South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers – Thursday night – Accor Stadium

Many of you would know I'm not shy about tipping an upset here and there, and Thursday night is no exception. Given the Panthers beat the Sharks in round one, and the Sharks beat the Rabbitohs fairly comfortably last week, this looks like a strange upset to tip, but here I am anyway. It's been a big month for the defending premiers - a trip to Vegas followed by back to back losses. This will be their fourth different venue to play at through four rounds, so there's a bit going on. They will also have their captain and chief organiser sitting with his Dad, and Dylan Edwards isn't back yet either. They do get Laurie back at fullback, and he's terrific, but he's not Dylan Edwards. There's nothing wrong with the Panthers spine of Laurie, Cole, Toelau and Kenny...but it won't have the Bunnies quaking in their boots. They've conceded 90 points in three games this season, which is an enormous increase on recent seasons. They're still a very good team, and they're going to make the finals, but it does look like the Empire is starting to fracture a little. The Bunnies will be without the unlucky Campbell Graham which isn't ideal, but Alex Johnstone is back. He needs 17 tries to equal Ken Irvine on the all-time list. If he stays fit and well he might reach that milestone this season. The Rabbitohs can win this but their forwards will need to do their jobs and do them well - I think they're up for the challenge. A shout out to Reggie (Charlie) the Rabbit this week - let's not allow one moment where he wasn't perfect tarnish a life of awesomeness.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 1

Result – Rabbitohs 28 defeated Panthers 18

Sydney Roosters vs Gold Coast Titans – Friday night – Allianz Stadium

The Chooks will look to bounce back after a competitive loss to the Warriors in New Zealand. Connor Watson (concussion) is a significant out, but the return of Collins and Butcher on the bench bolsters the engine room. For the Titans, Kini is out with a neck injury, replaced by Jaylan de Groot at fullback in just his second NRL game. Try-scoring speedster Khan-Pereria remains sidelined, as does forward Jaiman Jolliffe. That said, the Titans aren't short of firepower in the engine room. The Titans haven't played at Allianz since they made it all shiny and amazing, and their recent record against the Chooks (11 losses in a row) is an ugly statistic. I'll take the tricolours in a game that should be closer than most expect.

Verdict – Roosters by 2

Result – Titans 30 defeated Roosters 12

Redcliffe Dolphins vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

Yet to strike a win in season 2025, the Dolphins have stuck with the same seventeen that fell short against the Tigers last week. They're not playing terribly, but their attack isn't firing on all cylinders, with just the eight tries across three games thus far. We know what they can do, and they scored 40 against the Broncos in the last Battle of Brisbane. It would be nice to see some of that razzle and a lot more dazzle. A big inclusion for the Broncos with Kotoni Staggs returning in the centres. No doubt he'll be hoping to make a statement just as he did in the first Battle of Brisbane. The win over the Cowboys was solid enough but still far from best. That said, they're likely to have the majority of the crowd support and look the logical selection.

Verdict – Broncos by 4

​​​​​​​Result – Broncos 20 defeated Dolphins 12

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Melbourne Storm – Saturday afternoon – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

Fun facts that don't sound like facts but really are - The Dragons have beaten the Storm in three of their last four contests at this venue. Strange but true. Their prospects have improved with Hughes, Asofa-Solomona and Meaney unavailable on Saturday. Warbrick returns to bolster the Storm backline. For the Dragons, Klemmer makes his debut with his new club, and Couchman (Toby) comes into the starting thirteen. Two narrow but competitive losses for the Dragons thus far, which is promising but they're crying out for a win. This is a hard win to win, particularly after the Storm coach made it pretty clear he wasn't entirely happy with his troops last week (even though they beat the defending premiers). The Storm have a tendency to respond with results after a Bellamy spray.

Verdict – Storm by 8

​​​​​​​Result – Dragons 14 defeated Storm 8

North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday afternoon – Queensland Country Bank Stadium

I'm assuming I'm tipping another upset here, but I'm with the home side to rack up win number one for the season this weekend, for three reasons:

1. The Cowboys have a very good record against the Raiders

2. The Raiders have a very poor record in Townsville

3. The afternoon timeslot and the weather forecast means those big Raiders forwards are going to struggle in the conditions

It's not the heat, it's my stupidity, but:

Verdict – Cowboys by 4

​​​​​​​Result – Cowboys 30 defeated Raiders 20

Cronulla Sharks vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Saturday night – Sharks Stadium

The Bulldogs are undefeated this season, but this could be their first serious test for the year. Two of the three teams they've played so far haven't won a game, and while I will always have a soft spot for the Titans I can't call them an NRL heavyweight. The Sharks have a roster that can (almost) win the comp and they're playing at home in that hideous timeslot that Cronulla loves because visiting teams hate it. No major lin-up changes for either side, but cult figure Thomas Hazelton will have the home fans up and about when he tucks the ball under the arm. An unusual cult figure I have to say - but many cult figures are. Sharks at home.

Verdict – Sharks by 7

​​​​​​​Result – Bulldogs 20 defeated Sharks 6

Manly Sea Eagles vs Parramatta Eels – Sunday afternoon – 4 Pines Park

A little bit of turmoil for both clubs at the minute, at least in part caused by next season departures of high-profile, well-paid playmakers. The turmoil hurts more when you're losing, and the Eels need a win. They were better last start, but still not good enough, and they aren't likely to be good enough here either. Not against a high-flying Manly at their spiritual home. Tom Trbojevic returns for the home side too. Some risk this gets ugly.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 16

​​​​​​​Result – Sea Eagles 26 defeated Eels 12

Wests Tigers vs New Zealand Warriors – Sunday afternoon – Campbelltown Sports Stadium

You could mount a fair argument that this is the game of the round. Two teams in winning form and their fan bases will be started to get a little bit excited. There's still a lot to be done before either of these sides are up there with the heavyweights, but both are heading in the right direction, and I'm one of many that thinks the NRL is a better competition when these two clubs are doing well. No changes for the Tigers, while the Warriors will be without Tuivasa-Sheck for a while. Pompey replaces him on the wing, with Berry coming into the side in the centres. I'm tipping the Tigers here, primarily because the Warriors record in Australia is poor, particularly so in Sydney for some odd reason. Looks a proper contest though.

Verdict – Tigers by 4

​​​​​​​Result – Warriors 26 defeated Tigers 24

Wally Lewis - round four selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or Thursday morning

• Rabbitohs vs PANTHERS
• ROOSTERS vs Titans
• Dolphins vs BRONCOS
• Dragons vs STORM
• COWBOYS vs Raiders
• SHARKS vs Bulldogs
• SEA EAGLES vs Eels
• TIGERS vs Warriors