Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Friday night – ANZ Stadium

It might be heritage round but money talks louder than tradition, and the Eels have moved their home game from their traditional ground to the cavernous emptiness of ANZ Stadium. They'll get a nicer cheque from gate receipts, but the two points will be harder to come by. These sides met at this venue in round two, when the Bulldogs prevailed 32-12. That night the Eels had Nathan Peats, and they're a better side when they do. The Bulldogs lost last weekend, but I'm starting to think that form could be very good indeed. In any case I'm expecting a competitive affair and the Eels with the handicap start is tempting. Bulldogs by less than you think.

Verdict – Bulldogs by 4

Result - Bulldogs 28 defeated Eels 4

Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers – Friday night – AAMI Park

I mentioned last week that the Panthers have played three away games outside of Sydney this season - and lost them all. Two of those losses were against the teams running 14th and 16th, and they lost badly. The Storm aren't exactly playing the house down at the moment, but they return home for the first time in a while and they return home for the 300th game of club captain Cameron Smith. It all points to a purple victory - particularly when you remind yourself that the Storm beat the Panthers (20-0) in Penrith in round 13.

Verdict – Storm by 14

Result - Storm 52 defeated Panthers 10

Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday afternoon – GIO Stadium

If Sam Williams wasn't injured last week I'd confidently tip the Raiders at home, but his absence focuses all the attention on Blake Austin. Attention is something Blake Austin needs to get used to. He was targeted last week and he'll be targeted again, so it's up to that enormous Raiders pack to protect him from that enormous Sharks pack as best they can. The Raiders beat the Sharks by four points away from home in round one, but both sides have improved since then. The Sharks impressed against the Dragons last week, but the Dragons were without Dugan and Marshall and I expect the Raiders will be harder to contain. Close...interesting and close.

Verdict – Raiders by 4

Result - Sharks 21 defeated Raiders 20

Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans – Saturday night – Hunter Stadium

There's a long way to go in this competition, but winning this game could be the difference between last and second last at season's end. For mine, these two sides have disappointed the most. The Titans have had their share of issues to contend with, while the Knights are now last after winning their first four games of the season. The Wayne Bennett hangover hurts the worst. The Knights won't win many more games this season but they may get away with this one. They're a better side at home and the Titans are on a short turnaround from an atrocious Monday night performance. Greg Bird returns to add some starch and determination but I can't tip them after their last effort.

Verdict – Knights by 2

Result - Knights 30 defeated Titans 2

St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Saturday night – Sydney Cricket Ground

We're back at ye olde cricket ground for a clash between two of the great NRL clubs. These sides met in round nine and the Rabbitohs prevailed by 16-10, and that was a pretty tough win by the Bunnies as they finished the game with 15 men. With Inglis back I lean that way again, although the absence of Issac Luke is noteworthy. The Dragons haven't won since round 12 and are in danger of drifting out of the top eight. They've impressed at times this year but are starting to look like they'll drift down and finish where most expected.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 2

Result - Rabbitohs 24 defeated Dragons 8

Sydney Roosters vs New Zealand Warriors – Sunday afternoon – Allianz Stadium

The last time the Warriors lost a game was to the Roosters in round 14, and this contest will give us a very good read on how good they really are. Two important things to take from that round 14 game - the Roosters were without Waerea-Hargreaves plus four Origin players and the Warriors are a much better side at home. Daytime conditions suit the Warriors style of play, and they should go into this game with confidence and self-belief. In any case it's the tricolours for me in what is clearly the game of the round. Back the overs in total points scored markets (providing the weather in Sydney is remotely agreeable for a change).

Verdict – Roosters by 8

Result - Roosters 24 defeated Warriors 0

Brisbane Broncos vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – Suncorp Stadium

The Broncos don't get a lot of Sunday afternoon games, but when they do there's usually about 10,000 kids at the ground to watch them. Two of those kids will be junior Thinkers, who have been nagging me all season to stroll down and watch a game in Australia's greatest rectangle. The more I see of the Broncos the more I like them. I don't have time at the minute to check the records, but if the Broncos have ever come through a previous Origin period undefeated I would be very surprised. A crisp clear day in Brisbane beckons and the Broncos will give the local fans the razzle and the dazzle they want. Back Maranta, Reed, Milford, Hunt, Thaiday, McCullough and Gillett to score tries. Broncos 50 - Tigers 6.

Verdict – Broncos by 44

Result - Broncos 42 defeated Tigers 16

Manly Sea Eagles vs North Queensland Cowboys – Monday night – Brookvale Oval

In years gone by these were the games the Cowboys simply didn't win, but they're a different outfit in season 2015. Brookvale on a Monday night in July doesn't sound like much fun for a lad from the north, but the Cowboys have their sights set on a top two finish. No Tamou for the Cowboys but the rest of the pack should be well-rested and there's enough power in the legs of Scott and Taumalolo to keep the Sea Eagles forwards on the back foot. On the back of that, this dynamic Cowboys spine can create enough chances. Monday seems too far away, but this one is worth waiting for.

Verdict – Cowboys by 4

Result - Cowboys 30 defeated Sea Eagles 12

Wally Lewis - round nineteen selections (in bold)

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

• Eels vs BULLDOGS
• STORM vs Panthers
• Raiders vs SHARKS
• KNIGHTS vs Titans
• Dragons vs RABBITOHS
• ROOSTERS vs Warriors
• BRONCOS vs Tigers
• Sea Eagles vs COWBOYS