Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys – Thursday night – Suncorp Stadium

The last time I was at the ground to see these two teams play was on the 12 September 2015. In terms of quality, it was the best game I've ever been at the ground to witness (that I was sitting right next to the Broncos interchange probably helped). A few weeks later those teams gave us one of the greatest grand finals in the history of the game. On Thursday night their 2020 campaigns come to a dismal end as 14th plays 16th. To shine so brightly, then to fall so far. The Titans have notched up as many (or more) wins in a month than these sides have done all year. Theoretically the Cowboys could still end up with the wooden spoon, but they would have to lose by 87 points to a team that hasn't beaten anybody. That only happens if the Cowboys plane disappears into Moreton Bay, so we may as well assume the Cowboys are safe. They may be safe, but I'm sure they would like to take some joy out of this season by winning the derby. It's something. Clearly the Broncos have more on the line, as a win gives them a chance at avoiding their first ever wooden spoon. Plenty of motivation there, but they've been motivated to perform for much of this season and continue to be found short. Team lists are yet to be finalised but Gamble is unlikely after a concussion last week. Croft probably returns, but hasn't had a great year. Turpin may return, but his hand wouldn't be 100%. David Fifita is definitely out, but Haas is expected to return. For the Cowboys, Mcguire and Asiata will return to bolster a pack that looked far better last week with Taumalolo back in the fray. It's hard to split these two, but for me it came down to this:

This is the last game for Gavin Cooper and Darius Boyd. I think the Cowboys desire to win for Coops will be stronger than the Broncos desire to win for Darius.

Verdict – Cowboys by 10

Result – Cowboys 32 defeated Broncos 16

Gold Coast Titans vs Newcastle Knights – Friday night – Cbus Super Stadium

There's a lot on the line in this game. Not so much for the Titans, although a win does ensure they finish 9th for the season. It means more to the Knights who can shore up 6th place and a home final next week. That's important, but it pales into insignificance alongside what this game means for Triple M league commentator Anthony Maroon. Maroon, not shy when it comes to outrageous statements, vowed to have a sex change operation should the Titans win five games in a row. So here we are, in the last round of the season, and the Titans are in form, at home, and on the verge of sending Maroon off for gender reassignment at Sydney Private Hospital. Male to female is a 7-10 day turnaround, which sees Maroon returning from injury in time for the grand final. An opportunity to be the first female caller of the NRL grand final awaits. Jai Arrow is taking this so seriously, he's shaved off his beautiful head of mullet in preparation for the match. They're up for this, and if both teams give their best it's close to the game of the round.

Verdict – Titans...with a Jai Arrow golden point try in the 89th minute

Result – Titans 36 defeated Knights 6

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters – Friday night – ANZ Stadium

Whatever the outcome here, the Chooks finish the season in third place. That said, I'm sure they don't want to lose to their favourite rival a week out from the finals series. If the Rabbitohs win they can snare a home final next week providing the Knights lose, and I'm sure they don't want to lose to the Chooks either. A loss to the Bulldogs is hardly encouraging form from the Bunnies, and while they welcome back Gagai they lose the suspended Su'a who has been penalised for one of the hits of the season. The Chooks continued on their merry way with an entirely professional win over the Sharks, and they'll bring back Tedesco, Cordnor, Taukeiaho and Friend on Friday night. That's a lot of class, and they'll have too much of it this weekend.

Verdict – Roosters by 7

Result – Rabbitohs 60 defeated Roosters 8

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday afternoon – ANZ Stadium

I waited until team lists were announced before writing up the previews for the games after Friday night...and with good reason. No changes for the Bulldogs (on a rare winning streak of one) but the Panthers are giving Edwards, Kikau and Crichton a breather. Many of the key personel are still in the seventeen, but could get put in cotton wool at some point during the 80 minutes. This game gives Matt Burton a rare opportunity off the bench for the Panthers - he's a proper talent and I for one am keen to see him on the park. Regardless of the changes, the Panthers and Bulldogs are where they are on the ladder for a reason. That Panthers backline simply looks too strong.

Verdict – Panthers by 13

Result – Panthers 42 defeated Bulldogs 0

Cronulla Sharks vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

The Raiders could have made the top four with a win here (providing the Eels lost), but it looks like they would rather finish 5th and host a home final. The Raiders have ten new inclusions for this game - they may have made more but Ricky ran out of fingers and/or players. The Sharks have had a dream draw this season, and have scraped into the top eight on the back of that. Every time they play a top eight team they lose, but this Raiders side only has 3-4 players that will make their list in the finals. Ricky Stuart should have plonked some money on the Sharks to cover the cost of his fine. The Sharks aren't specials, but if they can't win this what hope are they next week when they probably face the Raiders again?

Verdict – Sharks by 4

Result – Raiders 38 defeated Sharks 28

Wests Tigers vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday night – Bankwest Stadium

The Tigers must be a little annoyed that they are in danger of losing 9th place to the Titans - it's a ladder position they usually have a stranglehold on most seasons. That's not enough reason for the Tigers to lift for this, but sending Benji Marshall out with a win could be (if Benji doesn't get one more season with someone it's madness). Note that this game starts after the Sharks/Raiders match. If the Raiders lose, the Eels are safely in the top four. They will also know the outcome of the Rabbitohs/Roosters match, and if the Roosters lose that the Eels could move to 3rd place. 3rd place means playing the Storm in Queensland which isn't much of a reward. I expect they would rather stay in western Sydney and play Penrith. Soooooo....a lot of things to consider here, but we need to make a pick now. I'm with the Eels to squeak home in this, because the forwards battle here looks like a real mis-match. I'm not remotely confident at all, but:

Verdict – Eels by 2

Result – Eels 28 defeated Tigers 24

New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles – Sunday afternoon – Central Coast Stadium

Two teams effectively tied for 11th, and with not a lot to play for here. The winner of this game finishes higher on the ladder than the loser...so that's something. It's fair to say one of these sides have over-achieved while the other under-achieved, and the under-achievers were particularly disappointing last week in their last game for the season at Brookvale. Whatever happens, the Warriors get to finally go home after this, so they'll be in high spirits. They're missing their fullback and captain, but Manly are missing their fullback too, and a whole lot more than that this year. I wonder when the Redcliffe Dolphins will start chasing Cherry-Evans for their inaugural season.

Verdict – Warriors by 8

Result – Warriors 40 defeated Sea Eagles 28

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Melbourne Storm – Sunday night – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

 

Ricky Stuart: I'm going to break the record for the most team changes in a single game.

Craig Bellamy: Hold my beer.

Dragons coach Dean Young compared his side to the under 8s last start. Harsh...but fair. In their last outing for the season they get to take on a bunch of randoms that have been handed Storm jumpers on the streets of the Sunshine Coast. Putting their feet up for the weekend are (deep breath) Smith, Munster, Kaufusi, Hughes, Bromwich, Bromwich, Lee, Addo-Carr, Olam, Asofa-Solomona, Vunivalu and Faasuamaleaui. It's extraordinary, and they'll still win.

Verdict – Storm by 2

Result – Dragons 30 defeated Storm 22

Wally Lewis - round twenty selections (in bold)

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

• BRONCOS vs Cowboys
• Titans vs KNIGHTS
• Rabbitohs vs ROOSTERS
• Bulldogs vs PANTHERS
• SHARKS vs Raiders
• Tigers vs EELS
• Warriors vs SEA EAGLES
• DRAGONS vs Storm