Hi everyone!
Another NRL season is over and congratulations to the Sydney Roosters on a deserving 13th Premiership victory for the club. They've been the best side all year and showed some class in coming back 10 points down in a decider to win the title! Also my hats off to the Manly Seaeagles too - they showed tremendous fight throughout the finals series and certainly played a huge part in what was an epic decider!
Bring on season 2014!!
Check out the full match report below!
Congratulations to Scotsta on a fine Tipping Championship victory after holding the lead for almost the entire season.
It did go down to the wire however, with Bronco2020 going for the Manly win, knowing too well that he couldn't lose 2nd place, and if the Seaeagles had prevailed (and both must've been sweating at 18-8!), it would have seen him pip Scotsta at the very death...but it wasn't to be.
Scotsta has been in this competition since the very first online competition started in 2004 so it's only fitting in the end that an "original" tipster take out the 10th anniversary season in 2013. Well done mate.
In the other battle, Darren Scott fell heavily to 5th after backing his beloved Manly to lose the prize to Anu, who won 3rd on margin difference over Butch. Goes to show how important those margin are, huh?
In the 10th Anniversary Champion of Champions Pool, devoid came out on top beating all previous Tipping Championship winners (from 2004-2012) to claim this special anniversary accolade.
Congratulations to all our winners and fingers crossed I'll see you all back for our 11th season online!
(Note: Total Prize Pool altered based on a weaker March 7th vs October 6th Aus-NZ exchange rate difference split across all prizes + any international fees. Expect international transfer delays. Winners please contact me via my email with your details)
2013 Championship + Pool F Winner
Scotsta
($822)
2013 Runner-up + Pool D Winner
Bronco2020
($422)
2013 3rd Place + Pool A Winner
Anu
($222)
10th Anniversary Champion of Champions + Pool E Winner
devoid
($122)
Pool B Winner
Rocketane
($86)
Pool C Winner
Darren Scott
($86)
Here's what's happened in the 2013 Grand Final
ROOSTERS FIGHT BACK FROM 10 POINTS DOWN TO CLAIM 13TH CLUB PREMIERSHIP
The Sydney Roosters have come back from 10 points down to beat Manly 26-18 at ANZ stadium, winning their first NRL grand final since 2002.
Sydney had gone in as favourites, but Manly came out with much higher intensity and outplayed its opposition in the opening half-hour.
The Roosters recovered to lead at half-time, but the Sea Eagles jumped them early in the second half to set up what seemed like a match-winning break, before they were over-run late in the game to fall eight points short of victory.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who won a title in his first year as an NRL coach, said his team had had trouble getting into the game in the first half.
"I thought [Manly's] defence was on like they do in these big games. We had too many passes and ran away from the fight a little bit," he said.
"As soon as we got out of that, we were in our game. That's the way we've played all year. We forgot it a bit in the first 20, but we did enough to get back on track and get the game done.
Robinson emphasised the link between Sonny Bill Williams' play and the Roosters' fortunes.
"As soon as he (Sonny) righted himself, we got back on track. As soon as he got through the ruck, we were okay," he said.
"There's no secret formula, we've got a great staff, we worked hard on [forging] a close bond and what our understandings are as a team. It's not mine, it's ours. We work hard for each other, that's what we do."
Manly coach Geoff Toovey was disappointed by the result but said his team was not good enough over the 80 minutes.
"It was (a brave performance) ... we let a few things slip. We didn't get the rub of the green sometimes, either," he told the media
"No point whinging about it now, we weren't good enough and that's the way it goes.
"We blew a few opportunities there as well, probably could have been a bit further in front."
Roosters hit back after bright Manly start
Jorge Taufua had opened the scoring in the ninth minute, taking advantage of an overlap to go over in the left corner, but despite being the better team early, the Sea Eagles could not make it count on the scoreboard.
The Roosters hit back in the 26th minute thanks to some awful defence by Manly's David Williams, as Sydney's Daniel Tupou rose unchecked to take a high ball and plant it for a four-pointer.
A James Maloney penalty gave the Roosters an 8-6 lead at half-time, but Manly burst out of the blocks in the second half to put 12 points on the board in the opening 10 minutes.First Jamie Lyon was awarded a penalty try when he was impeded by the Roosters' Mitchell Aubusson.
Then in the 49th minute, Manly's left-side attack did the business again, as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was left stranded for Steve Matai to score an excellent try.
The Roosters looked in terrible trouble at 18-8 down, but then it was the Manly defence's turn to be left floundering when Aidan Guerra went over near the posts in the 55th minute.
Sonny Bill Williams had been quiet for most of the match, but when he finally made an impact five minutes later it was worth the wait.He raced to halfway before delivering a trademark off-load to five-eighth James Maloney, who hit the gap on the burst before feeding Shaun Kenny-Dowall who went over in the corner, although replays showed an earlier Maloney pass to Anthony Minichiello went forward.
