South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Thursday night – ANZ Stadium

To avoid the spoon, the Bulldogs will need to win this game or their final round clash with the minor premiers. A top four finish seems unlikely but not impossible for the Rabbits, but top six gives them home ground advantage in week one of the finals. The Dogs have been starting well in recent weeks, but are getting run down because they just don't have enough class in their roster. Josh Jackson plays his 200th NRL game here, and I've no doubt the Dogs will put in and make a game of this. I also have no doubt the Bunnies will be too good over the 80 minutes.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 10

Result – Bulldogs 26 defeated Rabbitohs 16

North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers – Friday night – Queensland Country Bank Stadium

The Cowboys face an impossible task here, and not just because they are taking on a team that need just one more win to secure the minor premiership. The Thinker is heading up to Townsville for the weekend and will be at the game. I've been to quite a few Cowboys games now, and every time I'm there they lose. The Panthers are resting Tamou and Koroisau, while the Cowboys will be missing McGuire, Asiata and O'Neill. Taumalolo is close to a return but unlikely. In round ten the Cowboys gave the Panthers a scare but eventually succumbed 22-10. The Cowboys are less scary this time, but the margin could be frightening.

Verdict – Panthers by 22

Result – Panthers 32 defeated Cowboys 12

Parramatta Eels vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – Bankwest Stadium

When these sides met earlier this season the Broncos were one of the favourites to win the premiership. That was back in round three, and we have all watched the Broncos season unravel ever since. The Eels are clinging to the top four and this game, potentially at least, gives them a chance to keep the Raiders at bay. That said, their recent results are shakier than a jellyfish tower. In round 12 they beat the Dogs by 2. In round 13 the Sharks by 2. In round 14 they lost to the Dragons. In round 15 they played the Sunshine Coast Falcons/Storm and won 14-0. The win over the Warriors in round 16 had its share of controvery, and their two recent performances against sides in the top eight have seen the Eels concede 58 points and not score a single try. It's been a long season without any byes or rep footy, and I think the Eels have run out of puff. They're tired, but they would have to be asleep to lose to the Broncos. The Broncos are too tired to be tired.

Verdict – Eels by 20

Result – Eels 26 defeated Broncos 12

Manly Sea Eagles vs Gold Coast Titans – Saturday afternoon – Lottoland

The Sea Eagles have named all three Trbojevic brothers in their extended list for Saturday. It would be bloody tremendous if they all played. For those not familiar with youngest brother Ben, he's like a combination of his older brothers. He can play in the back row or the centres, and he's a big unit with speed. I'll add a link below to a highlights reel, but I look forward to seeing all three of them fronting up for the Sea Eagles in the years ahead. The Titans just keep keeping on, quietly over-achieving while the other Queensland teams flounder like...flounder. They can finish as high as ninth this season, which isn't shabby for a team most expected to be our wooden spooners. Taylor seems happy (and fit) in the halves, and he has some quality forwards and a promising spine to help him on his way. $2.85 for the Titans here if you like them and are into that sort of thing. Doesn't look right to me. Ben Trbojevic highlights.

Verdict – Titans by 2

Result – Titans 42 defeated Sea Eagles 24

Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers – Saturday night – Sunshine Coast Stadium

Storm ballboy Brandon Smith broke his face (again) about 40 minutes ago, and he's been named on the extended list for the Storm. The little champ must be made of lego. The Storm will probably finish the season in second position, but a minor premiership or dropping to third are still viable outcomes, so they aren't likely to take this game lightly (not that the Storm ever do). The Tigers top eight aspirations are officially over, and most of the interest in this game will be around the performance of Harry Grant against his proper club. He's a good one, not that the Storm need any more good ones.

Verdict – Storm by 28

Result – Storm 50 defeated Tigers 22

Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday night – Sydney Cricket Ground

The Roosters are resting a few big guns on Saturday night, with Tedesco and Taukeiaho warming the pine. Manu slots in at fullback, and he's usually brilliant when he does. The Sharks have secured their top eight berth but have struggled all year against the better teams. By way of example, in round 17 they lost to the Knights 38-10. One week later the Knights played the Roosters, and lost 42-12. I can't see the Chooks beating the Sharks by 60, but I can't see them losing either.

Verdict – Roosters by 24

Result – Roosters 34 defeated Sharks 18

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

The Raiders attack is finding its feet late in the season - they've scored 30+ points in three of their last four outings. That game where they didn't was against the Roosters, so forgiveable. The Warriors have done tremendously well this season, but their finals campaign is over and they've had to send back all the troops they borrowed from other clubs. Back the green, mean winning machine.

Verdict – Raiders by 22

Result – Raiders 26 defeated Warriors 14

Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Sunday night – McDonald Jones Stadium

The Dragons have an imposing record over the Knights but they have nothing to play for on Sunday night...expect pride, and they haven't shown a lot of that. The Knights have won four in a row at home and this is their last game in Newcastle for the season (unless they jag a home final somehow). They were truly ordinary against the Chooks, but I'm pretty confident here.

Verdict – Knights by 8

Result – Knights 42 defeated Dragons 18

Wally Lewis - round nineteen selections (in bold)

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

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