South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Parramatta Eels - Friday night – ANZ Stadium

Let's point out the fairly obvious to begin with - Greg Inglis won't be playing for the Rabbits and Will Hopoate won't be playing for the Eels. They're preparing for a date on Wednesday night...which is kinda sweet. Less obvious is Issac Luke on the bench, and the Rabbits have a six-man bench. Is the little big man playing or not? Is his face okay after getting accidentally kicked two or three times by the Australian captain (I told you he must be cranky). Beyond those uncertainties this looks like a really compelling game - two massive packs of forwards and some speed out wide. I'm giving the Eels another chance after they almost got there last weekend. The Bunnies are clear favourites and all things being equal they win...but this game reeks of an upset. Back the Eels with the handicap start.

Verdict – Eels by 4

Result - Rabbitohs 14 defeated Eels 12

Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys – Saturday night – Campbelltown Stadium

Farah and Woods step down for the Tigers - Thurston, Scott, Tamou and possibly Morgan step down for the Cowboys. That's a lot of talent to pull out a contest. If Morgan is free to play I actually lean to the Cowboys - it's no fluke that the Cowboys winning run has coincided with his move into the halves. He's been named, and the Cowboys haven't named an extended bench...so i'm playing the cards as I see them. The Tigers are frightfully short favourites, but winning (and losing) are contagious. The Tigers have just one win in the last six weeks and the Cowboys just keep on singing the team song. I need the Cowboys forwards that are available to give their all but I'm hoping the youngsters galvanise on the road trip and pull off a victory to remember. I'll be backing Granville to score the first and/or last try of the night...at big odds.

NOTE: Michael Morgan has replaced Cherry-Evans in the Queensland camp. My tip stands as is...but my argument does not.

Verdict – Cowboys by 1

Result - Cowboys 8 defeated Tigers 0

Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Sunday afternoon – GIO Stadium

Not many sides are unaffected by State of Origin but that is certainly the case for the Raiders. They'll relish the return home and Sunday afternoon football often brings out their best. The Bulldogs are without Hodkinson, Klemmer, Morris and Jackson...and they weren't travelling well to begin with. Just one win since Round Four and that was against the team running last. The Raiders have a nasty habit of losing when people expect them to win, but I'm happy to back them at $1.65 or thereabouts. They just look too good...and I can't believe I'm saying that this season.

Verdict – Raiders by 12

Result - Bulldogs 41 defeated Raiders 34

Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos – Monday night – Hunter Stadium

Remember David Stagg? I bump into him at the local shops from time to time, but I didn't even know he was still on contract. He's lacing on the boots on Monday night, along with a handful of the 'Baby Broncos' as Parker, Boyd, Hodges, Gillett, Thaiday and McGuire step up to State grade. Six Broncos all playing for Queensland on Wednesday night - it's just like the glory days. Fortunately, Wayne Bennett was the coach back then so he has his fair share of experience at getting the kids to step up at this time of year. The other important thing to note is that most of the Broncos spine remains intact. This looks hard though. The Knights are at home and are coming off a win, and that Knights pack just looks too strong for what's left of the Broncos engine room. The Broncos won't relent easily...it's not their way, but I can't see them doing enough to win. A Knights victory by 1-12 looks likely.

Verdict – Knights by 8

Result - Broncos 31 defeated Knights 18

Wally Lewis - round eleven selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.

• RABBITOHS vs Eels
• TIGERS vs Cowboys
• RAIDERS vs Bulldogs
• KNIGHTS vs Broncos