Become a member to join in Australia's biggest sporting debate, submit articles, receive updates straight to your inbox and keep up with your favourite teams and authors. In saying that, I hope one of them is the Sharks, and I might as well start there. They will win at home but I think the Cowboys will be big improvers this year. Josh Hodgson is primed for a huge season. The club’s 2020 season can only be described as one of utter embarrassment and humiliation as they won just three games last year – and only one after Round 2 – and copped plenty of big scores against them in the intervention. The first match of the season promises to be an emotional one for both the Melbourne Storm and its fans, as the club will get the chance to play in front of members and fans for the first time since September 2019. I’m interested in Sharks versus Dragons. My beautiful, premiership-bound Canberra Raiders will rack up a cricket score as they pulverise Wests by a minimum of 56. I was really looking forward to this season until I sat down to try and tip these games. Tips: Storm, Knights, Broncos, Titans, Roosters, Panthers, Raiders, Dragons. It’s great to be back tipping season 2021. Canberra to get the win. But with big names such as David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui having joined the club during the off-season, the potential is there for them to continue to climb up the ladder and hopefully kick-start an improved season for the three Queensland clubs. Ricky Stuart’s side won consecutive sudden death matches to reach the preliminary final for the second consecutive year, only to be outclassed by eventual premiers the Melbourne Storm after being denied the chance to arrive in Brisbane in the early afternoon. While the Dogs struggled last year, winning only three games, it must be said that two of those wins were against finals teams, including against their opponents this Friday night. They face a Panthers side that finished season 2020 as minor premiers, before inexperience and nerves proved telling as they lost to the Melbourne Storm by 26-20 in the grand final. Come on Cleary, let him go! featured alongside some of Australia’s most prominent sports journalists. Just when things were looking bright for the Sea Eagles, he races in the Corso and twinges his hammy. Remember to get your tips into the form below by 6pm (AEDT) on Sunday to join The Roar’s NRL tipping competition for 2020 and be featured as part of the Crowd’s tips for Round 1. Sharks to win. I expect the Storm and Rabbitohs to be there when the whips are cracking but home ground advantage and Melbourne’s freaky Round 1 record give them the edge. Just on the Eels, if they have any hope of making the eight a good start to the season is crucial. The Raiders find themselves two Coreys short thanks to a tandem drink driving escapade. Their first match under Walters will be against the Parramatta Eels, who finished in the top four for the second time in four seasons only to crash out of October in straight sets. STRUGGLING with your NRL tips? NRL; NRL 2015: Expert tips for Round 16. I’m going to be at Gosford races on Saturday so I’m tipping the Warriors. Tips: Storm, Bulldogs, Eels, Warriors, Roosters, Panthers, Raiders, Sharks. Titans by 40. Then came the dramatic escalation of coronavirus cases in Victoria, which forced the Storm, and all of the state’s professional sporting clubs to evacuate the state, with Craig Bellamy’s side setting up camp on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. As an example, in the final round last year, the Knights had the chance to earn a home final only to be thrashed 36-6 by the Titans on the Gold Coast, before bowing out of October with barely a whimper, losing to the Rabbitohs in a knock-out final in Sydney. The Sharks are sitting on approximately one first round victory since, like well, forever. Or has it? I will be more than a little agitated with the result but not surprised. History: Played 23, Dragons 16, Titans 7 Last Meeting: Round 6, 2020: Dragons 20 def. The Corey-less Raiders to be too strong for the new look Tigers. Open a new betting account at Sportsbet.com.au on your computer, mobile or tablet device. However, the top eight positioning can change with every game, so it’s all on the line this week. The Knights in Newcastle was one of only three games the Bulldogs won last year. Surprise, surprise, Friday’s prime time match features the Broncos. Storm v Broncos. Xavier Coates and John Asiata needed further medical treatment after nasty incidents in the 22-16 loss to the Eels. Read more about Round one selections; 10 comments; Add new comment; ... 16 from 24: steel eel: 12 from 16: Lyn Grundy: 12 from 16: Doormatt: 12 from 16: Spamdog: 11 from 16: kent21: ... NRL tipping is easier if you follow the NRL news. Here’s what The Courier-Mail’s experts are saying about a tough seven-match round 16. The panel for 2021 is exactly the same as the one who appeared on these pages every Thursday last season.