When Maloney added the extras the Roosters were in front 20-18, but the result remained in doubt until seven minutes from time, when a grubber into the in-goal from the five-eighth was sensationally touched down by an airborne Michael Jennings.
The win, the Roosters' 13th premiership, ended a string of grand final losses in 2003, 2004 and 2010.
Williams non-committal after title win
The Roosters' Williams told the media that he and his team had had to reassess their game plan at the break despite leading after the first 40 minutes.
"I did a bit of study on Manly, just watching the last couple of weeks, (and) I fell into the trap of going around my man," he said.
"At half-time I assessed it, we just had to start again, scrap that first half. We came up again in the second half and just went through them.
"We just had to match them in the second half with firepower in the middle. We did that, it came off.
"Winning an NRL comp ... is a great feeling. I've just been blessed."
With speculation rampant about a move back to rugby union, Sonny Bill was not giving anything away about his future.
"Obviously at the forefront, rugby union and rugby league are up there. I just need to take these next couple of weeks to decide my future," he said.
Captain Anthony Minichiello, who was part of the last Roosters side to win 11 years ago was ecstatic at the win.
"(It's an) unbelievable year, the boys were fantastic. We were behind for a bit year but we just fought our way back on.
"I was just trying to calm them down a bit, not to get frantic because the tide always turns. We believe in our game plan., We stuck to it and it got us home.
"This whole year hasn't been about one player. It's been about the whole 17 that takes the field each week. We're a tight-knit group."
Sea Eagles left disappointed after brave display
Sea Eagles captain Jamie Lyon was blunt in his assessment on the post-match podium:
"I thought we put in a great effort all season. I thought the semi-finals we were pretty strong to the end there," he said.
"But full credit to the Roosters, they were too good today."
Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran ended up on the losing side against his best friend and high school team-mate Mitchell Pearce of the Roosters.
Foran lamented his team's inability to put the game away when leading in the second half.
"We really spoke at half-time (about) coming out and making sure we completed some sets, got some points on board," he said.
"We did that, but when we got 18 (points to eight) in front you could feel the momentum shift then.
"We knew we had to start well against them. We didn't want to get off to a start like we did against Souths. We got the first points on the board but couldn't close it."
Manly half-back Daly Cherry-Evans did not get his name on the scoresheet, but he won the Clive Churchill Medal with a terrific effort in a losing side.
Sydney Roosters: 26 (D Taupou, A Guerra, S Kenny-Dowall, M Jennings tries; J Maloney 4/4 cons; J Maloney 1/1 pens)
Manly: 18 (J Taufua, J Lyon, S Matai tries; J Lyon 2/3 cons; J Lyon 1/1 pen)
|
RANK
|
TIPPER
|
GRAND FINAL SCORE
|
GRAND FINAL MARGIN
|
TOTAL SCORE
|
TOTAL MARGIN
|
|
1
|
Scotsta
