North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles – Thursday night – Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Thursday night sees two sides that have turned their seasons around after disappointing starts, but only one of them had to sack their coach to do it. After losing their first three games at home, Manly have won two on the road, and they're yet to lose a game against the Cowboys at this ground. No major changes for the Sea Eagles, although Taukeiaho returns from an ankle injury off the bench. For the Cowboys, Burns replaces Taulagi on the wing and Luke comes in for Mahoney at dummy half. In a game where I'm struggling to find a way to split them, I've gone with the Cowboys who were more impressive winners over the Dragons in round five than the Sea Eagles were in round six. It feels like an odd way for me to pick a winner, but here I am.

Verdict - Cowboys by 4

Result - Sea Eagles 38 defeated Cowboys 6

Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm – Friday night – GIO Stadium

It wasn't that long ago when the Storm were at the top of the ladder, but after four straight losses they've tumbled all the way down to 13th. Rare habitat for the Storm, and if they lose on Friday night it will be their first five game losing streak since 2012. The Raiders haven't beaten the Storm in Canberra in nearly ten years, but they won't get a much better chance than this. That said, last years minor premiers are currently in 15th place, so not a lot to celebrate there. They have been on the road a lot, and they've covered a lot of road - Sydney, Auckland, Newcastle, Perth. They will appreciate a game at home and while they're yet to win at GIO this season, competitive losses to the Bulldogs and the Sharks doesn't look so bad. Last week they were racking up points like the Raiders of 2025, and they might finally be starting to find their mojo with their pair of Ethans in the halves. It feels odd to talk about the Storm like this - they're a team that defied gravity for decades, but something is up and it doesn't look like Bellamy has worked out how to fix it...yet

Verdict - Raiders by 4

Result - Raiders 26 defeated Storm 22

Redcliffe Dolphins vs Penrith Panthers – Friday night – TIO Stadium

Note that this game in Darwin, and with a minimum of 25 degrees on Friday night and no shortage of humidity, one would assume those conditions will suit the Dolphins a little more. In any case, the ongoing concerns around the Dolphins defence haven't eased after they leaked the dreaded 50+ points at home against a team most expected them to beat in their last outing. It's hard to ignore that, and it's hard to ignore the Panthers attack, which have scored more points than any other team in the competition this season. For the Panthers, Tago comes in for McLean in the centres while Garner replaces Martin in the second row. Handy back-up options there. The Panthers were surprised by the Bulldogs last week, but they were going to lose a game eventually, and I suspect they'll bounce back. I know who I'll be cheering for, but I can't tip them.

Verdict - Panthers by 8

Result - Panthers 23 defeated Dolphins 22

New Zealand Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans – Saturday afternoon – Go Media Stadium

After six rounds, Warriors prop Jackson Ford is the outright leader in the Dally M medal count. That's quite extraordinary for a number of reasons. Firstly, no prop forward has ever won the Dally M medal. Secondly, few if any would have found a place in their list of the best props in the game for Ford at the start of the year. It will be hard for him to keep it up and win the biggest individual honour in the game - prop forwards tend to get injured and/or suspended from time to time, given the nature of the role. Regardless, I'll be cheering for him...it's just a shame he's not a Queenslander. Only the Panthers have scored more points than the Warriors this season, and daytime conditions and what looks like reasonable weather at home should help them in that regard. A big win over the Storm in Melbourne will have them feeling good about themselves. The Titans not only cracked the half century last start, but they did it on the road. A fair effort for a team struggling for wins. That said, a dominant win over the Storm at a packed AAMI Park looks better form than a dominant win over the injury-depleted Eels. This does look like an entertaining contest though, and I won't be surprised if both teams score plenty of points here. I assume the Warriors have sold this game out again. I don't even bother checking anymore. Warriors are flying...on and off the field.

Verdict - Warriors by 8

Result - Warriors 28 defeated Titans 20

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday afternoon – Accor Stadium

A couple of significant outs for the Bunnies, with Gray and Fifita unavailable. Dufty makes a long-awaited return to the NRL after a stint in the English Super League, and Hubner comes in for Fifita in the second row. The Dragons bring Feagai in for Suli in the centres, and he gets handed the task of keeping Mitchell in check. Winless through six rounds, and it's hard to mount a case for the Dragons here. The Bunnies were narrow losers last start, but prior to that beat the Bulldogs...and they're the only team to beat the Tigers this season.

Verdict - Rabbitohs by 14

Result - Rabbitohs 30 defeated Dragons 12

Wests Tigers vs Brisbane Broncos – Saturday night – Campbelltown Sports Stadium

The Tigers are backing up from a convincing win at the same ground and there won't be much wiggle room in the stands as they take on the defending premiers. Jarome Luai returns in the halves and Taylan May is back in the centres. Turuva shifts to the wing and Skelton is the player to miss out. The list of unavailable Broncos is quite a read - Walsh, Carrigan, Hunt, Walters, Paix, Te Kura, Anderson, Mozer...and it doesn't end there. Reynolds is returning earlier than expected and I hope they haven't rushed him back too soon, given the unavailables. All the Tigers form is stacking up - thus far this year they've played the teams that are currently 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th. The Broncos are rarely easybeats, and they won't be here, but I'm tipping the Tigers at home.

Verdict - Tigers by 7

Result - Broncos 21 defeated Tigers 20

Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Allianz Stadium

The Knights have managed injuries to key players better than just about anyone, and they welcome back Dylan Brown this week. The ultra-impressive Sharpe moves to fullback as a result. The big issue for the Knights this week is the injuries to backrowers Frizell and Lucas. The Chooks have a quality back row and an interchange loaded with forwards. The Chooks can win that tussle, and their backline has plenty of strikepower.

Verdict - Roosters by 10

Result - Roosters 38 defeated Knights 24

Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Sunday afternoon – CommBank Stadium

There is a well-held theory that if your team concedes 50 points in a game during the regular season you can rule them out of premiership contention. Well, the Eels have conceded 50 points twice, and almost three times (48 points to Penrith), and we are only six rounds into the season. To make it worse, the 52 points they conceded last start was at home, against a team that are hardly flying. They are battling a hefty injury list, but still. Russell returns in the centres this week, but still. The Bulldogs were super impressive against the previously undefeated Panthers last weekend, and it's hard to find a reason to tip against them. Notably, Leo Thompson makes his much-awaited debut for the Dogs up front. Only makes them stronger.

Verdict - Bulldogs by 14

Result - Eels 38 defeated Bulldogs 20

Wally Lewis - round seven selections (in bold)

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

• COWBOYS vs Sea Eagles
• Raiders vs STORM
• Dolphins vs PANTHERS
• WARRIORS vs Titans
• RABBITOHS vs Dragons
• TIGERS vs Broncos
• ROOSTERS vs Knights
• Eels vs BULLDOGS