Canterbury Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels – Thursday night – ANZ Stadium

At the risk of repeating myself (no risk...I am repeating myself) the Bulldogs are yet to find a way to score enough points to win many (or any) games. In their last twelve attempts their highest score was 20 points (against the Knights). Here they face a team that has averaged more than 21 points in their last seven games. Note that these sides met in round 17 in a low-scoring grind, but even then the Eels prevailed in golden point (13-12).  The Bulldogs didn't have James Graham that night, so there's an argument that the Bulldogs will be better this time around, but there's a more compelling argument that the Eels are a better side now than they were in round 17. This looks like a team peaking at the right end of the season, and they have a run home that gives them every chance of a top four finish. Their performance against the Broncos was (probably) their most impressive this season. As the game wore on they looked stronger, and they kept the Broncos pointless for the last 70 minutes of the game. Their under-rated pack needs to match it with the Dogs, but I think they can, and I'll back the Eels backline to outscore the Bulldogs every day of the week. I'm not going to say this is a foregone conclusion, but there's only one team you can tip on Thursday night.

Verdict – Eels by 10

Result – Eels by 16

St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – Sydney Cricket Ground

I stand by my thesis that teams with little to play for won't perform, and while that thinking did me little good last week I'm sticking with it here. The Rabbits remain in limbo land – too far away from both the top eight and the wooden spoon to do what it takes to win an NRL game. The Dragons, after an almighty stumble last round, need to rebalance the ship quickly. The Bunnies have lost their last ten matches against top eight teams. Last week they played a team on the cusp of the eight and lost again. This looks set for a similar outcome. Note the venue folks – it's always nice to see some rugby league at the SCG once in a while.

Verdict – Dragons by 10

Result – Rabbitohs by 2

North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm – Friday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

It is often said that a team needs to win away from home if they want to win a premiership, so let's take a look at our ladder leaders and their performances this season. The Storm have lost one game away from home in 2017. That game was to the team currently in outright second. In that game the Chooks scored a match-levelling try in the 80th minute and won the game with a field goal in golden point. In that game the Storm scored more tries than their opponent. They made twice as many line breaks as their opponent. They made more metres than their opponent. They completed more sets than their opponent and missed 26 less tackles than their opponent. They won that game almost everywhere but on the scoreboard, and here's the real kicker – missing that night were Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Will Chambers. The Roosters had Jake Friend and Michael Gordon playing that night – in fact the only starting player missing for the Chooks was Cordnor. In round 21 the Cowboys lost to the Roosters when the Roosters didn't have Cordnor, Friend or Gordon. Given all that, and given that Smith, Cronk, Slater and Chambers are all playing on Friday night, it's hard to see anything but a purple victory. The Cowboys get a chance to make a statement about their premiership credentials without their two co-captains, but I'm not sure they're good enough to make the statement they would like to make. The purple machine rumbles on...somebody stop them..

Verdict – Storm by 7

Result – Storm by 18

Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday afternoon – McDonald Jones Stadium

For mine this is the game that has me scratching my head the most in round 22. The Knights don't win often but they won last week against a stronger opponent than they face here. Winning is almost as contagious as losing so I'm hopeful they take some confidence and momentum out of that performance. That they are playing at home in front of another amazing crowd boosts my confidence even further. Of course the Warriors have a team that can win this, but I could say that every week...and they usually don't. Much like the Bunnies, the Warriors don't have much to play for, and this is one team that doesn't need too many excuses to put in a disappointing effort.

Verdict – Knights by 4

Result – Knights by 16

Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos – Saturday night – Cbus Super Stadium

This used to be the great Queensland derby, but it's been forgotten a little in recent times because the Cowboys v Broncos battles keep blowing our minds. Rugby League players do like to take things one game at a time, but if the Broncos are looking forward at all they will note that their last four games during the regular season are against some pretty formidable opponents (Sharks, Dragons, Eels and Cowboys). They are hanging on to their top four berth with one little pinky finger so this is a game they simply have to win. Note that Ben Hunt slips into the number 9 jersey – not a bad move if he can handle the additional workload in defence that comes with that role. Hunt, Kikorima. Milford and Boyd is a handy spine. I doubt it's a premiership winning spine, but they should be good enough to guide the Broncos home on Saturday night. Another challenging year for the Titans but I've been impressed by their efforts. Perhaps next year but in 2017 they are making up the numbers.

Verdict – Broncos by 8

Result – Broncos by 54

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

I had all but talked myself into the Raiders and then I talked myself out of it again. That's because I remembered the last time these sides met, way back in round two. Most of us were keen on Canberra in that game (in Canberra) and the Sharks absolutely belted them that night (42-16). I had high expectations for the Raiders this season and I wasn't alone, but they've failed to live up to (my) hype. Right now they need teams ahead of them on the ladder to lose for them to make the eight, and once you are dependent on results of games you aren't playing in your season is all but over. If the Sharks want to finish in the top four they need to win this.  

Verdict – Sharks by 2

Result – Raiders by 18

Manly Sea Eagles vs Sydney Roosters – Sunday afternoon – Lottoland

Daly Hyphen-Evans, the Socrates of the NRL, sees recent performances by the Sea Eagles as an opportunity to reboot and start afresh. They've conceded 92 points in their last two games, so what they probably need is a reboot up the bum. The Roosters record at Blottoland isn't great, but it's hardly been a happy hunting ground for the Sea Eagles either. They've won 4 of 8 which is okay, but the four teams they beat were the Bulldogs, Knights, Tigers and Raiders (by one point). I think the Chooks are better than that. Note that Jake Friend is named on an extended bench. He's probably one more week away but I suspect he's the sort of player that rehabs quickly.

Verdict – Roosters by 8

Result – Sea Eagles by 18

Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – Pepper Stadium

We saw the Bests Tigers in round 21 and not the Worsts Tigers (most other rounds) and I think they performed because the Knights won earlier on that weekend. It gave them the jolt they needed to just throw the ball around and try and play football, and it reminded me of the some of the early form they have displayed in the last two seasons...before it all fell apart. Theoretically that could happen again on Sunday. A few quirks about this contest. The Coach of the Tigers is taking on his son. We have two brothers wearing different jerseys but the same number. And the last time these sides met they both had number 6s that are now playing with other clubs. Moylan and Whare are unlikely starters but have been included in the extended Panthers squad. Assuming reasonable weather I'd assume they'll pack the joint for what is almost a local derby. I'll tip the Panthers again who are on some sort of roll – that pack (and the bench) looks too strong for mine.

Verdict – Panthers by 4

Result – Panthers by 14

Wally Lewis - round twenty two selections (in bold)

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

• Bulldogs vs EELS
• DRAGONS vs Rabbitohs
• Cowboys vs STORM
• Knights vs WARRIORS
• Titans vs BRONCOS
• SHARKS vs Raiders
• Sea Eagles vs ROOSTERS
• PANTHERS vs Tigers