It all started so well. After nailing the first four, The Adjudicator choked like a Cronulla side in September to
finish with just four from seven in round 19.
But I wasn’t the only one to suffer some embarrassment over the weekend.
Clint from Sydney will go down in Adjudicator history for one of the worse bits of advice I've been given, after his prediction of "Broncos by 20+". Thankfully, I ignored it and loved every minute of the Bunnies’ 32-point victory.
And I can’t wait to see how Manly fans justify their abysmal performance this time.
Last week, it was Origin duty. What will it be this week? Swine flu? Global financial crisis? Bring it on, Silvertails.
Gold Coast Titans v Brisbane Broncos, Friday 7:35pm (EST), Skilled Park, Gold Coast
The Adjudicator says: "The Adjudicator was always an attentive lad at school, but maths was never my strong suit. But the equation to this match is very simple. "Titans at home + Broncos without Lockyer = Titans to win". I was slammed last week for not picking the Titans against the Bulldogs. I was proven right, and I stand by my claim that the Titans will win all their remaining matches except for those against genuine premiership contenders. The Broncos are no longer genuine premiership contenders. So the Titans will win. Easily. Maths has never been this simple."
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
Latest Comments From Fans
Bulldogs fan Tommy says: Agree 100 per cent. Bulldogs will roll Eels this weekend. Brett Kimmorley on target for Dally M. Will he be the oldest ever recipient?"
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Manly v Newcastle Knights, Friday 7:35pm (EST), Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
The Adjudicator says: "Ah Manly, how I love thee. Every time I bag you out, you put in a performance that justifies my comments so well it’d be easy to believe you were on my side. Yes, you had another win on Saturday. Yes, you’re still in the eight. But boy-o-boy, weren't you lucky? And your luck looks set to continue, with the Knights' focus this week to be solely on removing the knives from their backs. After all the changes Brian Smith made, he has sent them up the proverbial creek without a paddle. He says he wants to see out the season and push the Knights towards an unlikely premiership. But will the players want to win for a coach who has betrayed them? Doubt it."
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
Latest Comments From Fans
Sea Eagles fan Jim Davis of Armidale says: "Dear Adjudicator…you cannot decide whether to be a grumpy old man like Warren Ryan, hanging onto something that happened in the days of black and white TV, or pompous self-righteous Vossy…trying without success to be witty. Maybe your gleefully smug comments would be better suited as a judge when some local network no doubt creates an Aussie version the latest trashy reality series, Dance Your Arse Off! Everyone has an opinion, it’s true, much like everyone has a bottom. Luckily your opinions about the mighty Sea Eagles are about as reliable as Nate Myles’ aforementioned piece of anatomy. Manly to win and start to build momentum into the finals."
Sea Eagles fan David Millar of Belrose says: "Ah Adjudicator, I love how you pander to the masses. Since when was a journo a working class man? Well you can take your opinion back with you to the fibro shack you rent with Roy Masters. No need to justify a win. It seems that Manly has a better record of finding them then you do. As for this weekend - Manly will help you with your Brian Smith angle by showing off Newcastle for the rudderless team they are. Watch out for big Georgey Rose carving up the pathetic Newcastle pack. Sea Eagles by 14."
Sea Eagles fan Fred of Miranda says: "Adjudicator you are the new Bruno. Taking to the latest fads and engaging in questionable acts of promiscuity to gain popularity. The latest fad is Manly bashing, so you’ve taken to it like a drag queen to lipstick. There’s a notorious saying, when the masses come to wield their hate on manly, it is out of fear of their glorious uprising. Ask last years semis opponents. At Bluetongue Stadium against the ‘flash and crash in the pan’ knights we’ll announce our arrival and not even your bruno-like protests and denials will stop us."
Newcastle fan Jake of Newcastle says: "Though the mights may have troubles ahead given our current coach situation, I still think the boys will be focused on the task ahead. This years premiership win won't be for the coach, it will be for the players. Manly are beginning to fall and the Knights are gonna give them a friendly push even further. With the upsets on the weekend, it gives the Knights a chance at the top 4 and Newcastle won't want to let that pass. Knights by 15. Goodluck to Smith in the future at the Roosters, all the best to him."
