South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Brisbane Broncos – Thursday night – ANZ Stadium

Some time ago my little helper built a feature for this site - allowing me to embed videos. What better way to try it out than to relive the try by Greg Inglis the last time these sides met (and hats off to my little buddy - who does far too much work on this site for not enough credit or scotch - he's battling some spot fires on the home front at the moment and he's still in here chipping away like a champ. Thank you sir!). The Broncos were tenth before last weekend. They come out and produce one of their best wins all season and they're still tenth. Not much reward for effort there, but at least they didn't go backwards. A repeat of that effort wins again, but this is away from home and an in-form opponent. I couldn't say no, but I can't say definitely yes either. George 'wheel of fortune' Burgess is out, and Sam has been named but may not get there. That evens this contest up considerably, and this is the game of the round. Take note of the Thursday timeslot or you'll miss out.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 4

Result - Rabbitohs 42 defeated Broncos 16 

Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Friday night – ANZ Stadium

For quite some time it was looking like the Bulldogs were revolutionising the modern game, what with their ball-playing forwards and fast hands. It hasn't been working so well this season, and getting across the stripe appears even more difficult as the season wears on. Have opponents worked out how to shut them down, or are they just off their game a little? Josh 'grubbier than Ennis' Reynolds is spending time at home kicking the cat and a new halves combination isn't likely to fix the problem overnight. The Eels didn't score too many meat pies in Darwin but they nearly scored about a dozen. You have to think they'll win the battle for points this weekend. Note the venue - the Eels are the home team in name only.

Verdict – Eels by 2

Result - Bulldogs 18 defeated Eels 16 

Canberra Raiders vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday afternoon – GIO Stadium

I've been tipping the Dragons for a few weeks now and it hasn't done me a lot of good. Some would suggest I should show some persistance and stick with them, particularly against a team running second last. Perhaps they are right, but there's this little thing called 'the hoodoo'. It isn't called a hoodoo for nothing. Theoretically the Raiders have something to play for (avoiding last), and I saw enough from their new fullback (welcome back Jordan Ropana) to say the Campese-less combinations can do enough at home.

Verdict – Raiders by 2

Result - Dragons 34 defeated Raiders 16 

Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday night - AAMI Park

I feel like I'm saying the same thing about the Storm every week, but they are the closest thing the NRL has to a metronome. I'm still scratching my head wondering how they lost to the Knights last weekend (but I enjoyed watching it). Paul 'labrat' Gallen is back for the Sharks but they lose Fifita and Tagatese. It's not often the Sharks get steam-rolled by an opponent but I have an inkling the visitors are in for a touch-up here. Find one of those weird betting options where you can back the Sharks to score 6 points or less....or even zero. Note: my tipping has been woeful this season, but my last three betting suggestions have all won. Gamble responsibly.

Verdict – Storm by 20

Result - Storm 48 defeated Sharks 6 

Wests Tigers vs Sydney Roosters – Saturday night – Leichhardt Oval

Sometimes when you run your eyes over the team lists things just jump out at you. The first thing that jumped out at me about this game is the Chickens have named three vice-captains??? The second thing that jumped out at me is Cory Paterson in the centres for the Tigers. Now I've always liked Cory but I'm sure the Chooks will give SKD and Tuivasa-Sheck every chance to test him out. Watch for a potential dead tiger bounce this weekend after that lifeless performance against the Cowboys - particularly at this venue. This could end up being something like a contest...for about 20 minutes.

Verdict – Roosters by 12

Result - Roosters 48 defeated Tigers 4 

Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors – Sunday afternoon – Hunter Stadium

Some big inclusions for both sides with Mullen and Scott back for the Knights and Johnson for the Warriors. The sensible among you will do the opposite to me here but I'm loathe to tip against the Knights at home on Sunday afternoons. There should be a decent crowd at this one after their stirring win last week and of all the potenial upsets this weekend this seems the most likely.

Verdict – Knights by 4

Result - Knights 28 defeated Warriors 22 

Gold Coast Titans vs Manly Sea Eagles – Sunday afternoon – CBus Super Stadium

Both teams name unchanged line-ups from last weekend - unless you include the coaches. John Cartwright is renewing his truck driving license and Neil Henry steps back into a major role. I will never doubt the Titans in the effort department but I don't doubt the Sea Eagles either...and they're a better side. I can't see them sacrificing their premiership lead with successive losses. 

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 8

Result - Sea Eagles 15 defeated Titans 12 

Penrith Panthers vs North Queensland Cowboys – Monday night – Centrebet Stadium

At the start of the year the Panthers were my smokey for a top four finish, and now that they are there I've started to doubt them. They don't seem to be doubting themselves and that's slightly more important. The same can be said for the Cowboys who are (finally) winning a few games away from home and playing the sort of football we all know they can. The visitors face a sterner opponent this weekend but 64 points against anyone tells me you have to take them seriously. In the last four rounds the Cowboys have scored 150 points while conceding just 44. This competition may be a six-horse race after all.

Verdict – Cowboys by 4

Result - Panthers 23 defeated Cowboys 22 

Wally Lewis - round twenty-three selections (in bold)

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

• RABBITOHS vs Broncos
• EELS vs Bulldogs
• Raiders vs DRAGONS
• STORM vs Sharks
• Tigers vs ROOSTERS
• KNIGHTS vs Warriors
• Titans vs SEA EAGLES
• PANTHERS vs Cowboys