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

While being a Sydney-based team is not without its challenges, it also comes with a few advantages. Take the Bulldogs for example - here we are in Round 20 and they've played just three games all season outside of Sydney. One of those games they moved by choice - taking a home game to New Zealand (and picking up a cheque for their troubles). Ten of their seventeen games this season have been at ANZ Stadium, plus another game at Belmore. They lost two of their three games away from Sydney, but they did beat the Storm in Melbourne. They'll need to find that level again to succeed on Thursday. While the Bulldogs have left Sydney just three times the Cowboys have left Townsville nine times, but it's when they play at home they shine. Eight games at home without loss, and there's been some big wins too. Their last home game was a four point win over the Sea Eagles, but that was backing up from Origin duty. They should be nice and fresh on Thursday night, and the timely return of Michael Morgan means this side can start focussing all it's energy on defending their title. That's Everest, but I'm confident they can scale Mt Bulldog on Thursday night.

Verdict – Cowboys by 8

Result - Cowboys 36 defeated Bulldogs 0

Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

Back in round three these sides squared off in Penrith, where the Broncos racked up four tries in the first half and stopped. The Panthers responded with 17 points of their own, including a field goal in the 77th minute (off the back of a Ben Hunt fumble - Déjà vu) to claim the win. It's difficult to know whether the Broncos fell asleep or the Panthers woke up - perhaps the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Last week the Eels targeted Bryce Cartwright with their big men but he eventually came out the other side. He's not a complete footballer yet, and you can see why Laurie Daley kept him out of the Blues squad for now, but he's close. He's very close. The Panthers as a team are much like Cartwright as an individual. Plenty of talent but very young. I doubt them this year but this group of players look set to create a nice little dynasty in the years ahead. Still, I'm here to talk about Friday night. The Broncos have struggled through their difficult period and while the win over the Rabbitohs wasn't perfect there was enough positives for me to believe they're heading in the right direction.

Verdict – Broncos by 4

Result - Panthers 31 defeated Broncos 12

Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday afternoon – GIO Stadium

The Warriors travelled all the way to Perth, played in atrocious conditions, played extra time and flew all the way home. Less than a week later and they're heading back to Canberra. Through all of that, the Raiders had a bye. While the forecast looks okay for Saturday it's raining in Canberra today with more to come on Friday. Those Warriors legs will be working mighty hard to get through the going this weekend. The Raiders forward pack is under-rated by most and I'd back them to match the Warriors anyway, but given the circumstances this game has all the makings of a good old-fashioned carve-up. I'm not sure how often the Raiders look at the NRL ladder but a win on Saturday gives them a spot in the top four. Actually I'm hoping they don't realise, that's just the sort of expectation that usually brings them undone.

Verdict – Raiders by 20

Result - Raiders 26 defeated Warriors 22

Gold Coast Titans vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday night – Cbus Super Stadium

Greg Bird shored up his title as the most suspended player in NRL history with another suspension last round - he'll be back next week to face his former team-mates at the Sharks. Despite having a busier casualty ward than most clubs the Titans have managed to pull together a strong seventeen. Their dominant victory over the Dragons was an almost flawless performance - a repeat of that and they win again. Just about everyone is waiting for the Eels to drop their bundle but it hasn't happened yet. This week the government had to step in and kick the Parramatta Board to the kerb - surely that's about as low as you can go. I stand and applaud the players that are still there and the coach doing all he can to hold this team together. If they keep this up until the end of the season I will stand and applaud some more. For the sake of their fans I hope they do, but a weekend on the Gold Coast is a risky proposition.

Verdict – Titans by 8

Result - Titans 34 defeated Eels 14

Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters – Saturday night – AAMI Park

I'll keep this brief - these sides played in Sydney in round 14. Tohu Harris played in the halves, and the Storm won 46-0.

Verdict – Storm by 19

Result - Storm 26 defeated Roosters 10

Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Southern Cross Group Stadium

You have to feel for the Knights. Last week they faced a top two side and were gallant in defeat. This week they face the other top two side. I'm not sure how much gallantry they have left in the tank.

Verdict – Sharks by 34

Result - Sharks 36 defeated Knights 4

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – ANZ Stadium

While the late withdrawal of Benji Marshall last week probably cost me a perfect round (grrrr!) this is the perfect game for a milestone. A milestone it may be but I'm not convinced he'll get the result he would be hoping for. The Tigers are fresh from a bye and they welcome back their trio of Origin stars. On a wet track I'd give the Dragons a chance but that doesn't look likely at the minute. Dry conditions and a daytime schedule lend itself to the Tigers dynamic style. I can't see enough points in the Dragons to stay in the contest. A win for the Tigers and they're on the cusp of a finals berth. Sorry Benji.

Verdict – Tigers by 10

Result - Tigers 35 defeated Dragons 12

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles – Monday night – Allianz Stadium

I was surprised when the Bunnies didn't challenge the Greg Inglis suspension, and then it dawned on me - perhaps they've given up. I think they need to win the last seven games of the season to get inside the top eight. That means beating the Sharks, the Bulldogs, the Warriors in Auckland and the Storm in Melbourne. Perhaps they've given up. The Sea Eagles clearly haven't. They'll take plenty of positives out of that extra time victory over the Warriors in Perth, and I expect them to carry that momentum through Monday night. Right now you can get $1.75 about Manly on Monday night. I'm tempted (gamble responsibly).

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 8

Result - Sea Eagles 20 defeated Rabbitohs 12

Wally Lewis - round twenty selections (in bold)

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

• COWBOYS vs Bulldogs
• BRONCOS vs Panthers
• RAIDERS vs Warriors
• TITANS vs Eels
• STORM vs Roosters
• SHARKS vs Knights
• Dragons vs TIGERS
• Rabbitohs vs SEA EAGLES