Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler and Nine experts pick their winners

The vagaries of the NRL draw during the Origin period has thrown up a doozy to kick off round 13, with the top of the table Sharks bizarrely considered the underdogs against the 15th placed Eels.

Parramatta just over a week ago sacked coach Brad Arthur, installing Trent Barrett as an interim head coach before duly losing to fellow battlers Souths, yet some key ins for the Eels and some key outs for Cronulla have flipped the clash on its head.

Mitchell Moses finally returns after nine weeks on the sideline due to a fractured foot that ruined his chances of retaining his NSW No.7 jersey, while Eels captain Clint Gutherson is also back after a month on the sidelines due to a knee injury that required minor surgery.

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Those two ins combined with the fact that key forwards Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo both missed out on Origin selection ensure the Eels will take the field on Thursday night with one of the best teams they’ve been able to call on all year.

Cronulla on the other hand are missing halfback Nicho Hynes and Cameron McInnes to Blues selection and are licking their wounds after a reality check thumping at the hands of three-time premiers the Panthers in round 12.

“They’re coming 15th, Parra, the Sharks are coming first,” Brad Fittler pointed out on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth’s Tips.

“But Parramatta are the favourites. What a great comp.”

Scroll below for the current leaderboard and Round 13 tips by all Nine’s expert tipsters!

Andrew Johns: Eels, Knights, Panthers, Dolphins, Roosters

Brad Fittler: Eels, Knights, Panthers, Dolphins, Roosters

Darren Lockyer: Eels, Knights, Panthers, Dolphins, Roosters

Paul Gallen: Bulldogs, Sharks, Dragons, Raiders, Roosters

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Danika Mason: Eels, Knights, Panthers, Raiders, Roosters

Mat Thompson: Eels, Knights, Panthers, Raiders, Roosters

David Middleton: Eels, Knights, Panthers, Raiders, Roosters

Peter Psaltis: Eels, Knights, Dragons, Dolphins, Roosters

Ben Glover: Eels, Knights, Panthers, Dolphins, Roosters