Redcliffe Dolphins vs North Queensland Cowboys – Thursday night – Suncorp Stadium

Earlier I commented that the Dolphins may have to lure a few tradies to down tools and pack into the scrum on Thursday, given their injury toll in the forwards. I'm pretty sure I meant that as a joke, but local scaffolder Aublix Tawha is not only doing it, he's the starting prop. Go well son. Go well. I should say that Tawha has been playing in Qld Cup, more as an edge forward or centre than a prop, so he hasn't been plucked from absolute obscurity. He's named because the Dolphins lost another two forwards this week (Finefeuiaki, Nicholls), joining a hefty list of unavailable forwards (Gilbert, Kaufusi, Saifiti, Flegler, Plath). At some point something has to give, and we saw signs of that in their competitive loss to the Sharks last week. The Sharks dominated much of the game, but in one ten minute period the Dolphins did what the Dolphins can do, and almost stole the lead and the game. They're a terrific team to watch, and it's hard to take your eyes off them when you do. The Cowboys have their fare share of injured forwards themselves, with Taumalolo, McLean, Bateman, McIntyre and Luki sidelined. In round 15 these sides met in Townsville, where the Dolphins won 58-4. That's quite the drubbing, and Tabuai-Fidow didn't play that night. I don't think the halves combination of Katoa/O'Sullivan can rack up points like Katoa and Nikorima can, but they should get the chocolates.

Verdict - Dolphins by 8

Result - Dolphins 43 defeated Cowboys 24

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters – Friday night – Sharks Stadium

Last week the Sharks looked better, and much of that improvement was on the back of Brailey and Hynes running with the ball. Providing those two don't go back into their shell, the Sharks are set for a finals berth. An unchanged line-up from last week, and another game at home in that dreadful stadium of theirs. It helps. The Chooks have recalled Chad Townsend for the injured Savala, giving him a chance to take on the team he won a premiership with in 2013. In round 12, the Roosters defeated the Sharks 42-16 in Gosford, and that Chooks line-up didn't include Collins, Crichton, Leniu, Watson, Toia and Walker. Despite that, the Sharks are a warm favourite on Friday night. I know the Sharks were better last week, but not that much better.

Verdict - Roosters by 4

Result - Sharks 31 defeated Roosters 18

Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – CommBank Stadium

The Panthers are dancing on a delicate tightrope - managing their roster while simultaneously working their way up the NRL ladder. In recent seasons they haven't had to do it this way, but so far so good. The next four rounds are the best time to give key players a break when they can. After that, the draw gets much more difficult. Cleary and Yeo get a breather this weekend, while Edwards and To'o return. Martin is still recovering from a wrist injury, while Sorenson returns in the back row from suspension. The Rabbits just need to find enough healthy players to list a side, in what has been a difficult season. To their credit, they almost always show up and have a crack, and I expect the same on Friday night. Notably the Rabbitohs beat the Panthers in round four, but a lot has changed since then, and I expect the Panthers will get it done.

Verdict - Panthers by 8

Result - Panthers 30 defeated Rabbitohs 10

Canberra Raiders vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday afternoon – GIO Stadium

In round 6 the Eels took their home game to Darwin. In recent seasons they'd be taking on teams from Queensland and getting towelled up, so this year they decided to take a team that might struggle in the tropical conditions. A good move, but the Raiders won that game 50-12 anyway. This time they meet in Canberra, where the Raiders have won all but one game this season. That one loss was to the Bulldogs, and even then the Raiders led 20-0 at half time. That loss to the Bulldogs was the last time the Raiders lost a game, and they should be freshened up and ready to roll after a week off. Papalii and Young return to the side on Saturday, and that pack of forwards can dominate here. The Raiders have the third best attack in the NRL season, and this could be one of the games where they show their best. When the Eels wake up in Canberra on Saturday morning the temperature will be around minus 3 degrees. Shivers.

Verdict - Raiders by 22

Result - Raiders 40 defeated Eels 16

Canterbury Bulldogs vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday afternoon – Accor Stadium

The Bulldogs have conceded less points than anyone this season, and while they've been below their best in recent weeks, they've only conceded 38 points in their last 3 matches. Their win over the Cowboys was scrappy, but they won, and the inclusion of Galvin, Crichton and Mann on Saturday should sharpen their attack. The Dragons are giving it a red hot go, but they don't quite have the roster to win games against the stronger sides. They've won 2 of their last 6, and those wins were against teams running 13th and 15th. The Dragons are still a chance to make the top eight this season, but they would have to improve. Not impossible, but not likely.

Verdict - Bulldogs by 8

Result - Bulldogs 20 defeated Dragons 18

Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea Eagles – Saturday night – AAMI Park

The Storm are chasing an 11th straight win at home, and they're doing it against a team that hasn't won in Melbourne since 2019. Munster and Coates return to the fold on Saturday too, bolstering their prospects further. In round five these sides met at Brookvale, where the Storm won 48-24. Away from Brookvale's comforting hug, the Sea Eagles have won just 2 of 7 games this season. Their last two away games were losses to the Titans and the Knights. This is harder. It all reads like a victory for the home side.

Verdict - Storm by 8

Result - Sea Eagles 18 defeated Storm 16

Wests Tigers vs Gold Coast Titans – Sunday afternoon – Leichhardt Oval

This is the game of the round for mine, and I'm not even kidding. Every Sunday afternoon game at Leichhardt should be cherished like it's the last, and with good weather expected the hill will be packed with Tigers fans hoping for a rare win this season. This won't be an easy two points though, and if they take this contest for granted the Tigers could find themselves in trouble. What I do expect is tries aplenty - only the Cowboys are leaking more points than these two sides this season. The scoreboard attendant on Wayne Pearce Hill will be on his feet all afternoon. This will be one of those 40-28 kinda games, and I'm not sure which of these teams will score 40. In the end, I've stuck with the home side, but don't be surprised if the Titans actually like their coach and make a real game of this one.

Verdict - Tigers by 2

Result - Tigers 21 defeated Titans 20

Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors – Sunday afternoon – McDonald Jones Stadium

Apparently Adam O'Brien is under pressure to keep his coaching job at the Knights...again. In the four years before O'Brien started at the Knights, they finished last, last, 11th and 11th. Since he's been there they've made the finals four times in five years. Only five other teams (Storm, Panthers, Roosters, Sharks, Rabbitohs) can say they've done that, and all those teams had much stronger rosters than the Knights. Anyhoo, his head is on the chopping block and those in the know will tell you he won't be coaching the Knights next season. It's looking like Ponga won't be there either, as he lets it be known he's interested in rugby union again. I think it's more likely he will the first big signing for the Perth Bears, but time will tell. By my calculating, the Knights need to win five more games this season to make the finals. Given their run home, that does seem beyond them. Tanah Boyd slipped into the halves for the Warriors last week and they got the chocolates. With a quality forward pack in front of him, and plenty of experience and talent around him, he's a handy replacement for the injured Metcalf. They're an outside chance of a top two finish this season. It's an achievable target and by golly if they can start a finals campaign at home it will make a world of difference. They need to win this though, and I think they will.

Verdict - Warriors by 4

Result - Warriors 20 defeated Knights 15

Wally Lewis - round twenty selections (in bold)

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

• DOLPHINS vs Cowboys
• SHARKS vs Roosters
• PANTHERS vs Rabbitohs
• RAIDERS vs Eels
• BULLDOGS vs Dragons
• STORM vs Sea Eagles
• TIGERS vs Titans
• Knights vs WARRIORS