Alternative NRL Round 7 Predictions and Preview – Gurgler v Anzac Day

Welcome to our alternative preview of the rugby league weekend ahead plus NRL Round 7 predictions.

Interested in NRL Round 7 Predictions based on a barely interesting stat or something completely unrelated to rugby league. Like this week’s based on club’s performances on the Anzac Day weekend/round. Of course you are, and our Alternative preview and NRL Round 7 Predictions has just about everything.

There’s a bit of betting talk, TV times for the ultimate sloth, and more. Like the much-loved C & C Music Factory, we’ll hopefully give you a few things that make you go hmmmm.

Want to read more? Of course you do. Our Alternative NRL Round 7 Predictions and Preview awaits.

There’s also our NRL Team of the Week for Week 6 Plus some Game of Thrones related NRL gear.

NRL ROUND 7 PREDICTIONS – GURGLER PREDICTIONS

ROOSTERS to beat Dragons

STORM to beat Warriors

COWBOYS to beat Bulldogs

RABBITOHS to beat Panthers

TITANS to beat Tigers

BRONCOS to beat Sharks

SEA EAGLES to beat Raiders

EELS to beat Knights

TIPPING PROGRESS – 29/48
— Last Week 5/8

BEST BET PROGRESS – 22/48
$1 Season Earnings $50.18 (from $1 bet on all tips)
— Last Week 5/8 — $11.23

NRL ROUND 7 PREDICTIONS – OPPONENT PREDICTIONS – v ANZAC DAY FORM

DRAGONS (50%) to beat Roosters (48%)

STORM (72%) to beat Warriors (39%)

BULLDOGS (55%) to beat Cowboys (53%)

PANTHERS (37%) to beat Rabbitohs (32%)

TITANS (44%) to beat Tigers (42%)

BRONCOS (80%) to beat Sharks (54%)

SEA EAGLES (60%) to beat Raiders (26%)

EELS (45%) to beat Knights (42%)

Team’s Anzac Day weekend win % in brackets

BACKGROUND FOR TIPS – Lest we forget will be a phrase used many times this next week, so it is also a good to recall how each side goes in the round involving Anzac Day.

The better the Anzac Day weekend win %, the more likely they will win this weekend, we say. So tips goes to the team with the higher win%.

OPPOSITION TIPPING PROGRESS – 26/48

Week 1 – First Round Form – 5/8
Week 2 – Best Supported Club in 2018 – 5/8
Week 3 – Club Memberships – 3/8
Week 4 – April Fool’s Day – 3/8
Week 5 – NFL Teams – 4/8
Week 6 – Full Moon – 6/8

NRL ROUND 7 PREVIEW – MATCH BY MATCH PREVIEW

Here is our short game by game preview for the big weekend ahead. It used to feature poetry of some sort, usually a haiku, but couldn’t be bothered this week and know it won’t be missed.

THU 4:05pm – SYDNEY ROOSTERS v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Dragons 20 Roosters 19
Last Season: Roosters 36  St George Illawarra 18 — St George Illawarra 24  Roosters 8
Anzac Day Record: Dragons 12  Roosters 5

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

The Roosters have won both of the Anzac Day clashes that fell on a Thursday, and both games saw a total of 44 points scored between each side.

SUMMARY

Both teams haven’t lost since being beaten by the Rabbitohs. For the Roosters that was round 1, and they look more impressive with each week. They sit at the top of the table with Melbourne and Canberra, separated by 2 points on for and against. The Dragons lost to the Rabbitohs in Round which leaves them a win and four places behind the Roosters in 6th. Three of the four consecutive Dragons wins have been by either one or two points.

SIDE INTERESTS

A decent Anzac Day ceremony, which still lags behind the AFL a little, but is still moving enough.

The many people using the #LestWeForget

Latrell Mitchell at number 6. Whether they spoil a good thing, or his current form translates into more worries for the Dragons.

The Roosters are back to a full strength starting pack this week including Jake Friend returning.

As PNG fans, we love seeing Lachlan Lam in the 17.

Ben Hunt v Cooper Cronk.

BEST BET

Total Match Points 41-50 @ $3.40 or Either Team to win by 8 points or less @ $2.20

THU 7:50pm – MELBOURNE STORM v NZ WARRIORS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Melbourne 24 Warriors 18
Last Season: Melbourne 50  Warriors 10 — Warriors 6  Melbourne 12
Anzac Day: Melbourne 6 Warriors 3

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Melbourne have won 5/6 of Anzac Day clashes that fall on a midweek day. They have also won the last six of these fixtures on any day.

SUMMARY

Melbourne remain top of the table, but only just after their unbeaten start to the season came to an end against the Roosters. Their recent good record against the Warriors should see them remain on top for a little longer. The Warriors meanwhile are as hard to predict as ever. They are outside of the top 8 right now, and without RTS, who is close to the competition’s best player so far in 2019.

SIDE INTERESTS

Warriors without Roger Tuivasa-Sheck? Nothing against Gerard Beale, but he is not RTS.

Tohu Harris playing halfback will be a sight to see. Biggest number seven since John Asiata filled in for the Cowboys a while ago.

Another Harris – Chanel Harris-Tavita – is showing signs of real quality.

BEST BET

Josh Addo-Carr to score and Melbourne win @ $1.62

FRI 6:00pm – CANTERBURY BULLDOGS v NORTH QLD COWBOYS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Bulldogs 18 Cowboys 14
Last Season: North Queensland 10  Bulldogs 27

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Cowboys have won their last four games v Bulldogs in Sydney. Bulldogs have won their last three clashes between these sides on a Friday. Cowboys have won their last five at the Olympic Stadium in the regular season. Bulldogs have won their last 4 at the Olympic Stadium on a Friday night.

