Canterbury Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys – Friday night – Accor Stadium

Kikau (injured) and Hayes (suspended) are out for the home side, who have been sub-standard for much of the season apart from one baffling outlier result against the Panthers. They are a team struggling to score points - the only team to score less than the Bulldogs this season are the winless Dragons. Bizarrely, their best game in attack was against the team that have conceded the least, and they're the only team to beat the Panthers this year. Doesn't make a lot of sense. The Cowboys are conceding plenty, so that might help the Bulldogs a little, but the Cowboys are also scoring a lot more than their opponent. I'm no mathemagician, but Trevor 'The Axe' Gillmeister taught me many years ago that if you score more points than your opponent, you win. Laybutt replaces the concussed Taulagi on a wing for the visitors. The Cowboys recent record at this ground against this opponent is better than most would assume. Happy to tip them here.

Verdict - Cowboys by 4

Result - Cowboys 28 defeated Bulldogs 12

Redcliffe Dolphins vs Melbourne Storm – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

Four losses in a row for the Dolphins, which doesn't read well. That said, their last two losses were by narrow margins against the current top two teams, and both losses were on the road. They'll be happy to be playing at home. Schneider replaces Averillo in the halves, who suffered an injury I'd rather not see again if you don't mind. Fuller retains his spot at centre, with Knowles and Keeley back in the seventeen to bolster the forwards. Six losses in a row for the Storm, and it's easy to forget they were on top of the ladder after two rounds. They are in a proper hole at the moment, and to make matters worse Hughes will miss this game with concussion. Of their "big three", he was the one in the least poor form in recent weeks. Bellamy gave his side a pretty poor post-match report after the loss on ANZAC Day. In theory, the Storm could bounce off that, but I assume Bellamy has been giving his side a spray for a while now. It hasn't worked yet. There's a fair chance of some rain on Friday night too. The Storm have been struggling to hold the ball of late, and any rain won't help. It might slow down the Dolphins backline a little bit, but probably not enough to make this a contest.

Verdict - Dolphins by 10

Result - Dolphins 28 defeated Storm 10

Gold Coast Titans vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday afternoon – Cbus Super Stadium

13th plays 14th in what could be one of the more entertaining contests in round nine. Brimson and Randall return for the Titans, while the Raiders have lost Hosking and Martin from what was an already depleted forward park. With Papalii and Young still unavailable, the Raiders have shifted Sasagi from the centre to the starting backrow. With possibly the least amount of confidence I can muster I'm tipping the Raiders who haven't lost on the Gold Coast in 8 years. Their engine room is below-strength, but they have players in their backline that can help with some of the heavy lifting coming out of trouble. 

Verdict - Raiders by 4

​​​​​​​Result - Raiders 28 defeated Titans 12

Parramatta Eels vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday afternoon – CommBank Stadium

The Eels have conceded more points than every other team this season, and let in 50 or more to the teams currently 13th and 16th. Last week they were better...in the first half, before conceding 26 points after half time. Worrying signs, and no changes to the Eels seventeen this weekend. On Saturday they face the team that has scored more points than anyone bar the Panthers. Note that Metcalf has been named on an extended bench and could be a late inclusion for this. If he does play, the Warriors are likely to win by more.

Verdict - Warriors by 8

​​​​​​​Result - Warriors 36 defeated Eels 14

Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos – Saturday night – Allianz Stadium

It would have been the game of the round anyway, but the return of Carrigan and Walsh makes this contest all the more enticing. A shame we can't watch this on free to air television, but I guess the Nine Network can't broadcast every Broncos game. Back to back (and for me unexpected) wins by an under-strength Broncos is proof positive that this side has the depth and will to defend their premiership this season. I flagged the Roosters as a likely contender at the start of the year, and they are slowly living up to my hype. They've scored 167 points in their last four games, and while this is harder they will relish the opportunity to confront one of the other premiership contenders. No changes for the Chooks who racked up 62 on ANZAC Day. Carrigan and Walsh might need a game or two to iron out the kinks, and for that reason alone I lean to the tricolours. If you can find a way to watch this one...watch this one.

Verdict - Roosters by 1

​​​​​​​Result - Roosters 38 defeated Broncos 24

Newcastle Knights vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Sunday afternoon – McDonald Jones Stadium

The Knights have lost four games this season, but those losses were against four of the most in-form teams this year (Warriors, Tigers, Roosters, Panthers). Unfortunately for them they now face a team that have also struck form in a big way. The Rabbitohs are now in the top four and have just beaten a team for the first time ever, in Melbourne, by a space. Granted the Storm have been poor, but the Rabbitohs are full of confidence. Latrell Mitchell isn't far off the best form of his career - it's a shame to think of all the lost years trying to be a fullback. Having said all that, I can't ignore the list of players returning for the Knights this weekend - Ponga, Best, Marzhew, Frizell, Lucas. The Knights couldn't name a better seventeen than this, and I'm willing to tip them in an upset.

Verdict - Knights by 4

​​​​​​​Result - Knights 42 defeated Rabbitohs 38

Cronulla Sharks vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – Ocean Protect Stadium

Many of you know that I have painted the Sharks as my pantomime villian of the NRL. It's probably not fair but, oh well, just a bit of fun. Anyhow, I'm going have to darn well tip them on Sunday. Sadly for the Tigers, they'll be missing three of their best for this (Bula, Koroisau, Pearce-Paul). What remains of the Tigers is still a very competitive seventeen, but the Sharks are never easy when they're playing in that open quarry they call a home ground. The last time they were at home they beat the Warriors by a margin, and a repeat of that should see them over the line. No joy this, but:

Verdict - Sharks by 7

​​​​​​​Result - Sharks 52 defeated Tigers 10

Penrith Panthers vs Manly Sea Eagles – Sunday night – CommBank Stadium

I don't want to appear to be raining on the Kieran Foran parade - I think we can all agree that Fozball has been a success, and I'm genuinely happy for the coach and the team. Hopefully someone is keeping an eye on Anthony Siebold to make sure he's okay. This game, and the games to come in the weeks ahead, will give us a clearer picture of where the Sea Eagles are. They probably can't beat the Panthers, but they can make this a contest, and I think they will. The Panthers put the Knights to bed early last week. Apart from the Bulldogs blemish they've been close to perfect. There's no reason to start doubting them. There's some chance former team-mate Luai might be texting a few Panthers this week to see if they would like a coffee or a flight to Port Moresby. Watch this space.

Verdict - Panthers by 7

​​​​​​​Result - Panthers 18 defeated Sea Eagles 16

Wally Lewis - round nine selections (in bold)

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

• BULLDOGS vs Cowboys
• DOLPHINS vs Storm
• Titans vs RAIDERS
• Eels vs WARRIORS
• Roosters vs BRONCOS
• Knights vs RABBITOHS
• SHARKS vs Tigers
• PANTHERS vs Sea Eagles