Brisbane Broncos vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

Two in-form teams in front of a big crowd at a great stadium and The Thinker is giddy with anticipation. The Broncos haven't completely clicked in attack but continue to perform based on a very solid defensive structure. The Dragons have been sensational but for that big loss to the Bulldogs. Brett Morris was asked to fill some big shoes at fullback this season but he has been a revelation. If anything their attack is more balanced and dangerous than it was under the helm of Mr Bennett. The last time these sides met was one of the greatest clashes of all time, with a fractured Darren Lockyer sealing an extra-time victory with a field goal. It proved to be his last, and arguably his greatest, on-field moment. The Dragons will be confronting a jersey that has given them plenty of headaches in the past, as the Broncos will don the strip they wore to victory in the 1992 grand final. Their opponents on that day - the Dragons. Most of that 1992 premiership side will be handing out the jerseys on Friday night and the Broncos will lift for the occasion. This should be a close game and Jamie Soward is the last player you want to be facing in a close game, but I like the home side. Compulsory viewing.

Verdict – Broncos

Result - Broncos 28 defeated Dragons 20

Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights – Friday night – AAMI Park

Gareth Widdup has been named for Melbourne but is in some doubt, and his ever-improving combination with Cooper Cronk is a significant contributor to their success. The Knights are also improving each week and their defensive effort against the Bulldogs was full of merit. Clearly the Bennett polish is starting to shine. Melbourne have the best spine in the NRL but the Knights spine of Boyd, Gidley, Mullen and Buderus isn't far behind them. Newcastle are yet to win a game at AAMI Park and haven't beaten them anywhere since 2009. This will be closer than most are anticipating, but tipping teams to beat the Storm in Melbourne is an express ride to the poorhouse.  

Verdict – Storm

Result - Storm 34 defeated Knights 22

Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday night – Centrebet Stadium

Both sides have notched up two wins this season, but one needs to delve a little deeper than that. The Panthers have beaten the Roosters and the Eels, and for my money they are the two worst teams in the competition. Meanwhile the Sharks have notched up back-to-back victories over the defending premiers and the Cowboys in Townsville. That form looks stronger than the Penrith form line, and the Sharks were desperately unlucky not to win in round one against the Tigers. Panthers captain Luke Lewis lines up for his 200th game. I'm sure his team-mates will be keen to make it a winning one, but I'll be tipping an upset.

Verdict – Sharks

Result - Sharks 15 defeated Panthers 14

Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles – Saturday night – Parramatta Stadium

Nathan Hindmarsh deserves better than this in his final season in the NRL, and Parramatta will win a few games this year. This isn't one of those games.

Verdict – Sea Eagles

Result - Eels 29 found their mojo and beat the Sea Eagles 20

Sydney Roosters vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday night – Allianz Stadium

The Warriors can pull out a bad game from time to time, and if they have an off night they could almost lose this one. You can get $1.60 about the Warriors winning this game and that seems like good shopping to me. Perhaps the bookies can see something in the Roosters that us mere mortals cannot. My eyes tell me the Warriors are a vastly superior outfit to the Chickens across the park. James Maloney is heading to the Roosters in 2013 and he gets an opportunity to show his future team-mates what he can do.

Verdict – Warriors

Result - Roosters 26 defeated Warriors 8 ???

Gold Coast Titans vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Sunday afternoon – Skilled Park

Things aren't entirely rosy on the glitter strip right now. To rub salt in those ugly expensive wounds the Titans have missed out on Cooper Cronk after he chose to stay with the purple-people (a great decision I must say). It would bring me considerable pleasure to see the Titans pull out a victory at home on a sunny Sunday afternoon, but I'm not tipping them. Make a game of it boys.

Verdict – Bulldogs

Result - Bulldogs 30 defeated Titans 20

Wests Tigers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Sunday afternoon – Allianz Stadium

Rumours are rife that Benji Marshall won't play on Sunday, but I was never going to tip the Tigers anyway. Their performance on Monday night was one of their worst and I'm not sure they can turn their form around in time for Sunday. I expect the Rabbitohs pack to outmuscle the Tigers, Issac Luke will run right through the middle of them and the result will follow. Lote Tuqiri returns for the Tigers but he is a shadow of the great player he once was. Good things.

Verdict – Rabbitohs

Result - Rabbitohs 17 defeated Tigers 16

Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys – Monday night – Canberra Stadium

The Cowboys will be pleased to know that the weather forecast for Canberra on Monday night isn't as bleak as it could be. The Raiders were impressive against the Tigers and if they retain that form they'll be tough to beat at home. Much of the Cowboys momentum comes on the back of go-forward from Matt Scott. With Scott sidelined through injury the Raiders should win the forwards battle. The Canberra backline is starting to click into gear and I expect Campese and McCrone to get plenty of attacking opportunities on Monday night.

Verdict – Raiders

Result - Cowboys 22 defeated Raiders 6

Wally Lewis - round five selections (in bold)

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

• BRONCOS vs Dragons
• STORM vs Knights
• Panthers vs SHARKS
• Eels vs SEA EAGLES
• Roosters vs WARRIORS
• Titans vs BULLDOGS
• Tigers vs RABBITOHS
• RAIDERS vs Cowboys