Alternative NRL Round 9 Predictions and Preview – Gurgler v Suncorp Stadium

It’s Magic Weekend time, so welcome to our special Suncorp Stadium edition of our alternative preview of the rugby league weekend ahead plus NRL Round 9 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 efforts playing at Suncorp Stadium. 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.

We even have some special Suncorp Stadium barely interesting facts along with ones for every match this weekend. 

Like, did you know that Melbourne have a better record at Suncorp Stadium than their own home grounds in Melbourne? Take that we say.

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

There’s also some Game of Thrones related NRL gear  plus a moan about why Magic Weekend could be better.

NRL ROUND 9 PREDICTIONS – GURGLER PREDICTIONS

TITANS to beat Sharks

TIGERS to beat Panthers

SEA EAGLES to beat Broncos

KNIGHTS to beat Bulldogs

WARRIORS to beat Dragons

STORM to beat Eels

ROOSTERS to beat Canberra

RABBITOHS to beat Cowboys

TIPPING PROGRESS – 38/64
— Last Week 4/8

BEST BET PROGRESS – 29/64
$1 Season Earnings $65.35 (from $1 bet on all tips)
— Last Week 4/8 — $8.65

NRL ROUND 9 PREDICTIONS – OPPONENT PREDICTIONS – v SUNCORP STADIUM FORM

SHARKS (29%) to beat Titans (24%)

TIGERS (42%) to beat Panthers (29%)

BRONCOS (62%) to beat Sea Eagles (47%)

BULLDOGS (40%) to beat Knights (36%)

DRAGONS (45%) to beat Warriors (33%)

STORM (79%) to beat Eels (47%)

ROOSTERS (40%) to beat Canberra (17%)

COWBOYS (37%) to beat Rabbitohs (27%)

Winning % at Suncorp Stadium in brackets

BACKGROUND FOR TIPS – Easy. Since everyone is playing at the one ground – Suncorp Stadium – we take each team’s record and whoever has the better win % is more likely to win and therefore gets the tip.

OPPOSITION TIPPING PROGRESS – 35/64

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
Week 8 – NRL Supporters – 5/8

NRL ROUND 9 PREVIEW – TOKEN SUNCORP STADIUM BARELY INTERESTING STATS

Why not enjoy some barely interesting stats about the NRL at Suncorp Stadium.

BEST WINNING RECORD

AVERAGE TOTAL POINTS SCORED 

43.2 Points

AVERAGE MARGIN

13.9 Points

BIGGEST FOUR MARGINS

42 points – Melbourne def Brisbane

42 points – Brisbane def Newcastle

53 points – Brisbane def Newcastle

65 points – Brisbane def Newcastle

ALL MARGINS BRACKETS

FOR AND AGAINST

MATCHDAY

Interesting is that exactly half of the games at Suncorp Stadium have been on a Friday. No surprise to us and Channel Nein. So when is their Magic Weekend game again?

AWAY TEAM CROWD IMPACT

NRL ROUND 9 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 – TITANS v SHARKS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Sharks 11 Titans 8
This Season: Sharks 20 Titans 6

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

The last time Cronulla forward Kurt Capewell played at Suncorp he won a Grand Final with the Ipswich Jets. The Sharks have only 20+ at Suncorp three times in 14 games. The Titans are 2/3 at Suncorp in games not involving the Broncos.

SUMMARY

The 4 Day format of the Magic Weekend stinks, and kicking the whole festival off with Titans v Sharks is underwhelming. Nothing against either side, but it should have been a blockbuster rivalry. And, these teams have already played each other this season. Will be lucky to get 8000 turning up. Unless there is some Clive Palmer Gold Coast Utd style accounting. 

In saying all of that, the Sharks toughness against adversity still impresses. Great win over Melbourne last weekend.

SIDE INTERESTS

Jesse Arthars has been tearing it up in the Intrust Super Cup for Burleigh, who have scored 100 points in the last two rounds. Arthars gets a much deserved reward, and we hope he remains in the 17.

Whilst not quite a busted arse, no name side, Cronulla’s toughness with a lot of injuries has been impressive, and few teams can grind out a win like them. And not only led by big names, but relatively unknown Braden Hamlin-Uele and Briton Nikora.

Can we mention Bronson Xerri again for his ability and that he name starts with an X.

AJ Brimson moves back into five eighth and offers plenty to fans and neutrals alike.

Under 40.5 points @ $1.90

FRI 6:00pm – WESTS TIGERS v PENRITH PANTHERS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Panthers 20 Tigers 12
This Season: Tigers 8 Panthers 9

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Penrith have won the last five clashes between these sides, the Tigers are averaging just 7 points per game in that run.

SUMMARY

Both teams come into this game off a loss, the size of the margin in the Tigers-Roosters game belies that they were quite competitive as just came across a superstar player on a good day out. Penrith’s season is going nowhere fast, with injuries further damaging their finals chances. IF they’re honest, they lucky to beat the Tigers last time out too.

SIDE INTERESTS

How can Viliame Kikau play? He is named among the reserves.

Frank Winterstein returns to the side, and we love Frank.

