St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Friday night – WIN Stadium

The Dragons are the only team in the competition to have scored less than 200 points this season. The Bulldogs are one of only two teams to have conceded less then 200 points this season. The road trip to Wollongong shouldn't hold any fears for the Doggies either - it's a venue where they have tasted victory on four of their last five visits. Playing conditions will keep the Dragons in the game, but the Bulldogs will do enough. A victory for the visitors by 1-12 points looks likely. 

Verdict – Bulldogs

Result - Bulldogs 28 defeated Dragons 20

North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – Dairy Farmers Stadium

The Thinker can add another wing to Thinker Manor after the Broncos took the Roosters to the cleaners, and their youngsters get another opportunity to do it all again. Civoniceva, Thaiday, Hodges and Parker are unavailable while the Cowboys will be hoping their four Origin representatives can pull on the jersey on Friday night. There has to be some doubt about Brent Tate, and their starting props (Tamou and Scott) had punishing workloads on Wednesday night. After successive losses on the road the Cowboys need a win and they need it badly. Two points here and they stay with the leading pack, while a loss will have the fast-improving Warriors and Titans nipping at their heels. The Broncos have racked up 90 points in their last two games and will go into this game brimming with confidence, but I have a slight doubt about the kids putting together back-to-back performances on the road without their most experienced campaigners. Looks like a high-scoring game and I'm hoping the boot of Jonathan Thurston can get the Cowboys over the line.

Verdict – Cowboys

Result - Cowboys 12 defeated Broncos 0

Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday night – Toyota Stadium

Boy oh boy I nearly tipped the Warriors in this one. I have doubts over Paul Gallen backing up and the Warriors are starting to gel as a unit under their new coach Brian McClennan. I've ended up sticking with the home side because the Warriors haven't completely convinced me on the road. This is their second away game on the trot and they are on a short back-up from their Monday night victory over the Panthers. Toyota Stadium on a cold wet night isn't the sort of place you can play your best footy if you aren't in the right headspace. The Sharks will be kicking the ball at Manu Vatuvei at every opportunity, and at some point it's a strategy that is likely to pay dividends.  

Verdict – Sharks

Result - Sharks 20 defeated Warriors 19

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

There's not a lot to like about the Parramatta Eels but they have unearthed a future Kangaroo in Matt Ryan. At 24 he has taken a while to get there but I like what I see. The Eels have now notched up two wins for the season and, rather astonishingly, both their wins have been identical and slightly odd scorelines (29-20). Those who took heart from their last start victory might not want to know that they followed their previous win with six straight losses. I'm not sure if they'll lose their next six, but they won't be winning this. 

Verdict – Rabbitohs

Result - Rabbitohs 24 defeated Eels 6

Gold Coast Titans vs Penrith Panthers - Sunday afternoon – Skilled Park

The Panthers have played just two games this season away from Sydney, and they lost them both. One of those was a pasting by the Knights (and that is the only team Newcastle have pasted all year) and the other was to the Cowboys who were without Thurston and lost Tariq Sims halfway through the match. Scott Prince returns from injury and providing the Titans have the services of their Origin trio (Myles, Bird and Harrison) they simply have to win this game.

Verdict – Titans

Result - Titans 36 defeated Panthers 18

Wests Tigers vs Sydney Roosters – Sunday afternoon – Leichhardt Oval

Roosters captain Braith Anasta spent quite some time at the post-match media conference last week testing the table with his head. I found it all rather entertaining, but I do feel sorry for the tricolours who have dealt with some interesting and/or baffling referee calls in recent weeks. They aren't likely to get too many of the 50-50 calls at Leichhardt Oval on a Sunday afternoon either. The Tigers are going for their eighth consecutive win, and during that same period the Roosters have won just once when they beat the Knights. The Tigers to keep winning and Anasta to keep banging his head on the table. Don't miss it - especially the headbanging.

Verdict – Tigers

Result - Roosters 42 defeated Tigers 28

Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm – Monday night – Brookvale Oval

I'll preface this by saying that I'm assuming Billy Slater won't be playing on Monday night. I don't think I have to tell any of you that his absence will be felt by the purple machine. Smith and Cronk will certainly play and you can be sure the Storm will be competitive, but without Slater they lose much of their attacking spark and one of the best readers of the game in defence. I have some doubts about Manly against the very good sides but they are near enough to full-strength and the luck of the draw has fallen their way (as it did throughout 2011). This is a game they have to win if they are any hope of defending their title this year.

Verdict – Sea Eagles

Result - Storm 26 defeated Sea Eagles 22

Wally Lewis - round fifteen selections (in bold)

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

• Dragons vs BULLDOGS
• COWBOYS vs Broncos
• SHARKS vs Warriors
• Eels vs RABBITOHS
• TITANS vs Panthers
• TIGERS vs Roosters
• SEA EAGLES vs Storm