Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

The Knights, undefeated after four rounds, are racing toward the wooden spoon at a rate that screams 'give us that spoon and give it to us now'. I spoke of the post-Bennett hangover at the start of the season and it looks like it has well and truly kicked in. This weekend the Knights get to show their old coach just how much it hurts. Thaiday gets a rest and Corey Parker slots back in as part of the prop rotation policy at the Broncos during the Origin period - given that the Broncos have won four in a row (including three away games) I think we can say the policy is working. One of those away games was actually against the Knights. The Broncos had six Origin players unavailable that night, and they still won by 13 points. Back at Suncorp and with most of their Origin stars - if anyone can find a reason to tip the Knights I'd love to hear it. There are no good things in the NRL, but this looks an awful lot like it. The Broncos by 13+ is paying $1.70. Yes please. And I'll have one of those Coach bets too - Anthony Milford to score at anytime at $2.50. Gamble responsibly...I already have.

Verdict – Broncos by 34

Result - Broncos 44 defeated Knights 22

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles – Friday night – ANZ Stadium

There'll be more brothers at ANZ Stadium on Friday night than a Motown convention - Burgess brothers for both sides, Stewart brothers for both sides (although Glenn will be in the dugout looking on) and a couple of Trbojevic brothers for the Sea Eagles. The Sea Eagles will be hoping to make a statement on Friday night - a win here and a top eight finish is still within reach. Last round they realised the best way to get through the Tigers was to go around them. I expect they'll try a similar tactic this weekend but the Bunnies know a thing or two about slide defence. The Foran/Cherry-Evans show gets another run and the latest Sea Eagle to turn his back on a contract with another club will be keen to show his wares to everyone. Does he stay at Manly? Goodness me, he might end up at the Gold Coast. Greg Inglis at fullback gets a chance to remind Mal Meninga (and Laurie Daley) just how destructive he can be - although I doubt either need to be reminded. He's the difference for mine. I'm entertaining backing the Sea Eagles with the handicap start - if I can get a  10.5 points start I'll take it. Bunnies...but barely.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 2

Result - Rabbitohs 20 defeated Sea Eagles 8

New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday afternoon – Mt Smart Stadium

The Warriors aren't the sort of side that sneaks under the rader but all of a sudden they're on the cusp of the top four. A win this weekend and a bye next weekend and bim bam boom they'll be no more sneaking under radars for the Warriors this season. There's nothing wrong with the Raiders form either, and the scheduling gods have blessed us by making this a daytime fixture. Given the time zones this game could come and go before you realise it so give yourself a gentle reminder. The Raiders pack are performing way beyond the expectations of most, and a big game from Josh Papalii could see him wearing Maroon in Game III. The game of the round. The Warriors at home.

Verdict – Warriors by 4

Result - Warriors 30 defeated Raiders 8

North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

In the most even sporting competition on the planet the run by the Cowboys is quite a run. I'm reluctant to take on a team that keeps on winning, even without Jonathan Thurston. The Sharks appear to be gaining some momentum and Paul Gallen is back to play (unless he gets whisked off by the United Nations to negotiate a peace deal in the Middle East). But winning is one of the few infections anyone should want to catch, and the Cowboys still look pretty sick to me. For those that are punting - perhaps the Sharks with the handicap start or the Cowboys by 1-12.

Verdict – Cowboys by 2

Result - Sharks 24 defeated Cowboys 18

Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday night – Pirtek Stadium

Someone needs to remind the bookmakers that the Eels are in equal last place and the Dragons are outright third. Perhaps that someone should be me, because $1.75 for the Dragons seems puntworthy...unless I'm missing something. Granted the Dragons have lost two games in a row but a narrow loss to the Roosters is pretty good form. The Eels are getting better, but they're still losing plenty of close encounters. They won last start, but they had some luck and the Storm were without their key men. Since then they've lost some key men of their own in Nathan Peats and Corey Norman. $1.75...what am I missing?

