Spending much of my time at the Races and studying the form regularly, the NRL comp in 2016 is proving that you can throw the form guide out the window. Any team on any day can beat the oppisition. Just look at the Eels vs Panthers form line going into the match in 2 weeks time. The Panthers lost to the Dogs and beat the Broncos, while the Eels beat the Dogs but lost to the Broncos.In past seasons, in large money tipping comps I've been in I have found success by trying to find 1 upset each week and then tipping the other favourites but this season I have been tipping 2 upsets per week. I've found things like extra travel, short turnarounds and home games proving more important so far this season. In round 1 this year most winning teams had the least amount of new players in key positions. Teams with new faces in the halves and at hooker struggled, but these teams are now stating to gel.Another thing with the lower interchange rule, dominating possession is a must. Ball control, especially early in each half, is huge. Teams that are not willing to do the hard yards up the middle and just throw the ball around will struggle. These teams will win some games and look fantastic but they will end up losing more than they win. Rugby League players simply can't concentrate under fatigue for long enough periods to sustain this style of play.From what I've seen so far, teams like the Sharks, Eels and Rabbits have adjusted best to the new rule changers. These 3 teams have shown with hard running forwards, quick play the balls and controlling halves, scoring points will come with repeat sets and controlling possession. It's been many years that Parramatta has tried scoring from every play, but this year they are playing with much more patience and control. It's also good to see the Eels playing to a game plan. The coach seems to have the players believing in his plan and following his instructions. The Eels have the ability to be a top 4 side this year if they continue to play simple, structured football.The first thing I noticed Parra improve greatly this year is there line speed. I noticed this in the Penrith trial and it has continued so far. In past seasons the Eels defence and line speed has been way off the mark but the coaching staf seem to have worked hard on this part of there game. The Forwards are dominating more tackles and winning the ruck much more often than in the past. In the Eels 2 wins from 3 games there defence has been awesome and they say, defence wins comps.Anyway, that's the way I've seen things so far. IMO, the mighty Eels have been the most impressive team of 2016. Hopefully they can continue.

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  • Mate your first comparison with us losing to the Broncos is a little misleading as both first choice starting halves didn't play or didn't play that long.

    From the games I've seen, Parra are the standouts. Sure other have won more game or have a better %, but when you look at what teams each have played, Parra has had the hardest hit out by a mile and the only game we lost was without halves.

    So as long as we keep our halves on the field I have no reason to believe we can't make the finals and possibly top 4.

    My only question is can we keep the intensity up when we play the lower rated teams.

    It definately a close comp but teams will start pulling away, we just need to be in that lead group.
  • Slippery I'm in a tipping comp where it's the same as footy tab and the same start points as footy tab are given. It's hard picking those close ones. I find in the close ones the team you take as soon as the other team gets a fair amount of the ball the points start stuffs you up.After 3 rounds I would be suprised if anyone is doing really well.
  • Ha I went for the same formula with the upsets too. Actually chose Panthers to beat Broncos, obviously not for any common sense reason but just that feeling you sometimes get that a team is due for a loss.
    What a shambles of a game!!
    Went from thinking why did I do that numerous times when they ballsed it up (Soward didn't help) on the line with their last play options, to watching Broncos gift it back to them again. What a disorganised scrappy game that was?

    Then after getting that fluke right, picked the Tigers (whom I've not really watched play yet), but made the mistake of listening to the hype around them and got that wrong.

    What a fickle comp, again!

    Just like BA was alluding to in his presser, we must not get comfy or complacent, knowingly if we bring the same steely attitude against the lessors, we have the side to really challenge the best of them all this year

    One things for sure the actual standard of any of the games we've played in have been ultra tough and we've played as a complete TEAM and defensive unit. Thought we did the same even in our Broncs loss where we showed some great qualities and mentality in defence, never stopped trying for the full 80 and kept turning up for each other. Think most of us recognising in that loss we were specials for our next matchup.

    Surely we've had our share of bad injury tolls and the footy gods may go easy on us this year.
    Just as aside, it was mentioned during the cows game the other night some crazy stat that the Cows were the first team in decades to field thei same 17 for five games in a row! We need some of that.

    Just have to keep maintaining the rage lol, with our backs to the wall and it should be fun being a parra fan this year!
  • I got all the games right so far except for the Raiders not winning, just need Warriors, Bunnies & Sharks to win for a good tipping week
  • the first 6 weeks is always a lottery with form.

    Some of the better clubs will win plenty still and you should stick to picking them.

    If you stuck with Parra you would have 2 upsets.

    Here is my tip ?? for you sir

    Tip with your heart the first 6 weeks and then with you head.

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