Manly Sea Eagles vs Wests Tigers – Friday night – Brookvale Oval

Two teams hoping to bounce back after a loss but the Eagles appear to have more bounceability. Penrith cut swathes through the Tigers on the fringes last weekend and the Sea Eagles backline are more than capable of same. Cherry-Evans is likely to back up and should bring his 'A' game after a confidence-boosting effort in Origin III. Couple all that with the Tigers rather woeful record at Brookvale and a home side win seems likely. The Thinker might throw a lazy dollar or two on Brett Stewart to score the last try of the match. I've been doing plenty of heavy lifting in the 'sports-watching' department in the last few weeks and that little bet should help me keep my eyes open until the 80th minute. And I can't let this match pass without mentioning that Tigers forward Liam Fulton has announced his retirement - a great clubman and a footballer I've enjoyed watching over the years.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 16

Result - Sea Eagles 40 defeated Tigers 8

New Zealand Warriors vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday night - Mt Smart Stadium

A couple of things are worth watching for in this game. Firstly, Chris Sandow playing at fullback for the Eels is interesting. I have no idea how he'll go under the high ball but I look forward to seeing it. Secondly, Manu Vatuvei and Semi Radradra face off against each other, and that looks like fun. Every year the Warriors make a run up the NRL ladder and this year is no exception. Origin period is often the time it happens but they've managed to do so very quietly this season. A win at home on Saturday night keeps them in the hunt for a top four spot, and no side in the competition would benefit from a top four finish more than the Warriors. Not bad for a team that sacked their coach not so long ago. The Eels beat the Warriors quite convincingly early in the season, but they are yet to claim victory at Mt Smart and I'm not expecting them to break their maiden status this weekend.

Verdict – Warriors by 8

Result - Warriors 48 defeated Eels 0

Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Saturday night – AAMI Park

The Storm have named Smith, Cronk, Hoffman and Chambers for Saturday night and will assess Cooper Cronk when he returns to Melbourne - watch this space. Smith was proppy at times on Wednesday night so there's some possibility of an unlikely late withdrawal. One man I can't see lining up is Bulldogs playmaker Josh Reynolds, who needs to overturn a suspension to take his place. Based on the assumed line-ups I have to stick with the Storm - assuming the big three play they'll have their tails up after a dominant display on Wednesday night. If any team can make inroads on the top four it's the Storm - their draw for the remainder of the regular season gives them a genuine shot at it.

Verdict – Storm by 2

Result - Bulldogs 6 defeated Storm 4

Gold Coast Titans vs Canberra Raiders – Sunday afternoon – CBus Super Stadium

This game had me worried, and with Myles and Bird (probably) unavailable and doubts about Kelly (very unlikely) and Mead (slightly less unlikely) I became even more worried. I'm sticking with the home side, as the Raiders record on the Gold Coast is terrible. The locals will also be celebrating the career of Ashley Harrison at this game, so I expect what is left of the Titans forward pack to lift and create the platform needed. If that happens, the Titans prevail. There's also been a ton of money for the Titans on Sunday, and as we all know the punters are never wrong (eyes rolling).

Verdict – Titans by 4

Result - Raiders 36 defeated Titans 20

Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Remondis Stadium

Last year these sides progressed to weeks two and three of the finals series. This year they're in a battle to avoid the spoon. The difference between these teams is daylight, and I literally mean daylight. I've seen the Sharks play some of their worst football on Sunday afternoons, and it's a timeslot that lets the Knights bring out their best. And the Wayne Bennett announcement today may give the visitors another reason to bring their boots with them.

Verdict – Knights by 4

Result - Knights 31 defeated Sharks 18

Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos – Monday night – Centrebet Stadium

Easily the game of the round for mine. The table-topping Panthers against the Broncos - a team on the fringe of the top four. This is a big ask for the visitors - the Panthers have won 8 from 9 at home this season and they were most impressive last weekend. At the time of writing we still don't know which Origin players will back up for the Broncos, but there's always a doubt over Justin Hodges. Of greater importance is the injury to Panthers playmaker Peter Wallace - a halfback that brings a wealth of experience and composure to a young Panthers backline. Penrith will and should start favourites, but I expect the Broncos to be smarting after (somehow) letting two points get away from them the last time they took to the field. Remind your eyeballs on Monday - this one is worth watching.

Verdict – Broncos by 4

Result - Panthers 35 defeated Broncos 34

Wally Lewis - round eighteen selections (in bold)

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

• SEA EAGLES vs Tigers
• WARRIORS vs Eels
• STORM vs Bulldogs
• TITANS vs Raiders
• Sharks vs KNIGHTS
• PANTHERS vs Broncos