Newcastle fan Jessey of Gold Coast says: "Mr Adjudicator I don't think you have understood the Knights situation. The players have come out and have said all is well, it isn't betrayal & we will not lose focus. We still have Smithy, nothing has changed. We will be looking to take out the easy teams to get that top 4 spot, this is a guarantee win for the mighty Knights. An unlikely premiership? Tell me a team who is a likely winner than tell me if Knights have lost to them. Good luck. Win by 13+"
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Bulldogs v Parramatta, Saturday 5:30pm (EST), ANZ Stadium, Sydney
The Adjudicator says: "I'm not the type to hand out praise willy-nilly, but Brett Kimmorley deserves a wrap. The old fella has been an inspiration to has-beens and geriatrics the world over this season, and he looks a picture of health. Fellow veteran Tonie Carroll, on the other hand, has more pudding on him them than a fat kid in an ice cream shop. As for Parramatta, it’s hard to believe the rabble who won only three of their first 12 games is the same team that beat Melbourne Storm on Monday night. If they weren’t playing the Bulldogs this weekend, I’d give them half a chance. Bulldogs to win and Noddy to push back his retirement for another five years."
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
Latest Comments From Fans
Bulldogs fan Tommy says: "Agree 100 per cent. Bulldogs will roll Eels this weekend. Brett Kimmorley on target for Dally M. Will he be the oldest ever recipient?"
Bulldogs fan Ian Camlett of Mount Colah says: "As both a has-been and a geriatric may I concur with your sentiments with regard to Brett Kimmorley. He is indeed an inspiration to me. But by the same token so is Daniel Holdsworth. I too am utterly incapable of playing rugby league, totally devoid of speed and slow to think, yet Daniel manages to overcome such handicaps to claim a bench-spot so maybe there is hope for me yet!"
Bulldogs fan Conor Cleary says: "My life, my team... canterbury bulldogs will win against the eels because, not only do they play for the two points but they play for each other, they play for the coach and they play for the passion. There is NOT another team in the NRL that plays with such love and passion for the game like the Bulldogs."
Bulldogs fan Matt from the mid-north coast says: "Call me crazy but I'll make a bit of a double prediction here and say the Dragons will go down to the Warriors whilst the Bulldogs will give the Eels a belting to shoot to deserved first place on the ladder. Jamal Idris to bag a brace and Goodwin to score a hat-trick on return from suspension. The Eels might be coming off a win over Melbourne, but I doubt they can back it up here. The Bulldogs will also be buoyed by returns of Eastwood (who looks like shunning a possible ESL contract to see out his 3 years with Canterbury), Goodwin and the best prop in the NRL this year in Ben Hannant. Bulldogs by 38."
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North Queensland Cowboys v Penrith, Saturday 7:30pm (EST), Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
The Adjudicator says: "I normally don't take any notice of statistics, but several patterns are too good to ignore this week. The Cowboys’ past six results read as follows: win, loss, win, loss, win, loss. These six matches also reveal another trend: home, away, home, away, home, away. The Panthers' past four matches follow similar patterns, only in reverse. Loss, win, loss, win, and away, home, away, home. From this, I conclude the Cowboys can’t lose at home and are due for a win, and the Panthers can’t win away and are due for a loss. I have also concluded that repeatedly saying home, away, home, away triggers a spontaneous rendition of “Hold me in your arms, don’t let me go.” The Cowboys would stay forever in Townsville if they could. They’ll win easily."
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
Latest Comments From Fans
Cowboys fan Nathan Crossman says: "We didn't play so well against the Tigers, but that was what we call an "away match". We aren't very good at those. This week, returning to home, we should easily flog the Panthers. Hooker troubles? No problem. We have youth. In the Under 20's. As your pattern shows, Mr Adjudicator, it is an easy result to pick. Cowboys by 16. Oh, and it's good to see you are learning basic patterns, Mr Adjudicator."
Penrith fan James says: "After showing you Penrith could win last week why not show you this week? Penrith are becoming a great team and are starting to look dangerous. Penrith may not go all the way this year but the next two years they may have it in them to win. This week is a hard week for me to predict a Penrith win because you never know what to expect from the Cowboys. This week though I think that we can see most of the team step up and work real hard. I can see Thurston getting nailed this week from the whole team and especially Waterhouse. I want to see Jennings have a nice quick run to score, but the main two weapons are Junior Tia-Kilifi and Michael Gordon. Tia-Kilifi has been making so many metres over the last three weeks and why would he stop here, expect to see a lot of dummy runs for Tia-Kilifi. Michael Gordon's goal kicking is the key I honestly see Gordon out kicking Thurston and winning the game in the dieing minutes my prediction this week Penrith by 6."
