Alternative NRL Round 8 Predictions and Preview – Gurgler v Supporters

Welcome to our alternative preview of the rugby league weekend ahead plus NRL Round 8 predictions.

Interested in Predictions based on a barely interesting stat or something completely unrelated to rugby league. Like this week’s based on each club’s average crowd as a % of the membership. Of course you are, and our Alternative preview and 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 Predictions and Preview awaits.

There’s also our NRL Team of the Week for Week 7 Plus some Game of Thrones related NRL gear.

NRL ROUND 8 PREDICTIONS – GURGLER PREDICTIONS

BRONCOS to beat Rabbitohs

COWBOYS to beat Titans

STORM to beat Sharks

PANTHERS to beat Raiders

SEA EAGLES to beat Bulldogs

ROOSTERS to beat Wests Tigers

WARRIORS to beat Knights

EELS to beat Dragons

TIPPING PROGRESS – 34/56
— Last Week 5/8

BEST BET PROGRESS – 25/56
$1 Season Earnings $56.70 (from $1 bet on all tips)
— Last Week 3/8 — $6.52

NRL ROUND 8 PREDICTIONS – OPPONENT PREDICTIONS – v SUPPORTERS

BRONCOS (89%) to beat Rabbitohs (38%)

TITANS (131%) to beat Cowboys (81%)

SHARKS (84%) to beat Storm (76%)

RAIDERS (78%) to beat Panthers (68%)

BULLDOGS (118%) to beat Sea Eagle (94%)

ROOSTERS (166%) to beat Tigers (62%)

KNIGHT (103%) to beat Warriors (87%)

EELS (74%) to beat Dragons (63%)

Average crowd as % of Membership in brackets

BACKGROUND FOR TIPS – In our continued attempt to use expansion criteria as a way to pcik winners, we combine Memberships, and average crowds this week.

Memberships are great, but if you still can’t get them to show up for games then that could lead to less support for the team, and the team could potentially suffer. We say anyway.

So for the tipping, we say the higher the % of average crowd so far in 2019 vs Membership figure, the better for the team, so they get the tip.

We used this stat as part of the huge effort to determine who the Best Supported NRL team was in 2018.

OPPOSITION TIPPING PROGRESS – 30/56

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
Week 7 – Anzac Day – 4/8

NRL ROUND 8 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 7:50pm – SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS v BRISBANE BRONCOS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Brisbane 22 South Sydney 7
Last Season: Brisbane 38  South Sydney 18 — South Sydney 20  Brisbane 24

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Broncos have won the last seven matches between these sides, the last four away from home against the Rabbitohs.

SUMMARY

This one is all about the coaches. More so than the fact that the Rabbitohs have lost just once, and the Broncos have won just twice. 

SIDE INTERESTS

At least Seibold appears to be as grumpy and prickly as his predecessor.

Tom Dearden will make his debut. As for Kodi Nikorima, as much as he hasn’t been super this season so far, it’s strange to see him abandoned so quickly.

Cody Walker was almost pinched by the Broncos after his breakthrough season for the Broncos, they probably wished they did have. Walker has been one of the best this season.

These two teams have the two biggest memberships in the NRL. Interesting to see in our predictions above the percentage of members that turn up to games.

BEST BET

Over 40.5 Total Match Points @ $1.90

FRI 6:00pm – NORTH QLD COWBOYS v GOLD COAST TITANS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Cowboys 14 Titans 8
Last Season: Gold Coast 26  North Queensland 30 — North Queensland 26  Gold Coast 14

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Plenty of smiles for the Cowboys in this one. Since naming their stadium 1300 Smiles, the Cowboys haven’t lost at home to the Titans. This is just the second match in Townsville between these sides that hasn’t been played on a Saturday.

SUMMARY

Rumours of a dressing room fall out with coach Paul Green have surfaced, which may explain their form in 2019. Somehow Gold Coast blew that early lead against the Tigers last weekend. Both teams need to win pretty badly.

SIDE INTERESTS

Will this be the week that Jason Taumalolo returns to save the Cowboys season.

Te Maire Martin has been ruled out for bleeding on the brain, which is probably less fun than it sounds, so we wish a speedy recovery. Jordan Kahu is the replacement for now, but surely it’s time to give Carlin Anderson a go at number one for the Cowboys.

If the Titans can play for a whole like they did at the start of the Tigers game last weekend, then they will win many games.

Bryce Cartwright is an enigma, and possibly the saddest case of not fulfilling potential in years.

The door is ajar for Ash Taylor for Origin given Queensland’s injuries.

BEST BET

Gavin Cooper to score anytime@ $3.20

FRI 7:55pm – CRONULLA SHARKS v MELBOURNE STORM

Head to Head since 1998 –  Storm 23 Sharks 14
Last Season: Melbourne 14  Sharks 17 — Sharks 14  Melbourne 4 — Melbourne 22  Sharks 6 (Finals)

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Cronulla haven’t scored more than 18 points in the last 15 games v Melbourne in games that kick off at 7pm or later. 7 times they have scored between 12-18 points.

SUMMARY

Melbourne snuck home against the Warriors to stay equal on points with fellow leaders Roosters and Rabbitohs, but dropped to second on for and against. Cronulla are 9th on the ladder, 10th in defence, and 11th in attack. Played the Broncos into form last weekend.

