Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Thursday afternoon – Allianz Stadium

For my money this is one of the most under-appreciated games of the season, and in 2013 both sides are bringing some decent form to the clash. In three of their last four outings the Roosters have kept their opponents scoreless - that's imposing form whoever the opposition might be. With that extraordinary defensive record in mind it's difficult to see how the Dragons can get enough points to win. Jamie Soward has kicked a field goal in each of their last four games but he'll need to kick a dozen of them to keep the Red V in the hunt on ANZAC Day. There's an injury cloud over Sonny Bill, but this is a game he won't want to miss if he can be there. Close in the first half - the chickens to stretch their drumsticks and take the points in the second half.  

Verdict – Roosters

Result - Roosters 34 defeated Dragons 10

Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors – Thursday night – AAMI Park

Is it just me or do the Storm get the rub of the green with the referees? Perhaps it's just me. Watching that game between the Storm and the Rabbitohs last round (and what a game it was) I remember thinking several times that the Storm get away with a little more in the ruck than other teams. Perhaps it is simply the professionalism of Cameron Smith shining through, a player who knows exactly how far he can push things without pushing things too far. In any case they are (and have been for years) the best in the business and they proved it with that extraordinary win over the bunnies. The Warriors do lift for the ANZAC Day game, and they are the one and only team that have a decent head-to-head record against the Storm. Plenty of key figures for the Storm back up from rep duty but the same goes for the Warriors, and their captain Simon Mannering is unavailable. The Storm will win but don't be surprised if the Warriors keep this closer than most would expect.

Verdict – Storm

Result - Storm 28 defeated Warriors 18

Manly Sea Eagles vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – Brookvale Oval

When the bunnies lost to the Storm last round I thought I was watching the best performance by a losing team in quite some time. I also thought that it would be quite a while before I tipped against either of those two sides again. One round later and although I still believe my first thought I have talked myself out of my second thought. The only way I can split these sides is based on location, and if this game were at ANZ you can be sure and certain I'd be on the Rabbitohs. Two enormous forward packs confront each other here, and I'll assume that parochial Brookie crowd will give the home side enough of a boost to give them an edge in that battle. That is my one and only argument for splitting these sides, so don't let me talk you out of the bunnies if you are keen.

Verdict – Sea Eagles

Result - Rabbitohs 20 defeated Sea Eagles 12

North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

The Raiders have been playing some pretty good football...in Canberra. So far this season they've travelled three times for three losses. One of those road trips was just next door at Penrith, and they still got beaten pretty easily...by Penrith. When Penrith travelled to Townsville they got beaten 30-0 so the Cowboys should be bolting in at at smiley stadium on Saturday night. Of course the little ducks never line up that neatly in the NRL and an upset isn't impossible, but I can't imagine too many of us would be tipping it.

Verdict – Cowboys

Result - Cowboys 30 defeated Raiders 12

Wests Tigers vs Brisbane Broncos – Saturday night – Campbelltown Stadium

Most of the rugby league world had written off the Broncos this season, but they're on a roll, and all of a sudden those narrow losses to the Storm, Roosters and Sea Eagles don't look quite so bad. At the time of writing the teams have not been named for this clash, but there are doubts over a number of key players for the Tigers (most notably Robbie Farah). In any case when these sides meet the away side has an uncanny knack of getting the points.

Verdict – Broncos

Result - Broncos 20 defeated Tigers 10

Gold Coast Titans vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Skilled Park

A question without notice for NRL stats whiz David Middleton (and I know you're reading this David) - is this Titans interchange bench the biggest bench in the history of the NRL? I've got them weighing in at 436 kilograms - and Beau Falloon is only 86 of those. I'm feeling sorry for the bench, and I'm feeling sorry for the Newcastle Knights forwards who think they might be getting a reprieve and then Dave Taylor, Luke Bailey and Ryan James take to the field feeling fresh as daisies. Willie Mason will be clicking his heels together and wishing he was back playing ninth division rugby union in France. There's no place like home Willie, and the Knights haven't won away from home this season.

Verdict – Titans

Result - Knights 30 defeated Titans 6

Cronulla Sharks vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Sunday afternoon – Bluetongue Stadium

Six rounds down and look who's last. Few if any would have expected the Bulldogs to be where they are right now. The most exciting attacking outfit in the 2012 competition has scored just three tries in their last three outings - and that is since Ben Barba has returned. If any team needed the week off this was the team. Mind you, the Sharks aren't going much better. Both outfits have plenty of upside and barring off-field dramas you would expect these teams to show their fans something this season. I'll take a punt on the Sharks showing some upside this weekend. There is some chance Todd Carney will play in this game, and if he does his inclusion will add enough spark to get them home. Even without him I think they can sneak home here. Tiny scores. Tiny tiny scores. Take the unders if such things interest you.

Verdict – Sharks

Result - Bulldogs 24 defeated Sharks 8

Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels – Monday night – Centrebet Stadium

This games looks a little bit ordinary, and your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. If round seven of the NRL was a night at a restaurant you'd be delighted up until this point of the evening. The first seven courses on the rugby league degustation menu are a delight. Then ye olde dessert cart gets wheeled out and the waiter offers you this. Don't eat this game. Haven't you all had enough rugby league already? I'll take the Eels, because Ricky Stuart took a $10,000 hit for his team last round and the boys will want to repay him. Worst dessert ever!

Verdict – Eels

Result - Panthers 44 (yes.....44) defeated Eels 12

Wally Lewis - round seven selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.

• ROOSTERS vs Dragons
• STORM vs Warriors
• Sea Eagles vs RABBITOHS
• COWBOYS vs Raiders
• Tigers vs BRONCOS
• TITANS vs Knights
• Sharks vs BULLDOGS
• Panthers vs EELS