Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Thursday night – ANZ Stadium

For the Eels to win they simply have to match the Bulldogs up front. Luckily for them they faced a similar task in round 15 when they confronted that enormous Dragons forward pack. Now the Dragons came out on top in every major statistical measure in that game, except the most important one of all – the score. The Eels won that game and won it comfortably thanks to the kicking games of Norman and Moses, coupled with the fact that when they did get opportunities with the ball they knew how to convert them. On this front the Dragons failed, and on this front the Bulldogs have been failing for a while. The most points the Dogs have managed in a game this year is 24, and they haven't scored more than 20 since round seven. Their strength is up front, and their up-front is weakened by the absence of Graham and Eastwood. You can never say the Eels are rolled gold certainties, because they are one of those teams that can drift in and out of games, and occasionally not turn up at all. If they turn up, even for half of this contest, they should win. Cameron King gets a starting run (or is that a running start) at hooker for the Eels, replacing the ridiculously unlucky Kaysa Pritchard. Given I've been talking him up for a few years now I'll be watching his performance keenly. Good luck son.

Verdict – Eels by 10

Result – Eels by 1

Gold Coast Titans vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Friday night – Cbus Super Stadium

The Dragons jumped out of the blocks when season 2017 kicked off but they've been struggling for quite some time now. Since round 8 they have beaten just two teams, and those two teams are currently battling each other to avoid the wooden spoon. Both their wins over the Tigers and Knights were by four points. Since round 8 the Titans have also, in a happy coincidence, beaten those two teams. Importantly, the Titans victories were slightly more comprehensive (Knights by 30, Tigers by 12).  They've also beaten the Storm during that period, and there aren't many teams that can claim that scalp. Paul Vaughan is out with a calf injury and he's been close to the Dragons best. His absence evens out the forwards contest and the Titans are averaging more than 21 points a game in attack. The bookies can't split these two but I'm leaning to the home side.

Verdict – Titans by 4

Result – Titans by 10

Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

The Storm have been in very good form away from AAMI Park, but the second-placed Roosters did knock them off in golden point last weekend in Adelaide. While there is some doubt about Smith returning this Friday night, Cronk, Slater, Chambers and McLean should all be back. The Broncos soldier on without their captain (Boyd), and it looks like Bennett will be using Hunt off the bench in a utility role. These sides met back in round 3 and it was the Storm that prevailed in Melbourne by 14-12. While the scores were close it was the Storm that always looked the dominant side on the park – only an incredibly gallant and resiliant Broncos defence kept the scores as close as they were. The man who usually organises the Broncos goal-line defence (Boyd) isn't there, so Jordan Kahu has been handed quite the task there. The Broncos have lost just once at home all season (way back in round one) but the Storm have an extraordinary record (75% win rate) at this ground. The last time they played at this venue they actually lost (to the Titans) but I'm fairly confident they'll get the points this time. They didn't quite win last week but they aren't a side that lose two games in succession too often. If Smith plays its Storm by 8, and if he doesn't its...

Verdict – Storm by 4

Result – Storm by 30

Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday afternoon – Central Coast Stadium

Are the Sharks on the ropes? In games against poor opponents they've been falling over the line by narrow margins, and when they've played better opponents they've fallen short. Last week they were so short they wouldn't get a ride at a theme park. There's plenty of firepower in their backline and their goalkicker doesn't know how to miss, but they've scored just 100 points in their last six games, and a lot of those games were against some pretty average teams. Here they face the team running second, and a team that have scored 161 points during the same period. In round 14 the Roosters played the Tigers at Campbelltown and won 40-18. One week later the Tigers travelled to Sharkie Parkie and only just fell short. I expect the Sharks to improve after that humbling loss to the Sea Eagles last week but I certainly won't be tipping them.

Verdict – Roosters by 4

Result – Sharks by 32

Manly Sea Eagles vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday night – NIB Stadium

If you're going to take one of your home games away from home it makes perfect sense to ensure that your opponent is put out much more than you are – and so it goes that the Sea Eagles take their game against the New Zealand side to the West Coast of this enormous continent. Kieran Foran returns for the Warriors this weekend and there's no doubt this side has improved in recent weeks. Improved yes, but not enough to win this. The Sea Eagles have won 6 of their last 7, and their only loss was a competitive one to the Broncos at Suncorp. That's top four form frankly, and hardly anyone had the Sea Eagles pencilled in as a top four side this season.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 10

Result – Sea Eagles by 4

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

So last week I was wrong about the Raiders and I was wrong about the Cowboys, and I was wrong suggesting the weather would beat the Broncos last weekend. Surely that just means I'm due to get something right? Right? Anyways I've had another look at this dismal Canberra weather and when this game kicks off there will be dog bowls in Canberra freezing over. I spent a fair chunk of time in Townsville and that's not the sort of weather people in Townsville get to experience too often. Bravo to the Cowboys with their win over the Panthers at home, but Canberra at this time of year is an entirely different planet. If the Raiders don't start performing soon Ricky Stuart will be on another planet too.

Verdict – Raiders by 4

Result – Cowboys by 13

Newcastle Knights vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – McDonald Jones Stadium

This won't be the best game of NRL in round seventeen, but it could prove to be the most interesting. 15th plays 16th and the two points on offer could prove the difference and determine who needs to make room in the cutlery drawer. The Knights are actually the favourites and this could be the only time that happens all year. Will the pressure of expectation get to them? They've certainly competed almost every week and we can expect the same here, particularly at home on a Sunday afternoon. I just have a sneaky suspicion that the Tigers will be up for this game, and a win here gives them an opportunity to make some sort of statement. 'We beat the Knights' isn't much of a statement...but at least it says something. I'm with the Tigers, but I'm sure I'd enjoy this game a lot more if the Knights prevailed.

Verdict – Tigers by 2

Result – Tigers by 21

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers – Sunday afternoon – ANZ Stadium

These sides met back in round six and it was the Bunnies that prevailed by a single point. Take note that back then the Panthers were without Moylan, Mansour and Peachey. Since that game (in round six) the Bunnies have won just the once...against the Tigers. Meanwhile the Panthers have won four of their last five and went down narrowly to the Cowboys in Townsville last weekend. Sam Burgess is a welcome return for the Rabbits and this Panthers pack will need to bring their boots, but I'm keen on the black cats and $1.65 looks fair shopping to me. Panther responsibly.

Verdict – Panthers by 10

Result – Rabbitohs by 28

Wally Lewis - round seventeen selections (in bold)

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

• EELS vs Bulldogs
• TITANS vs Dragons
• Broncos vs STORM
• ROOSTERS vs Sharks
• SEA EAGLES vs Warriors
• RAIDERS vs Cowboys
• KNIGHTS vs Tigers
• Rabbitohs vs PANTHERS