Gold Coast Titans vs North Queensland Cowboys – Thursday night – Cbus Super Stadium

Two teams hoping to bounce back after significant losses in round 22. The loss by the Cowboys was significantly worse. How bad was it? Well, there's only been two other games in NRL history where a side has conceded more, and those two games were more than 90 years ago. On the list of painful losses, the 82-12 loss by the Cowboys is the only game on the leaderboard where the team conceded that many in front of their home crowd. Often a team bounces back after a big loss, and if a loss like that hasn't completely broken them you'd expect the Cowboys to turn up on Thursday. They have a nice run into the finals, and really should make the top eight, but a loss here and they'll be getting nervous. They'll need to win on Thursday without Mahoney and Nanai, which doesn't help, but Neame returns to (hopefully) tighten up the middle. The Titans have a nice run home also, with just the one away game remaining. Losing their exciting playmaking prospect (Harrison) for the season is a setback, and the loss to the Warriors last weekend wasn't surprising. Prior to that performance, they were bubbling along nicely. They're a chance in this, and they weren't far way against the Cowboys in round 3 in Townsville (30-16). Having said all that, the Cowboys have more to play for and need to convince their fans and themselves that the loss last week was an abnormal glitch. Fingers crossed.

Verdict - Cowboys by 8

Result - Cowboys 30 defeated Titans 8

New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers – Friday night – Go Media Stadium

Another great game of rugby league buried away in an awkward timeslot, although it's never easy (for people in Australia) to get a Warriors home game in a good timeslot. First plays third and the Warriors would love to secure a top two finish - a home game in the first week of the finals would make a world of difference to their premiership prospects. I expect them to finish top two, but a win here would go close to locking that in. These sides last met in round 13 in Sydney, where the Panthers won narrowly 20-18. Note that the round 13 Panthers didn't include Cleary, Yeo and T'oo. Also note that the Warriors haven't beaten the Panthers in Auckland in 8 years, and have beaten them just the once in the last 12 match-ups. The past doesn't always predict the future, but it's a fair guide and a good starting point. The Panthers made a key change in the halves last weekend and it looks to have solved the niggly issue they were having in defence - the Raiders were well-contained and that was a team scoring points at will in the weeks prior. The Warriors defence has also been first-class over the last month, albeit against lesser teams than this. It's the match of the round and I don't expect a lot of points. Goal-kicking by Cleary or a timely field goal may prove the difference.

Verdict - Panthers by 7

Result - Warriors 28 defeated Panthers 12

Sydney Roosters vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Friday night – Allianz Stadium

Collins and Smith return for the Chooks, and Tedesco is good to after getting rested in the second half against the Cowboys with an ankle issue. Tupouniua returns for the Bulldogs and is always a welcome inclusion. The Dogs did enough to get the points over a depleted Storm last round, but I think we can all agree that the Chooks win over the Cowboys was more impressive. The Bulldogs have edged their way into the top eight, but they can't afford to lose many (or any) from here. And this is tough. The Roosters have won 6 from 7 at Allianz this season, and their only loss was to the Panthers. As for the Dogs, by my count they've only played sides currently in the top eight six times all season. That's a kind draw if ever I've seen one. They've won just two of those six, and I expect the Chooks have them beaten for class.

Verdict - Roosters by 10

Result - Roosters 20 defeated Bulldogs 18

Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea Eagles – Saturday afternoon – HBF Park, Perth

In theory, both these sides can still play finals, but in reality I expect they won't. Still, they have a pulse, and there's enough rivalry between these two to make sure both sides will a crack. Note the game is in Perth, some extra travel for both teams to contend with as their finals campaigns hang on by a fingernail. Munster is back for the Storm, as is Howarth and Moale. They more than held their own against the Bulldogs last start and can be competitive again here. The Sea Eagles will be missing Ben Trbojevic and Hetherington, but Wakeham and Waddell return. The battle of the number nines might be key here, with Waddell up against the versatile Wishart. Noting that Wishart is on his way to Perth next season, so I'm expecting a big game. That might be the difference on the day in what should be another competitive affair.

Verdict - Storm by 2

Result - Storm 42 defeated Sea Eagles 20

Redcliffe Dolphins vs Brisbane Broncos – Saturday night – Suncorp Stadium

This will sound a little bit gossipy, but on Sunday Mrs Thinker came home from an outing and let me know there's a few rowdy Broncos out the front of Thinker Manor. I'm not going to name names and they're allowed to have a drink (or three) if they want, but it indicates to me that the team have accepted their season campaign is effectively over. That doesn't mean they can't pull out a winning performance here and there, because they are still mostly the same team that won the premiership a year ago. That said, the Dolphins would love a top four finish and, at worst, a home game in the first week of the finals. I assume they're drinking less than the Broncos...or not at all. Katoa returned last week as they put the Dragons away, and he'll be better again after the hitout. The Broncos are without Reynolds (who has perhaps played his last NRL game) and Paix. Walters comes into the all-important dummy half role, and the Broncos looked sharper with him on the field last week anyway. They were soundly beaten by the Knights, and the Dolphins are likely to do much the same thing on Saturday night. What will interest me is the level of support in the stands - there's some chance the Dolphins might actually have the bulk of the crowd support in this battle of Brisbane. Phins up.

Verdict - Dolphins by 8

Result - Dolphins 40 defeated Broncos 32

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday night – Allianz Stadium

Plenty of big guns returning for the Bunnies on Saturday night, with Murray, Fifita and Duncan all lacing on the boots. Duncan replaces Siegwalt in the centres, and I'm assuming Ward is handed goal-kicking responsibilities in his absence. The Eels were narrow winners against the Tigers last round but they were far from awesome, while the Rabbitohs were competitive enough against an in-form Sharks. The Bunnies recent record against the Eels (winning 10 of the last 11) is compelling and with key players returning they seem the logical choice in this. It's also Indigenous Round in the NRL, and the Bunnies will be keen to put on a good show.

Verdict - Rabbitohs by 14

Result - Rabbitohs 28 defeated Eels 24

Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – GIO Stadium

By my calculations, the Knights need one more win this year to make the finals. After ending the Broncos campaign last week they get the chance to do the same to the Raiders on Sunday - knocking out the 2025 premiers and minor premiers in two weeks is a fair feat if they pull it off. Even with key players unavailable they were far too good for the Broncos last week, with Ponga playing like a man possessed. This should be harder though, with the Raiders in legitimate form before they fell to the premiership favourites in Mudgee. For the Raiders, the equation is pretty simple - one more less and their finals campaign is over. The weather forecast for Canberra on Sunday is pretty hideous, and I salute the Raiders faithful who'll rug up on the day at a stadium that needs an upgrade. Let's hope the Raiders give them something to cheer about.

Verdict - Raiders by 4

Result - Knights 30 defeated Raiders 24

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Cronulla Sharks – Sunday afternoon – St George Venues Jubilee Stadium

This local derby used to create plenty of interest, less so of late given the Sharks have mostly had the wood on the Dragons. On recent form, there's no reason to suggest that trend won't continue. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this contest is whether or not Hynes can continue with his almost ridiculous goal-kicking streak. He's successfully kicked his last 32 in a row, and there's every chance he'll be taking plenty of shots at goal on Sunday.

Verdict - Sharks by 20

Result - Dragons 24 defeated Sharks 16

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

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

• Titans vs COWBOYS
• Warriors vs PANTHERS
• ROOSTERS vs Bulldogs
• Storm vs SEA EAGLES
• DOLPHINS vs Broncos
• RABBITOHS vs Eels
• RAIDERS vs Knights
• Dragons vs SHARKS