St George Illawarra Dragons vs Brisbane Broncos – Thursday night – WIN Stadium

Two teams that, on form, appear to be in a race to the bottom. The Dragons have a head start, while the Broncos have time to turn their ship around if they can. Right now I'm not sure how seaworthy the Broncos vessell is. I'm reminded of those boats they make out of strapped together beer cans for charity events. They do get three international forwards back on Thursday night, while the Dragons lose (I think) their two best forwards in Thompson and Frizell. The Dragons had everything to play for last week, and while they tried a few more things in attack against the Bulldogs, they still only managed 10 points. Given the leakage from the Broncos in defence of late (161 points conceded in five games) the Dragons may have more luck here. Clearly I have no confidence in either side at the minute, but I'm giving the Broncos one more chance (keen observers will note I've been saying that about the Broncos for at least a month).

Verdict – Broncos by 2

Result - Broncos 12 defeated Dragons 8

Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles – Friday night – Pirtek Stadium

I was all set to tip the Eels this week. Three important inclusions in Ma'u, Scott and Jennings, and the Eels hatred for the Sea Eagles runs deeper than most. A win here and they all but end the Sea Eagles hopes of a finals campaign. I thought all that would be enough, and it still might be. In the end, two things changed my mind:

1. This isn't the Eels last game at Pirtek this season (and when that day arrives in round 25 the Eels will fly like Superman); and
2. I had a look at the Eels line-up that beat the Sea Eagles in round seven (22-10). That team included Norman, Foran, Peats, Paulo and Radradra. This team on Friday night will not.

The Sea Eagles went close in round seven (they actually led until around the 70th minute). Given that their season is on the line, and their remaining games after this one look frightening, I've come full circle and I'm doing the Eagle Rock for one more round.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 7

Result - Eels 10 defeated Sea Eagles 9

Newcastle Knights vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Saturday afternoon – Hunter Stadium

The Knights will win another game this season. Their draw isn't too bad and they still have their 'old boys' game...but they won't be winning this.

Verdict – Bulldogs by 20

Result - Bulldogs 28 defeated Knights 14

Cronulla Sharks vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – Southern Cross Group Stadium

A quick turnaround from an extra time draw for the Sharks and the Raiders are in a rich vein of form. There are many that think the premiership is a three-horse race, and the green machine would like nothing more than to knock off one of those three. When the Raiders are playing well they are a delight to behold, and I've loved watching their development this season. But (there's always a but), I can't tip them this weekend. They'll be packed to the rafters on Saturday night, and with the minor premiership on the line the boys in blue won't be losing their last two home games this season. Note that the Sharks did play the Raiders in Canberra earlier in the year, and it was a towel-up. This won't be a towel-up, but the Sharks can maintain their 'not losing streak' for another round.

Verdict – Sharks by 4

Result - Raiders 30 defeated Sharks 14

Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Saturday night – AAMI Park

I have an image in my head of Storm coach Craig Bellamy, dressed up as Elmer Fudd, hunting rifle in hand. "It's rabbit season". Inglis returns in the halves for the red and green but it's too late baby now it's too late...though they really did try to make it. The Storm don't need to work on their points differential, given the Sharks are on an odd number and the Storm are on an even number, but they'll be unleashing a wave of purple fury on Saturday night. A clinic.

Verdict – Storm by 40

Result - Storm 15 defeated Rabbitohs 14

Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors – Sunday afternoon – Cbus Super Stadium

Channel Nine must be annoyed. They've given this game to Fox Sports, which was a perfectly cromulent decision until the Hayne plane landed at the Gold Coast Airport. Suddenly the delays around the re-signing of Titans fullback David Mead make more sense. If Hayne plays (and he may not) I assume Mead shifts to one wing and perhaps Macdonald to the bench given his utility value and the possibility that Hayne does a hamstring the first time he tries to stretch out. This was going to be a big game anyway, but there's a whole other dimension at play now. Both sides are playing well and both sides are backing up from golden point games. Golden point has become habit-forming for the Warriors in recent weeks and this looks like the sort of game that could go the same way. They'll just about sell the joint out on Sunday afternoon, and almost half the crowd will be ex-pat Kiwis that now call the Gold Coast home. Shaun Johnson got the Warriors home when these sides met in New Zealand in round 17, but the Titans were asking passengers on the plane if they wanted to play in the backline for that game. They cobbled a team together and almost won. I think the tables turn on Sunday.

Verdict – Titans by 4

Result - Warriors 24 defeated Titans 14

Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys – Sunday afternoon – Leichhardt Oval

Luke Brooks is out for the Tigers, but Jason Taylor can't find a place in his heart or his team for Robbie Farah. There's some speculation he may end up at the Rabbitohs next season. Like sands through the hourglass et cetera et cetera. The Cowboys have, but for one winger and one future immortal, named their strongest seventeen, and $1.45 for the Cowboys looks okay to me. Make sure you tune in if you can. If the weather is fine a footy game at Leichhardt on a Sunday afternoon is about as good as it gets.

Verdict – Cowboys by 10

Result - Tigers 26 defeated Cowboys 14

Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters – Monday night – Pepper Stadium

Rightly or wrongly, I'm trying to get a read on this game based on these sides performances over the Broncos. The Panthers beat the Broncos 31-12 in Brisbane two weeks ago and last week the Roosters beat the Broncos 32-16 in Sydney. On that alone, there's probably not much between the sides. These sides met in round seven where the Panthers prevailed 20-16. It was three tries apiece that day and it was the goal-kicking of Jamie Soward that proved the difference. That Roosters team were missing Pearce, Cordnor and Taukeiaho and it's clear the Roosters have gradually improved as the season has progressed. The round seven Panthers included a number of players that we won't see on Monday night - Soward, Te Maire, Hiku and McKendry, although they have unearthed a rich talent in Nathan Cleary since then. Perhaps goal-kicking proves the difference again - Cleary vs Taukeiaho - I can see Cleary now the rain has gone.

Verdict – Panthers by 2

Result - Panthers 38 defeated Roosters 18

Wally Lewis - round twenty-two selections (in bold)

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

• Dragons vs BRONCOS
• Eels vs SEA EAGLES
• Knights vs BULLDOGS
• SHARKS vs Raiders
• STORM vs Rabbitohs
• TITANS vs Warriors
• Tigers vs COWBOYS
• PANTHERS vs Roosters