Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights – Friday night – GIO Stadium

Appearances for the Raiders on Friday nights are rare, so they'll be super-keen to show us what they've got. Let's hope they don't make a meal of it. It's difficult to tip either of these sides with any confidence, but the location and timeslot sways me to the home side. It will be about 4 degrees when they kick-off and when they come out for the second half it will be near enough to zero. Under those conditions, I think the Raiders will be looking for the two points while the Knights will be looking for a fireplace and a Hunter Valley red. Hopefully Jarrod Croker has been working on his defence - he's a quality player but he knows how to miss a tackle from time to time. Assuming Gagai backs up from Origin I expect the Knights will give him plenty of chances. Back him in those try scoring market thingies if you are into such things.

Verdict – Raiders by 4

Result - Raiders 36 defeated Knights 22

Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters – Saturday night – Pepper Stadium

It hasn't been a great week for Phil 'what a dismal night this is....oh, unless you're a Queenslander' Gould or Coach Potato and it doesn't get any easier on the weekend. The Panthers have done well in recent weeks but they are still missing some key men in key positions. Assuming the Roosters Origin reps back up they're bringing their best seventeen. The Chooks are looking for four wins in a row and they are one team that look like they are gaining momentum as we approach the business end of proceedings. I can't back the Roosters at $1.45, particularly when you get the same price about the Panthers with 12.5 points start. I'm on the Chooks to scrape home - that should make it all the more painful for Gus and Coach.

Verdict – Roosters by 2

Result - Roosters 24 defeated Panthers 4

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Brisbane Broncos – Saturday night – ANZ Stadium

The last two times I was super keen on an outsider I was wrong. Very wrong. Because of that, I'm trying to hold my nerve a little. What I say next I say with cautious optimism - The Broncos at $2.50 looks tasty. They haven't put a foot wrong through this Origin period. They've kept winning, and they've kept winning away from home. This time they're facing the Bulldogs, and the Dogs have five of their own Origin players backing up. Hodges gets a rest this weekend as you would expect, but it looks like the remainder of the QLD contingent will be there. Note that all the Broncos backing up from Wednesday are backing up from a series win. For the Bulldogs...its the opposite. It hurts less when you win.

Verdict – Broncos by 4

Result - Broncos 16 defeated Bulldogs 8

Audkland Warriors vs Melbourne Storm – Sunday afternoon – Mt Smart Stadium

Sixth plays seventh and the loser risks falling away from the leading teams in the top four. The Warriors last two victories have been most impressive, while the Storm have lost three in a row. In any case, this is a step-up in grade for the Warriors and will give us a better guide to their prospects. Storm coach Bellamy has had plenty of experience managing his troops through the Origin period, and he has two of his big three on board for the run into the finals. That said, I'm swaying to the Warriors, as those youngsters in the Storm backline will find those enormous Warriors bodies hard to contain.

Verdict – Warriors by 2

Result - Warriors 28 defeated Storm 14

Cronulla Sharks vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Sunday afternoon – Remondis Stadium

Did Paul Gallen play his last Origin game last night? What a way to go out. A big question mark has to hang over him backing up on Sunday, given the state of his body these days. Mind you, Josh Dugan had his fair share of knocks and is a possible late exclusion too. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for changes. For mine the Sharks are better placed without Gallen than the Dragons are without Dugan. It's all speculation of course until we know more. The folks in the Shire will pack the joint for the local grudge match, and they'll go a long way toward lifting the local lads over the line. In round 12 the Dragons absolutely walloped the Sharks (42-6), but the Dragons have lost their last four and the warning bells are starting to ring. Note that all four losses were by narrow margins, but the Sharks can grind out a narrow win on their home ground better than most. Not remotely confident.

Verdict – Sharks by 2

Result - Sharks 28 defeated Dragons 8

Gold Coast Titans vs Manly Sea Eagles – Monday night – Cbus Super Stadium

I'm not sure what sort of crowd will turn up on a Monday night on the Gold Coast, but 90% of them will be there to vent their frustrations at Daly Hyphen-Evans. Meanwhile, Nate Myles gets to rub shoulders with his future team-mates. No-one can ever accuse the Titans of not turning up, but the injury toll is high and it's hard to know the effects of the looming court cases. Manly are two or three forwards short of a great football team, but a win here goes a long way toward ensuring they avoid a wooden spoon. I expect we'll see quite a few good footy games this weekend, but I don't expect this to be one of them.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 4

Result - Sea Eagles 38 defeated Titans 6

Wally Lewis - round eighteen selections (in bold)

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

• RAIDERS vs Knights
• Panthers vs ROOSTERS
• Bulldogs vs BRONCOS
• WARRIORS vs Storm
• Sharks vs DRAGONS
• Titans vs SEA EAGLES