Cronulla Sharks vs Brisbane Broncos – Thursday night – Southern Cross Group Stadium

Tipping NRL results is fraught with difficulty at the best of times. Early season games are more difficult, and this particular game is more difficult still. We have sixteen (yes...sixteen) interchange players named for this game, so the make-up of the final seventeen for both sides is anyone's guess. A couple of inclusions on the extended bench to keep your eyes on. For the Sharks, Daniel Mortimer is available as a possible alternative number 9 to the youngster Jayden Brailey. Valentine Holmes is on that bench too – so he could slot into that backline somewhere at a pinch. For the Broncos, David Mead is named on the bench, but it wouldn't surprise me if he starts somewhere and Tautau Moga doesn't. As named Moga is lining up against Jack Bird so that's a match-up to keep an eye on...if it happens. Both sides return from unsuccessful tours of duty in the UK, and it's hard to get a read on that form so I'm choosing not to read it at all. In recent years the Sharks have started their seasons slowly – they haven't won a round one clash since 2013 and they lost two of their first three last year. The Broncos won away from home in round one last year – defeating the Eels 17-4. That proved to be good form as the season played out. But that was last year and this is not (trust me...I checked). In 2017, someone other than Corey Parker needs to take on the role of Corey Parker. Wallace looked likely, but someone needs to take on the role of Wallace too. Meanwhile the Sharks are without two of their all-important spine (Ennis and Barba) that saw them claim their maiden premiership last season. The Broncos spine is intact, and Ben Hunt needs to show the rugby league world he's worth 45 million dollars. Perhaps that proves the difference. Note the weather too – Sydney weather can be diabolical this time of year and it's not pretty at Shark Park at the best of times. I'm expecting a low-scoring, old-school grind to open the season.

Verdict – Broncos by 2

Result – Broncos 26 defeated Sharks 18

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

As Queensland captain, Cameron Smith gets to hold plenty of trophies aloft, but he hasn't held the main prize above his head since 2012 when the purple machine beat their round one opponents. Both sides have played finals football every year since, but the Storm, as they were in 2012, have always been the slightly better side. I'm quite certain that will hold true again in 2017, but if the Storm have an achilles heel it's their second row. They'll be without Kevin Proctor (Titans) and Tohu Harris (injured) on Friday night, and those two always gave the Storm a little bit of variety in what can otherwise be a somewhat predictable attack. It's a niggling doubt, but not enough to change my selection. The Bulldogs starting thirteen look pretty darn good, on paper at least. But much of this side has been lacing on the boots for the Bulldogs for a while now, and they always seem a shandy sort of a premiership contender. A big watch on Munster in the number 6 jersey for the Storm. If he goes well (and I expect he will) a Melbourne spine of Smith, Cronk, Munster and Slater can go all the way. Another game of wet weather football looks likely and the Storm are pretty good at grinding out a win when they have to. In 2016 the Storm won in round one by 18-16 and in 2015 they won by 12-4. Back the total points unders folks...if that's your thing.

Verdict – Storm by 4

Result – Storm 12 defeated Bulldogs 6

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers – Friday night – ANZ Stadium

Tigers have to play without Tim Simona...Never gonna stop, give it up, such a dirty mind, I always get it up, for the touch, of the younger kind.

Rugby league is rarely about one man but, for this game at least, all eyes will be on Robbie Farah. He wants this and he wants this bad, but I want Scarlett Johansson pretty bad too – and I think Robbie and I will have to get used to disappointment. Outside the obvious exception (Inglis) the Rabbitohs backline look out of their depth to my eye. The Tigers have to play without Tim Simona, but that backline is oozing with attacking flair. They started season 2016 well and I expect more of the same this year. The Bunnies are the favourites but I can't see them winning this. And that song by The Knack was pretty bloody rude.

Verdict – Tigers by 8

Result – Tigers 34 defeated Rabbitohs 18

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday afternoon – UOW Jubilee Oval

I have no idea how to pronounce the new name of Jubilee Oval (U OWe me an explanation Dragons fans). Mind you, it's not the silliest stadium name this season (more on that later). No-one expects the Panthers to lose this game, and the only reason they would is if the Panthers don't think they can lose either. The Panthers forwards will hold their own and their backline is a class above. I'm not expecting a gap job on Saturday afternoon – the Dragons often put in a good one in their first outing of the year – but the cats will prevail.

Verdict – Panthers by 10

Result – Dragons 42 defeated Panthers 10

North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

The Raiders got on quite a run at the back end of last season, and if they were to pick up where they left off you'd be keen to consider them here. Their trial form has been so bad it's impossible to take it seriously, but it's worth noting they won just two of their first seven away games last year. Note also that the Cowboys lost only once at home last season (to the Storm). In their first four games at home the Cowboys racked up 140 points while conceding only 32. Take note of the all important tropical weather too. This game is at night but the minimums in Townsville at this time of year are still in the mid twenties and there'll be plenty of humidity to temper the enthusiasm of those vikings from the south. I'm pretty confident the Cowboys will win and win well, but it's still the game of the round.

Verdict – Cowboys by 14

Result – Cowboys 20 defeated Raiders 16

Gold Coast Titans vs Sydney Roosters – Saturday night – CBus SUper Stadium

Confession time folks – I had forgotten that the Titans played finals football last year...I blame those two beers I had at Christmas. I expect both these sides to improve this season. The Titans have recruited well and the Roosters will be keen to move on from the debacle that was their season in 2016. I'm leaning slightly to the tricolours but not heavily so. Most of the forwards are available, Mitchell Pearce (we're told) has his head screwed on at the minute and the addition of Gordon at fullback sees them with close to the best backline in the NRL. A game to keep your eye on – I'm anticipating a high-quality contest.

Verdict – Roosters by 4

Result – Roosters 32 defeated Titans 18

New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Mt Smart Stadium

This game may be at Mt Smart, but I doubt we will learn much on Sunday afternoon. The Knights are a very warm favourite for the wooden spoon and a Warriors victory by 50 could mean next to nothing in a weeks time. The Knights have been pretty good at the trials, but tipping on trial form is a formula for failure. I am keen to watch youngster Ata Hingano in the halves alongside Shaun Johnson. Better judges than I rate him as a promising young talent, and he gets an opportunity to show us his wares in the absence of Kieran Foran. Beyond that, I hope the Knights show some promise and the Warriors show some ticker. We may get neither. Why don't the Kiwis use Bound for Glory by Angry Anderson as their team song? Oh yeah...that soccer team in Perth. And yes, that is a young Anthony Mundine in the film clip.

Verdict – Warriors by 28

Result – Warriors 26 defeated Knights 22

Manly Sea Eagles vs Parramatta Eels – Sunday afternoon – Lottoland

Lottoland! Brookvale Oval is now called Lottoland. The Sea Eagles are pocketing a seven figure sum for their trouble so I can't begrudge them the opportunity, but Lottoland! This will take some getting used to. I don't need to buy a lottery ticket when the Parramatta Eels are the outsider on Sunday afternoon, because that is, IMHO, giving money away. If Norman plays the Eels win, and he's been named in the 7 jersey. That's all I need to know. That under-rated Eels pack and the fastest backline in the NRL will take care of the rest,

Verdict – Eels by 8

Result – Eels 20 defeated Sea Eagles 12

Wally Lewis - round one selections (in bold)

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

• Sharks vs BRONCOS
• Bulldogs vs STORM
• RABBITOHS vs Tigers
• Dragons vs PANTHERS
• COWBOYS vs Raiders
• Titans vs ROOSTERS
• WARRIORS vs Knights
• SEA EAGLES vs Eels