Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels – Friday night – Sportingbet Stadium

Third plays fourth…yep really. Rumour has it that State of Origin superhero Jarryd Hayne will be rested for this game. I don’t have to tell any of you what a big exclusion he is if the rumours are true. The Eels did beat the Panthers in round four and I do not doubt them anymore. I took the Eels on the last time they played but they bolted in and kept their opponents to nil. The Panthers are chasing a rare (for them) third win in a row and they're a tougher task than the Dragons, but with or without Hayne I am with the Eels.

Verdict – Eels by 4

Result - Panthers 38 defeated Eels 12

Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – Allianz Stadium

Does Blake Ferguson turn up at this game? The Roosters have started to make a habit of snapping up troubled Raiders stars and turning them into troubled Roosters stars. Both these sides notched up impressive victories over under-strength opponents last weekend. I'm leaping to the conclusion that the Roosters victory is the superior form line. All four Origin chooks look set to back-up this weekend and they look like pretty good things to me.

Verdict – Roosters by 10

Result - Roosters 26 defeated Raiders 12

North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm – Saturday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

What a difference a week makes. We were all a-flutter about the Storm when they tore the Bunnies apart, and if you backed them for the premiership on the back of that performance you'd be feeling a little teary right now. At the time of publishing Cronk, Smith and Slater are ruled out this weekend. I could almost shed a tear myself. To make matters worse the Cowboys four Origin players all came through unharmed. Craig Bellamy will hope to replicate the tactics of Laurie Daley and throw his big men at Jonathan Thurston all night. I imagine that will work to some degree, but it won't be anywhere near enough.

Verdict – Cowboys by 14

Result - Cowboys 22 defeated Storm 0

New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon - Mt Smart Stadium

This one may be a little riskier than one might first conclude. Shaun Johnson is in some doubt for the home side, and the long kicking game from Jarrod Mullen could have those big hulking Warriors trudging up and down the park all afternoon. I'm tempted to tip the upset, but I can't, and there are only two things stopping me. The Warriors often play their best footy at Mt Smart (and their best is way too good for the Knights), and captain Simon Mannering plays his 200th game (and 100th as Warriors captain). This would be one frustrating side to captain...he deserves nothing less than a victory to celebrate his milestone.

Verdict – Warriors by 2

Result - Warriors 38 defeated Knights 18

Brisbane Broncos vs Manly Sea Eagles – Sunday afternoon – Suncorp Stadium

I'm assuming a few things here. Cherry-Evans and Watmough aren't going to play (although they both want to). Hodges has been named and is good to go (but that could change). And Jamie Lyon and Sam Thaiday have both been named (but either and/or both may not be there on the day). It doesn't make this an easy game to tip, but this was never going to be an easy game anyway. I'm taking the home side, who have slightly less question marks over their line-up. On top of that they'll be super-keen to put on a show for a bumper crowd on a rare Sunday afternoon game in Bronconia.

Verdict – Broncos by 4

Result - Broncos 36 defeated Sea Eagles 10

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Monday night – ANZ Stadium

Okay okay....here's my joke of the week, and its going to be a bewdy. The Dragons have paid the Price for some very poor form in recent weeks. Oh that's good Thinker. That's very very good. The Rabbits, at their best, are as good as that joke and somewhere near their best is good enough here. Hopefully the Dragons respond to their new coach (who was a player I rather liked in his boot-wearing days). Inglis is playing...lock it in.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 8

Result - Rabbitohs 29 defeated Dragons 10

Wally Lewis - round twelve selections (in bold)

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

• PANTHERS vs Eels
• ROOSTERS vs Raiders
• COWBOYS vs Storm
• WARRIORS vs Knights
• Broncos vs SEA EAGLES
• RABBITOHS vs Dragons