New champions crowned in Courier’s NRL tipping competitions

New champions will enjoy the grand final experience of a lifetime after winning The Courier’s NRL tipping competitions.

CL Dickinson Auto Electrics claimed top honours in the Business House Challenge while Trevor Dean was the winner of the Readers’ Tipping Competition.

With CL Dickinson Auto Electrics being four points ahead coming into the final round, and only having one tip different to second-placed Narrabri Pharmacy, it was clear the Cooma Road business would be victorious.

CL Dickinson Auto Electrics finished on 261 points, Weel Australia surged ahead to second place on 255 points and Narrabri Pharmacy was third also on 255 points.

Daniel Hobden, this year’s tipster for CL Dickinson Auto Electrics, will attend the grand final with his wife, Jordann.

However, the Readers’ Tipping Competition went down to the wire. After the Cowboys’ win against the Bulldogs, it was clear Trevor Dean would claim the top prize.

Trevor finished the regular season on 263 points, Ross Gleeson was second on 257 points and Michael Knox was third on 255 points.

Trevor will take his father, Terry, for the grand final experience. Both are fans of the Panthers and are hoping the Penrith-based team makes the big dance.

“We are hoping and praying they get in,” Trevor said.

It was a nerve-wracking final few weeks in the Readers’ Tipping Competition, with only a few points separating the top part of the ladder.

“I got nervous when I hit the lead six weeks ago,” Trevor said.

He remained in top position for several weeks, slipped to fourth position after round 25 and then returned to the front.

Trevor was well-prepared for his Courier photograph on Monday morning, outside CL Dickinson Auto Electrics’ Cooma Road premises, wearing his Panthers shirt and cap. He is tipping Panthers to take on Storm in the grand final.

For Daniel, who is a Sea Eagles supporter, he is tipping the Panthers to battle the Bulldogs for premiership honours.

This year, Daniel has been paying close attention to the finer details for his weekly Courier tips.

“I’ve been checking the injuries and suspensions this year,” he said.

The Courier has purchased the prizes of return airfares and grand final tickets.

Sponsor Radisson Blu has provided the accommodation at its five star luxury Sydney Plaza hotel in the city’s centre.

The Courier has again expressed its thanks to Radisson Blu for its ongoing support of the tipping competition.

“A stay at the luxury hotel in the Sydney CBD complements our NRL grand final experience,” The Courier’s managing director Wanda Dunnet OAM said.

“Our thanks to the supporting businesses that make the competition possible.

“We encourage our Courier readers to support these wonderful businesses that support this annual promotion.”

The Business House Challenge continues throughout the finals, culminating in the grand final with the format unchanged and including Beat the Biz. In the readers’ competition, the top eight will participate in the finals fever contest.