St George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans – Friday night – WIN Stadium

There is nothing particularly rational about my selection in this game. The Dragons are drowning at worst and treading water at best, but a loss here all but ends their campaign this season, and fear of failure will lift them to a rare win. They took off the shackles in the final twenty of their clash with the Bulldogs last weekend and showed everyone they can play attacking football. Granted the game was over by that stage, but I'm expecting the 'Pink V' to carry some of that form with them for at least another week. The Titans are in tremendous form and I must admit I'm tempted by the price on offer from the bookies, but I think the Dragons can sneak home in a cliffhanger.   

Verdict – Dragons

Result - Dragons 8 defeated Titans 6

Brisbane Broncos vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

Petero Civoniceva becomes just the seventeenth player to rack up 300 games in the NRL. It's a milestone few attain, and it's an incredible milestone for a prop forward. There are only two other props on the list (Ruben Wiki and Steve Price), and those two played much of their careers in different positions. Petero didn't start up front either (he actually played in the centres when he started with the Broncos - that's the sort of information that will win you a shout at the pub), but it does feel like he has been a part of the front-row furniture for as long as I can remember. I haven't been shy about my affection for the man - for mine he is the benchmark against which all other NRL players should be measured on and off the field. Will the Broncos lift for him on Friday night? They sure will. I liked what I sure from the Broncos last weekend even though they failed to score a point. They've shown me in recent weeks that they have both the defence and attack to win the premiership this season, and it's only a matter of time before they put it all together. As their senior players return from representative duty and we edge toward the finals I expect to see this side peaking at the right time. As for this weekend - it's a massive game for both clubs. At times the Rabbits are showing us how good they can be, but they still suffer lapses from time to time. The Broncos are a team that will take advantage of such opportunities. I'm expecting close to 40,000 at Suncorp Stadium, and this should be the game of the round on a bumper night of football.

Verdict – Broncos

Result - Broncos 26 defeated Rabbitohs 12

North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – Dairy Farmers Stadium

If anyone can think of a single reason why the Raiders could win on Saturday night they should get in touch with the Green Machine and let them know about it. The Cowboys kept the Broncos scoreless in one of the highest calibre club games we have seen this season, and the Broncos are a vastly superior outfit to the Raiders. If you need further convincing go no further than the last two times these sides met. The Cowboys were decisive winners on both occasions, and both games were in Canberra. An opportunity for the home side to improve their points differential. Cowboys 40 - Raiders 6...or thereabouts. 

Verdict – Cowboys

Result - Cowboys 40 defeated Raiders 18

Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday night – Centrebet Stadium

Penrith are playing so poorly that Parramatta are one of the few sides they could convincingly beat this season. As if to prove my point they did just that in round four with a 33 point victory at Parramatta Stadium. The Panthers held a 'crisis meeting' this week so they might be ready to show us their best. Meanwhile the Eels need to win their last eleven games in a row to be any chance of sneaking into the top eight. I want to be a fireman but that isn't going to happen either. 

Verdict – Panthers

Result - Eels 19 defeated Panthers 18 (golden point)

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm - Sunday afternoon – Virgin Australia Stadium (Mackay)

A Sydney team takes a home game against a Victorian team to regional Queensland - why the heck not? The Storm were tremendous on Monday night and they are the testing material in this competition. They will also get the lions share of the crowd support in Mackay, but I fear the travel will affect them more than the Bulldogs. Melbourne are playing their second away game in a row, they back up from Monday night, and their two most important players (Smith and Cronk) have plenty on their plates at this time of the year. Canterbury coach Des Hasler has his side playing to their strengths and they play the game like no other in the competition. I think it's a style of play that will challenge the Storm on Sunday and I think the Doggies can pull off an upset. Interesting...close and interesting.

Verdict – Bulldogs

Result - Bulldogs 20 defeated Storm 4

Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles – Sunday afternoon – Allianz Stadium

How good is Mitchell Pearce going? Off the field I mean. If you don't believe me do a google image search on 'Ciara Price' - his friend for this week after putting a big left-hand fend on one of the Pussycat Dolls (note: those of you that are under 18, and there are many of you,  shouldn't do that google search. You will just have to use your imaginations). His on-field performances haven't been quite as impressive but he was pretty good against the Tigers last Sunday. Mind you, I'm willing to put a question mark over that game unless the Chickens can produce a repeat performance on Sunday afternoon. I don't think they are up to it, and I expect Daly Cherry-Evans to put Pearce back in his box on Sunday - on the field anyway. Of all the games being played this weekend, this is the game most likely to produce one of those razzly dazzly 42-26 type of scorelines. The Sea Eagles have slightly more razzle and a lot more dazzle than the Chooks.

Verdict – Sea Eagles

Result - Sea Eagles 52 defeated Roosters 14

Newcastle Knights vs Wests Tigers – Monday night – Hunter Stadium

Defence is all about attitude and effort, and when a team isn't in the right headspace it's their defensive effort that drops first. The Tigers missed 52 tackles against the Roosters, and it was quite clear they weren't mentally ready for that game on Sunday. Robbie Farah returns on Monday night, and I expect the Tigers to lift and make this an enjoyable road trip. If the Knights couldn't beat the Raiders at home I can't see how they can beat the Tigers. Condolences to Robbie Farah and his family for their loss.

Verdict – Tigers

Result - Knights 38 defeated Tigers 20

Wally Lewis - round sixteen selections (in bold)

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

• DRAGONS vs Titans
• BRONCOS vs Rabbitohs
• COWBOYS  vs Raiders
• PANTHERS vs Eels
• Bulldogs vs STORM
• Roosters vs SEA EAGLES
• Knights vs TIGERS