Verdict – Dragons by 8

Result - Eels 16 defeated Dragons 12

Sydney Roosters vs Gold Coast Titans – Sunday afternoon – Central Coast Stadium

The Titans are so short of troops they've called on players from other clubs to plug the gaps. Former Knight Chad Redman has driven up the Pacific Highway to start at hooker - I hope his agent pointed out that the Titans are going through hookers like Spinal Tap went through drummers (I'm uncomfortable with how that sentence reads but you know what I mean). Even more bizarrely, former Rooster Nene Macdonald slots into the centres. He'll probably get the bus up to Gosford with his old team. The Roosters have moved this game to a neutral location - they'll be winning regardless.

Verdict – Roosters by 14

Result - Roosters 20 defeated Titans 10

Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers – Sunday afternoon – Leichhardt Oval

North and South Korea are more connected than Robbie Farah and the bones in his shoulder, but he's playing anyway. I suppose he can't keep trotting out for the Blues and not trotting out for the club that he captains. I can't tip a winner in this game with any confidence, but the Panthers have been letting Coach and I down in recent weeks, and the Tigers have to win a game at Leichhardt Oval eventually. If the weather plays fair it should be a great little afternoon out. If any of you are in Sydney on Sunday afternoon drag yourself out from underneath your wife or husband, take a stroll through the streets of Balmain and pull up a patch of grass on the hill. You'll have to stand up the whole time, but if Robbie Farah can pull a jersey on to his dislocated body you should be able to stay vertical for 80 minutes. Tigers...finally

Verdict – Tigers by 2

Result - Panthers 35 defeated Tigers 12

 

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm – Monday night – Belmore Sports Ground

The Bulldogs are warming into the season and are one team that could get on a run as we head toward the business end. The Purple Machine couldn't get through the Wall of Brisbane last weekend and now they take their show on the road. The Storm have lost six games this season and in five of those losses the margin was four points or less. Another narrow loss looks the likely outcome here. There is some talk that Cronk could play and that's the sort of team change you want to know about. As things stand it's the Belmore Boys for mine.

Verdict – Bulldogs by 4

Result - Bulldogs 20 defeated Storm 4

Wally Lewis - round sixteen selections (in bold)

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

• BRONCOS vs Knights
• RABBITOHS vs Sea Eagles
• WARRIORS vs Raiders
• COWBOYS vs Sharks
• Eels vs DRAGONS
• ROOSTERS vs Titans
• TIGERS vs Panthers
• BULLDOGS vs Storm

James Ackerman Trust Fund

Most of you would have heard about the tragic death of James Ackerman, who died on Monday following a tackle during an Intrust Super Cup match on the weekend. I didn't know James Ackerman, but I did see him play a few times when he was part of the Broncos under 20 squad in 2009 and 2010. I have a soft spot for players that play the game like Ackerman played the game. He wasn't the most gifted of footballers but he was one of the most reliable. Think Trevor Gillmeister, Alan Tongue, Matt Hilder or Nigel Plum. Your team is better for having them there.

James was an organ donor. He gave without fanfare on the field, and he's still giving. Apparently his lungs are so big they've been unable to find a suitable recipient in Australia...so they're heading overseas.

James leaves behind a young family, and a trust fund has been set up to help. I'm not hassling anyone to contribute, but if you wish to make a donation the details are below. Those in South-East Queensland may wish to save the date of the Broncos/Storm NRL game in Round 26 - the final round of the season. I'm quite sure that game will be set aside as a fundraising event for the Ackerman family...and it should be a darn good game of football too.

For what it's worth I'll donate the June proceeds this website receives from all those annoying ads you lot have to put up with, plus any winnings from my silly bets this weekend. Vale James Ackerman. Condolences to his family, friends and team-mates. Best wishes to Francis Molo. #putyourfootyout

Bank of Queensland

BSB: 124001

Account No: 11500777

Reference: 151 181