Nothing much to report on this week.
Coaching turnovers continue with one each in the AFL and NRL.
I think there may be another in the AFL, but I think the NRL may be done. Then again the NRL teams that turned over coaches last year were not really down and out.
And Brisbane have put themselves in an AFL ladder position where they have to be tipped. Which makes it hard. And I’m not expecting either St Kilda or Gold Coast to get sacked coach motivated victories this week.

NRL (last round 5/8; season tally 78/128)
Brisbane
Cronulla
Penrith
Easts
Canberra
Souths
Melbourne
Paramatta

AFL (last round 6/9; season tally 87/144)
Essendon
Richmond
Carlton
Collingwood
Brisbane
Sydney
Geelong
West Coast
Western Bulldogs

State of Origin is over for another year.
Queensland acquitted themselves well, NSW deserved their favouritism, and I’m somewhat pleased for Mitchell Pierce. For some reason redemption stories appeal to me. There should be some cracking games in the years ahead.

Back in regular NRL and AFL things now move toward the finals.
I did not expect to see Brisbane Lions in their comp’s top four at this stage.

Things don’t get underway until tomorrow, but here are the tips anyway.

NRL (last round 3/4; season tally 73/120)
Penrith
Newcastle
Souths
Brisbane
Melbourne
Easts
Paramatta
Canberra

AFL (last round 5/9; season tally 81/135)
West Coast
Sydney
Hawthorn
Essendon
Adelaide
Geelong
Richmond
Western Bulldogs
Port Adelaide

State of Origin is usually a time when leading clubs slip due to representative players not being available.
But that doesn’t seem to be as much a factor this year, due to both the general inconsistency of most sides and the fact that the lower teams are pretty woeful.

AFL are already in a situation where ten teams are playing for the final eight spots, but it’s hard to envision anything but the seven of the teams currently in the eight making it to finals.

NRL (last round 4/8; season tally 70/116)
Melbourne
Easts
New Zealand
Cronulla

AFL (last round 5/9; season tally 76/126)
Collingwood
Essendon
Richmond
Adelaide
Geelong
West Coast
Melbourne
North Melbourne
Greater Western Sydney

I’m not saying anything about State of Origin.
Well played, New South Wales.

NRL (last round 6/8; season tally 66/108)
Souths
Saint George
Melbourne
Manly
Newcastle
Canberra
New Zealand
Cronulla

AFL (last round 4/6; season tally 71/117)
Greater Western Sydney
Geelong
West Coast
Sydney
Collingwood
Port Adelaide
Richmond
Brisbane
Fremantle

All the NRL teams get a weekend off so they can watch the State of Origin Game on Sunday night. Anytime Queensland start undeniable favourites there’s cause for nerves. Again, if the Queensland forwards can stop the NSW forwards, they should go okay.
I was only two points off a perfect round. Instead I’m two games down.

AFL seems more interested in teaching their fans how to behave. Because all their players are such outstanding role models.

NRL (last round 6/8; season tally 66/108)

AFL (last round 4/6; season tally 67/111)
West Coast
Sydney
Fremantle
Brisbane
Geelong
Collingwood

Sometimes I wonder if my tipping would improve if I watched any games or followed much of what goes on with selections.
Probably not.
Brisbane got done over by Carton’s sack the coach ploy. It’s been a winner for North Melbourne, but I don’t know whether Carlton will really get too many more weeks out of it.

Anyway, apparently next weekend there’ll be no NRL because State of Origin is a stand-alone game.
And I’ll tip Queensland. I don’t think it was conceivable that they’d start any games as favourite this year, but these are weird times.

NRL (last round 4/8; season tally 60/100)
Canberra
New Zealand
North Queensland
Melbourne
Souths
Paramatta
Manly
Easts

AFL (last round 3/6; season tally 63/105)
Adelaide
Hawthorn
Saint Kilda
Port Adelaide
Greater Western Sydney
Western Bulldogs

Well, last week I wrote “I’ll pick Queensland in the State of Origin. It all depends on the forward packs. Queensland’s doesn’t look as strong in attack, but they are solid defenders, so that may blunt NSW’s advantage. Or not.”
The Queensland forward defence was dominant, particularly in the second half. A well-earned win, with room for improvement.
In the AFL Brisbane have a danger game as Carlton may get a sacked coach improvement. It worked for North Melbourne who would have been favourites this week regardless.
As far as NRL goes, who cares? Queensland won.

NRL (last round 2/4; season tally 56/92)
Souths
Canberra
Melbourne
Cronulla
North Queensland
Brisbane
Easts
Saint George

AFL (last round 7/9; season tally 60/99)
Geelong
Brisbane
North Melbourne
Greater Western Sydney
West Coast
Collingwood