Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters – Thursday night – CommBank Stadium

First plays second in a pre-cursor to what we might expect in September. The Panthers have been a little wobbly of late, losing 4 of their last 7. Mind you, they had such a mid-season lead they could afford some wobbles, and are still on top of the ladder. Quirky stat - those four losses were all to sides based outside NSW. The Chooks are one team they never seem to have much trouble with, winning 12 of the last 13, including a 40-4 win back in round three. Despite the overwhelming head to head statistics, I can make a case for the Roosters to spring a minor upset. Tedesco returns to bolster a team that's been winning anyway, and their seven-game winning streak includes victories over some in-form opponents (Bulldogs, Cowboys, Knights, Sharks). They'll need to be on, but if we get the version of the Chooks that racked up more than 80 points against the Cowboys they'll beat anyone. Only three teams have scored more than 20 points against the Panthers all season, so they can't run away with this, but with Edwards, McLean, Kenny and Yeo unavailable for the home side I think the Chooks can sneak a confidence-building win here. 

Verdict - Roosters by 2

Result - Roosters 12 defeated Panthers 6

Manly Sea Eagles vs Redcliffe Dolphins – Friday night – 4 Pines Park

A run of outs for the Sea Eagles has them outside the top eight and with next to no prospects of getting back in. Mind you, they have a good record against the Dolphins, and tore them to pieces earlier this season in Redcliffe. Faulolo returns at fullback, but the loss of Paseka up front leaves their engine room short on revs. By contrast, the Dolphins interchange is likely to be Plath, Stone, Gilbert and Kaufusi. The Dolphins backline gets lots of the headlines, but they can win this with their middle. A top four finish, while unlikely, isn't impossible for the Dolphins, and that carrot should see them fired up.

Verdict - Dolphins by 8

Result - Dolphins 22 defeated Sea Eagles 0

Canterbury Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – Accor Stadium

The most important game of the round I say, with the winner likely to make the top eight and the loser likely to fall just short. Particularly so for the 9th placed Bulldogs. with a precarious points differential but an easier run into the finals than the Bunnies. Tupouniua is out and he's a big loss, but the Bulldogs are a better proposition now that Kikau and Preston are in the back row. They've now won 6 of their last 8, and were a touch unlucky against the Chooks in round 23. The Bunnies have lost Ward and Humphries, but Graham is back and his contests with Rinakama could be crucial. On Good Friday, the Bunnies prevailed over the Dogs 32 to 24. On that day, Mitchell was having one of those games, and Crichton went off with an arm injury that he still seems to be managing through the season. Importantly, the Bulldogs are playing much better now than they were then, and I think they can turn the tables. 

Verdict - Bulldogs by 4

Result - Rabbitohs 22 defeated Bulldogs 6

Cronulla Sharks vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday afternoon – Ocean Protect Stadium

A stumble from the Sharks last week against the team that will almost certainly win the spoon this season. In doing so, they've left the door ajar for the Dolphins to potentially sneak their way into the top four. They'll need to bounce back and probably will, particularly at this venue where they rarely lose. As far as away venues go, this one is perhaps the least popular. Given the Raiders season is effectively over, there's some chance they don't show up in the right mindset on Saturday. If they did turn up, I'd give them some chance, particularly with Fonua-Blake out for the home side. They've also lost Ramien but Iro is back in the centres, and he's no slouch. 

Verdict - Sharks by 7

Result - Raiders 24 defeated Sharks 20

Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys – Saturday night – CommBank Stadium

The Cowboys last away game of the regular season, but a win against the Eels on Saturday night locks the Cowboys in as a 2026 finalist. Not bad for a team many were predicting could finish last this year. Just the one change for the away side, with Mahoney returning at dummy-half and Luke starting on the interchange. Iongi is the key casualty for the Eels, with Twidle coming in at fullback for the home side. The Eels have already beaten the Cowboys once this season (33-30 in Townsville), and the Cowboys record against the Eels and at this ground is woeful. But the return of Mahoney will tighten the Cowboys up in the middle and I can't see how the Eels can score enough points to win this. Across their last three victories, the Eels scored just 54 points, and those were all against teams that aren't going well (Raiders, Sea Eagles, Tigers). The Cowboys have too much to play for and they can get it done.

Verdict - Cowboys by 4

Result - Eels 32 defeated Cowboys 30

Brisbane Broncos vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday night – Suncorp Stadium

There's some chance this could be the second game in a row where the Broncos are playing at their home ground but have less than half of the crowd support. They now find themselves in second last position, and could now (mathematically at least) end up running last. It's quite a downfall for a defending premier, and it's hard to find an excuse - eleven of the players lining up on Saturday played in the grand final last year. On paper they could win this, but we could have said that most weeks and it's just not happening. The Warriors couldn't have been more impressive last start against the Panthers. Metcalf slotted into the halves like he'd been there all season. They're playing with confidence and they're playing attractive rugby league. No wonder they've captured the hearts and minds of much of New Zealand and the hefty chunk of ex-pats living over here. Looks a high-scoring contest and a great night out...if you're a Warriors fan.

Verdict - Warriors by 14

Result - Warriors 40 defeated Broncos 6

Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans – Sunday afternoon – McDonald Jones Stadium

With winnable games at home and a bye up their sleeve, the Knights will likely end up playing at home in the first week of the finals - a terrific result for the club under their new coach. He gets to take on his old team on Sunday. Best and Crossland return to bolster a team that's been winning, and I expect they can win again. The Titans are clearly a team on the rise but this might be one of those games that gets away from them.

Verdict - Knights by 20

Result - Knights 36 defeated Titans 26

Wests Tigers vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Sunday afternoon – CommBank Stadium

Dragons fans haven't had a lot to cheer about...for years really, but the win over the Sharks was terrific and with the roster they are assembling for next season they look a legitimate top eight prospect next year. They'll take confidence out of the last start win, and adding another Couchman to their line-up on Sunday doesn't hurt them one bit. The Tigers have had an extra week to prepare and bring a classy spine to the contest, but the Dragons have them beaten for depth across the paddock and I think they pick up another two points here. An even contest, and it could end up being one of the games of the round.

Verdict - Dragons by 2

Result - Dragons 24 defeated Tigers 22

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

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

• PANTHERS vs Roosters
• Sea Eagles vs DOLPHINS
• BULLDOGS vs Rabbitohs
• SHARKS vs Raiders
• Eels vs COWBOYS
• Broncos vs WARRIORS
• KNIGHTS vs Titans
• TIGERS vs Dragons