SUMMARY

The Cowboys got a much-needed win in New Zealand last weekend, their first since round 1. They still reside in the bottom half of the table, which is being propped up by the Bulldogs. Hard on the Bulldogs who haven’t been that awful all the time, they were competitive against the Rabbitohs last weekend and the Storm two games before that in Melbourne. They were awful against the Dragons in between.

SIDE INTERESTS

Jason Taumalolo returns.

Michael Morgan continues to shine, but it probably won’t be enough to earn a starting role in his favoured position for Origin.

Who will Lachlan Lewis get into this week out of the Cowboys.

As a PNG fan, we must mention Rhyse Martin as a side interest always.

BEST BET

Cowboys to win @ $1.90

FRI 7:55pm – PENRITH PANTHERS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Panthers 15 Rabbitohs 14
Last Season: Panthers 18 Rabbitohs 14

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Four of the last five games between these sides have been decided by four points or less.

SUMMARY

Somehow Penrith lost last weekend against the Sharks and lie in the bottom half of the ladder. And have had the fallout from Gus Gould’s exit this week. South Sydney Rabbitohs didn’t look great but worked hard for their win last weekend against the Bulldogs to be in the group of four teams at the top with a 5-1 record. 

SIDE INTERESTS

Will Gus Gould’s exit have any impact on the on field form, which has been pretty underwhelming so far in 2019.

Caleb Aekins is the latest player to get a chance in the Panthers number 1 jersey.

Cody Walker was quietish last weekend, so must be due a big one this Friday night.

Watching two of our favourite players at either ends of their NRL Careers – Viliame Kikau v John Sutton

Cameron Murray v James Fisher-Harris is a decent head to head between two hard working and slightly underrated locks.

BEST BET

South Sydney to win @ $1.65

SAT 5:30pm – WESTS TIGERS v GOLD COAST TITANS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Titans 12 Tigers 8
Last Season: Tigers 12 Titans 30

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Titans have won the last five matches between these two sides in Sydney.

SUMMARY

Wests Tigers were hammered by Parramatta in the fanfare of their new stadium. Likely that no team would have been able to compete. The 51 they conceded was plenty more than the previous three weeks combined and more. The Titans are in the bottom half of the table, with wouldn’t surprise, but their position as best Queensland side probably would. They really put the sword to the Knights last weekend – all puns intended.

SIDE INTERESTS

Will there be a hangover from the big Parra defeat for the Tigers.

After tearing it up last weekend against the Knights, what does Phillip Sami get up to this weekend from the bench?

BEST BET

Titans to win @ $2.15

SAT 7:30pm – BRISBANE BRONCOS v CRONULLA SHARKS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Broncos 23 Sharks 15
Last Season: Brisbane 12  Sharks 10 — Sharks 16  Brisbane 20

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

This is the first match between these sides in Brisbane on a Saturday since the 1997 Super League Grand Final.

Or Broncos have won 5/6 of matches between these sides on a Saturday.

Or Broncos have lost their past three games at home to Sydney teams. They had previously lost only one in 19 matches.

SUMMARY

Broncos have rarely been in the ladder position they are currently in after six rounds, and the one win is matches only by the Knights and Bulldogs. They need to win soon or have their season become irrelevant. The Sharks continue to be tought to beat and lie in the top right. The comeback win over Penrith last weekend hurts,

SIDE INTERESTS

Brisbane at home on a Saturday? It does happen 8% of the time since 2010.

Payne Haas and Tevita Pangai in the same starting forward pack is a frightening thought for the Sharks.

Throw in Andrew Fifita and you have a potential for quality forward battles on Saturday.

James Roberts returns to the starting line up, and he will have to compete with Bronson Xerri for admiration as a centre, whose recent form has been great for the Sharks.

BEST BET

Corey Oates to score anytime  @ $1.62

SUN 2:00pm – MANLY SEA EAGLES v CANBERRA RAIDERS

Head to Head since 1998 – Sea Eagles 16 Manly 13
Last Season: Canberra 21  Manly Warringah 20 — Manly Warringah 32  Canberra 16

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Manly have won all six games between these sides that kick off at 2pm on a Sunday. The Raiders have the worst record for winning on Anzac day with just 26% games going their way.

SUMMARY

Two of the great sides from the 1990’s, with Canberra threatening to relive those glory days with a share of the competition lead. Manly are a few wins and a few positions away in the top eight.

SIDE INTERESTS

DCE playing himself into the maroons jersey and possibly captain. Although we think the latter is not a great appointment. 

Can Manly keep doing it without Tom Trbojevic. His brother has taken it to another level lately.

The Leilua-Rapana partnership is building nicely again.

Can Manly reserve Sam Smith sing as good as his namesake.

Darius Boyd is really overdue for a big one.

BEST BET

Manly to win 1-12 @ $3.25

SUN 4:05pm – NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v PARRAMATTA EELS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Newcastle 21 Parramatta 15
Last Season: Newcastle 18  Parramatta 16 — Parramatta 4  Newcastle 30

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Parramatta has seen 22 of their 29 away games played on Channel Nein. Hasn’t helped that much. Penrith had lost 10/12 against Bulldogs this decade.

SUMMARY

Newcastle won both of these games last season, but based on this season’s form, they will be hard pressed to beat the Eels on last weekend’s form. Parramatta will need to be as good away to consolidate their top eight position, and beyond.

SIDE INTERESTS

Two of the NRL’s best fullbacks Kalyn Ponga and Clinton Gutherson  going head to head.

Blake Ferguson returns to liven up a game.

Will all of this pressure, how will Nathan Brown save his job. May we suggest Walker brothers as a left field selection.

Surely Mitchell Moses won’t be that good  in the finals.

BEST BET

Parramatta to win @ $1.70

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