Footy Tipping: NRL Round 4 Wrap
Round 4 was a mixed round for tipsters, with a competition average of 3.9 highlighting the unpredictability of this year's NRL season. The jackpot failed to go off for the second week running - in fact, the top score for the round was six - and climbs to $60 next week!
All eyes were on the Good Friday blockbuster between the Storm and the Dragons, with the former prevailing 17-4 to stamp their claim as the benchmark team of the competition. Though many observers believe the Storm have won "ugly" this season, they were always in control of this arm-wrestle and just keep on winning.
Todd Carney once again led the Sydney Roosters to victory, this time a 25-6 victory over the embattled Broncos. The Roosters have now won three from four, and have recorded just two fewer wins than they achieved in their entire 2009 campaign.
Many tipsters were stung by Cronulla's 11-0 win in driving rain over the Eels at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday. The Sharks snapped a 13-game losing streak - one short of the NRL record - to get off the mark in season 2010 as they unveiled new recruit Tim Smith, hailed by many as a saviour for the club.
A young North Queensland Cowboys outfit saw off the Gold Coast Titans reasonably comfortably as they recorded a 32-18 win with three debutants in their side. The Cowboys, until this point yet to score a try before half time this season, piled on three early to take command of the match.
The Tigers came back from a 10-22 half-time deficit to overrun the Raiders 35-22 at Canberra Stadium on Sunday. Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall racked up 16 points to become the highest point-scorer of the season as his side ran in four unanswered second half tries to stun the home side.
Manly also caught many tipsters off-guard with their 14-6 victory over the Warriors in Auckland. A controversial try to Steve Matai late in the game - the video referee was unable to tell whether there was any downward pressure on the ball and thus gave the Sea Eagles the benefit of the doubt - was enough to seal the win for Manly.
Two games were played on Easter Monday, with the Panthers edging out the Knights in a 34-30 thriller courtesy of a Adrian Purtell try in the final minute, while the Rabbitohs fittingly waited until Easter to deliver, finally showing their class with a 38-16 demolition of the Bulldogs.
So there you have it - another week of NRL, are tipsters any the wiser? With the jackpot up to $60 next week, don't forget to get those tips in! Late sign-ups are still welcomed to the competition and anyone can win the jackpot, so tell your mates to visithttp://www.tipper.com.auand join today for free!
Good luck and happy tipping!
Tommy the Tipper