BEST BET

Wests Tigers +6.5 start @ $1.50

FRI 8:05pm – SEA EAGLES v BRONCOS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Manly 15 Broncos 13
Last Season:  Manly Warringah 38  Brisbane 24 — Brisbane 48  Manly Warringah 16

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Manly are undefeated in five home games against the Broncos that were played on a Friday night. One was even at Suncorp Stadium. Manly’s record for home games taken to Suncorp Stadium is 2-2.

SUMMARY

These sides couldn’t be more apart in on field effort, hence the gap of seven places on the ladder and six competition points. Manly continue to cope without their injured stars, where the Broncos big names don’t look they they can be arsed. Some have been dropped out of the team as a result. Luckily for them there is no Intrust Super Cup this weekend to complete the demotion.

SIDE INTERESTS

Thomas Flegler has been promoted to the starting side ahead of Tevita Pangai Junior. That could make Pangai Jnr angry, which is what the Broncos need.

Tom Dearden did quite well last weekend, but was not helped by a side going nowhere. This will be his first home since his elevation.

BEST BET

Manly to win 1 – 12 @ $3.60

SAT 3:00pm BULLDOGS v KNIGHTS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Bulldogs 18 Knights 17
Last Season: Newcastle 16 Bulldogs 36

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

The Bulldogs have won the past six clashes between these sides and the last six matches on a Saturday. However the Dogs have also won just one of five matches at Suncorp not involving the Broncos.

SUMMARY

The Bulldogs remain last, but are really not playing that badly, the Knights are on a surge of two straight wins and are knocking on the door of the top 8.

SIDE INTERESTS

Kalyn Ponga in full flight at Suncorp Stadium. Hopefully a sight for Maroons fans later in the season.

Talking of Origin, Mitchell Pearce could be making his way back into a Blues jersey. Another positive for Queensland in a lead up that has provided few.

Kieran Foran could return.

BEST BET

Kalyn Ponga to score anytime @ $2.30

SAT 5:30pm – NZ WARRIORS v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Dragons 21 Warriors 7
Last Season: St George Illawarra 12  Warriors 18 — Warriors 20  St George Illawarra 12

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Warriors are only 1/4 at Suncorp on a Saturday night. Last season’s win over the Dragons was the Warriors first ever on a Saturday in 12 attempts.

SUMMARY

The Warriors are among the hardest teams to follow in sport, their loss to the Knights was a surprise, and then it wasn’t. St George Illawarra have played great halves of football over the past two weeks, but neither of them were good enough to win both of their games.

SIDE INTERESTS

Kodi Nikorima plays his first game for the Warriors….at Suncorp Stadium, so he should be comfortable then. Whether he can save their season is unknown. Why he was shoved so hard by the Broncos is also unknown. Sure he’s no world beater, but he is still very useful.

BEST BET

David Fusitua to score a try and New Zealand Warriors to win @ $3.60

SAT 7:30pm – MELBOURNE STORM v PARRAMATTA EELS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Melbourne 21 Parramatta 13
Last Season: Melbourne 20 Parramatta 4

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

Already discussed, but Melbourne’s record at Suncorp being better than home in Melbourne is the epitome of barely interesting fact. Or Parramatta have won 6/8 games between these sides kicking off at 7:30pm.

SUMMARY

This is shaping up as a great game at Suncorp. Two teams who will have decent support. Melbourne were ordinary last weekend, and footage of Munster and Smith arguing after a soft ending to their clash with the Sharks may be overblown, but still interesting. Parramatta are loving life in their new stadium.

SIDE INTERESTS

More Blake Ferguson acrobatics.

More Storm in-fighting.

Perhaps a little more Ryan Papenhuyzen after his quick cameo last weekend.

BEST BET

Melbourne Storm to win 13+ @ $2.80

SUN 2:00pm – SYDNEY ROOSTERS v CANBERRA RAIDERS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Roosters 22 Canberra 12
Last Season: Canberra 14 Roosters 12

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

The Roosters only failed to beat two sides last season – Broncos and Canberra.

SUMMARY

An almost top of the table clash for the Sunday of Magic Weekend, which finishes off the four day carnival with three of the top four playing.

SIDE INTERESTS

BEST BET

First half points over 20.5 @ $2.05

SUN 4:05pm – SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS v NORTH QLD COWBOYS

Head to Head since 1998 –  Cowboys 18 Rabbitohs 14
Last Season: North Queensland 19  South Sydney 20 — South Sydney 21  North Queensland 20

BARELY INTERESTING FACT

The Cowboys have scored between 19 and 23 points in the last five matches against South Sydney, but the Rabbitohs have won 4/5 clashes between these sides in May.

SUMMARY

The Rabbitohs won the battle of the coaches last weekend for Wayne Bennett, and they share the competition lead their arch rivals the Roosters. Souths could take the lead of the competition with a Roosters loss and Souths win, or a decent difference in for and against. Cowboys won last weekend, and have Jason Taumalolo in his second game back. They needed him badly.

SIDE INTERESTS

More Cody Walker, imagine if the Broncos were successful in nabbing Cody Walker after his first Rabbitohs season. Walker’s success still one of the great rugby league stories.

Jason Taumalolo against the Burgess brothers.

John Asiata has been named at five eighth, surely one of the most versatile forwards in the game today.

Wayne Bennett returns to Suncorp Stadium. He should know a thing or two about playing there. And should be pretty smug after last weekend. 

BEST BET

Cody Walker to score anytime @ $2.30

THIS WEEK’s LIVE LEAGUE LIST