Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

The Broncos have all the momentum of a three legged turtle, but that might be enough to keep them in the top eight. One more win this season should see them scrape through, although this game isn't likely to be one of those wins. The Broncos have beaten the Storm just twice in their last ten meetings, and in many of those games the Broncos were going well. Opponents are finding metres and line breaks right through the middle of the Broncos, and the Storm are close to the best in business at exposing sides in that regard. With Parker, Glenn and McGuire out injured you know exactly where Smith and Cooper will focus their energies. That guy who plays fullback for them (you know, what's his name?) will be lurking when he smells blood in the water. An interesting game, but the final outcome appears a formality.

Verdict – Storm

Result - Storm 19 defeated Broncos 18

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Wests Tigers - Friday night – ANZ Stadium

In what is considered by many to be the most even sporting competition in the world, any team that can string eleven wins on the trot is going pretty well. That team actually gets bolstered this week because Sam Kasiano, James Grahan and Kris Keating return from injuries. The Tigers have been one frustrating outfit this season, and it's difficult (although not impossible) to believe they could put it all together on Friday night. They remain one of the best teams in the NRL at shutting down second-phase play, and that is the Bulldogs bread and butter this year, but can they contain the Dogs for eighty minutes? Ummm...probably not. Closer than some might expect, and the Bulldogs by 1-12 points looks like a backable option.

Verdict – Bulldogs

Result - Bulldogs 23 defeated Tigers 22 (golden point)

Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters - Saturday night – Canberra Stadium

I went to the trouble of warning you all how awful that Raiders/Panthers game would be last week - and then I watched it anyway. The Panthers made more metres, missed less tackles (the Raiders missed a staggering 54), made more than twice as many line breaks...and still got towelled up on the scoreboard. My run of outs with the Raiders has continued, but even I can't get this game wrong. Why on earth would the Roosters, with nothing to play for, turn up to Canberra Stadium on a cold Saturday night and give this game a shake? Don't even bother looking at the team line-ups for this one, because the most important thing to consider on Saturday night is the weather forecast. Showers and westerly winds to 25 knots, and those Roosters won't be crowing at the crack of dawn on Sunday morning when it's minus two. Not this time. Surely not this time.  

Verdict – Raiders

Result - Raiders 24 defeated Roosters 20

Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Saturday night – Toyota Stadium

In their last six outings the Sharks have played six teams outside the top eight - for one win. During the same period the Bunnies have played five teams outside the top eight - and won them all. Their only loss has been to the Sea Eagles, and it's starting to look like I might have underestimated the mob from Brookvale. That enormous fullback returns from suspension for the Rabbitohs this weekend (you know, what's his name?). He might need the run, but the Sharks would prefer he wasn't there. When these sides met in round nine Greg Inglis just about beat the Sharks on his own in one of the highest quality games of the season. Since then the Sharks have dropped off the pace, while the Rabbitohs (despite the disappointing result last round) are still in the hunt for the big cheese. Toyota Stadium is a tough place to notch up an away win, but the Bunnies haven't lost back-to-back games since round two. 

Verdict – Rabbitohs

Result - Sharks 20 defeated Rabbitohs 7

Gold Coast Titans vs Parramatta Eels – Sunday afternoon – Skilled Park

The Titans have reached that point in the season where every game is a must-win game. Parramatta won't die wondering and if there is one thing I'm sure of we'll see some points scored at Skilled Park on Sunday. The total points scored in the last three Parramatta games was a tick over the double century. Clearly interim coach Brad Arthur has given the Eels a licence to throw the ball around and have some fun. The Titans are staring down the barrel of their third loss in a row, but narrow losses to the Rabbitohs and the Storm is good enough form to get the points this weekend. Titans 42 - Eels 30. 

Verdict – Titans

Result - Titans 24 defeated Eels 16

New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers – Sunday afternoon – Mt Smart Stadium

Do everything you can to avoid accidentally watching this game. If you really need a footy fix over Sunday lunch, record one of the Friday night games and watch that again. If this game were an Olympic event it would be synchronised swimming - mens synchronised swimming. The Panthers won every meaningful statistic in their game against the Raiders last round and got flogged. If they can't win under those circumstances, playing in front of a home crowd, I can't tip them to find a way to win in New Zealand. Two teams in a neck and neck race to the bottom of the barrel. The weather forecast for Auckland on Sunday is wet, cold and windy. That sounds a lot like Penrith - it's a long way to travel to go somewhere that feels like home. I'll tip the Warriors by default, but don't bank on it, and for goodness sake don't watch it.

Verdict – Warriors

Result - Panthers 18 defeated Warriors 16

Manly Sea Eagles vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Brookvale Oval

If you accidentally watched the Warriors/Panthers game, and feel the need to cleanse your soul, then this is the best hangover cure you can get. Manly don't lose at Brookie on Sunday afternoons very often, but this isn't an easy two points by any stretch. As proof, I cite the clash between these sides just five weeks ago, where the Knights absolutely bolted in. Since that game both sides have lost just one game each - and both those losses were to the Bulldogs. The Sea Eagles get the nod here because of the Brookvale factor, and it's fair to say their recent form has been very good indeed. I'm still not entirely convinced they're going as well as last year, but they're certainly building momentum. Two in-form sides, with a history of hatred for each other, playing on Sunday afternoon at a suburban ground. This is the game of the round, and it might be one of the games of the year.

Verdict – Sea Eagles

Result - Sea Eagles 42 defeated Knights 20

St George Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys – Monday night – WIN Stadium

Have the Dragons finally conceded defeat in season 2012? Back-to-back losses against struggling opponents would suggest as much. The Cowboys haven't given up and they certainly aren't struggling, and their ladder position ensures they'll turn up to play on Monday night. This is something of a danger game for the northerners, primarily because they struggle with the conditions. A cold night in Wollongong could potentially bring out the worst in the boys from the tropics. I'll stick with them anyway, because a sub-par Cowboys might still be good enough and they do have plenty to play for.

Verdict – Cowboys

Result - Cowboys 32 defeated Dragons 22

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

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

• BRONCOS vs Storm
• BULLDOGS vs Tigers
• RAIDERS vs Roosters
• Sharks vs RABBITOHS
• TITANS vs Eels
• WARRIORS vs Panthers
• SEA EAGLES vs Knights
• Dragons vs COWBOYS