Manly Sea Eagles vs Wests Tigers – Friday night – Bluetongue Stadium

In round one Manly travelled to New Zealand and beat a side many expect to do well this year. The Tigers played at home and fell over the line (on the back of some dubious decisions) against a side many expect to struggle this year. They face each other on Friday at Gosford, and the Tigers are a pronounced favourite. I must say I'm a little perplexed. The Sea Eagles have done a fair bit of travelling in recent times but the Tigers could barely lift their legs at the end of that life-sapping contest at Leichhardt Oval. They conceded plenty of metres that day and they've lost the injured Keith Galloway from their engine room. The Sea Eagles are without Glenn Stewart and Steve Matai, but that big pack of forwards will be hard to contain.  Daly Cherry-Evans, Keiran Foran and Brett Stewart will get plenty of opportunites to shine and look set to have a great night out. I'm tempted to have a bet.

Verdict – Sea Eagles

Result - Sea Eagles 22 defeated Tigers 18

Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

The Cowboys are like a box of chocolates, and in round one the Cowboys were the sour quince log that Mr Burns couldn't eat in The Simpsons. If you can't score a point against the Titans you won't score a point against the Broncos, and the Broncos are likely to do a little better than the Titans in attack. No doubt the Cowboys have focused on ball control in the lead up to this game, but they also have to control the second-phase play of their opponent. Keep an eye out for Broncos custodian Josh Hoffman, a man who can take advantage of second-phase opportunities better than most. The Broncos have won eight of the last nine clashes with the Cowboys and they should get the chocolates again. Run Hoffman Run!  

Verdict – Broncos

Result - Cowboys 28 defeated Broncos 26

Gold Coast Titans vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – Skilled Park

The Titans didn't beat too many sides in 2011 but they did beat the Raiders...twice. I checked that three times before I typed it because it just seemed so extraordinary. Further to that the Raiders have never won a game at Skilled Park, and the weather on the Coast is looking warm and balmy on Saturday. If one is prepared to put a line through their 2011 effort the Titans have a recent history of starting the season well (they topped the table throughout the early rounds in both 2009 and 2010). One swallow does not a season make, but the Titans looked solid last weekend and they might have their mojo back.

Verdict – Titans

Result - Raiders 24 defeated Titans 12

Canterbury Bulldogs vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday night – ANZ Stadium

The Bulldogs come-from-behind victory over the Panthers will have their fans hoping for a much-improved showing this season, but I'm not convinced that form will stack up. The Dragons found a way to beat the Knights in Newcastle, and that form looks pretty good to me. Without Darius Boyd and Mark Gasnier they look less potent in attack, but their defensive structure remains solid. The Dragons will win the battle for metres and will win it convincingly. From there the left foot of Jamie Soward will get the Dragons home in what looks like a low-scoring contest.

Verdict – Dragons

Result - Bulldogs 30 humbled the Dragons 4

Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Toyota Stadium

The two sides that lost in golden point in round one face each other, and another golden point game wouldn't surprise me here. Former Shark Kade Snowden will receive a warm and enthusiastic welcome on his return to the Shire. He'll need to have a big game if the Knights want to hold their own in the forwards battle. I'm leaning the Knights way, primarily because they've had longer to prepare for this game and the Sharks are coming off that draining affair with the Tigers. I also think the Sharks are susceptible to a good kicking game, and when Jarrod Mullen has a good day his kicking game is one of the best in the business.  

Verdict – Knights

Result - Knights 18 defeated Sharks 6

Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers – Sunday afternoon – Sydney Football Stadium

There are many who say wingers are people who hang around with footballers, but Penrith lost both their wingers during their loss to the Bulldogs and it cost them the match. Those injuries forced Luke Lewis into the centres for the remainder of the game, and from them on the Panthers were unable to threaten the Bulldogs in attack. Lewis is back in the middle for this game and he is the danger man as far as I'm concerned. If the Panthers win it will be on the back of a man-of-the-match performance from the captain. Braith Anasta returns for the Roosters and the chickens will be feeling all gooey and wonderful after that astonishing victory on Monday night. The Roosters have more point-scoring potential in them than the Panthers, and most points wins. Cock-a-doodle-do!

Verdict – Roosters

Result - Panthers 18 defeated Roosters 0

Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Sunday afternoon – AAMI Park

The Storm have beaten the Rabbits in nine of their last ten outings. The Bunnies lone victory in that time was a game in Perth in 2010, at a time when the Storm weren't even playing for points thanks to the salary cap scandal. The Storm don't lose at home very often, and it's not likely they'll lose their first home game of the season. For those of you looking for a 'lock of the week' (Vances Tigies and others), the Melbourne Storm are your 'lock of the week'. Don't get carried away though, Melbourne have a history of winning narrowly early in the season. A margin of 1-12 points looks likely.

Verdict – Storm

Result - Storm 24 defeated Rabbitohs 10

Parramatta Eels vs New Zealand Warriors – Monday night – Parramatta Stadium

I have a tendency to pick on Parramatta from time to time. Right now is a case in point. I've run my eye over their starting side for this clash, and that starting thirteen is easily the worst in the competition. Jarryd Hayne is some chance to be named as a late inclusion for the Eels. If he starts and has a blinder the Warriors will win by less. There are no certainties in this competition, and Monday night games are the biggest lottery of all, but if the Warriors turn up with switched-on heads they win in second gear.

Verdict – Warriors

Result - Warriors 36 defeated Eels 20

Wally Lewis - round two selections (in bold)

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

• SEA EAGLES vs Tigers
• BRONCOS vs Cowboys
• TITANS vs Raiders
• Bulldogs vs DRAGONS
• Sharks vs KNIGHTS
• ROOSTERS vs Panthers
• STORM vs Rabbitohs
• Eels vs WARRIORS