Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Thursday night – Bankwest Stadium

The Eels kept the Storm scoreless last week, and while the Storm had a fair chunk of their first thirteen unavailable, the Storm are kept to 0 about once every decade...so it's worth noting. I'm not worried about the Eels defence, but their attack is a concern. In their last seven games, they have scored 18 points or less six times. Meanwhile the Bunnies have scored 32, 28, 31 and 56 in their last four outings. Now the Eels are a tougher opponent than the teams the Bunnies have been beating up of late, but the Rabbits look like a team peaking in the lead up to finals football. The Eels beat them pretty soundly earlier this year and are a red hot favourite, but I'll take them on in this.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 7

Result – Rabbitohs 38 defeated Eels 0

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans – Friday night – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

While neither side will play finals football this season, they're both playing some attractive football at times, and on potential could have some successful years in front of them. The Dragons are clearly a better side with Hunt at hooker (even if he doesn't want to be there), and Dean Young is the kind of (interim) coach that will keep this team on the straight and narrow until the regular season wraps up. They're not certainties in this, particularly with Vaughan and Sims ruled out, but the Titans are missing Fotuaika and Peats...so that evens things up a little on the missing forwards front. I'm with the Dragons at home, and backing Dufty to score a try at some point looks sensible to me.

Verdict – Dragons by 4

Result – Titans 14 defeated Dragons 10

Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – Sydney Cricket Ground

Round four this year was probably the first indication that something was seriously wrong at the Brisbane Broncos. The cardboard cutouts would have been heading for the exits early (if they could) as the Roosters racked up a 59-0 victory at Suncorp. It could have been more. You would think that would be the low water mark for the Broncos this season, but they've sunk way lower than that. As I write we are waiting to hear from their departing coach. I expect he will be tight-lipped (no doubt part of his settlement agreement). Peter Gentle carries on the interim - do not go gentle into that good night. Milford and Luke are missing on Friday night, so once again they are shuffling the troops in those key playmaking roles. Croft returns on the bench. The Roosters, with a raft of injury issues, dominated the Tigers last week. An ominous sign, given the Tigers beat the Broncos 48-0 in round ten. Cordnor and Tupou are back for the tricolours, and they just win.

Verdict – Roosters by 22

Result – Roosters 58 defeated Broncos 12

New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights – Saturday afternoon – Scully Park

A real danger game for the Knights here, who have effectively sealed a finals berth already this season. Note the location, so this is the first time all season the Warriors get to play in front of the people of Tamworth. They have shown all season tremendous grit under duress and I assume they can lift for this. Blake Green, who left the Warriors for the Knights, is now injured. He'll be replaced by Mason Lino, another ex-Warrior. An upset result on the cards here, but the locals won't be upset about it. Potentially the game of the round.

Verdict – Warriors by 2

Result – Warriors 36 defeated Knights 6

Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys – Saturday night – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

As I see it, there are four teams in the NRL currently doing well enough to win the premiership, and another two that could (potentially) get to that level. The Sharks are likely to make the top eight this season, but they are clearly not one of those top four (or top six) teams. They should win this, particularly at home, but they'll have nowhere to hide when only eight sides remain. Some notable returns for both sides on Saturday night - with Johnson back for the Sharks and Holmes returning on the wing for the Cowboys. With Holmes on a $5.8 million deal with his club, he has to be the most expensive winger in the history of everything.

Verdict – Sharks by 14

Result – Sharks 28 defeated Cowboys 12

Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers – Saturday night – Panthers Stadium

For Tigers fans, I fear their hopes for this season are dashed on Saturday night. They are currently four points adrift of 8th spot, and four of their last five games are against genuine finals contenders. If anything, they're in more danger of falling below the teams (Dragons, Warriors) behind them. Harry Grant is an important return for them, and the Panthers have lost two key players in Kikau and Koroisau, but the Panthers will find a way with the crew they have. It's a good crew, and the minor premiership beckons.

Verdict – Panthers by 8

Result – Panthers 30 defeated Tigers 6

Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea Eagles – Sunday afternoon – Sunshine Coast Stadium

The Storm, barely recognisable last weekend with a team missing almost all of their best and brightest, still only conceded 14 points to a team well entrenched in the top four. That said, they failed to score a solitary point, but bringing back Cameron Smith, Munster and Hughes should help considerably (and allows Papenhuyzen to focus on one playmaking role rather than trying to manage four playmaking roles simultaneously). They also get Jesse Bromwich back, but lose brother Kenny to a calf issue and Brandon Smith (not a brother) to his second broken face for the year. Despite that he still got up, politely asked the trainer not to touch the sinkhole where his face used to be, and politely asked the referee if his team deserved a penalty. Clearly his pain receptors are built differently to the rest of us. Manly, it seems, may have given up on this season if their last effort is any indication. Thompson returns (as a reptile) following a tongue injury, and may have similar pain receptors to Brandon Smith. The Storm have a fairly cosy run into the finals from here and will be looking to secure a top two finish at least.

Verdict – Storm by 16

Result – Storm 30 defeated Sea Eagles 6

Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Sunday afternoon – GIO Stadium

Corey Harawira-Naera is out of the Raiders side on Sunday which is a good idea because...well...awkward. Papalii (aka the fastest man in league), along with Lui and Young return to the starting pack. Dylan Napa (aka the man who wants to be the fastest man in league) returns from suspension, while the Bulldogs make a number of positional changes. I think it would be a little unfair if the Bulldogs end up with the wooden spoon this season, but to avoid it they need to win at least one more game. It won't be this one.

Verdict – Raiders by 34

Result – Raiders 34 defeated Bulldogs 20

Wally Lewis - round sixteen selections (in bold)

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

• EELS vs Rabbitohs
• DRAGONS vs Titans
• ROOSTERS vs Broncos
• Warriors vs KNIGHTS
• SHARKS vs Cowboys
• PANTHERS vs Tigers
• STORM vs Sea Eagles
• RAIDERS vs Bulldogs