Featured Tip from Mike Wilson

Pick Details

Sport / league:: NRL
Event / fixture:: Sharks vs. Cowboys
Event date: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 at 4:00 PM
Market:: Head-to-head
Tip:: Sharks @ 1.78 (Pinnacle)
Tip Result:: Win

It’s a testament to the Cronulla players’ mental tenacity that they have finished the season in 5th place when many thought their season was in tatters thanks to an ongoing ASADA investigation into allegations of the use of banned substances within the club. The heavy news was delivered to the club before the first round of the season had commenced and with just 2 days to go until their season opener, the Sharks’ hierarchy had dumped Coach Shane Flanagan. Not the ideal start to the year. But against adversity the team put their heads down and fought on. With Shane Flanagan being reinstated as head coach a couple of weeks later, the Sharks were back on track.
The Cronulla roster has a great mix of players amongst their ranks which makes them a versatile attacking unit with Todd Carney at the helm. The forwards are some of the hardest working in the comp and always lay a perfect base for the backs to work from.
The Cowboys have endured difficulties of their own this season but it had nothing to do with off field dramas but rather lacklustre performances on it. Couple that with a constant sprinkling of injuries amongst the halfback, hooker and fullback positions and the Cowboys found themselves languishing on the bottom 4 of the ladder at the halfway mark of the season. Then came the news that Neil Henry would not be reappointed as head coach for 2014 and somehow the message sparked the Cowboys into a 6 game winning streak which included a big upset win over the Rabbitohs.
If they are to keep the streak, and ultimately their tournament lives alive, the Cowboys will have to be prepared to take on an aggressive Sharks outfit which will be out to get under their skin.
Cowboys front rower James Tamou has said he sees the Sharks aggression as “a challenge” and left centre Kane Linnett has no doubts of their intentions stating “I'm sure they'll try and be a bit grubby.”
I’ll be tipping the Sharks whom I expect will ramp the intensity of game play up to the maximum level. Todd Carney’s return will provide the much needed pressure relief that the halves have needed in his absence.
I think that if the Cowboys try to match the Sharks in the aggression stakes, they’ll simply anger them and make them even more aggressive and subsequently tougher to handle.

About Mike Wilson

Bio: Mike Wilson is an avid Rugby League fan and has been following the game since he was 6 years old. He devotes much of his time to studying and reviewing games. When he is not neck deep in match replays and stats, Mike enjoys earning some pocket money playing online poker, which he has done successfully for over 7 years. Mike lives on the Gold Coast and also enjoys Formula One and casual afternoon in front of the horses with a few quiet beers ;)

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