world awaits the reply on the field from Jarryd Hayne. Having seen off another coach it is time to do what anyone earning a million a year should be doing. Plenty.
SATURDAY – STORM v RABBITOHS
Souths have beaten Melbourne twice ever. Despite their recent upturn in form, by moving Cody Walker back where he belongs at 5/8, Melbourne are still in better form and the absolute benchmark for 2017.
SATURDAY – SHARKS v ROOSTERS
3rd v 4th and both sides have been good without being great lately but still sit in the top 4 anyway. A Sharks win would have the sides equal on points and an equal 6-6 for Sharks at home and Roosters away.
SUNDAY – WARRIORS v SEA EAGLES
Hard to think if you can’t beat the Bulldogs in their recent form that you’ll struggle to make any impact on the finals. If Manly fail to beat the Warriors this weekend then they don’t deserve Top 8.
SUNDAY – PANTHERS v DRAGONS
Penrith keep on winning and another win added with other results could see the Dragons out of finals contention in ninth.
THE BIG QUESTION
Who replaces Neil Henry?
Probably – Some current assistant coach from another club.
Possibly – Geoff Toovey would be interesting.
Maybe – Jarryd Hayne
Hopefully not – Kevin Walters – why would you leave a winning Origin team to coach Jarryd Hayne
Our Selection – Walker Brothers from Ipswich Jets.
A lot of Hayne talk? Why not vote for him in the Jerk of the Month Poll for August.
THE USELESS FACTS – WHICH TEAM HAS THE BEST WIN % FOR FTA GAMES?
Ever wondered which team gets the most FTA games. Probably not, that one is obvious, but is more less, and less more?
Below we have all the FTA games from this season, and 2016 and 2015. Why bother going back too far.
| Teams | % | Games | Win | Loss |
| Storm | 73% | 15 | 11 | 4 |
| Broncos | 71% | 52 | 37 | 15 |
| Eels | 66% | 35 | 23 | 12 |
| Raiders | 60% | 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Cowboys | 58% | 19 | 11 | 8 |
| Sharks | 57% | 21 | 12 | 9 |
| Roosters | 55% | 33 | 18 | 15 |
| Bulldogs | 49% | 47 | 23 | 24 |
| Panthers | 48% | 23 | 11 | 12 |
| Titans | 43% | 14 | 6 | 8 |
| Rabbitohs | 40% | 48 | 19 | 29 |
| Dragons | 38% | 29 | 11 | 18 |
| Tigers | 31% | 35 | 11 | 24 |
| Sea Eagles | 26% | 23 | 6 | 17 |
| Knights | 20% | 10 | 2 | 8 |
| Warriors | 17% | 6 | 1 | 5 |
THE GURGLER’S NRL TIPPING COMPETITION
Each week we will supply our tips for the week ahead, plus take on some guest tipsters. They are likely to determined by a ridiculous method. Will arse beat class? Probably. Pity we’re neither.
We have done it for the EPL, and no one reads it. So we hope to get at least half of those people for the NRL tipping.
THE GURGLER’s NRL ROUND 25 PREVIEW TIPS
BRONCOS to beat Eels
KNIGHTS to beat Raiders
COWBOYS to beat Tigers
TITANS to beat Bulldogs
STORM to beat Rabbitohs
ROOSTERS to beat Sharks
SEA EAGLES to beat Warriors
PANTHERS to beat Dragons
NRL ROUND 25 PREVIEW TIPS – GUEST TIPSTER – FTA RECORD
Which team has the better win % for FTA games for 2015 to 2017 wins. Percentages in brackets.
BRONCOS (71%) to beat Eels (66%)
RAIDERS (60%) to beat KNIGHTS (20%)
COWBOYS (58%) to beat Tigers (31%)
BULLDOGS (49%) to beat Titans (43%)
STORM (73%) to beat Rabbitohs (40%)
SHARKS (57%) to beat Roosters (55%)
SEA EAGLES (26%) to beat Warriors (17%)
PANTHERS (48%) to beat Dragons (38%)
RESULTS SO FAR
Here’s a list of our results and the ridiculous things we’ve put our tips up against this year so far.
Most Visited Website – 88% – 7/8
Best Worst Coaches – 88% – 7/8
R3 Ladder Improvement from 2016 – 75% – 6/8
Deadliest Mascot – 75% – 6/8
Scrabble – 63% – 5/8
Penalties Conceded 63% – 5/8
Twitter – 63% – 5/8
Number of Jerseys – 63% – 5/8
<strong>The Gurgler – 60% – 96 / 160 </strong>
Jersey Sponsor’s Annual Turnover – 4/7 – 57%
Selections by Postcode – 55% – 22/40
<strong>The Dog – 53% – 77 / 144</strong>
RGB of Jerseys – 50% – 4/8
4 Rounds Form – 50% – 4/8
Errors – 50% – 4/8
Odds Change from Start of Season – 50% – 4/8
Leagues Club Turnover – 38% – 3/8
Selection by Mascot – 38% – 3/8
Most Interesting Fan – 38% – 3/8
Pack of Cards – 25% – 2/8
Best Chart Position of Club’s Fan -16% – 1/6
Origin Players from last 3 Years – 0% – 0/4
NRL ROUND 25 MULTI
BRONCOS to beat Eels
KNIGHTS +8.5 start v Raiders
COWBOYS to beat Tigers
HAYNE to beat Bulldogs
STORM to Rabbitohs
ROOSTERS to beat Sharks
WARRIORS +8.5 start v Sea Eagles
PENRITH to beat Dragons