|
1
|
1
|
183
|
377
|
|
2
|
Bronco2020
|
0
|
18
|
181
|
368
|
|
3
|
Anu
|
1
|
0
|
178
|
371
|
|
4
|
Butch
|
1
|
4
|
177
|
310
|
|
5
|
Darren Scott
|
0
|
15
|
177
|
386
|
|
6
|
Link Abrams
|
1
|
4
|
175
|
349
|
|
7
|
Rocketane
|
1
|
4
|
174
|
344
|
|
8
|
Vee8head
|
0
|
15
|
174
|
363
|
|
9
|
Gorillagrip
|
1
|
3
|
174
|
371
|
|
10
|
devoid (2009 Champion)
|
1
|
2
|
172
|
344
|
|
11
|
Lainey
|
1
|
2
|
170
|
396
|
|
12
|
Bruiser
|
0
|
8
|
169
|
367
|
|
13
|
jall091 (2008 Champion)
|
1
|
0
|
168
|
359
|
|
14
|
Feet Little
|
1
|
2
|
168
|
364
|
|
15
|
Keith Wilton
|
1
|
2
|
166
|
360
|
|
16
|
taijay
|
0
|
8
|
166
|
383
|
|
17
|
Dean Campbell
|
0
|
8
|
165
|
329
|
|
18
|
Heath Caldwell
|
0
|
8
|
163
|
327
|
|
19
|
Warmess
|
0
|
8
|
163
|
354
|
|
20
|
Sincas
|
0
|
8
|
162
|
371
|
|
21
|
BEAR KNUCKLE
|
0
|
8
|
161
|
348
|
|
22
|
Harveysan
|
0
|
8
|
161
|
349
|
|
23
|
Kiwi_Misty
|
1
|
2
|
161
|
369
|
|
24
|
NZ Tiger (2004 Champion)
|
1
|
7
|
160
|
318
|
|
25
|
Alfie
|
1
|
4
|
160
|
384
|
|
26
|
jared francois
|
0
|
12
|
159
|
359
|
|
27
|
Richard McCourt (2007 Champion)
|
0
|
14
|
158
|
341
|
|
28
|
1YEARWONDERBARBA
|
0
|
8
|
157
|
480
|
|
29
|
Bearass
|
1
|
2
|
156
|
372
|
|
30
|
Jessamine (2005 Champion)
|
1
|
2
|
156
|
407
|
|
31
|
tawa killers
|
0
|
8
|
156
|
409
|
|
32
|
BT Ross
|
1
|
4
|
156
|
410
|
|
33
|
killswitch
|
1
|
2
|
155
|
389
|
|
34
|
melz
|
1
|
2
|
155
|
392
|
|
35
|
Redv4me
|
1
|
10
|
155
|
393
|
|
36
|
Rob Killer (2006 Champion)
|
0
|
8
|
153
|
384
|
|
37
|
steven bowers
|
0
|
24
|
153
|
387
|
|
38
|
sava4 (2012 Champion)
|
0
|
18
|
152
|
354
|
|
39
|
kelren
|
1
|
4
|
152
|
365
|
|
40
|
The Neighbour
|
0
|
14
|
152
|
377
|
|
41
|
NO1QPRNZ
|
0
|
15
|
152
|
380
|
|
42
|
ootz
|
0
|
8
|
152
|
457
|
|
43
|
Desire Wilton
|
0
|
8
|
151
|
353
|
|
44
|
Simply The Bears
|
0
|
8
|
151
|
413
|
|
45
|
cmcnls+1day
|
0
|
8
|
151
|
416
|
|
46
|
LOUNGIN SON
|
0
|
8
|
150
|
2862
|
|
47
|
tais1
|
0
|
8
|
149
|
345
|
|
48
|
mdt64
|
0
|
8
|
149
|
408
|
|
49
|
Balmainadrian
|
1
|
0
|
148
|
396
|
|
50
|
MrBusy
|
0
|
8
|
148
|
418
|
|
51
|
Stevefromoz (2009 Champion)
|
0
|
8
|
147
|
380
|
|
52
|
Pet Johnson (2010 Champion)
|
0
|
8
|
147
|
392
|
|
53
|
kazgriffo
|
0
|
14
|
146
|
397
|
|
54
|
Matthew Bowers (2011 Champion)
|
0
|
8
|
146
|
511
|
|
55
|
Craig Carnihan
|
1
|
2
|
144
|
379
|
|
56
|
trey waldron
|
1
|
6
|
144
|
417
|
|
57
|
Yo Mama
|
1
|
2
|
142
|
359
|
|
58
|
boogs_nz
|
0
|
8
|
142
|
364
|
|
59
|
Gaddaffi
|
0
|
15
|
142
|
432
|
|
60
|
Rex Kwando
|
2
|
2
|
140
|
401
|
|
61
|
TWiL Nate
|
0
|
8
|
138
|
326
|
|
62
|
Jojo Azrein
|
0
|
8
|
136
|
372
|
|
63
|
Kye Hudson
|
0
|
8
|
135
|
433
|
|
64
|
Staks
|
0
|
8
|
134
|
482
|
|
65
|
HUDS99
|
0
|
8
|
133
|
427
|
|
66
|
Tubasaurus
|
0
|
8
|
133
|
435
|
|
67
|
blo1
|
0
|
8
|
131
|
449
|
|
68
|
eviltwin
|
1
|
4
|
129
|
375
|
|
69
|
Team Upton
|
0
|
8
|
127
|
431
|
|
70
|
Bearette
|
0
|
8
|
117
|
425
|
|
71
|
rog the dodge
|
1
|
11
|
112
|
561
|
|
72
|
melros
|
0
|
8
|
98
|
386
|
|
73
|
Tank (2004 Champion)
|
0
|
8
|
95
|
426
|
|
74
|
Kyle Thomson
|
0
|
8
|
80
|
395
|
|
75
|
haze13
|
0
|
8
|
76
|
547
|
|
76
|
Evra69
|
0
|
8
|
64
|
437
|
|
77
|
Wilshere Wonderland
|
0
|
8
|
62
|
425
|
|
78
|
Joejoez
|
0
