Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm – Thursday night – CommBank Stadium

The Storm went into the Roosters game without two of their fab four, and then lost George Harrison when Hughes dislocated his shoulder. Most teams would unravel under such circumstances, particularly away from home, but not the purple machine. What was left of the fab four (Grant) lifted a notch and the rest of the purples got on with the job. Wishart, an up and coming playmaker who doesn't get put under the microscope like up and coming playmakers on the eastern seaboard, continues to grow, and will likely grow through this period while Hughes is unavailable. Importantly, Munster and Papenhuyzen are back this week. As a quartet, they'll improve with every game, but it's a very good starting point. The Eels were terrific against the Broncos and continue to improve themselves. They won't be playing finals this year, but Eels fans can take some comfort from knowing they are in good hands and will be better next season. They could win on Thursday without surprising me, but I can't tip them. Not with the Storm eyeing off a top two finish and a game at home in the first week of the finals.

Verdict - Storm by 4

Result - Storm 16 defeated Eels 10

New Zealand Warriors vs Redcliffe Dolphins – Friday night – Go Media Stadium

The Warriors are starting to wobble. With that loss to the Titans at home last week, they've now lost four of their last eight. Of the teams in the top four, they look most vulnerable. It's not exactly their fault, with injuries to key players taking its toll. To make matters worse, they have three big outs on Friday night in Harris-Tavita, Fisher-Harris and Egan. The Dolphins, fresh off the bye, have had plenty of time to prepare for this game. More importantly, some of their injured players are being released from the casualty ward. This week, Nikorima, Kaufusi and Nicholls will all be making the trip across the ditch. With fine weather forecast in Auckland, I expect the Warriors will struggle to keep up with the fastest team in the NRL.

Verdict - Dolphins by 4

Result - Dolphins 20 defeated Warriors 18

Brisbane Broncos vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

If the Rabbitohs could name the thirteen (yes, thirteen) top-liners that are currently injured or suspended, you would probably tip them to win on Friday night. While they are some chance of running last this season, they continue to give their all each and every week. It's all the coach has asked them to do, and they've responded. Last week they held the finals-bound Sharks to just two tries in a narrow loss. In that game, they had just 42% of the possession, lost the penalty count 10-2 and had one of their best players in the bin for ten minutes. The Bunnies are giving their all, but they just don't have the troops to win games right now. I expect more of the same on Friday - a gallant effort away from home against a finals-bound team near enough to full strength. At some point in proceedings the Rabbitohs wall will break, and the Broncos might run away with this one.

Verdict - Broncos by 22

Result - Broncos 60 defeated Rabbitohs 14

Gold Coast Titans vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday afternoon – Cbus Super Stadium

A slightly controversial take on the Panthers to follow - they struggled early in the season while the referees were clamping down on play the balls. That's clearly much less of a focus now, and the Panthers have won 7 in a row. It's obviously not the only reason the Panthers are winning - you don't win four premierships in a row unless you're very very good, but if you're watching this game spend some time looking at the Panthers when they play the ball in attack. There is a reason they play the ball quicker than anyone else, and that speed puts them on the front foot and opponents back-peddling. There's always commentary around how fit they are. I'm sure they are fit, but rolling play the balls without sticking your hoof on it helps...a lot. I was pleased for Titans coach Des Hasler that the boys responded to the spray and delivered him a victory in his 500th game as a coach. I doubt they can do it again, particularly against the defending premiers who keep climbing the ladder each and every week.

Verdict - Panthers by 10

Result - Panthers 30 cheated Titans 26

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – Win Stadium, Wollongong

The Raiders have now won 9 games in a row, a streak rarely matched by anyone in the NRL. More impressively, they've also won 7 away games in a row. Given the Raiders have won the last 5 games against the Dragons, and given the Dragons sub-par record this season in Wollongong (2 wins from 5), it's looking like another win for the table-toppers. Kris returns in the centres for the visitors in what is a very balanced team. The Dragons lost Su'a to injury last week, making things all the more difficult for a Dragons pack up against what I think is the best engine room in the competition.

Verdict - Raiders by 8

Result - Dragons 18 defeated Raiders 12

Manly Sea Eagles vs Sydney Roosters – Saturday night – 4 Pines Park

Two teams on the cusp of the top eight hoping to bounce back from losses last week. All losses are disappointing, but the Sea Eagles 42-4 capitulation to the Bulldogs last week was particularly so. Returning to their spiritual home helps, but the recurring injury to Olakau'atu is a big issue. He adds so much attacking potency on an edge, and without him the Sea Eagles are a much more manageable bird of prey. Hugo Savala and Billy Smith return for the Roosters, and I'm prepared to tip them in an upset here. I'd be more confident away from Brookvale, but I'm happy to tip the tricolours regardless. 9th vs 10th and there's a lot on the line - I think It's the game of the round.

Verdict - Roosters by 2

Result - Roosters 20 defeated Sea Eagles 4

Wests Tigers vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Sunday afternoon – CommBank Stadium

Some extra spice in this game, with Lachlan Galvin squaring off against the team he left mid-season. Assume a few barbs will be thrown his way, with Luai a likely culprit. We can safely assume the Tigers will be fired up so this is an interesting match-up, but they are yet to beat a top four team this season. I'm anticipating a similar result on Sunday. Note that Kiraz replaces the injured Tracey in the all-important fullback role for the Bulldogs. He can handle it.

Verdict - Bulldogs by 14

Result - Tigers 28 defeated Bulldogs 14

Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys – Sunday afternoon – Sharks Stadium

The one positive the Sharks can take out of their narrow win over the Rabbitohs last week...is that they won. It was more gritty than pretty, but a win is a win. They were prettier when they played the Cowboys in Townsville in round two, where they prevailed 36-12. With Talakai and Nikora returning on Sunday, it would surprise me if the Sharks won by a similar scoreline at home. Even with a win last week, the Cowboys have still conceded 75 points in their last two games. A mathemagician could demonstrate a path to finals football for the Cowboys, but to borrow a few songs from The Smiths catalogue - I know it's over, and heaven knows I'm miserable now.

Verdict - Sharks by 16

Result - Sharks 32 defeated Cowboys 12

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

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

• Eels vs STORM
• Warriors vs DOLPHINS
• BRONCOS vs Rabbitohs
• Titans vs PANTHERS
• Dragons vs RAIDERS
• SEA EAGLES vs Roosters
• Tigers vs BULLDOGS
• SHARKS vs Cowboys