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Melbourne Storm v Cronulla, Saturday 7:30pm (EST), Olympic Park, Melbourne
The Adjudicator says: "There’s only one thing worse than playing Melbourne at Olympic Park and that’s playing Melbourne at Olympic Park after they’ve had a loss. Anyone who loses to Parramatta this season will be so embarrassed that a win the following week is almost inevitable. Poor old Cronulla can’t seem to take a trick this season. They aren’t the most talented bunch, but The Adjudicator has always admired a team with plenty of spirit. They were unlucky to lose to Manly last week, and they deserve a win to reward the effort of their players and coach. They’ve got a lot of pride, but that won’t be enough on Saturday night."
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
Latest Comments From Fans
Cronulla fan Timothy of Sydney says: "Cronulla will be showing the steely determination of Linda Lovelace this weekend and won't choke, just a few balls to bounce our way (for a change) and refereeing that's above the usual rubbish will see the sharkies take chunks out of this Storm outfit who now know that are very beatable in every facet of the game.
its the sharks who constantly beat the storm down there in Tijuana and this will be the case again this weekend sharks by 14."
Melbourne fan JD Storm fella of Canberra says: "Dear Mr A, Normally you are a man of many words and sometimes with twists good enough for a new routine on the dance floor. However, your decision this week has inspired me to become more simpler in life. You have stated the winner with simple reasons. Brilliant. The Sharks will be made to look like goldfish."
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Warriors v St George Illawarra, 2pm (EST), Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
The Adjudicator says: "The rugby league world witnessed a very rare sight last weekend. A referee getting knocked out was one, but an even more bizarre and unique occurrence happened on Sunday afternoon at Sydney Football Stadium. The Warriors won a game. As fans around the world were admitted to hospital with shock, the premiership favourites had their feet up, watching on as their title rivals bashed each other up for the title of next best. Everyone is waiting (and many are hoping) for the Dragons’ bubble to burst spectacularly and for normal order to be restored. There’s no chance of that happening this week."
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
Latest Comments From Fans
Warriors fan Darryn of Christchurch says: "Well Mr A this time you have taken the mickey from the warriors one two many weeks. On Sunday you will be exposed for the average tipper you are. The Warriors had a great game against the fired-up Roosters and gained a massive confidence booster. Back at home with super kid Locke and Pricey ready to show the way to the drag queens line, the Warriors will expose the Dragons this week as "just human". The task at hand is to silence the whole of NZ and end our finals aspirations. But people should know better; when our season on a thread we can brush aside any team". Warriors by six."
Dragons fan Seano says: "The big match up here is Price v Poore, however Poore is not a noted in game kicker so he isn't in much danger of suffering an injury at the hands of one of the "nice guys" of rugby league. The Dragons are specials here, a full strength side vs a team of tradesmen who couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper bag if any biff did break out. The trip to NZ holds no fears for the mighty red V who won a game in Auckland back when the Warriors were actually good - and we had Aaron Gorrell at five eighth."
Dragons fan Phil of the Illawarra says: "Round 8, I was at WIN stadium watching and early on I thought the Dragons were going to lose that day. But as the game went on I realised the Warriors were never a chance because they kept making elementary mistakes. It defied belief and I was constantly amazed at how they lacked concentration! Since then the Dragons have gone up 6 gears on their march to the premiership, so watch out Warriors you could be in for a torrid afternoon!"
Warriors fan Daniel of Auckland says: "We have played so many teams into form this year when you look back across the rounds and the Roosters returned the favour last week . We will be beating the Dragons senseless and out of form this week. The Mt Smart faithful will be out in numbers once again. A cold Sunday afternoon in a hostle enviroment and little o Soward nowhere to hide. With Locke back this week and The Beast along with Mckinnon finding form , point scoring wont be a problem however a lot of teams have struggled to score at MT Smart recently . Warriors by 8."
