Parramatta Eels vs Sydney Roosters – Friday night – Pirtek Stadium

While the Roosters are becoming more competitive in recent weeks, the fact remains they've won just one game since round nine (against the Tigers in deplorable conditions). The Eels meanwhile, have won three of their last four, and while those victories have been against teams outside the top eight a win is a win, and they've been winning a lot more than the Chooks. A couple of important inclusions for the home side this week, with Tim Mannah up front and Jeff Robson returning home after a mid-season transfer. Robson is no Foran, but he's just the sort of steady influence you like to have in the halves alongside a more creative playmaker like Corey Norman. They're a nice couple, and I think this relationship can work. Joseph Manu plays just his second game at the top level - while he's a promising young Kiwi he's squaring off against Semi Radradra on Friday night. Semi was a little quiet last week but there's every chance he'll lift his game at Pirtek. Looks a logical play in those try-scoring markets if you're keen.

Verdict – Eels by 8

Result - Eels 22 defeated Roosters 18

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Wests Tigers – Saturday night – ANZ Stadium

The Tigers gave us another entertaining display last round but they'll be up against it on Saturday night. Tedesco is heading to his first Origin camp alongside team-mates Aaron Woods and Robbie Farah. Farah is not much than an $800,000 pa waterboy for the Tigers these days so his departure is fairly manageable, but without Tedesco that entertaining Tigers attack loses one of its key elements. And without Woods the battle up front just went from difficult to dire. Granted the Dogs lose two forwards to Origin in Klemmer and Jackson, but a quick read-through of their bench tells you how much depth they have in the middle. The Morris boys enjoyed playing together last week, and defending twins is no easy feat. I can just imagine the conversations in the Tigers backline. "I thought you were on Josh." "I thought that was Josh." etc etc. Woof Woof!!!

Verdict – Bulldogs by 4

Result - Bulldogs 32 defeated Tigers 22

Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks – Sunday afternoon – Pepper Stadium

Hang in there kitties. The Panthers are clinging to the top eight at the minute and the timing of this clash has been fortuitous. They're playing at home, and while they take on a team that hasn't lost forever the Sharks have five of their very best on Origin duty. With Tedesco slotting in for Moylan for the Blues and Cartwright kept in the 'not yet' room by Laurie Daley, the Panthers lose just one winger. I'm getting messages from Sharks fans telling me to tip them weekend. Clearly all this winning has gone to their heads. There's nothing wrong with the side they've named, but replacing five pretty important players all at once is quite the disruption, and it's not something the Sharks have a lot of experience with. The Panthers have a favourable draw in the run to the finals and I still think they'll be playing finals football, but to do so they need to be winning games like this.

Verdict – Panthers by 4

Result - Sharks 26 defeated Panthers 10

Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys – Monday night – GIO Stadium

What was said about the Panthers also holds true for the Raiders - playing at home against the defending premiers without Thurston, Scott, Tamou, Cooper and O'Neill. To make matters worse, it's July and it's a Monday night game in Canberra. The Cowboys would be tempted to forfeit, I expect the result will be much the same. Brrrrr!!!!!!!!

Verdict – Raiders by 10

Result - Raiders 26 defeated Cowboys 12

Wally Lewis - round eighteen selections (in bold)

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

• EELS vs Roosters
• BULLDOGS vs Tigers
• PANTHERS vs Sharks
• RAIDERS vs Cowboys