Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers - Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

I managed to catch the Broncos training run on Saturday morning. They looked sharp and, perhaps more importantly, they seemed to be enjoying themselves. Darius Boyd isn't even listed in the seventeen but he moved freely and I expect him to play - State of Origin isn't far away. The Panthers are gradually bringing wounded troops back into the fold, but they are still without their first choice hooker and halves. I can't ignore that - particularly away from home. A chance for the Broncos to shore up their place near the top of the ladder before the representative period of the season takes its inevitable toll.

Verdict – Broncos by 10

Result - Broncos 8 defeated Panthers 5

Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers – Friday night – Allianz Stadium

The Chooks are due, and I mean 'final notice' in big red letters due. After four losses in a row they need to resurrect their fortunes - I've convinced myself this is the weekend they make a statement. With the return of Guerra and Aubusson the tri-colours are turning up with a tremendous pack of forwards. I expect the Roosters halves to bring their A-game on the back of the momentum created by the big boys (Laurie Daley take note). Losing is even more contagious than winning, and because of that the Chooks are ridiculously short with the bookmakers. I can't back them but I'm tipping them. The Tigers are playing a great style of football and the Chooks, despite the losses, aren't far off their best. The game of the round.

Verdict – Roosters by 14

Result - Roosters 36 defeated Tigers 4

Canberra Raiders vs Gold Coast Titans – Saturday afternoon – GIO Stadium

I don't break my golden rules of tipping too often, but here breaks one of them. Traditionally I would always take the home team when these sides met - it's a strategy that has served me at least as well as any other crazy strategy I've come up with over the years. The Titans are simply playing great football, and in the process they've gone from wooden spoon favourites to top eight contenders - an extraordinary turnaround in difficult circumstances. Without Greg Bird I'm nervous, because that Raiders back-row have a substantial edge on their counterparts. That said, I like the Titans starting props, and their backline has become a potent force in recent weeks. Many of the Raiders are backing up from the City-Country game where they all performed well - they should come back from that game brimming with confidence. A big win from either side wouldn't surprise but I'm tipping an upset.

Verdict – Titans by 2

Result - Raiders 56 defeated Titans 16

Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday night – Remondis Stadium

Plenty of Warriors are backing up from ANZAC duties, and quite a few are coming back from the Samoa/Tonga international for that matter. Many of them will still be on cloud nine, and a happy Warriors outfit is a dangerous Warriors outfit. We'll know if they're on shortly after kick-off, and if they are on a barnstorming Warriors victory is what we shall see. I'm banking on the comedown factor and the Warriors being 'off'. There's something about turning up to Remondis Stadium for a night game that drags teams down. I'll take the Sharks in what I suspect will turn into a scrappy and ugly ordeal.

Verdict – Sharks by 2

Result - Watriors 20 defeated Sharks 16

North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Saturday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

This looks like two sides with their seasons travelling in opposite trajectories. The Cowboys have won five in a row while the Bulldogs only recent win was over the team running last. Reynolds is suspended and the Bulldogs will miss his tripping game. Graham is still suspended and the Bulldogs will miss his go-forward and general yelling skills. No-one can step in and replace Taumalolo for the Cowboys, but in front of a big home crowd I think the Cowboys pack will give as good as they get. Hodkinson and Mbye have to find a way to make their halves pairing work, meanwhile the combination of Thurston and Morgan is absolutely singing. How about that...I've tipped all the Queensland sides.

Verdict – Cowboys by 10

Result - Cowboys 23 defeated Bulldogs 16

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

Manly have won just two games this season and both were against the Melbourne Storm - what a funny funny competition this is. Some weeks ago I saw the Knights in the flesh and I was taken with how much bigger they were than their opponent. They went on to win that game - a game few thought they would, and they did so by outmuscling their opponent. This Sea Eagles side can be out-muscled. They are seriously short of big men in the middle and the Knights are just the team to take advantage of that. Yet again I'm breaking another one of my golden rules here - tipping the Sea Eagles on a Sunday afternoon at Brookie has long been the fall-back selection. After the Sea Eagles surprise victory over the Storm I'm not surprised they're favoured to win, but I can get $2.60 about the Knights and I'm happy to take it. I might even back them with the handicap start as a little bit of insurance. Gamble responsibly.

Verdict – Knights by 4

Result - Sea Eagles 30 defeated Knights 10

Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm – Sunday afternoon – Pirtek Stadium

Does Cameron Smith get cranky? The Storm went down to the Sea Eagles at home, then his Kangaroos went down to the Kiwis for the third time in a row. And people are jumping out of trees to ask him if he's getting too old. Sheesh! I happen to think the cranky old bastard will give the Eels a footballing lesson this weekend. Note that Billy Slater has been named and I imagine he wants his State of Origin jersey back. And this game is worthy of your attention because two Fijian wingers get to go toe-to-toe. Radradra versus Koroibete - two of the nicest (and most entertaining) guys in the game. Looking forward to this one - I'll go purple.

Verdict – Storm by 8

Result - Storm 28 defeated Eels 10

South Sydney Rabbitohs  vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Monday night – ANZ Stadium

I don't think I've ever tipped a team more reluctantly than my Rabbitohs tip for Monday night. In their last five outings the Rabbitohs have won once, by one point...and they were lucky to get it. How I've ended up on them here is anyone's guess, but the absence of Dugan has probably swayed me. As per every Dragons game this season I'm not expecting a lot of points, and Dugan is the sort of guy that could pick up a try at one end and save a try at the other end. That may prove the difference. Gosh the Dragons have been good...and the Rabbits? This feels dirty...and wrong. I'm off to have a shower.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 2

Result - Rabbitohs 16 defeated Dragons 10

Wally Lewis - round nine selections (in bold)

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

• BRONCOS vs Panthers
• ROOSTERS vs Tigers
• RAIDERS vs Titans
• Sharks vs WARRIORS
• COWBOYS vs Bulldogs
• Sea Eagles vs KNIGHTS
• Eels vs STORM
• RABBITOHS vs Dragons