|
8
|
49
|
429
|
|
TIPSTER
|
POINTS
|
MARGIN
|
|
Anu
|
178
|
371
|
|
Alfie
|
160
|
384
|
|
jared francois
|
159
|
359
|
|
melz
|
155
|
392
|
|
steven bowers
|
153
|
387
|
|
Desire Wilton
|
151
|
353
|
|
cmcnls+1day
|
151
|
416
|
|
LOUNGIN SON
|
150
|
2862
|
|
tais1
|
149
|
345
|
|
Balmainadrian
|
148
|
396
|
|
Rex Kwando
|
140
|
401
|
|
blo1
|
131
|
449
|
|
eviltwin
|
129
|
375
|
|
TIPSTER
|
POINTS
|
MARGIN
|
|
Rocketane
|
174
|
344
|
|
Feet Little
|
168
|
364
|
|
taijay
|
166
|
383
|
|
Harveysan
|
161
|
349
|
|
1YEARWONDERBARBA
|
157
|
480
|
|
Jessamine (2005 Champion)
|
156
|
407
|
|
Redv4me
|
155
|
393
|
|
sava4 (2012 Champion)
|
152
|
354
|
|
mdt64
|
149
|
408
|
|
Craig Carnihan
|
144
|
379
|
|
HUDS99
|
133
|
427
|
|
Team Upton
|
127
|
431
|
|
rog the dodge
|
112
|
561
|
|
TIPSTER
|
POINTS
|
MARGIN
|
|
Darren Scott
|
177
|
386
|
|
Vee8head
|
174
|
363
|
|
Heath Caldwell
|
163
|
327
|
|
NZ Tiger (2004 Champion)
|
160
|
318
|
|
tawa killers
|
156
|
409
|
|
Rob Killer (2006 Champion)
|
153
|
384
|
|
The Neighbour
|
152
|
377
|
|
ootz
|
152
|
457
|
|
Stevefromoz (2009 Champion)
|
147
|
380
|
|
Yo Mama
|
142
|
359
|
|
melros
|
98
|
386
|
|
Kyle Thomson
|
80
|
395
|
|
Evra69
|
64
|
437
|
|
TIPSTER
|
POINTS
|
MARGIN
|
|
Bronco2020
|
181
|
368
|
|
Butch
|
177
|
310
|
|
Link Abrams
|
175
|
349
|
|
Bruiser
|
169
|
367
|
|
Warmess
|
163
|
354
|
|
Richard McCourt (2007 Champion)
|
158
|
341
|
|
Bearass
|
156
|
372
|
|
Simply The Bears
|
151
|
413
|
|
Pet Johnson (2010 Champion)
|
147
|
392
|
|
trey waldron
|
144
|
417
|
|
Staks
|
134
|
482
|
|
Tubasaurus
|
133
|
435
|
|
haze13
|
76
|
547
|
|
TIPSTER
|
POINTS
|
MARGIN
|
|
devoid (2009 Champion)
|
172
|
344
|
|
Keith Wilton
|
166
|
360
|
|
Sincas
|
162
|
371
|
|
BEAR KNUCKLE
|
161
|
348
|
|
Kiwi_Misty
|
161
|
369
|
|
BT Ross
|
156
|
410
|
|
killswitch
|
155
|
389
|
|
MrBusy
|
148
|
418
|
|
Matthew Bowers (2011 Champion)
|
146
|
511
|
|
boogs_nz
|
142
|
364
|
|
TWiL Nate
|
138
|
326
|
|
Jojo Azrein
|
136
|
372
|
|
Kye Hudson
|
135
|
433
|
|
TIPSTER
|
POINTS
|
MARGIN
|
|
Scotsta
|
183
|
377
|
|
Gorillagrip
|
174
|
371
|
|
Lainey
|
170
|
396
|
|
jall091 (2008 Champion)
|
168
|
359
|
|
Dean Campbell
|
165
|
329
|
|
kelren
|
152
|
365
|
|
NO1QPRNZ
|
152
|
380
|
|
kazgriffo
|
146
|
397
|
|
Gaddaffi
|
142
|
432
|
|
Bearette
|
117
|
425
|
|
tank (2004 Champion)
|
95
|
426
|
|
Wilshere Wonderland
|
62
|
425
|
|
Joejoez
|
49
|
429
|
|
TIPSTER
|
POINTS
|
MARGIN
|
|
devoid (2009 Champion)
|
172
|
344
|
|
jall091 (2008 Champion)
|
168
|
359
|
|
NZ Tiger (2004 Champion)
|
160
|
318
|
|
Richard McCourt (2007 Champion)
|
158
|
341
|
|
Jessamine (2005 Champion)
|
156
|
407
|
|
Rob Killer (2006 Champion)
|
153
|
384
|
|
sava4 (2012 Champion)
|
152
|
354
|
|
Stevefromoz (2009 Champion)
|
147
|
380
|
|
Pet Johnson (2010 Champion)
|
147
|
392
|
|
Matthew Bowers (2011 Champion)
|
146
|
511
|
|
tank (2004 Champion)
|
95
|
426
|
And that's the final update done and dusted for the year!
As I said above, I hope to see you all back again in 2014! Look out for my email in February!
Have a good off season, enjoy the Rugby League World Cup and Go you Kiwis!!
Mark
aka NZ Tiger
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