St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters – Wednesday afternoon (ANZAC Day) – Allianz Stadium

I'm holding onto a theory that the Roosters are, if you can excuse my French, a little bit crap. The CSIRO are conducting a range of trials to test this hypothesis but I'm quietly confident the results of those tests will support my claim. Matt Cooper returns for the Dragons and his inclusion gives their left edge plenty of attacking options. This game always delivers and both teams will give their all, but the Dragons have won the last four ANZAC Day clashes and they should prevail again.  

Verdict – Dragons

Result - Dragons 28 defeated Roosters 24

Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors – Wednesday night – AAMI Park

The Storm are going to lose a game eventually, and I'm not going to tell anyone they're wrong if they think this will be one of those games. The Warriors have an extraordinary record against the Storm and managed to beat them twice in 2011. They found their mojo in round eight as they dispatched of the Bunnies but I need to see them bringing that sort of form across the ditch. In recent trips they've lost to the Raiders and the Roosters, and form like that won't beat the Storm. It must be noted that the Warriors usually turn up for the ANZAC day clash with their game boots on. I can't tip them, but we should see one almighty game of football on Wednesday night.  

Verdict – Storm

Result - Storm 32 defeated Warriors 14

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles – Friday night – ANZ Stadium

Here's the question you need to ask yourself. Can Canterbury coach Des Hasler instigate a game plan than can contain his former club, and how desperate will Manly be to win against the coach that walked away from them? Actually that's two questions. In any case if you know the answers you'll find yourself a winner. The word on the street is that Keiran Foran has agreed to terms to join the Bulldogs next season, but has delayed the announcement until after this game. I'm expecting fireworks. Manly lost to the Titans at Brookvale last round and that is poor form no matter how you slice it, but they'll lift for this. Victory for the visitors in a game that might get ugly.

Verdict – Sea Eagles

Result - Sea Eagles 12 defeated Bulldogs 10

Brisbane Broncos vs Gold Coast Titans – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

I was pleased to see the Titans find some form last round, but they'll have to lift another gear if they hope to compete with one of the competition front-runners. I'm sure they'll try hard, but I don't think they have that extra gear. Peter Wallace returns to what is an almost full-strength Broncos outfit. They haven't lost the local derby since 2009 and it's difficult to imagine them losing this weekend.

Verdict – Broncos

Result - Broncos 26 defeated Titans 6

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs North Queensland Cowboys – Saturday night – ANZ Stadium

The Cowboys have beaten the Rabbitohs once since 2006 and that game was played in Townsville. Their record in Sydney is poor and their record at ANZ Stadium is even worse but I'm keen on them this weekend. The teams haven't been announced at this point but I'm expecting Matt Scott to play for the Cowboys. He joins a big pack of forwards taking on a team with plenty of forwards on the injured list. And I love sticking with Jonathan Thurston when he backs up from representative duty - he has an uncanny habit of bringing his best for the Cowboys under these circumstances. The Bunnies are favoured to win by most but I'm sniffing an upset.

Verdict – Cowboys

Result - Rabbitohs 20 defeated Cowboys 16

Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks – Sunday afternoon – Canberra Stadium

One has to feel a little sorry for the Raiders, a team whose injury list is almost as long as their team list. Terry Campese joined the injured list last round and will remain there for the rest of the season. The Raiders have been in this predicament previously, but that doesn't make it any easier. Despite their injury woes the Raiders are favourites on Sunday which surprises me a little. The Sharks usually play well against Canberra and they're in a rich vein of form. Cue the Jaws theme.

Verdict – Sharks

Result - Sharks 44 defeated Raiders 22

Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – Parramatta Stadium

Are the Tigers back? I'm not completely convinced but even an underperforming Tigers outfit should have enough artillery to knock over the Eels. Last round the Tigers beat the Panthers by thirty points to nil. About three weeks earlier the Panthers beat the Eels by more than thirty. Such form lines don't always stack up but scorelines like that don't bode well for the blue and gold brigade. Parramatta have shown glimpses of life in recent weeks, but I need to see more than a weak pulse before I start tipping them.

Verdict – Tigers

Result - Tigers 31 defeated Eels 30

Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers – Monday night – Hunter Stadium

It was a case of déjà vu all over again for the Panthers after posting identical scorelines in the last two rounds (30-0 losses). I've often questioned the attacking capability of the Panthers and some of their opponents appear to have worked them out. Newcastle aren't exactly firing in attack either but they're going well enough to get the points at home. If you're keen for a flutter I'd be backing the unders - I can't see either team racking up a lot of points on Monday night.

Verdict – Knights

Result - Knights 34 defeated Panthers 14

Wally Lewis - round eight selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published as soon as possible (usually on Thursday night or early Friday morning).

• DRAGONS vs Roosters
• STORM vs Warriors
• BULLDOGS vs Sea Eagles
• BRONCOS vs Titans
• Rabbitohs vs COWBOYS
• Raiders vs SHARKS
• Eels vs TIGERS
• KNIGHTS vs Panthers