Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – Centrebet Stadium

A real test for the Broncos this week - away from home against a side that has to win to be any hope of sneaking into the top eight. It's hard to get a read on the Panthers unexpected win over the Warriors in New Zealand, but if nothing else it will certainly boost their confidence. It's not a confidence I share, and I haven't had confidence in the Panthers since Nigel Plum succumbed to injury. Their backrow looks like a weak link to my eye, and here they come up against a State of Origin backrow in Parker, Gillett and Thaiday. With that advantage I see the Broncos winning the yardage battle - and Josh Hoffman chiming in from the back doesn't hurt in that all-important battle for field position. The Broncos aren't going to blow anyone off the paddock, but they are a professional outfit and I expect them to prevail again. Put your hard-earned on Jumping Jack Reed as a tryscorer for the visitors - if you're into that sort of thing. 

Verdict – Broncos by 1-12

Result - Panthers 28 defeated Broncos 12

Canterbury Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – ANZ Stadium

Most of us expected the Bunnies to return to premiership form before the finals - it's just that many of us didn't expect to see it last week. That was an impressive win over the Sea Eagles, and when the Rabbitohs are playing well it's in your interests to take notice. Traditionally the Rabbitohs struggle against those big Bulldogs forwards packs, but all those Burgess brothers have put an end to that. I don't think the Dogs can run through the Bunnies, I don't think they can run around the Bunnies, and I don't think the Bulldogs playmakers have the kicking game to outsmart the Bunnies. I guess that leaves me no choice but to tip the Bunnies. Stick your eyeballs in front of this one if you can. It should be a cracking game in front of a bumper crowd.

Verdict – Rabbitohs

Result - Rabbitohs 28 defeated Bulldogs 20

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Wests Tigers – Saturday afternoon – Sydney Cricket Ground

Rugby league returns to the SCG, and fans of the defending AFL premiers, the Sydney Swans, get to see what a real football team looks like when the 14th-placed Dragons take on the 15th-placed Tigers. I can't tell you know excited I am about this game...I honestly can't. Picking a winner here is like arguing over which Police Academy sequel was the best. I'm going with St George 'Assignment Miami Beach' Illawarra over Wests 'Mission to Moscow' Tigers in a game that is sure to create plenty of Oscar buzz.

Verdict – Dragons

Result - Tigers 34 defeated Dragons 18

Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday night – Skilled Park

The Warriors have been knocking over the Titans for an eternity and they'll be well supported on Saturday night. But if the Warriors season is over (and it looks like it is) I just wonder if their minds will be focussed on football. It's cold in Auckland. They're away from home. They're on the Gold Coast and the sun is shining. It's a hunch, but I'm keen on the Titans this weekend. Albert Kelly is back. Matt Srama is back. They've got one of the best forward packs in the business and some big boppers on the bench to keep those Warriors on their heels. I'm keen at $1.90.

Verdict – Titans

Result - Warriors 24 defeated Titans 22

North Queensland Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights – Saturday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

About three weeks ago I suggested, somewhat outrageously, that the Cowboys could still make the top eight. They haven't lost since, but this could be the night where it all comes undone.  The Cowboys are a very firm favourite and deservedly so, but I can't forget the absolute mauling the Knights gave the Cowboys way back in round three. I like the look of the Knights interchange and this is one team with enough wise heads, on and off the field, to pick up a surprise win on the road. If you're winning your tipping competition you probably want to stick with the Cowboys, but if you're looking for an upset this weekend you could do a lot worse than the Novacastrians. Tonights the Knights.

Verdict – Knights

Result - Cowboys 26 defeated Knights 6

Canberra Raiders vs Manly Sea Eagles – Sunday afternoon – Canberra Stadium

I can think of two pretty reasonable reasons why the Raiders could win this game. First and foremost, they've given their long-suffering coach David Furner the heave-ho this week, and we've all seem teams improve on the back of such action. Secondly, the last time the Sea Eagles travelled to Canberra for a game of football was way back in 2008. Two reasons isn't quite enough for me. The lads from Manly will dig in for coach Geoff Toovey, who copped a $10,000 fine for criticising the referees - something he used to do on the field in every minute of every game he played. Manly couldn't get the points last week, but a competitive loss to the Bunnies reads like okay form to me.

Verdict – Sea Eagles

Result - Sea Eagles 36 defeated Raiders 22

Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels – Sunday afternoon – AAMI Park

Parramatta, without Jarryd Hayne, have to travel to Melbourne to play the Storm on a Sunday afternoon. This game is more than enough reason to support the introduction of euthanasia laws in this country.

Verdict – Storm by 50 (Cameron Smith and Billy Slater to be rested at the 60 minute mark)

Result - Storm 64 defeated Eels 4

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters – Monday night – Remondis Stadium

I really want to talk about Paul Gallen, but I also really don't want to be sued. So I'll keep it short and sweet. When his playing days are over I would prefer to remember Paul Gallen as a darn good footballer, but it's becoming more and more likely that I will remember his as a cheat. As for the football, these sides met just five weeks ago and the Roosters won 40-0. The Chooks are going as well now as they were then, while the Sharks appear to be teetering. They had their fare share of luck against the Knights but still lost, and they needed plenty of luck to beat the Dragons in the final moments last weekend. All the luck in the world won't help the Sharks on Monday night.

Verdict – Roosters

Result - Sharks 32 defeated Roosters 22

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

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

• Panthers vs BRONCOS
• RABBITOHS vs Bulldogs
• DRAGONS vs Tigers
• TITANS vs Warriors
• COWBOYS vs Knights
• Raiders vs SEA EAGLES
• STORM vs Eels
• Sharks vs ROOSTERS