Dragons fan Paul Hameister of Glenbrook says: "There is only one game that concerns me this season, that being the grand final qualifier. Everything else matters little during the Dragons stampede toward the minor premiership. For the record however, Dragons by 8 in a dangerous match."
Warriors fan Aaron Zwart says: "I can see it now. "Here come the Warriors" The Warriors will win on Sunday at home and will make the 8. You heard it here first. Warriors by 6."
Dragons fan Damo of Kalaru says: "Remember that guy called Smith, Jeremy Smith. He's back and with Michael Weyman returning you may for the first time this year see a full strength St George Illawarra Dragons Line-up and they are going to Burn a struggling Warriors outfit. The final puzzles pieces have fallen together in round 20 and you are going to see something special from the Mighty Dragons. 20+ even on their turf!"
Warriors fan Joseph Denyer says: "I think I owe the NZ public an apology for writing the Warriors off last week. To make up for it, I am picking the Warriors to win this weekend in a huge upset. Confidence should be high and uncle Manu looks like hes back to his best. Im picking the Warriors by 6 on a cold afternoon at Mt Smart." "Remember that guy called Smith, Jeremy Smith. He's back and with Michael Weyman returning you may for the first time this year see a full strength St George Illawarra Dragons Line-up and they are going to Burn a struggling Warriors outfit. The final puzzles pieces have fallen together in round 20 and you are going to see something special from the Mighty Dragons. 20+ even on their turf!"
Dragons fan Lester of Gatton says: "The last time these two teams met, the Dragons were only winning games due to their defence and just got the points over the Warriors even with Steve Price. Now, the dragons are not only smashing teams in defence, but they are blowing them off the park in offence. The only trouble for the dragons is playing at Mt Smart but I doubt that will help the consistently inconsistent hapless Warriors. Dragons to win by 13+."
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Canberra v Wests Tigers, 2pm (EST), Canberra Stadium, Canberra
The Adjudicator says: "I remember watching the Raiders with plenty of interest at the start of this season. They were losing, but there was this bloke playing at five-eighth who was absolutely brilliant. I forget his name - Terry someone – but the boy could really play. But he mustn’t be running around anymore because I haven’t seen anything close to brilliance from the Raiders in the past two months. They should get the points here, though, with the Tigers not having the home comforts of Leichhardt Oval to keep them warm on a freezing Canberra afternoon. But it certainly won’t be pretty. If only the Raiders knew where that Terry bloke went."
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
Latest Comments From Fans
Tigers fan Jason Macalpine says: "Come on be reasonable the power of robbie farah and the best player in the world benji marshall no team can shape up to theses guys, together they are unstoppable!!!!!!!!!"
Raiders fan Adam D on the Gold Coast says: "Terry does need to stand up, we ( Raiders ) need to restructure our halves , our great captain needs to remove himself from the halves , we tend to play better when we play the traditional half/ five eigth , with young Herbert as 1st receiver passing to a running Terry.The Tigers wont be easy on the back of their good win against the cows but I also like to think the cold afternoon down in canberra will suit us."
Back to topSouth Sydney v Sydney Roosters, 7pm (EST), ANZ Stadium, Sydney
The Adjudicator says: 'I never thought I’d say this, but South Sydney can make the finals in 2009. That’s right. South Sydney. The same South Sydney who were embarrassed by the Tigers three weeks ago. The same South Sydney who apparently were only one cry of "REVOLUTION!" away from a player revolt. Unfortunately for the Redfern faithful, it is also the same South Sydney side that has let you down over and over again in the past five years. The Roosters are closer to a win than they’ve ever been this season, but Souths are smoking. A win on Monday might also bring an unprecedented sight to Redfern - a smile from Jason Taylor. Miracles do happen."
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
Latest Comments From Fans
Souths fan Billy says: "Congrats for listening to some sage advice last week. Im super glad you are now a firm believer that the CINDERELLA story is alive and kicking in 09 and Bunnies will charge into the 8. Roosters played really well last week but WINGY has a massive point to prove to the ailing roosters who are now on the drink with Freddy 24/7 to commiserate the change of scenery. Half the Roosters want out of the club at the moment and the Bunnies are approaching white hot… BUNNIES by 16 and Craig Wing (now that his financial situation is cleared up) will free up and play champagne footy."
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