SIDE INTERESTS

Sharks to score under 18.5 points @ $1.32

SAT 3:00pm – CANBERRA RAIDERS v PENRITH PANTHERS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Panthers 22 Raiders 20
Last Season: Canberra 22  Penrith 23 — Penrith 40  Canberra 31

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Penrith have beaten Canberra on every occasion they have met in Canberra in May. (3/3 since 1998)

SUMMARY

Penrith played good enough to win last weekend against Souths, but were denied by a desperate Souths, or a little Ashley Klein influence, if you believe some fans. And stats are on their side. Penrith have won just 6 of the 28 games Klein has been in charge of. Just 21%. Probably just a coincidence. Canberra lost to Manly to fall behind the teams on one loss, but would take a 5-2 record at this stage at the start of the year.

SIDE INTERESTS

Another game in the country, with Wagga getting its big NRL afternoon out. NRL should make every team (yes you too Broncos) take one game a year to the bush.

Viliame Kikau is a beast. A few less dropped balls and he is one of the NRL’s best in waiting.

The British Connection in the Raiders pack.

James Maloney’s reaction after his run in with a grumpy league journalist during the week. He can prove on the field how much he wants to stay.

Penrith have four of the top ten players for post contact metres this season.

BEST BET

Panthers +6.5 start @ $1.59

SAT 5:30pm – MANLY SEA EAGLES v CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Bulldogs 20 Manly 13
Last Season: Manly 18 Bulldogs 6

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Manly have won Nine of the last 11 games between these sides not shown on Channel Nein. And they have won all three games that have kicked off at 5:30pm.

SUMMARY

Despite injuries and whatever coms their way, Manly have tended to find a way to win this season, especially against Souths and Canberra. Last placed Bulldogs did get a win last weekend, but against a Cowboys side struggling. Manly is the next step up for the competition’s lowest point scorers.

SIDE INTERESTS

Every week we say Martin Taupau and every week he is a power house.

Addin Fonua-Blake returns from suspension too. Ouch.

Kieran Foran and Dylan Napa are named in the reserves, so could spring a surprise this weekend.

The battle of the halves for both sides – no big names, and not a great deal of experience, but the perfect platform for one or more to shine.

Also enticing is the battle of the locks. Jake Trbojevic has been outstanding for Manly and Rhyse Martin continues to be a handful.

BEST BET

Manly to win @ $1.70

SAT 7:30pm – SYDNEY ROOSTERS v WESTS TIGERS

Head to Head since 1998 – Roosters 23 Tigers 9
Last Season: Roosters 16  Wests Tigers 14 — Wests Tigers 10  Roosters 8

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Roosters have won 15 of the last 17 games against the Tigers. But the Wests Tigers have won three of the past five regular season games on a Saturday against the Roosters.

SUMMARY

Sydney Roosters are steaming ahead with their hopes of a rare back to back premiership, but they have been made to work for it. Roosters are the first half kings, 7/7 so far, but they do drop off in the second half. If the Tigers come out clawing early, they are a chance.  Although after seeing how quickly the Gold Coast started last week’s game, that idea can probably be shelved.

SIDE INTERESTS

Beni Marshall returns for the Tigers.

As does Luke Keary for the Roosters.

Can the man with the NRL’s best hair – Mahe Fonua get another swag of tries.

PNG’s own Lachlan Lam did well last weekend, and will hopefully get some game time this weekend.

BEST BET

First Half – Highest Scoring Half @ $2.25

SUN 2:00pm – NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Head to Head since 1998 – Warriors 20 Knights 17
Last Season: Warriors 20 Knights 4

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Newcastle have only beaten the Warriors in New Zealand once since Andrew Johns retired.

SUMMARY

It feels right to have the Sunday NRL kicking off in Auckland for some reason, and not just because they’ll never play at 4pm Sydney time, eh Channel Nein? Roger Tuivasa -Sheck returns to make sure their season doesn’t become irrelevant too quickly. Same goes for Newcastle as both sides have a 2-5 record. The team who does lose is facing the prospect of needin to win 10 of teir last 16 games just to reach the magical 50% win mark.

SIDE INTERESTS

The Warriors are always a side interest given their up and down form, 

However they have Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returning this week, who has been one of the competition’s top players this season. Any team would struggle without his contributions.

Blake Green may also be more missed than you’d first imagine.

On the subject of the RTS return, how about the match up with fellow excitement machine Kalyn Ponga.

Did the win for Newcastle just edge Nathan Brown out of the most likely to get the sack first this year. If it were English Football, he’d already be gone.

Newcastle haven’t won two in a row since July last season.

BEST BET

Warriors to win @ $1.57

SUN 4:05pm – PARRAMATTA EELS v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Eels 19 Dragons 16
Last Season: Parramatta 40  St George Illawarra 4 — St George Illawarra 20  Parramatta 18

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Parramatta have won the last six home games against the Dragons. And that’s without the shiny new ground which they christened with a Tiger roasting.

SUMMARY

Can the Eels top that first home game at their new stadium. Did they set the bar way too high. St George Illawarra did a fine job in the second half of last weekend’s Anzac clash, and probably should have won. They look top eight ready.

SIDE INTERESTS

Blake Ferguson

A lot of talk around the future of a number of Eels players lately, but especially Clint Gutherson during the week and a potential switch to Manly. May well be good tactics from the Eels decision makers, but their side will be much worse without a fit Gutherson.

Ben Hunt, and potentially Corey Norman have a great chance to shine for Origin. 

Sunday afternoon football returns to where it belongs after two weeks on the road – back in Sydney between two Sydney sides. 

BEST BET

Blake Ferguson to score and Parramatta to win @ $2.80

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